Ontario Science Centre Educates Canadians about Climate Change as part of International Science Center & Science Museum Day

TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, the Ontario Science Centre celebrates the first annual International Science Center and Science Museum Day (ISCSMD) in true Canadian fashion by putting a spot light on the weather, more specifically on climate change.

Recently, the Centre announced the results of its first science literacy survey. "Our findings indicated that we as a country can do better in science literacy and encourage lifelong science education," said Catherine Paisley, Vice President of Science Education and Science Experience. "Our survey also informed us that there is a 'climate of confusion' with 40 % of Canadians believing that the science behind climate change was unclear. We invite all Canadians into a dialogue about climate change and its impacts with our Wild Weather exhibition that explores the power and unpredictability of extreme weather allowing visitors to gain a better understanding of the science behind severe weather and its connection to climate change."

Today, with the help of David Phillips, Senior Climatologist, Environment and Climate Change Canada the Ontario Science Centre shined a spotlight on climate change during his 45-minute presentation to Centre visitors.

Climate change is a global issue and to help address it the Ontario Science Centre participated in a global citizen science project this past October. The public was invited to observe and record local cloud coverage using the NASA-developed GLOBE Observer app. "Clouds are highly variable and predicting their future evolution is a major challenge facing today's climate scientists. Human observations of clouds around the world yield valuable data to compare with satellite remote sensing data," added Paisley.

Twenty-nine Science Centres around the world participated in this initiative resulting in a total of 921 observations logged during the focus period from October 1 to 22. "We're extremely pleased to report that the results of this global citizen science project were very favourable; with the help of our visitors, the Centre logged a total of 205 observations. This represents 22 % of the global total," added Paisley.

About International Science Center and Science Museum Day (#ISCSMD)

International Science Center and Science Museum Day is a collaborative effort between three organizations: the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); the Association of Science and Technology Museums (ASTC); and the International Council of Museums. ISCSMD was established to commemorate the World Science Day for Peace and Development and to celebrate science centres and science museums. It was also established to help generate awareness around the importance of STEAM education – science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

About the Ontario Science Centre

The Ontario Science Centre 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 ecosystem, 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 www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca.

Social Media Links
Hashtag: #ISCSMD
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/OntarioScienceCentre
Twitter: @OntScienceCtr | #ScienceNow
Instagram: @OntarioScienceCentre
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/OntarioScienceCentre

SOURCE Ontario Science Centre

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, [email protected]