TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, the Ontario Science Centre launches its sesquicentennial programming with three new visitor offerings that celebrate Canadian science and innovation. Reinforcing its pioneering role in making science relevant and accessible, the Science Centre is planning an exciting lineup of films, exhibitions and events along with the trio of new experiences launching today, making 2017 a great year to visit the Centre.
"The Ontario Science Centre, a centennial project, celebrates Canada 150 and Ontario 150 in style by offering three original, thought-provoking experiences to inform, engage and inspire our visitors," said Dr. Maurice Bitran, CEO and Chief Science Officer, Ontario Science Centre. "With Canada 150: Discovery Way, an installation that celebrates Canadian innovation and ingenuity in science and in everyday life; The Energy Show, a theatrical modernization of our iconic electricity demonstration; and Legacy, an award-winning sculpture that showcases the interaction of science, nature, and art, Canada's sesquicentennial promises to be an extraordinary year."
Canada 150: Discovery Way highlights the uniquely Canadian stories behind transformational inventions and innovations, from the far reaches of space to common household items. Researched, designed and fabricated in-house by the Science Centre's scientists, designers, writers and craftspeople, Canada 150: Discovery Way emphasizes the curiosity, critical thinking and courage required for scientific discoveries.
Through 22 notable artifacts, ranging from the hockey mask to the flight recorder, and from the original Jolly Jumper to the Blackberry pager, the Canada 150: Discovery Way installation instills visitors with a sense of pride in Canada's scientific achievements and encourages them to ask questions, make observations and test ideas of their own.
Building upon the Science Centre's popular Electricity Demonstration, The Energy Show explores the practical applications and implications of energy consumption in a highly engaging new presentation. Through interactive investigation, experimentation and collaboration, audiences will learn about renewable and non-renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind and fossil fuels, to deepen their understanding of the essential roles of energy generation, transmission and storage.
Guided by an Ontario Science Centre presenter, audiences will assist with energy-related research by making hypotheses, conducting experiments, uploading data and testing very unique equipment, including a seven-foot, 500,000-volt Tesla coil, a captivating Faraday cage and a hair-raising Van de Graaff generator.
Also on display at the Science Centre during Canada's sesquicentennial is Legacy, a life-sized, anatomically correct orca skeleton, carved entirely from reclaimed cedar. Created by award-winning Canadian artist Ken Hall, Legacy comprises more than 200 carved cedar bones based on 3D digital scans of orca bones and is the result of six months' full-time fabrication. The sculpture's medium honours coastal First Nations totem carvings, which have a role in passing knowledge and guiding future generations. This visually compelling piece explores our relationship with the natural world and asks visitors to reflect on our current environmental practices and the changes we want to inspire for the future.
Canada 150: Discovery Way, The Energy Show and Legacy are offered daily throughout 2017 and are included with general admission. For more information about these installations and to purchase tickets, please visit www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca.
The Ontario Science Centre, a Centennial project, has welcomed more than 51 million visitors since it opened in 1969, implementing an interactive approach now adopted by science centres around the world. Today, the Science Centre is an international leader in free-choice science learning and a key contributor to Ontario's education and innovation ecosystems, offering lifelong learning through hands-on, engaging experiences. The Ontario Science Centre is an agency of the Government of Ontario funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. As a publicly assisted organization, the Science Centre relies on generous individuals, corporations and foundations who share a commitment to science and education for additional operating support. For more information about the Ontario Science Centre, please visit OntarioScienceCentre.ca.
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SOURCE Ontario Science Centre
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Media contacts: Anna Relyea, Director, Strategic Communications, 416-696-3273, c: 416-668-1967, [email protected]; Jefferson Darrell, Media Relations Officer, 416-696-3154, [email protected]; Andrea Mus, Media Relations Officer, 416-696-3191, c: 416-895-5482, [email protected]
Guided by our mission to inspire passion for the human adventure of discovery, the Ontario Science Centre strives to be a global leader in lifelong learning, a vital link in Ontario’s education and innovation ecosystems and a convener of public dialogue about technology,...
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