NEWSLETTER

July 15, 2021

        

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This past year proved that we can achieve much by working together.

In September, during Science Literacy Week (Sept. 20-26) we are excited to announce two opportunities to showcase globally, our members and community.

  • CASC Member Virtual Programming Week with Exploring by the Seat of your Pants: September 20-24, 2021. Learn more.
  • 2021 CASCADE Awards: September 23, 2021 Virtually. Learn more.

Government of Canada & COVID-19 Support

  • Tourism Relief Fund Minister Joly launched $500-million in funding for the new Tourism Relief Fund on July 12. Eligible organizations can now submit applications to support the tourism sector to prepare to welcome back domestic travelers and reposition Canada as a world-class destination.
  • Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) As a Canadian employer who continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible to apply for one of the two subsidies to cover part of your employee wages.

Association Info

> Our Board Of Directors & the 50-30 Challenge

CASC recently joined the 50/30 Challenge, an initiative by Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada.

The 50-30 Challenge strives to increase representation and inclusion at senior leadership levels. As part of this challenge, we aspire to achieve gender parity (50%) and significant representation (30%) of other under-represented groups: racialized persons including Black Canadians, persons living with disabilities (including invisible and episodic disabilities), Canadians who identify as LGBTQ2+, and First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

To meet this challenge, the Board consensus was to not fill the available vacancies during the 2021 Board elections . This leaves (3) vacant seats on the CASC Board of Directors, which can have a maximum of 15 Board Members.

By creating this space on our Board, we can be deliberate about seeking representation that is truly reflective of the workforce and visitors of Science Centres across Canada.

Sign up today!

Organizations, not-for-profit organizations and other institutions that are interested in the 50 – 30 Challenge can sign up by filling in the 50 - 30 Challenge form.

> CASCADE Awards: Call for Nominations

Our New APPLICATION PORTAL awaits your CASCADE Awards Nomination!

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our New APPLICATION PORTAL. We’ll be integrating the system for all future applications (i.e. awards, conference sessions, funding opportunities, etc.).

Individual CASCADE Awards: The nominees can be an employee or a volunteer of a CASC Science Centre/Museum or Affiliate Member.

  • Emerging Professional 
  • Exceptional Project/ Program Leadership 
  • Outstanding Career Achievement

Institutional CASCADE Awards: Total of four awards, categorized according to the overall cost of the project. Open to all CASC Science Centre/Museum and Affiliate Members.

  • Category 1: $1M and over
  • Category 2: $250,000 to $1 million
  • Category 3: $50,000 to $250,000
  • Category 4: $50,000 and under

Related to one or more of the following offerings that were delivered in Canada:

  • Temporary or travelling exhibition;

  • New permanent exhibition/gallery;

  • Improvement of a permanent exhibition/gallery (at least 60%);

  • Multimedia, live presentation or planetarium show;

  • Public engagement programs - onsite or outreach educational, interpretive, or public program, such as school visits, camps, festivals, outreach, weekend events, etc.

Learn more about the process and eligibility for nominations here. 

Deadline for submissions is:

July 23, 2021 at midnight Eastern Time. There will be no extensions to the deadline.

SAVE THE DATE!

The Canadian Association of Science Centres will host the CASCADE Awards on September 23, 2021 VIRTUALLY!

> TOGETHER Against Misinformation

Did You Know?

Social media is one of the primary – if not the – drivers of COVID misinformation. And it has real-world impact. Recent research, for example, has found that misinformation has reduced intention to vaccinate by more than 6% in the USA and the UK.

ScienceUpFirst is a funded initiative, operated by the Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC), that shares the best available science in creative ways to stop the spread of misinformation. The initiative is now fully staffed with a team of 7 people.

Here’s an example of creative content you can expect to find across all #ScienceUpFirst platforms:

Wondering what reopening looks like for families with kids under 12?

Before gathering, consider your family’s risk profile and that of the people you are planning to meet with. This includes:

  • Whether anyone has symptoms of COVID-19

  • Whether anyone was recently been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19

  • Activities during the week, and the safety measures in place there (e.g. in-person school or daycare)

  • Vaccination status
  • Case numbers in your region
  • Health conditions
  • Risk tolerance

Check out the full post on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

How can you help?

1. Join the movement: Follow on social media!

2. Go to ScienceUpFirst.com/share/ for downloadable versions of all the recent posts.

3. Use the Hashtag #ScienceUpFirst when you are:

  • Posting expert-vetted content.
  • Sharing expert-vetted content.

  • Pointing out misinformation online.

> #SciLit: A Week with CASC Members

We are thrilled to announce that CASC, in partnership with Exploring By The Seat Of Your Pants (EBTSOYP) is hosting a 5-day initiative that will showcase virtual programming from across our membership to students grades 4-8 from schools all around the world.

The call for expressions of interest closed on July 11, 2021. If you didn’t get a chance to submit, reach out to Tina at leduc@casc-accs.com to see how you can be involved. 

We are looking forward to sharing more details as we approach Science Literacy Week (Sept. 20-26, 2021).

Hosting a #ScilIt event? Add your details to the #SciLit Partner Hub.

> This summer, find inspiration at a Science Centre/Museum!

The CASC Member Reciprocal Agreement entitles science centre/museum membership holders (i.e. families and individuals) General Admission (at no additional cost) when they visit other participating institutions across Canada.

As the country begins to move into various stages of reopening, so are our members. We suggest you visit their website or give them a call to find out their current status and offerings. 

Find a Science Centre/Museum here and see who’s participating in our Reciprocal Agreement here

Many of our members continue to serve their communities online. Follow them on social media for a steady stream of ideas for exploring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) engagement.

> Welcoming our new members

The Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre is the leader in preserving, promoting and celebrating the culture and heritage of Canada’s Muskoka District. 

Exploring By The Seat Of Your Pants aims to inspire the next generation of scientists, explorers and conservationists. We do this by bringing science, exploration, adventure and conservation live into classrooms through virtual speakers and field trips with leading experts across the globe.

News & Opportunities

OUR MEMBERS

        COLLABORATORS & FRIENDS

            • Indigenous Corporate Training How much do you actually know about Indigenous Peoples ? Would you like to build a better understanding of some of the issues you hear in the news? Indigenous relations training can be a helpful way to get off on the right foot.

              • Register now for ASTC 2021! Online  October 5 - October 7, 2021, with Pre-conference ASTC Intensives September 28 - October 1, 2021. 
              • CASC is planning to host a virtual Canadian Get-together - Stay tuned for more details later this summer.

                FUNDING & GRANTS

                      OUR MISSION

                      CASC empowers a national network of organizations who champion Science and Innovation by making science approachable, relevant, and accessible.

                      OUR VISION

                      Canada has a thriving science and innovation culture of engaged citizens.

                      Share your news!

                      If you have an item of interest for the newsletter please contact info@casc-accs.com.

                      For recent member news click here.

                      Host a webinar!

                      Do you have a great suggestion for a webinar?

                      Send an expression of interest to leduc@casc-accs.com.

                      Make a DONATION!

                      The Canadian Association of Science Centres is a registered charity 

                      (# 87543 9861 RR001). 

                      Donate today!