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GOULD STREET
Q&A Professor Bryan Koivisto experiments at the Science Discovery Zone
The Science Discovery Zone (SDZ) at Ryerson offers mentoring to innovative students and space to test their ideas. The zone opened in 2016 under the guidance of the Office of Zone Learning and the Faculty of Science. We spoke to director Bryan Koivisto to learn more about the zone.
RU |
Why was the SDZ created? |
BK |
To provide a space on campus for students to be innovative without feeling the need to start a company. The zone focuses on an evidence-based approach to innovation, which means you start with any idea and subject it to a cycle of validating your idea with prospective customers and being receptive to their feedback (or pivoting) — it is akin to the scientific method. In so doing you can take any small idea and turn it into a great idea in a collaborative way. |
RU |
What is unique about the SDZ? |
BK |
From a young age, students are taught that there are right and wrong answers. Unfortunately, this assessment strategy has led to a timid and risk-averse segment within our innovation wheelhouse, and ironically some of the brightest minds fear taking entrepreneurial risks because they are afraid of failure. At the SDZ, we believe that breakthroughs are realized through countless failures and by unravelling misconceptions en route to discovery. In other words, scientific knowledge only exists because of failure and observation. The SDZ is a safe place to fail – without judgment. |
RU |
What resources does the SDZ offer? |
BK |
The SDZ runs like a startup, and we view young innovators (students), mentors and industry partners as our customers (members). Our zone encourages collaboration among all members in order to innovate at an extraordinary pace. We believe our community is one of our greatest resources, which includes a diverse mix of students, alumni, faculty, staff, business leaders and entrepreneurs. Our on-campus working space and lab are also great resources for our members to experiment, collaborate and learn from one another. |
RU |
Can students without a background in science join the SDZ? |
BK |
The evidence-based approach to innovation backed by the scientific method can apply to any nature of innovation, as such anyone who wants to innovate is welcome to join the SDZ. In fact, only 50 per cent of our members are based in the Faculty of Science, and we continue to recruit interested mentors and students from all faculties and backgrounds. |
RU |
What’s an example of a success story from SDZ? |
BK |
Science student Mark Zaidi and partner Leslie Capobianco started a business called Entropy Labs. They have discovered a more economical and sustainable method to produce aerogel – an insulating substance that is three times more expensive (per gram) than gold. Although Entropy Labs is in the research and development phase, they have already won $20,400 in awards and grants to support growth. |
