 Jennifer and Nancy’s Awesome Antarctic Adventure Update
Jennifer Pink and Nancy Griffin have returned from their Awesome Antarctic Adventure with Quark Expeditions. Click the link below for the full scoop and more great photos!
Staff Scientist Franco Mariotti Receives Community Builders Award
By Lisa Koski
Marketing Specialist, Memberships & Programs
Science North staff scientist Franco Mariotti received the Community
Builders Award in the Environment category last month.
Science North Staff Scientist, Franco Mariotti, recently received the Community Builders Award of Excellence (CBA) in the Environment category. Anyone who knows him would tell you that this distinction is well deserved.
Franco’s family immigrated to Canada from Italy when he was eight years old, and settled in Copper Cliff. His father raised canaries as a hobby, and Franco loved to help him care for the birds. They sparked an interest in becoming an ornithologist. Later, he studied biology at Laurentian University, and his passion for the natural world has been a driving force in his life ever since. When asked about what the Community Builders Award means to him, he explained, “Two things: it helps to justify the sacrifices that my parents made in coming to Canada, and it affirms that I’m on the right path and doing something positive.” Franco spent many hours volunteering for environmental organizations such as the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee, Sudbury Naturalists Club, Earthdancers, and Northwatch – to name a few.
Some of those volunteer hours were spent on a committee - led by Dr. David Pearson and consultant Taizo Miyake - which was working to develop a science centre in Sudbury. Franco has known Science North since it was just a dream. It wasn’t long before he was hired to help develop Science North, and he is the longest-serving staff member. Science North has grown and evolved exponentially since the early 1980s. “I remember a warehouse in the basement of the old CKSO building where we would prototype exhibits. We’d sit on crates and brainstorm about the possibilities. Dr. Dave and the consultants took a unique approach to the creation of Science North. They hired people who had never worked at a science centre because they didn’t want a clone of an existing science centre.”
Continued on next page…
Dynamic Earth Phase 2 Officially Launched
 Dynamic Earth Phase 2 was officially launched on March 8th. Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Rick Bartolucci was on hand to say a few words on behalf of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Committee. Paul Healy and Reg Labelle from Atlas Copco were delighted to see the inaugural screening of the Science North production, Gold Fever, in the new Atlas Copco Theatre.
More info…
Easter Fun at Science North
Science North is offering fun Easter activities from April 6th to 8th.
For the little ones, “Bunnyland” will be located in the Gold Room, where kids between the ages of 2 and 6 can hunt for chocolate eggs, have a picture taken with the Easter Bunny, and see real chicks and rabbits! These activities are included with admission, but a $3 fee will apply for a photo with the Easter Bunny.
Kids aged 7 to 12 can have fun completing their Easter Passport questions throughout the science centre. Complete 5 of the 8 locations on your Passport and receive a prize! This activity is free with science centre admission.
Explore Science Speaker Series: Filmmaker Albert Karvonen’s “Circumpolar Bears”
Thursday April 19th, 2007
7:30 p.m.
Inco Cavern
Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Albert Karvonen, will be here to talk about the creation of his latest film, Circumpolar Bears. The film explores the lives of brown bears and polar bears found throughout the North—from grizzlies in Canada’s Arctic to brown bears in Finland and Russia, and polar bears from around the world. They have survived 20 million years of evolution, but the next hundred years may bring their greatest challenges yet.
More info…
PA Day Alert: April 27th
You can trust Science North to make Professional Activity Days (P.A. Days) fun & 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. A nutritious lunch is included in the registration fee. Before & After Care is available from 7:45 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 5:45 p.m.
Making tornadoes in tubes at Science North
Weather Whiz!
Friday, April 27th, 2007
Is your child a Weather Whiz? In this program, kids will have fun learning about the natural forces that create our day to day weather, as well as the more dramatic events like volcanoes, earthquakes, and tornadoes.
