Beakerhead Petri Dish brought together science, art and creativity at TELUS Spark Science Centre from Nov. 6-8 with live performances, interactive vendors, speaker events and hands-on activities. 

“Petri Dish is about creating the conditions for curiosity to grow,” said Guy Labine, president and CEO of TELUS Spark Science Centre, in a September media release. “By bringing together scientists, artists, engineers, community partners and curious Calgarians, we can create something none of us could build alone.”

The three-day event gave curious Calgarians an opportunity to explore science beyond the laboratory.

Patrick Hbert conducts a live fire experiment during the Hot vs. Cold show at the Beakerhead Petri Dish event at TELUS Spark Calgary on Nov. 7, 2026. PHOTO: EMMA ALGER
Beaker Head Trish Macalintal shoots dry ice out of a cannon to create snow at the Hot vs. Cold live performance for Petri Dish at TELUS Spark, Calgary, on Nov. 7, 2026. PHOTO: EMMA ALGER

Hot vs. Cold: A battle of extremes

The Beaker Heads brought fire and ice to the stage during their Hot vs. Cold live show.

A dynamic duo performed a series of experiments that challenged the audience to decide which element was ‘coolest.’

  • Beaker Head Patrick Hebert holding a plastic bottle with fire reacting to oxygen inside during the Hot vs. Cold performance at Petri Dish. Photo was taken at TELUS Spark, Calgary on Nov. 7, 2026. PHOTO: EMMA ALGER
  • Trish Macalintal blowing a cloud made from dry ice after her demonstration at the Hot vs. Cold live show for Petri Dish at TELUS Spark, Calgary, on Nov. 7, 2026. PHOTO: EMMA ALGER
  • Beaker Head Patrick Hebert walking with the dry ice barrel to show the crowd the reaction during the Hot vs. Cold live show for Petri Dish at TELUS Spark, Calgary, on Nov. 7, 2026. PHOTO: EMMA ALGER
Dry ice exploding in a barrel, scattering plastic balls in the air during the Hot vs. Cold live show at Beakerhead Petri Dish at TELUS Spark, Calgary, on Nov. 7, 2026. PHOTO: EMMA ALGER
Patrick Hebert combining dry ice and fire to create light at the Hot vs. Cold live event for Beakerhead Petri Dish at TELUS Spark, Calgary, on Nov. 7, 2026. PHOTO: EMMA ALGER

Medieval Duel: Knights in combat

Members of the Calgary Silver Gryphons took to the arena for the HASCA Medieval Duel, putting their medieval armoured combat skills on display.

The fighters showcased the techniques and traditions of medieval combat while answering audience questions.

The people and skills behind Petri Dish

From local vendors and event volunteers to performers, a diverse group of people helped bring Petri Dish to life.

Their contributions highlighted the creativity, knowledge, and skills that made the festival possible.

Beakerhead Petri Dish volunteer Katherine Winston demonstrating a Wimshurst machine to generate electricity at TELUS Spark, Calgary, on Nov. 7, 2026.
PHOTO: EMMA ALGER
Katie Love is a member of the Calgary Silver Gryphons, a group that engages in armoured medieval combat. Photo was taken at the Beakerhead Petri Dish event at TELUS Spark, Calgary, on Nov. 7, 2026. PHOTO: EMMA ALGER
Sinead Ludwig-Burgess demonstrating her welding techniques at Beakerhead Petri Dish at TELUS Spark, Calgary, on Nov. 7, 2026. She also made the recent MRU Mace used at graduation.
PHOTO: EMMA ALGER
  • Shelby Charlesworth is a representative from Kiyooka Ohe Arts Centre at Petri Dish TELUS Spark, Calgary on Nov. 8, 2026. PHOTO: EMMA ALGER
  • Hanna Stroud at their stall promoting reusing and recycling fabrics at Beakerhead Petri Dish at TELUS Spark, Calgary, on Nov. 7, 2026. PHOTO: EMMA ALGER
  • Ryland Kaiser is the lead facilitator for Steamoji, a STEM maker academy for kids ages 6-14 that teaches coding and robotics. Photo was taken at Beakerhead Petri Dish at TELUS Spark, Calgary, on Nov. 7, 2026. PHOTO: EMMA ALGER
Sinead Ludwig-Burgess’s hands’ holding a torch demonstrating welding during Beakerhead Petri Dish at TELUS Spark, Calgary, on Nov. 7, 2026. PHOTO: EMMA ALGER

Report an Error or Typo

Emma Alger is a fourth-year journalism student who loves to learn and report about local community stories, odd topics, and human rights. She likes using photography and video to tell stories in different...