MaRS

Challenge Zone at the Ontario Science Centre

How do you inspire a culture of innovation so that we can make a difference?

Almost forty years ago, in 1969, The Ontario Science Centre and San Francisco’s Exploratorium both threw open their doors to a whole new way of experiencing science. At the time, they were revolutionary. Unlike conventional museums, where everything was under glass and visitors walked quietly among exhibits, these centres encouraged kids and adults to touch, make noise, listen to and interact with what they encountered. Since then, experiential science centres have opened up around the world: 540 science centres are members of the Association of Science-Technology Centers.

World Congress
This year, leaders from these institutions are meeting here in Toronto for the 5th Science Centre World Congress, June 15-19 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, hosted by the Ontario Science Centre. The congress happens every three years, and this is the first time it’s being held in North America. The theme this year is Science Centres as Agents of Change. What does that mean? Science centres educate and encourage people to engage with science. The next step is to use this engagement to make a real difference environmentally, socially and globally.

Keynote Speakers
Stephen Lewis will deliver a speech about social responsibility. Inuit leader and activist Sheila Watt-Cloutier and Dr. Mohamed Hassan, president of the African Academy of Sciences will talk about climate change, and Jennifer Corriero will address The Role of Science Centres in Creating the Future.

Jennifer’s talk will be of special interest to any of us who want to motivate the “N-Generation” to make changes in the world. Jennifer is the founder of TakingITGlobal, a non-profit organization that fosters youth involvement in global issues through the use technology. She has proven that social networking is more than just a form of entertainment and communication; it can be tool for action and collaboration with peers around the world.

Visiting MaRS
Delegates will be visiting the city during their stay, including a behind-the-scenes tour of the ROM, and the MaRS Centre, an example of innovation and change that we’re proud to show the world. Like the birth of the experiential science centre, maybe this tour will inspire delegates to return to their home countries and hatch their own incubators of innovation.

Canada’s Biggest Attraction
The Ontario Science Centre has the most visitors of any cultural attraction in Canada—over a million visitors a year. It’s great to know that science has a place in culture and entertainment, as well as education. Not everyone that comes to the Science Centre as a child grows up to become a scientist, but there’s no denying that the experiences and exhibits appeal to the scientist and explorer that lives inside of every child.

To find out more about the speakers and plenary sessions at the World Congress, visit www.5scwc.org and find out how science centres are thinking about their continuing inspiration of a culture of innovators.