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Science Centres Nation-wide to Host Series of Public Engagement Events on Science in the North
26 MARCH 2012 – Through the generous support of The W. Garfield Weston Foundation, the Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC) will coordinate a nation-wide series of Café Scientifiques that will connect the public with arctic science researchers though meaningful discussion and learning.
Café Scientifiques are public engagement events that take place in an informal setting like a science centre, pub or restaurant. In these friendly settings, the public, scientists, and other researchers come together to share their perspectives on an important question that faces society today. The Science in Canada’s North Café Scientifique Series will feature researchers and questions that focus on aspects of Science in Canada’s North.
A peer-reviewed competitive funding process is now open to allow science centres to apply for project funding to execute these events. The Science in Canada’s North Café Scientifique Series is expected to attract hundreds of Canadians to explore important issues facing Canada’s north.
Project applications will be accepted immediately and considered by CASC’s peer review committee on an as-received basis until April 20th. Additional deadlines are posted. Once approved, Cafés will be added to the schedule. All the events will also be posted on www.cafescientifique.ca and promoted on science centre webpages, Facebook, and Twitter.
Visit the website at http://www.canadiansciencecentres.ca/?n=28-193 for more information about the Series and how to apply for funding.
About The W. Garfield Weston Foundation
The W. Garfield Weston Foundation is a private Canadian family foundation, established in the 1950’s by Willard Garfield Weston and his wife Reta. In 1924 Garfield inherited his father’s company and during his life established bakeries and other successful enterprises throughout Canada and in many parts of the world. Today, these businesses include the George Weston Limited and Loblaw Companies Limited, companies in food retailing, processing and distribution. The founders believed that as the funds are generated through the hard work and success of these Canadian companies, grants should be given in Canada for the benefit of Canadians. For three generations, The W. Garfield Weston Foundation has maintained a family tradition of supporting charitable organizations across Canada. Today the Foundation directs the majority of its funds to projects in the fields of land conservation, education, and science in Canada’s North.
About the Canadian Association of Science Centres
The Canadian Association of Science Centres builds capacity for science centres and museums 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 organisations of the Canadian Association of science centres each year. Members of the association include science centres and museums, children‘s museums, nature centres, planetariums, outreach organisations and their supporters. Its services for science centres include a National Awards program to recognize and share Outstanding science engagement projects, professional development to support the sharing of best practices, the provision of educational resources, and collaborative projects that encourage more and innovative free choice science learning.
For more information, contact:
Tracy Ross, Executive Director
Canadian Association of Science Centres
613-566-4247