Objective 1:

To provide the public with a better understanding of important science being done on issues affecting Canada such as:

• Environmental sustainability;
• Climate change mitigation and adaptation;
• Competitiveness of natural resources sectors; and,
• Public safety and national security

Objective 2:

Benefit from a mutual opportunity to expand reach when disseminating science knowledge (to reach new audiences)

Objective 3:

To increase public understanding of evidence-based decision-making

• Encourage innovation via the dissemination of information (e.g. success stories); 
  
• Maintain a dialogue on the sustainable and responsible development of Canada’s natural resources; 

• Share best practices on clean, sustainable, efficient technologies and best practices related to natural resources; and, 
• Promote the safety of Canadians and Canada’s natural resources against pests, fire, and other hazards. 
• 
  

Between Sky and Earth

A science outreach activity conducted by the Sherbrooke Museum of Nature and Science in collaboration with the faculty of geomatics from the Université de Sherbrooke.

Participants watched live demonstrations of remote sensing technologies like LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), discussed the usefulness of drones, their benefits, as well as their drawbacks and limitations and experimented with multi-criteria analysis. Students were able to engage with actual researchers providing them with a better understanding of the applications of these technologies – fueling their curiosity for science.

Ocean Wise National Dialogue on Plastics Writers Retreat

The youth truly are the future. They are the upcoming consumers, influencers, and change makers of the world.

Through programs like the National Dialogue the students are given the opportunity to educate themselves and empower others to make a difference for their future; and these students are seizing the opportunity.

Students across Canada met at the Vancouver Aquarium, an Ocean Wise Initiative, for the Writers Retreat. Under the guidance of the Centre for Global Education Coordinators, the students developed their knowledge and worked collaboratively with each other and their communities to develop real solutions to the plastic problem. Over the course of the weekend, the students sifted through all of the conversations from the virtual meetings, the online classroom, and the data collected during the Virtual Town Hall.

Based on this information, the youth created a draft white paper that will be presented to a governing body in Canada. The document contains the policy, practice and societal changes that the youth of Canada believe the country should take in order to affect the impacts of plastic pollution. Education was the highest priority amongst the students, with policy change also a key part of the students’ recommended strategy.

To Catch a Falling Sky: Keynote Speaker Series

A conversation series exploring challenges and solutions for water, energy and food resources

The main theme behind the “To Catch a Falling Sky series” is to present endeavours that inspire hope as actions for mitigation and adaptation to climate change. This particular conversation series exposed cutting-edge scientific discovery and research on the future of energy, water and food. High profile and outstanding speakers, including First Nations community members, engaged with the audience with interactive discussions following their keynote presentations and comments from the panelists, allowing for vibrant discourse around critical and sometimes controversial topics related to climate, sustainability and resource scarcity.

The format of each event was a keynote speech, followed by comments from expert panelists and then a moderated discussion with the audience. The events took place in the Science Theatre at Science World and were the first two events in the series, produced by Science World BC in partnership with Simon Fraser University (SFU) and Pacific Water Research Centre (PWRC).

Research Zone

The NRCan – Science Outreach and Engagement Grant allowed TELUS World of Science to run two cohorts of students through their Research Zone program.

Participants learned about guests’ motivations for visiting an informal learning institution (ILI), how learning takes place at an ILI, and facilitation strategies for engaging with the general public. In addition, students were supported in building their own hands- on, table-top activity that connected to their own work.