Technofollies: Extreme technology - Extreme experience! - Making Spring Break
2010 a Montréal Science Centre event! - February 27 to March 7 2010

MONTREAL, March 1 /CNW Telbec/ - On the strength of a smashing launch that attracted more than 16,000 visitors in 2009, TECHNOFOLLIES is back with a completely new program! Indeed, for a second consecutive year, the Montréal Science Centre is calling on youths and their parents to come experiment, discover, create, play, move, feel, hit the keyboard, surf, test... in other words, to slip their neurons into high gear during this year's spring break. To that end, TECHNOFOLLIES is suggesting youths and their parents indulge in a total immersion experience into the universe of computer leisure, a universe that influences our children's everyday lives and is in the process of revolutionizing their approach to leisure. Some forty original leisure, physical, and cerebral activities combine to challenge young and older guests through workshops, shows, and demonstrations designed to encourage exploration of the fascinating, creative world of digital technologies. TECHNOFOLLIES is more than a voyage through the world of new gadgets and other emerging technologies: it is also an opportunity to rediscover the full potential of current technological equipment and affordable and free software programs; it is an invitation to embrace the participative and cultural phenomena at our disposal in order to disseminate, create, share, and publish ... TECHNOFOLLIES is also an opportunity for visitors to reflect on the importance of protecting their privacy on the Internet and other platforms and on the social and environmental impact of new technologies (electronic waste recovery) in the hope that increased awareness will lead to concrete, positive action.

TECHNOFOLLIES, spring break's activity par excellence, will only be featured during spring break. So, don't miss out on such an opportunity! Be at the Montréal Science Centre from February 27 to March 7, between 11:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. There'll be no excuse for boredom during this year's spring break!

CHANTAL LAMARRE, SPOKESPERSON

Who better than Chantal Lamarre - bright, "with it", and funny - could lead this year's TECHNOFOLLIES activities? Chantal, a woman whose talent inevitably registers with her various publics, will rely on her curious mind, her experience as a modern mother, and more to "drive" the current edition of TECHNOFOLLIES!

    
                             FEATURED ACTIVITIES

        Close to 80% of this year's activities are back for a second,
                          more spectacular program!
               Here are some that are simply not to be missed.
    

Augmented reality

Discover unexpected and simply magical universes thanks to a technique of real-time superimposition of virtual elements to reality. You'll actually see book and magazine photos and illustrations come alive before your very eyes! You'll also be able to play in an interactive sandbox in which thousands of hidden centipedes react to the topography of their sandbox to climb over your hands! You'll get to know glyphs, those small symbols that can produce strange 3D characters onto a printed sheet of paper placed in front of a webcam. Tilt the sheet of paper and discover "the beast" in all its aspects.

RabbitHoles Media inc. holograms

Another fascinating discovery not to be missed: digital holograms, a technology developed by physicians and engineers that allows for the printing of holograms in the same manner as photos of yore by exposing a film to three lasers that save all light data and reflective angles which are then transferred onto a plexiglas sheet. The result is simply stunning! TECHNOFOLLIES will feature a dozen such holograms created by different artists.

Rock and iPod combats

Imagine yourself turning rock star or DJ and performing before a delirious crowd! In this all-inclusive number, including costumes, instruments, and stage, two teams face off in front of a public that will act as judge of their performance. A sound meter will be used to measure crowd reaction and determine the ultimate winner. That event will also serve as the venue for a study of the human brain's plasticity. Participants will attempt to create connections between various brain zones using skill games. At the same time, they will be given the opportunity to observe how connections risk breaking if nothing else is done!

Understanding hacking

This activity, presented in cooperation with the Institut de sécurité de l'information du Québec (ISIQ), is sure to shock while it deals with issues such as cybercrime and related dangers and their impact on our Internet privacy. A presentation titled Cybertraqueur pulls no punches in demonstrating some of the behavioural patterns and security practices we should all adopt to ensure protections of our privacy on the Internet. The demonstration is followed by a practical session held in the Internet café during which guests are invited to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice. Rather than serve beverages, ISIQ experts will serve advice on protecting one's privacy.

QR CODE

The QR or Quick Response 2D bar code contains a decipherable message: an animation, a website, and a coded text ... Contrary to the vertical lines of a bar code, the QR is made up of small mysterious designs that resemble works of art. Using a telephone to which is integrated deciphering software, one can photograph the QR code and decipher its message. This new technology, widely used by Japanese marketers, is about to make its way into North-America. Be among the first to experience it!

And there's more!

The not-to-be-missed TECHNOFOLLIES event, presented from February 27 to March 7 between 11:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. is included in the Exhibitions package of the Montréal Science Centre except for the IMAX cinema. The package allows visitors access to all interactive exhibition halls.

All of the TECHNOFOLLIES computer and electronic equipment is being supplied free of charge by Insertech Angus.

    
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Photos:
    In order to download high-resolution TECHNOFOLLIES photos, kindly visit:
    http://www.box.net/shared/ohhnzq7hrl
    Photo credits: Roland Lorente
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    

The Montréal Science Centre wishes to thank its main partner, Insertech Angus, its associated partners - Electronic Arts, Samsung, ISIQ, RabbitHoles Media, and Musion Canada - as well as its partners - Toon Boom, Micro Application, Cybercap and TELUS - for their help in staging this second edition of TECHNOFOLLIES.

Last chance to see "Strange Matter"!!!

Spring break will coincide with the last week during which visitors can see "Strange Matter" an exhibition of bizarre things presented exclusively by the Montréal Science. Come see how scientists are changing the world we live in one atom at a time in an interactive exhibition featuring shape memory materials, fluids that change state, and microscopic machines. Live a tactile and visual experience using fascinating and innovative materials used in the making of common objects you'll see from a different angle. Only until March 7, 2010.

    
    Information and ticket purchases
    --------------------------------
    

514-496-4724 - 1 877-496-4724 - For more details on all Montréal Science Centre activities, visit www.centredessciencesdemontreal.com.

Become a member of the Montréal Science Centre and take advantage of a number of privileges.

The Montréal Science Centre: a not-to-be-missed scientific and cultural destination in Montréal

Dedicated to science and technology, the Montréal Science Centre stands out for its interactive approach that is accessible to all and for its focus on local innovation and know-how. It attracts more than 700,000 visitors annually. It is managed by the Old Port Corporation of Montréal.

The Montréal Science Centre wishes to thank its principal partner, the Government of Canada as well as its presenting sponsors TELUS and HYDRO-QUÉBEC

For further information: and interviews: Evelyn Dubois, [phone], Cell: [phone], [email protected]; Lyne Pelletier, [phone], Cell: [phone], [email protected]; Source: Julie Mailhot, Old Port of Montréal Corporation, [phone], Cell: [phone], [email protected]