Media Advisory - Celebrate National Science & Technology Week (NSTW) in
Pacific Canada

BRITISH COLUMBIA, Oct. 16 /CNW/ - National Science & Technology Week (NSTW) allows students all over Canada to be a 'scientist-for-the-week' by delving into and exploring the many events taking place throughout BC and Canada October 16-25, 2009. Following this year's theme "Exploration and Discovery: Past, Present and Future", NSTW offers great opportunities to have fun and learn something new while taking pride in our national science programmes and achievements.

Here is a sample from the many special events happening here in BC:

    
    The 3rd annual Brighouse Science Bash
    October 23rd, 2009, Richmond Public Library, Richmond, BC

    From DNA to black holes - Attend this family event and allow your
imagination to soar by taking in numerous hands-on displays, demonstrations
and exhibits!

    Innovation Exploration
    October 17-19, 2009, Vancouver, BC

    BCIC's Innovation Exploration program is an annual three-day event focused
on education and career development, giving young scientists and innovators
the opportunity to meet and network with leaders from BC's science and
technology community. This private event is attended by regional science fair
winners who represent BC at the Canada Wide and International science fairs.

    National Science & Technology Week Feature Lecture Series
    October 20th, 2009, H.R. MacMillan, Vancouver, BC

    Arranged by Environment Canada - this high profile series of talks spans
the latest in science today with discussions ranging from fuel cell technology
to climate change.

    Free NRC movie night
    October 19th, 2009, Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Victoria, BC

    Grab a lawn chair and listen in as one of the Observatory's astronomers
discusses the 'facts and fictions' of the classic Sci-Fi movie Contact.

    Quantum Leaps Conference for Young Women
    October 22nd, 2009, West Kootenay Region, Castlegar, BC

    Hosted by the Kootenay Association for Science & Technology in partnership
with SCWIST, this event focuses on career development and highlights the
importance of continuing studies in both science and technology.

    UNBC Undergraduate Student Research Banquet
    October 22nd, 2009, Prince George, BC

    Students, industry members, UNBC faculty and local Chamber of Commerce
come together to celebrate the achievements of NSERC supported UNBC
undergraduate student researchers.
    

Visit www.science.gc.ca or www.bcscienceoutreach.ca for a complete listing of NSTW events taking place in your area.

About the BC Innovation Council

The British Columbia Innovation Council (BCIC) is the lead organization charged with driving the commercialization of new technologies in British Columbia. BCIC is focused on accelerating the growth of our science and technology communities and competitively positioning British Columbia in the global science and technology economy in order to provide significant employment opportunities and a high standard of living for British Columbians. BCIC is a Crown agency of the Province of British Columbia.

For more information about BCIC, visit www.bcic.ca.

    
    BACKGROUNDER
    October 16, 2009


    Celebrate National Science & Technology Week (NSTW) in Pacific Canada

                     Feature Events in the Pacific Region

    Visit www.science.gc.ca or www.bcscienceoutreach.ca for a complete listing
of NSTW events taking place in your area.


    The 3rd annual Brighouse Science Bash (Richmond, BC)
    Location:    Richmond Brighouse Public library
    Date:        Friday, October 23rd, 2009 (provincial ProD day)
    Time:        10:00am - 4:00pm

    From DNA to black holes - join us for this FREE family event and allow
your imagination to soar by taking in numerous hands-on displays,
demonstrations and exhibits! Enjoy this chance to have a 'down-to-Earth' chat
about your favourite science topic and discover the latest and greatest work
being done by Canadians today. This year we are adding something new for you
to enjoy - our special 'centre stage demonstrations'! Be sure to get your
'science passport' stamped at each exhibit while collecting some freebies
along the way!

    For more information, please contact Eric Chisholm [phone]
[email protected] or Amy Wakeford [phone] [email protected]

    Innovation Exploration (Vancouver, BC)
    Location:    Vancouver and Lower Mainland, BC
    Date:        Saturday, October 17th to Monday October 19th, 2009
    Time:        Full day of events (check schedule at bcic.ca)

    BC Innovation Council's Innovation Exploration program recognizes winners
of regional science fairs who represent British Columbia at the national
Canada Wide Science Fair and international science fairs. The annual three-day
event during National Science and Technology Week focuses on ideas, education
and career development, giving young scientists and innovators the opportunity
to meet and network with leaders from BC's science and technology development
community. Students participate in activities at BC post secondary
institutions, research institutions and industry facilities, and also attend
BCIC Connect '09.

    For more information, please contact Amy Wakeford [phone]
[email protected]

    National Science & Technology Week Feature Lecture Series (Vancouver, BC)
    Location:    H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
    Date:        Tuesday, October 20th, 2009
    Time:        11:00am - 3:00pm

    Arranged by Environment Canada - this high profile series of talks spans
the latest in science today. With discussions ranging from fuel cell
technology to climate change; take in the presentations from this all-star
group of senior scientists and glimpse the reality of today while catching a
sneak peek of the science of tomorrow.

    For more information, please contact Austen Mayor [phone]
[email protected]

    Free NRC movie night (Victoria, BC)
    Location:    5071 West Saanich Rd, Dominion Astrophysical Observatory
                 (NRC-HIA)
    Date:        Monday, October 19th, 2009
    Time:        6:30 - 10:00pm

    Hey movie fans! If you love the movies and want to learn about the science
behind the classic Sci-Fi movie "Contact", join Dr. James Di Francesco
(NRC-HIA) as he explores the facts and fictions in this specially moderated
version of the film. Bring your lawn chairs and imaginations for this rain or
shine event as you watch the show on the giant dome of the Dominion
Astrophysical Observatory! Because we will be outdoors, please dress
accordingly for this FREE family friendly event.

    For more information, please contact Eric Chisholm [phone]
[email protected]

    Quantum Leaps Conference for Young Women (Castlegar, BC)
    Location:    Selkirk College
    Date:        Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
    Time:        4:00 - 8:30pm

    This event hosted by the Kootenay Association for Science & Technology in
partnership with SCWIST focuses on career development and highlights the
importance of continuing studies in both science and technology to ensure a
wide range of career opportunities for female students in grades 9-12. The
keynote presenter for this conference is Larissa Vingilis-Jaremko who at the
age of nine founded the Canadian Association for Girls in Science (CAGIS).

    For more information, please contact Terry Van Horn [phone]
[email protected]

    UNBC Undergraduate Student Research Banquet (Prince George, BC)
    Location:    UNBC
    Date:        Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
    Time:        4:00pm

    Students, industry members, UNBC faculty and local Chamber of Commerce
come together to celebrate the achievements of NSERC supported UNBC
undergraduate student researchers. Participants will dine together while
learning about all kinds of S&T research happening in their community. Guest
speakers, networking activities and a poster contest, showcasing the students`
research will also be featured.

    For more information, please contact Megan Griffith - [phone]
[email protected]
    

For further information: Irene Phan, Marketing and Communications Specialist, BC Innovation Council, [phone], 1-800-665-7222, [email protected]