Ages: 4 to 12
Location: Science North
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Science North Members $40 / Non-Members $45 (plus GST)
Before & After Care: $6
More info…
Now Playing on the Giant IMAX Screen…
Science North was proud to welcome Captain John "Pigpen" O'Neil, a fighter pilot with the Canadian Forces in Cold Lake Alberta, to the opening of Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag. Captain O'Neil answered the school children's questions about what it's like to fly a CF-18 and challenged them to a fighter pilot video game on the IMAX screen. (Not surprisingly, he was very good at it!)
Fighter Pilot
Antarctica
Great North (Win two passes to see Great North)
Greece: Secrets of the Past
Coming soon: Alps
The IMAX Theatre is now open for daytime and evening shows seven days a week. Don’t forget, the Members’ Double Your Discount (20% off) tickets to evening IMAX screenings is still available for a limited time.
More info…
Meagan McGrath: Off to Everest
Meagan McGrath on the summit of Mt. McKinley, Alaska
Meagan McGrath has arrived in Nepal to begin her Everest expedition. We wish her a safe and successful journey, as well as clear skies on summit day! We invite you to 'climb into her backpack' for this trek up the world's tallest mountain through updates on our web site.
Next month, we'll bring you more information about Meagan and her visit to the rooftop of the world. You can learn more about the science of mountaineering by visiting our 'Everest Basecamp' exhibit on the 4th floor of the science centre.
More info…
Science North Plays Host to CBC’s The National with Peter Mansbridge
On March 12th, Science North was delighted to welcome a crew from CBC’s flagship news program The National. Chief Correspondent Peter Mansbridge interviewed our own Dr. David Pearson about the regreening of Sudbury. Sudbury was featured as one of three Canadian cities that are leaders in environmental stewardship practices. The two other cities featured were Toronto and Halifax.
Ends of the Earth Gala Fundraiser: An ‘Ice’ Time
Nukariik is comprised of sisters Kathy and Karin Kettler from Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunaviik. (Nukariik means 'sisters' in Inuttitut.)
On March 3rd, the Ends of the Earth Gala launched Science North’s new special exhibition in style. Guests toured the exhibit, munched on polar fare such as caribou and arctic char, and attended a screening of the spectacular film, Antarctica. They were also treated to a live performance of throat singing by Nukariik. Proceeds from this event will support of the renewal of the Northern Ecosystem exhibit. Thanks to all who attended and helped to make it a success. The Presenting Sponsor of this event was Mike Doyle Dodge Chrysler.
Summer Science Camps - Register on-line today!
Science North is offering Summer Science Camps in 17 communities across Northern Ontario this summer. Science North Members save on registration!
Win Passes to see Great North!
Answer this trivia question correctly, and you could win two passes to see Great North in the IMAX Theatre: Who is Science North’s longest-serving staff member? (Hint: The answer can be found within this newsletter.) Send your answer to koski@sciencenorth.ca by 5 p.m. on April 13th. All Members who submit a correct answer will be entered into the draw.
Congratulations to the winners of the recent Members' draws!
Kevin & Anne Montgomery of Timmins -
original framed photo of Antarctica
Rob & Angèle Barry of Chelmsford -
gift basket of polar-themed items from Whizards Gift Shop
Thank you for being Science North Members. Enjoy your prizes!
Earth Day Festival 2007
The Sudbury Earth Day Festival 2007 will be held on Sunday, April 22nd at Market Square, and will feature displays by community environmental groups and green businesses, live entertainment, workshops, children's activities and a local food fair.
More info...
Thank you for being a Science North Member!
Your support helps us to develop
new exhibits and programming - for you!
We love to hear from our Members! If you have any comments about Membership or this newsletter, please e-mail them to koski@sciencenorth.ca.
See you soon at Science North!
Lisa Koski
Marketing Specialist, Memberships & Programs
(and a Science North Member)
koski@sciencenorth.ca
Science North is an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Culture. Dynamic Earth is a Science North attraction.
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