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INNOVATION150

In 2015 The Ministry of Canadian Heritage approved funding for CASC Members to host informal science based programming through the Signature Initiatives Fund. As part of Innovation150, CASC offered opportunities for communities across the country to engage in innovation first hand. This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.

As a result of this funding, CASC partnered with the Perimeter Institute (PI),  ACTUAthe Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), and Ingenium to bring a series of exhibits, speakers and activities across Canada, with CASC Member Science Centres as the marquee locations to host the programs. 


More information can be found in the official Media Release which describes the background information and events planned in partnership with Innovation150. Click here to learn more about the organizations that were involved. 

INNOVATION150 EVENTS

Overall, twenty eight CASC members took part in Innovation150 programming. With the $625,000 received, CASC offered a series of opportunities for our members to participate in the Innovation150 program: 

QUANTUM: The Exhibition and Innovation Festivals:

QUANTUM: The Exhibition was hosted by six of our members as part of Innovation Festivals and one location that hosted a smaller version of the Exhibition. From the Institute for Quantum Computing, this interactive, travelling exhibition shared the wonders of the quantum world and the emerging quantum technologies that will shape our future.

Power of Ideas Tour:

Fifteen CASC members hosted this highly engaging tour featuring The Power of Ideas Exhibition from Perimeter Institute, The MakerMobile from Actua, and a speaker series.

Augmented Programming:

Several members chose to add to the Innovation 150 program by adding augmented programming.

Black Box

Designed and developed by Perimeter Institute in collaboration with the Ontario Science Centre, this hands-on freestanding exhibit provided a simple demonstration of the process of science at eight of our member locations.

Lloydminster Cultural and Science Centre

London Regional Children's Museum

The Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre

Sherbrooke Nature and Science Museum

Churchill Northern Studies Centre

Manuels River Hibernia Interpretation Centre

BIG Little Science Centre

THEMUSEUM

THEMUSEUM hosted a wide range of free public speakers which attracted audiences not normally reached through the centre's usual programming. Topics ranged from using Quantum in health care to Quantum security, topics that were a great addition to QUANTUM: The Exhibit that was ran between October 14, 2016 to January 1, 2017, and coincided with many of the public lectures.

THEMUSEUM was able to attract a large audience including young scientists with a girl guide sleepover and the QUBIT club which was able to stimulate curiosity in the young minds and made the whole event a success.

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TELUS World of Science - Edmonton

TELUS World of Science - Edmonton hosted The Rock n’ Roll n’ Space show featuring science communication icon Jay Ingram January 14, 2017, as well as a weekend community festival in June. The weekend community festival, held in conjunction with the Power of Ideas Tour, included a Canada 150 Celebration with Edmonton’s largest mentos and coke geyser, and Science of Survival activities throughout the day.

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Science World British Columbia

As the site of the National tour Launch, Science World British Columbia hosted two Federal Government Ministers as well as a Provincial Minister for the launch of the Innovation Festival: Vancouver, which included the opening of the Power of Ideas Exhibit, and an engaging talk by Neil Turok. Over the course of the festival, Science World BC hosted 23 events targeting a diverse audience. 

The Power of Ideas Exhibition ran from January 19 to 24, invited visitors to explore the processes of science, that are critical to the work accomplished by researchers. The exhibition was joined by the The Power of Ideas Presentation by Perimeter Institute, that shared the wonders of science and its importance to innovation. Workshops ran through Actua's MakerMobile were presented to school groups as well as the public, included Internet Everywhere, Innovation Generation, Everyone Can Code, Making Canadian Makers and the Innovation Station.

QUANTUM: The Exhibition coincided with the festival and the Power of Ideas tour, showcased Canada’s scientific excellence in quantum information science and technology using demonstrations to enhance the visitor experience and overall helping to inspire visitors.

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The Exploration Place

Hosted on January 21, 2017 The Exploration Place held a community event which encouraged people of all ages to come out and participate in science themed activities. With exhibitors like Science World, BC Green Games, UNBC Chemistry Club, Prince George Astronomical Society and many others, The Exploration Place provided hands on activities for its participants and engage the whole community.

