One of the most transformative initiatives launched by Partners In Research was the Virtual Researcher On Call (VROC) program — a bold reimagining of how students could interact with the world of science, technology, and innovation. It was the brainchild of Ron Calhoun in a time when he realized their  classroom visits from researchers were limited by geography, scheduling, and time resource allocation. VROC removed those barriers almost entirely by connecting Canadian classrooms with real scientists and engineers via live video conferencing. Suddenly, a high school student in a rural town could speak face-to-face with a neuroscientist in Toronto or a biomedical engineer in Calgary — not through pre-recorded lectures, but in real-time conversations that brought science to life.

VROC was grounded in the belief that curiosity flourishes when students have direct access to role models in research. The program allowed educators to request guest speakers whose expertise aligned with their lesson plans, creating a seamless integration between curriculum and authentic scientific dialogue. Researchers, in turn, were eager to participate — many for the first time — in the act of public outreach and mentorship. These digital visits were often the spark that shifted a student’s thinking from passive learning to active exploration. VROC didn’t just transmit information; it built relationships between youth and the scientific community.

As the program grew, its impact became unmistakable. Hundreds of classroom sessions were held, reaching students in every province and territory. Teachers began building units and lesson plans around these virtual visits. Researchers reported gaining a renewed sense of purpose through their interactions with young learners. In many ways, VROC embodied the core mission of Partners In Research: to break down silos, to build bridges, and to make health research education real for the next generation. It was a program ahead of its time — one that set the standard for digital STEM outreach in Canada, and whose legacy continues to shape how we connect classrooms with the world beyond.