Ontario Science Centre Launches 50th Birthday Celebrations
Kick-off to birthday year starts with a 'smile' using the magic of AI
TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2019 /CNW/ - The Ontario Science Centre launched its birthday year today in the same spirit of wonder and delight experienced by over 52 million visitors since 1969. A camera and a computer – using facial recognition technology and powered by smiles from the crowd -- propelled brightly coloured balls into the air and unveiled Inventorium 2.0, the Centre's newest exhibition. Lending their hands and smiles to officially open the exhibition and start the celebrations were Honourary Patron for the 50th birthday year The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and The Honourable Michael Tibollo, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
The Science Centre has an exciting lineup of events and exhibitions planned for its milestone year, which starts with Inventorium 2.0, a collaborative art-science-maker space. It will truly be the "Summer of Space" at the Centre with two new exhibitions — Astronaut and Women in Space — coinciding with celebrations planned for the 50th anniversary of the moon landing in July. An exhibition about The Mind — a brand new in-house Science Centre creation — opens during the Centre's birthday weekend celebration in September.
"The Science Centre is committed to continually evolving to meet the changing needs of our visitors now and into the future," said Maurice Bitran, PhD, CEO and Chief Science Officer, Ontario Science Centre. "Our 50th birthday year is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the power of science, with a full line up of experiences designed to equip the next generation with the skills they need to thrive in an environment of constant and rapid change."
Inventorium 2.0 reflects the Science Centre's inventive approach, which focuses on exploration and play-based learning through up-close, hands-on interactions. The new exhibition combines art and science, giving visitors the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity, ingenuity and maker skills. It is a space where nature and biology meet design, technology and humanity's impact on our world.
"The Science Centre has always been a unique cultural attraction," said the Honourable Michael Tibollo, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. "This year, we celebrate the many ways it has enriched the lives of Ontarians and visitors to this province. We look forward to many more years of science exploration."
Throughout 2019, the Science Centre will share the stories of Canadians who have benefited from its immersive, interactive experiences over the last five decades. From established community leaders to aspiring young scientists, storytellers will reveal the lessons they have learned and the steps they are taking to transform the world around them with science and technology.
More information about 50th birthday programming can be found at www.ontariosciencecentre.ca. Inventorium 2.0 runs from January 28, 2019, until August 2019 in the Procter & Gamble Great Hall on Level 2.
Quick facts:
- The Ontario Science Centre officially celebrates its 50th anniversary on September 26, 2019.
- With almost a million visitors and tourists every year, the Ontario Science Centre is an important contributor to Ontario's economy.
- The 50th birthday year is a dynamic time for the Science Centre as it charts a new course for the future, transforming from a cultural attraction into a hub where the newest scientific advances can be experienced.
- Since 1969, the Ontario Science Centre has welcomed more than 52 million people of all ages and origins – whether they are a partner from a university or research institution taking part in an on-site project, students participating in a special program or adults attending a Great Conversations speaker series.
About Ontario Science Centre:
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, science and society. The Centre has welcomed more than 52 million visitors since opening as a Centennial project in 1969, pioneering an interactive approach now adopted by science centres around the world. An agency of the Government of Ontario, the Centre relies on funding from the province, as well as donations from generous individuals, corporations and foundations who share the Centre's vision to contribute to a more curious, creative and resilient world. Learn more at OntarioScienceCentre.ca.
SOURCE Ontario Science Centre
Media Contact: Anna Relyea, Director, Strategic Communications, [email protected], Phone: 416-696-3273, Mobile: 416-668-1967
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