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Saskatchewan Science Centre

The Innovation Festival: Saskatchewan was led provincially by the Saskatchewan Science Centre with the aim to raise the profile of Canada’s achievements in the world of STEM. Events took place in all areas of the province through March to June including Quantum: The Exhibition which was hosted at the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon. The Saskatchewan Science Centre Go! Science outreach team provided additional support programming at the museum to run activities such as Bridging the Gap, Scribble Bots, Makey Makey, Hoop Planes, Wind Car and the Canadarm Challenge. The Go! Science outreach team also travelled with the The Power of Ideas Tour team to schools throughout the province for complementary programming.  In the evening of March 30 the Saskatchewan Science Centre hosted a Beer & Quantum talk led by the Institute of Quantum Computing’s Martin Laforest.

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Nunavut Research Institute

The NRI hosted Dr. Giesbrecht, a leader in the field of human physiology in cold temperatures to discuss cold water safety. He conducted 6 lectures and 2 media interviews reaching audiences across Nunavut. The Institute informed the general public, as well as students and health professionals about the dangers of cold water submersion and techniques to get out. For the health professionals, the treatments of people with hypothermia was addressed to ensure proper practices. These activities effectively informed the community about cold water safety, which is much needed in Nunavut. 

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Youth Science Canada

Youth Science Canada in collaboration with the Innovation festival in Regina, held the annual Canada Wide Science Fair from May 14 to 20. With over 4,000 people attending the STEAM 2017: Festival of Learning and 583 participants in the fair, Youth Science Canada celebrated the young innovative Canadians and acknowledge their achievements. Hosting both the Power of Ideas Exhibit and the Actua Maker Mobile they promoted the power of innovation within the public.

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Manuels River Natural Heritage Society

The Manuels River Hibernia Interpretation Centre ran a series of events to celebrate the 150th birthday of Canada through the week of June 25 to 30, in the immediate lead-up to the 1st of July. One of these events was a Citizenship Ceremony, welcoming new citizens from 16 different countries. As Canada Day approached, a series of free nature tours on Manuels River were offered to the general public with topics including birds, botany, human history, geology, wetlands and palaeontology. During this week a series of Canadian themed events took place including  a trivia contest, a Dinner and a Movie evening, a scavenger hunt and of course a Canada Day breakfast. Also offered was a special Canadian Innovators version of Young Scientist, which encouraged participants to think about Canadian innovators through our nation’s history.

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TELUS Spark

TELUS Spark was pleased to participate in the three experiences offered by the Innovation 150 initiative. The Power of Ideas Tour was hosted at TELUS Spark from June 7 to 13, and was available to regular daily visitors, as well as an adult-oriented evening event. His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, visited the Power of Ideas exhibition and Maker Mobile joined by 100+ youth in a private reception for the launch of the Exhibition at TELUS Spark. On July 6, TELUS Spark hosted a half-day forum around the topic of Communicating and Teaching STEM (and STEAM) concepts with 11 knowledgeable panelists. This panel promoted QUANTUM: The Exhibition which was hosted by TELUS Spark from June 26 to August 7.

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Science North

Science North hosted the Power of Ideas Tour from July 24-26 as part of its Summer 2017 program. During this period, Science North also showcased 101 Inventions That Changed the World in their Special Exhibition Hall, a major exhibition that complemented the ideas shown in the Power of Ideas Tour. The content and style of the Power of Ideas Tour was a perfect fit with the 101 Inventions That Changed the World exhibition, both focusing on themes of creativity and innovation in science and technology. Three special workshops were offered in the Science Centre following these themes, with workshops such as the ‘MacGyver’ a Motor, which gave visitors an opportunity to tinker and experiment with a variety of everyday objects to construct simple motors.

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Canadian Association of Science Centres

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Ottawa, ON. K1P 5G4

info@casc-accs.com

The CASC office is situated in Robinson Huron Treaty territory and the traditional territory of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. We pay respect to their traditions, ways of knowing and acknowledge their many contributions to the innovations in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Clearly and overtly this gratitude must be demonstrated in our collective commitment to truth and reconciliation, by working to transform existing relationships, with open dialogue, mutual understanding and respectful collaborations

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