NORTHERN ONTARIO SCIENCE FESTIVALS
Northern Ontario Science Festivals are proud to have been recognized for Best Program – Large Institution by the Canadian Association of Science Centres. Watch the acceptance video:
The Science Festival is an annual week-long celebration that shines a light on the science and technology that takes place in Kenora, Thunder Bay, North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie. With events and activities happening across the festival community and a Science Carnival to wrap up the week, The Science Festival fosters a vibrant space for community members and organizations to provide people of all ages with STEM entertainment. The exciting week of events, vendors, science shows, and activities celebrates local businesses, drives community pride and fosters connections across Northern Ontario communities.
sault ste. marie science festival
Please join us for the 10th annual Sault Ste. Marie Science Festival, taking place April 22–27, 2024.
We have a week of events planned to celebrate science, technology, and innovation. Check out the details on this week of awesome events below!
2024 SCIENCE FESTIVAL EVENTS
FREE PUBLIC EVENTS
These events are open to the public and free of charge to participate / attend! This year, we have an amazing lineup of events to excite all ages about science in the world around them.
- PLAZA TAKEOVER
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Join the Science North Bluecoats at the Plaza for high-impact science show! This FREE outdoor event will show off some of our favourite science demonstrations, from chemical reactions to physics experiments.
Date: Monday, April 22
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Location: The Plaza — 99 Foster Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, ON - SCIENCE TRIVIA NIGHT 19+
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Join us at Northern Superior Brewery and show off your science smarts with rounds of sensational science trivia. And don’t worry, you don’t have to be Einstein to enjoy this event!
Date: Wednesday, April 24
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Location: Northern Superior Brewing Co. - WATER WORKS
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NORDIK Institute's freshwater citizen science team is hosting interactive Science Festival events on Friday, April 26th from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Activities will take place at two locations: Belleview Park (near Topsail Island) and Algoma University (Convergence Centre in CC414).
At Belleview Park near Topsail Island, participate in water sampling, hear how climate change is impacting our water cycle, and learn about opportunities to volunteer with the Sault Ste. Marie Water Rangers Task Team.
At Algoma University's CC414 lab, use microscopes to meet the tiny creatures that live in our waters, help a scientist measure water quality using specialized equipment, be a science investigator during one of six pollution mystery activities throughout the day, learn how pollution impacts the ability of fish to thrive, and more! This will be a fun and engaging event to learn about science, community efforts to protect our waters, and to explore new discoveries. Community members of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to participate!
Date: Friday, April 26
Time: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Location: Bellevue Park & Algoma University - SCIENCE CARNIVAL
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This FREE one-day community event provides families with the opportunity to participate in engaging and fun science, innovation, and technology activities. Visit with exhibitors showcasing hands-on presentations, labs, and attractions, all using local and global science concepts and engineering principles. Also, enjoy spectacular live science shows and entertainment.
Date: Saturday, April 27
Time: 11:00am to 4:00pm
Location: Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre
INVITE ONLY EVENTS FOR SCHOOL GROUPS
Schools are required to register groups for these events, and students will participate in curriculum-linked programs that will get them excited and engaged with the science and technology around them.
- NORTHERN ONTARIO YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION SUMMIT
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Students in Grades 9 to 12 and their teachers are invited to the summit to come learn, be inspired, and take action on climate change in their community. This two-day event will focus on bringing youth from across Sault Ste. Marie together for hands-on climate experiments, informative and engaging workshops, and climate action projects with local environmental champions. The summit features workshops and activities hosted by the City of Sault Ste. Marie and Clean North, and features special Earth Day-related programming!
Date: Monday, April 22 & Tuesday, April 23
Location: Canadian Bushplane Heritage CentreRegistration is available to school groups only. For more information, email emma.meadows [at] sciencenorth.ca (emma[dot]meadows[at]sciencenorth[dot]ca)
- (ARTIE) ADVANCED RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION EXPO
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This annual event is offered by the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre to elementary school students from Grades 1 to Grade 8. Students will participate virtually in hands-on activities, demonstrations and presentations featuring a wide variety of science exhibitors, all with the opportunity to meet and interact with scientists in the fields including biology, environmental sciences, computer sciences, robotics, and technology, and so much more!
