The 2010 CASCADE for “Making a Difference”

 

At their 8th annual Awards Gala held in Montréal (Québec), on May 7, the Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC) announced the 2010 winners of the CASCADE Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in science and technology engagement by its members. Nominations for  Making a Difference are adjudicated by the CASC Board of Directors. This award recognizes an  individual engaged directly in program or exhibit delivery who has made a significant difference to their colleagues and their public visitors.

 

2010 CASCADE for ”Making A Difference”
Dr. David Pantalony
Canada Science and Technology Museum

 

Dr. David Pantalony has made a difference to the Canada Science and Technology Museum by bringing a fresh approach to learning using the scientific instrument collection.  Among his other contributions, by initiating the museum’s first-ever Reading Artefacts Summer Institute, David brought together students, curators and other experts to learn how to discover the stories behind scientific instruments in the collection in a 5 day intensive learning experience.  The result has opened up a new avenue of collaborative teaching for the museum.   David has a PhD from the University of Toronto’s Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology and a post-Doctoral position at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.  He has also worked as curator at the Bakken Museum in Minneapolis.  When he joined CSTM in 2006, David assumed responsibility for the physical science and medical collections – some 7,000 objects.

 

The 2009 Reading Artefacts Summer Institute brought together 25 participants, CSTM curatorial staff and four other specialists. Introduced to a so-called mystery instrument at the beginning, over five days participants were gradually given access to more sources of information. The response was unanimously positive.  David’s vision and energy has made the museum artefact collection even more relevant to visitors, staff, and researchers alike. Thank you David, for making a difference to the Canada Science and Technology Museum and to the Canadian Association of Science Centres community.
 
About CASC
The Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC) builds capacity for its members to inspire a creative and prosperous Canada through science and technology engagement.  More than 8 million people, nearly a quarter of Canada's population, visit member centres of the Canadian Association of science centres each year. Forty-five organisations comprise the full and developing membership of the association, including science centres and museums, children's museums, nature centres, planetariums and outreach organisations.  Affliate members include organisations such as consultants, suppliers, government and industry organisations that support the interests and mandate of the association.

Contact: Tracy Ross, Executive Director
Tel: 613-566-4247  Email: ross@sciencenorth.ca
www.canadiansciencecentres.ca