A Message from Alan Nursall, Science Director
 2006 was great for Science North! One of the highlights of the year was the annual awards gala for the Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC).
The Climate Change Show was awarded the distinction of Best Exhibit or Show. This award is given annually to a full-member organization for the best permanent, temporary or travelling exhibition, or multimedia, live presentation or planetarium show.
Through the use of multimedia special effects, an animated host named "Sheepie" (voiced by Canadian satirist Rick Mercer), and an incredible theatrical set, The Climate Change Show takes the audience on a scientific journey into the causes and impacts of climate change. It also explores renewable energy strategies and provides examples of how each individual can play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The show made its world debut at Science North in 2002. A travelling version of the show and an accompanying exhibit produced by Science North have since made their way across North America. Science North has installed permanent versions of the show in science centres as far away as Glasgow, Scotland. For more information on The Climate Change Show, visit: http://sciencenorth.ca/climatechange
Our own Chantal Barriault, the Co-director of the Science North and Laurentian University's Science Communication Program received the award for Outstanding Project or Program Leadership. It is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership during a period of great change in their organization. Nominations are judged by the degree to which the nominee has demonstrated: outstanding leadership to inspire staff and nurture their talents and skills; outstanding leadership in developing relationships for the institution and its community, and has demonstrated outstanding leadership in meeting project goals and objectives.
Our Science Communication program is the first program of its kind in North America. Now in its second year of operation, the program covers subjects such as “Learning Theory”, “Science and Society”, and “Research Methods in Science Communication”. To gain experience in the practical aspects of communicating science to the public, students develop projects in radio and television, on the Internet, through live shows and with exhibits. For more information on the program, visit: http://sciencecommunication.ca
Science Term of the Month: Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse Gases: Gases that trap the heat of the sun in the Earth's atmosphere, producing the greenhouse effect. The two major greenhouse gases are water vapor and carbon dioxide. Lesser greenhouse gases include methane, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons, and nitrogen oxides. |
Annual Maintenance Shutdown at Science North
Science North will be closed for twelve days, from Monday, January 8 through to Friday, January 19th, 2007 inclusive for scheduled maintenance.
The annual closure affects all of Science North’s attractions and facilities, including the science centre, IMAX Theatre, and The Lakehouse Restaurant.
Science North's sales centre will remain open seven (7) days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout this time period to answer your calls.
More information...
2007 "Super" IMAX Festival
 Tickets are now on sale for the 8th annual IMAX Festival at Science North, featuring a ‘Super’ line-up of giant screen films, including Spider-Man 2 and Batman Begins.
Buy and redeem your tickets on-line and receive a free ticket to an upcoming IMAX film!
Presented by:
2007 "Super" IMAX® Festival Brought to You By
Your Friendly Neighbourhood Projectionists
By Lisa Koski, Marketing Specialist, Memberships and Programs
Ron Pinard with his new Crown forklift and an IMAX film platter.
The IMAX projector is in the background.
Spider-Man’s motto is "with great power comes great responsibility." That’s something that Ron Pinard can relate to. As Science North’s Chief Projectionist, he has a lot of power: a stereo system with 7,600 watts of digital and analog wraparound sound and an IMAX film projector that uses a 4,500 watt bulb! His great responsibility is to keep it all running smoothly. Luckily, this mild-mannered certified IMAX Technician uses all of his power for good.
Ron, who’s been with Science North for a decade, doesn't work alone. Although they can be as elusive as Batman, Ron and his team of five highly-trained projectionists are busy with preparations for the 2007 IMAX Festival. Their technical wizardry will delight audiences as the Festival presents 122 screenings of eight large-format films over 17 days.
"They’re all in," Ron says with obvious relief. "They" are the Festival’s film prints, and their arrival is hard to miss. Each film is transported in a huge metal crate that’s over four feet tall and four feet wide. You practically need super powers just to move them around! While prints for regular 45-minute IMAX films weigh over 200 lbs each (that’s over 4.6 kms of film if you stretched it out!) the addition of feature-length films to the Festival for the first time created some logistical challenges. Spider-Man 2 and Batman Begins have been digitally re-mastered (DMR) for the IMAX screen. "Each frame of the original 35 mm films has been digitized and re-formatted so that when it’s enlarged on the IMAX screen, the image quality is up to the standard of ultimate clarity."