Date: Thursday, April 25
Time: 9:30am to 3:00pm
Location: Algoma UniversityRegistration is available to school groups only. For more information, email genna.patterson [at] sciencenorth.ca (genna[dot]patterson[at]sciencenorth[dot]ca)
A Collaborative Venture Under the Direction Of:
In Partnership With:
Science North gratefully acknowledges the collaboration of Canadian Forest Service, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Parks Canada
A Proud Member Of:
Sponsored By:
In Collaboration With:
For any questions regarding the festival, if you are interested in sponsoring the festival, or would like to be considered as an exhibitor, you may contact us at genna.patterson [at] sciencenorth.ca (genna[dot]patterson[at]sciencenorth[dot]ca)
Thunder Bay Science Festival
Thank you for joining us for the 12th annual Thunder Bay Science Festival! Congratulations to all of our partners on a successful weekend of science, innovation and fun!
2024 SCIENCE FESTIVAL EVENTS
FREE PUBLIC EVENTS
These events are open to the public and free of charge to participate / attend! This year we have an amazing lineup of events to excite all ages about science around them.
- SCIENCE OF SOUND
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Join the Tamarack Quintet and Science North for an hour-long, family-friendly concert where sound and science come to life through musical delights and exciting science demonstrations!
Date: Sunday, February 18, 2024
Time: 1:00pm
Location: BGC Thunder BaySOLD OUT!
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SCIENCE AT SNOWDAY ON THE WATERFRONT
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Come visit us at SNOWday on the Waterfront! This annual event run by the City of Thunder Bay is a great way to get outside for some fun this Family Day weekend.
Date: Monday, February 19, 2024
Time: 4:00pm–8:00pm
Location: Festival Area — Marina Park - NERD NITE 19+
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Join us for an exciting night of nerding out at Sleeping Giant Brewing Company. Entertaining speakers, science experiments, and knowledge-testing trivia with Trivia-Master Dave await!
Presented in English
Date: Thursday, February 22, 2024
Time: 7:00pm–9:00pm
Location: Sleeping Giant Brewing Company - SCIENCE CARNIVAL
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This FREE one-day community event provides people of all ages with the opportunity to participate in engaging and fun science, innovation, art, technology, and Indigenous knowledge-based activities. Visit the exhibitors showcasing hands-on presentations, labs and attractions, highlighting the science going on in and around the Thunder Bay community. Also, enjoy spectacular live science shows and entertainment!
Date: Saturday, February 24, 2024
Time: 10:00am–3:00pm
Location: Intercity Shopping Centre
INVITE ONLY EVENTS FOR SCHOOL GROUPS
Schools are required to register groups for these events, and students will participate in curriculum-linked programs that will get them excited and engaged with the science and technology around them.
- NORTHERN ONTARIO YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION SUMMIT
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Students from grades 9 to 12 are invited to this two-day interactive conference to learn, be inspired, and take action on climate change. On day one students will hear from speakers and participate in interactive workshops and on day two students will get out into their community to participate in an action project and begin forming their own Climate Action Plan to implement in their school or community.
Date: Wednesday, February 21 and Thursday, February 22, 2024
Location: Westgate Collegiate & Vocational InstituteFor more information, email emma.meadows [at] sciencenorth.ca (emma[dot]meadows[at]sciencenorth[dot]ca)
A Collaborative Venture Under the Direction Of:
In partnership with:
A Proud Member Of:
For any questions regarding the festival, if you are interested in sponsoring the festival, or would like to be considered as an exhibitor, you may contact us at: emily.kerton [at] sciencenorth.ca (emily[dot]kerton[at]sciencenorth[dot]ca).
NORTH BAY SCIENCE FESTIVAL
Thank you for joining us for the 6th annual North Bay Science Festival! Congratulations to all of our partners on a successful weekend of science, innovation and fun!
2023 Science Festival Events:
FREE PUBLIC EVENTS
These events are open to the public and free of charge to participate/attend, this year we have an amazing lineup of events to excite all ages about the science around them.
