Ontario Science Centre Celebrates 40 Years of Igniting Curiosity

Free Birthday Party features Films, Food and Science Fun

TORONTO , Sept. 26 /CNW/ - The Ontario Science Centre is getting ready to party like it's 1969! On Saturday, September 26th , we're celebrating our 40th anniversary with a massive party, free screenings of the IMAX film North of Superior, select food items priced at only 69 cents and free admission!

"In the last forty years, the world has changed dramatically and the Ontario Science Centre has kept pace. Constantly evolving in order to stay relevant and engage visitors of all ages with science, the Centre has not strayed far from the original vision as a place of wonder and joy, encouraging active participation and discovery," said Lesley Lewis , CEO of the Ontario Science Centre.

The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, will commence the celebrations by bringing official greetings. The Lieutenant Governor will then cut the ceremonial cake before those in attendance sing Happy Birthday and 2000 birthday cupcakes are distributed.

Party guests will receive a Pathfinder map to stake out 40 highlighted experiences that can be found around the Ontario Science Centre, ranging from the Aging Machine and elephant heart to the Bubble Wall and sneeze exhibit. Each experience has a corresponding letter, and together the 40 letters will spell out secret words. At the end of the visit, ballots with the correct secret words will be entered in a draw for exciting prizes.

    
    Other activities of the day include:
    -  The Family Food game show - participants compete for prizes by
       answering food trivia questions
    -  Sidewalk chalk art - visitors can contribute to a special piece in the
       TELUSCAPE to commemorate the anniversary
    -  A giant birthday card will be posted for everyone to sign at the end
       of their visit
    

"The Ontario Science Centre had a profound impact on me when I was younger," said Mr. Cohon , Chair of the Science Centre Board. "Today I see that same impact when I bring my daughter to the Centre. What I have come to appreciate in the last few years is that the Ontario Science Centre is world renowned as a leader in science engagement. All Ontarians should feel a sense of pride in the accomplishments of the past 40 years. Congratulations to all those who made this possible."

"Today is a celebration of the Ontario Science Centre's 40 years of innovation and interactive education that connects our communities with science and technology," said David Fuller , senior vice-president, TELUS Business Solutions, and Ontario Science Centre board member. "TELUS is excited to support this milestone and continues to invest in the Agents of Change campaign, transforming environments and bringing thought-provoking science experiences to Toronto families."

The Ontario Science Centre's 40th Birthday Party has been generously sponsored by TELUS and Pizza Pizza.

The Science Centre is easily accessible via the TTC. Go to www.ontariosciencecentre.ca and click on the "Visit Us" tab for directions.

About the Ontario Science Centre:

The Ontario Science Centre opened on September 26, 1969 , pioneering the concept of an interactive science museum. Since then, over 44 million visitors have passed through its doors. It is a model for more than two thousand science centres around the world that have been built since its inception.

The Ontario Science Centre uses science as the lens to inspire and actively engage people in new ways of seeing, understanding and thinking about themselves and the world around them. The Ontario Science Centre is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

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For further information: Media contacts: Christine Crosbie, Media Relations Officer, [phone], [email protected]; Ellen Flowers, Media Relations Officer, [phone], [email protected]