Each DMR film arrives in two separate crates, and once assembled with splicing tape, the print weighs 589 lbs! How does a lone mere mortal move them around? A crown hydraulic forklift has been brought in.
The next task is to ensure that all’s well with the prints. Each film and its separate soundtrack is loaded and given a trial screening for quality control. With a film beginning nearly every hour from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for 17 days, the IMAX projection team will be working at full capacity. Science North's IMAX Festival will be brought to you, in no small part, by your friendly neighbourhood projectionists. Enjoy the films!
2007 IMAX Festival Presented by:
Everest Adventure Special Presentation and Exhibit
Meagan calls herself an adventurer. She has already climbed six of the seven tallest continental summits and is planning to climb Mount Everest (the 7th Summit) in April/May of 2007. If she is successful in climbing Mount Everest (the world’s tallest peak) she will be the first Canadian Forces member (male or female) and the youngest Canadian female to achieve the Seven Summits.
Join 29-year old Sudbury native and mountain climber Meagan McGrath as she recounts her adventures from climbing six of the seven Continental Summits, and explains preparations for her 7th summit attempt in Spring 2007.
Tickets:
$10 Science North Members
$12 Non-members
(plus GST)
Part of the proceeds will help support Meagan’s Everest attempt.
There will be a second presentation by Meagan in June at Science North when she returns from Everest (date TBD).
Summit Supporter:
LEGO® Zone
A New Fourth Floor Exhibit at Science North
Opens January 20, 2007
Included in Science Centre admission
Play all day with one of the world’s most popular building toys! It’s wall-to-wall LEGO® featuring a kid’s play area with tons of QUATRO (for ages 0 - 1) and DUPLO (for ages 2 - 6)....and for older kids (adults too!), tens-of-thousands of colourful pieces of LEGO®! Have a blast creating your own movie animations and building your best LEGO creations. Your LEGO Construction Zone experience is limited only by your imagination!
LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of/sont des marques de commerce de/LEGO Group. © 2005 The LEGO Group.
Next up in the Explore Science Speaker Series: Marching With Penguins
Lloyd Davis - Marching with Penguins
Thursday, February 8th, 2007 - 7:30 p.m.
Lloyd Spencer Davis celebrates thirty years of studying penguins by giving an account of what life is like for both penguin and researcher in Antarctica.
P.A. Day Alert! Friday, February 2nd
P.A. Day Program: "It's Winter!"
For ages 4 to 12.
You can trust Science North to make Professional Activity Days (P.A. Days) fun and educational for your child, and worry free for you! Our staff scientists have developed exciting full-day programs…and there's no need to pack a lunch - it's included in the registration fee. Before & After Care is available from 7:45 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 5:45 p.m.
"Mastering the Art of Digital Photography" Workshop for Adults
February 6th and 13th
7 to 9:30 p.m.
Science North ran this workshop in November, and it drew rave reviews from participants.
"Just wanted to thank Science North for having the digital photography course the last two weeks. Michael, Amy and Dawson were awesome. So much patience and so much knowledge. I learned so much in only two sessions…Now I will go out and try all these different features and enjoy my camera to the fullest." - Lorraine O'Brien
There are only a few spots remaining. Register on-line today!
Register Now for Upcoming Science Clubs for Kids
Science Quest:
The Science Quest Club is unlike any other program that Science North has offered. Participants - aged 11 to 14 - will have the opportunity to work with scientists conducting research in their respective communities.
Science Quest Club is available in: Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Cochrane, and Gore Bay.
New! Register for a whole semester (January to May) OR per session (in advance.)
Saturday Morning Science Club
Gadget Time! Begins February 3rd
Each session of the Gadget Time Club will feature a unique gizmo challenge that the kids will build themselves and take home. Gadget Time participants will learn the basics of electronic circuits. Perfect for your mechanical genius!
More info…
 Register Today For March Break Camps
March Break: March 12th to 16th
Why let the kids waste away their March Break playing video games or watching the tube when they could be having a blast at Science North? Our energetic camp leaders create a fun and cooperative atmosphere that ages 4 to 14 will enjoy. Before & After Care is available.
More info… |