- FIRST - LEGO EV3 ROBOT WORKSHOP
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In this FREE workshop, participants will build a EV3 LEGO Robot and design an attachment to carry an object. In order to move our robot, we will learn basic EV3 coding such as basic drive commands and line following coding. You will learn both modeling and robot coding skills in the workshop.
Date: Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Time: 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm
Location: North Bay Library – Mesanine Room
Registration Required - HAUNTED HIKE (SOLD OUT)
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The North Bay Museum Haunted Hike is a 60-minute walking tour of downtown featuring true crime stories and well-loved ghost tales to ensure visitors see North Bay in a whole new light. While there is nothing too scary, we recommend ages 10 and up, and the hike is fully accessible.
Date: Friday, October 27, 2023
- SPOOKY SCIENCE CARNIVAL
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This one-day Spooky community event provides families with the opportunity to participate in engaging and fun science, innovation, and technology activities. Visit with exhibitors showcasing the hands-on science of what they do, all using local and global science concepts and engineering principles, with a spooky twist. Also, enjoy spectacular live science shows and entertainment, and Halloween-themed fun!
Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023
Time: 11:00am – 4:00pm
Location: ML Troy Armoury
INVITE ONLY SCHOOL GROUPS AND TEACHERS
Schools are required to register groups for these events, and students will participate in curriculum-linked programs that will get them excited and engaged with the science and technology around them.
- NORTHERN ONTARIO YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION SUMMIT
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Students in Grades 9 to 12 and their teachers are invited to the summit to come learn, be inspired, and take action on climate change in their community. This two-day event will focus on bringing youth from across North Bay together for hands-on climate experiments, informative and engaging workshops, and climate action projects with local environmental champions. The summit features workshops and activities hosted by Canadore College and their Sustainable Initiatives department, Clean Green Beautiful North Bay, and more!
Date: Tuesday, October 24 and Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Location: Candore College
For more information or to register school groups, email emma.meadows [at] sciencenorth.ca (emma[dot]meadows[at]sciencenorth[dot]ca)
- SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND TEACHERS PD
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Science North Bluecoats will be visiting Kenora area schools with hands-on science programs designed to bring science and technology to life!
Date: Tuesday, October 24 through Saturday, October 28, 2023
- LEARN MORE: Book your school group by emailing kaitlin.richard [at] sciencenorth.ca (kaitlin[dot]richard[at]sciencenorth[dot]ca)
A Collaborative Venture Under the Direction Of:
In Partnership With:
A Proud Member Of:
For any questions regarding the festival, if you are interested in sponsoring the festival, or would like to be considered as an exhibitor, you may contact us at: kaitlin.richard [at] sciencenorth.ca (kaitlin[dot]richard[at]sciencenorth[dot]ca)
KENORA SCIENCE FESTIVAL
Thank you for joining us for the 4th annual Kenora Science Festival! Congratulations to all of our partners on a successful weekend of science, innovation and fun!
2023 Science Festival Events:
FREE PUBLIC EVENTS
These events are open to the public and free of charge to participate / attend, this year we have an amazing lineup of events to excite all ages about the science around them.
- SCIENCE AT THE LIBRARY
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Stop by the Kenora Public Library to participate in their pinwheel helicopter activity and Colour Sorting STEM game offered throughout the week.
Date: Monday, September 18 through Friday, September 22, 2023
Time: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Location: Kenora Public Library - SCIENCE SHOW AT THE SPORTFISHING CENTRE
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Join the Science North Bluecoats at the Northern Ontario Sportfishing Centre in Sioux Narrows for a high-impact science show! This FREE 40-minute show will show off some of our favourite science demonstrations, from chemical reactions to physics experiments.
Date: Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Time: 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Location: Northern Ontario Sportfishing Centre (Sioux Narrows) - SCIENCE AT MATIOWSKI'S FARMERS' MARKET
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The Matiowski Farmers’ Market is getting an extra dose of science! Join Science North Bluecoats and other Science Festival partners for giveaways, demonstrations, activities, and displays as you shop during the Wednesday Farmer’s Market.
Date: Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Time: 8:30am to 2:00pm
Location: Jarnel Contracting Pavilion - NATURE WALK AT ASPEN TRAIL
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Explore the 4.1k Aspen trail and learn about some of the diverse biology of the region. Bring layers of clothing, hiking shoes, bug spray, water, and snacks. The hike will last approximately an hour over mixed terrain including gentle hills, and some loose rocky areas (weather permitting).
Date: Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Time: 4:00pm to 5:00pm (meet at the trailhead at 4:00pm)
Location: Aspen Trails (first fork on Dubois Road off of Highway 71) - NATURE WALK AT RED PINE TRAIL
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Explore the 3k 'maze' of Red Pine trail and learn about some of the biology of the region (weather permitting). Bring layers of clothing, hiking shoes, bug spray, water, and snacks. The hike will last approximately an hour over mixed terrain including gentle hills with some easy uphill sections.
Date: Thursday, September 21, 2023
Time: 4:00pm to 5:00pm (meet at the trailhead at 4:00pm)
Location: 1km drive down Airport Road in Nestor Falls off of Highway 71 - SCIENCE TRIVIA NIGHT AT BOB'S BURGER BAR 19+
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Join the us at Bob’s Burger Bar and show off your science smarts with rounds of sensational science in music trivia. And don’t worry, you don’t have to be Einstein to enjoy this event!
Date: Thursday, September 21, 2023
Time: 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Location: Bob's Burger Bar - SCIENCE CARNIVAL
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This one-day community event provides families with the opportunity to participate in engaging and fun science, innovation, and technology activities. Visit with exhibitors showcasing hands-on presentations, labs and attractions, all using local and global science concepts and engineering principles. Also, enjoy spectacular live science shows and entertainment.
Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023
Time: 11:00am to 4:00pm
Location: Jarnel Contracting Pavilion - TRIVIA AT LAKE OF THE WOODS BREWERY OKTOBERFEST 19+
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Beer stein and bubbles and pretzels oh my! Join our Bluecoats to test your trivia skills about the science of beer, pretzels, and everything Oktoberfest. Prost!
Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023
Time: 5:00pm
Location: Lake of the Woods Brewing Company (taproom)
INVITE ONLY SCHOOL GROUPS AND SENIOR PROGRAMS
Schools are required to register groups for these events, and students will participate in curriculum-linked programs that will get them excited and engaged with the science and technology around them.
- SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL PROGRAMS
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Science North Bluecoats will be visiting Kenora area schools with hands-on science programs designed to bring science and technology to life!
Date: Monday, September 18 through Friday, September 22, 2023
- LEARN MORE: Book your school group by emailing kaitlin.richard [at] sciencenorth.ca (kaitlin[dot]richard[at]sciencenorth[dot]ca)
- SCIENCE FOR SENIORS *
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Science is for everyone! Our Bluecoats will be running various engaging science programs specifically for seniors, which include hands-on and interactive programming.
* Available only to residents
Date: Monday, September 18
Location: Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls 50+ Activity Centre - YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION
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Students from grades 9 to 12 are invited to this two-day interactive conference to learn, be inspired, and take action on climate change. On day one, students will hear from speakers and participate in interactive workshops, and on day two, students will get out into their community to participate in an action project and begin forming their own Climate Action Plan to implement in their school or community.
Date: Tuesday, September 19 and Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Location: Jarnel Contracting Pavilion and Lake of the Woods Discovery Centre- LEARN MORE: You can register for school groups by emailing emma.meadows [at] sciencenorth.ca (emma[dot]meadows[at]sciencenorth[dot]ca)
- ANIMAL EXTRAVAGANZA *
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Science is for everyone! Our Bluecoats will be running various engaging science programs specifically for seniors, which include hands-on and interactive programming.
* Available only to residents
Date: Friday, September 22, 2023
Location: Pinecrest Home for the Aged
A Collaborative Venture Under the Direction Of:
In Partnership With:
A Proud Member Of:
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and the GenAction initiative towards Science Festival activities
For any questions regarding the festival, if you are interested in sponsoring the festival, or would like to be considered as an exhibitor, you may contact us at: kaitlin.richard [at] sciencenorth.ca (kaitlin[dot]richard[at]sciencenorth[dot]ca)
