Mount Everest: Science at 29,000 Feet
By Lisa Koski, Marketing Specialist, Memberships and Programs
Meagan McGrath recently reached the summit of Mount Everest – an altitude of 8,848 metres (24,500 feet). Back at Science North - at a comfortable 250 metres (820 feet) above sea level - Science North Staff Scientist, Amy Henson, has been following Meagan's progress closely. Amy is the Staff Scientist in charge of the new Everest Base Camp exhibit on the 4th floor of Science North.
Meagan McGrath crosses a crevasse on the Khumbu Icefall
While climbing Everest, Meagan will endure extreme temperatures ranging from -100°C to +27°C, severe oxygen deprivation and headaches, sensory deprivation, digestive issues, and exhaustion. Amy explains that Meagan, in addition to being an experienced mountain climber, is naturally sporty. She runs with a weighted backpack, cycles the 16 kms to work daily, and participates in intense workouts such as spinning classes. But being in excellent physical condition doesn’t mean that she can bypass acclimatizing to the altitude. "One of the most interesting things that I learned while creating the Base Camp exhibit is that climbers climb up a bit, and then go right back down to a lower altitude where they stay for a few days. They repeat this process getting progressively higher. It’s called acclimatization, and it’s absolutely critical to do. The body has to have time to adjust to the lower oxygen levels or it can be fatal." What’s happening physically is that the body is creating more red blood cells to carry oxygen. Less oxygen in the air means that more red blood cells are needed to make the most of available oxygen and support life. "Right now, there is a British medical team climbing Everest and conducting research on the effects of altitude on the human body. They’re taking blood samples at various altitudes, studying respiratory rates and lung capacity," Amy says.
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Science Quest Symposium: Open House on June 8th
Join us for an Open House on June 8th from 7 to 9 p.m. at Science North. Staff Scientist Franco Mariotti and Dr. David Pearson will be the guest speakers.
Last Chance to See Greece: Secrets of the Past in the IMAX® Theatre
Set against the breathtaking, azure vistas of the Greek Isles, Greece: Secrets of the Past merges a contemporary archeological “detective story” with some of the most advanced and painstaking digital re-creations ever undertaken for an IMAX film, with scenes that restore such centuries-old spectacles as the original Parthenon and the volcanic eruption that buried Santorini in 1646 BC.
Greece: Secrets of the Past finishes its run in Science North's IMAX Theatre on Sunday, June 24th. The Double Your Discount deal on evening IMAX screenings is still available for Members only.
More info…
Barbados Concorde Experience opens in Barbados
A new interactive visitor centre was officially opened April 12th in Barbados at the Grantley Adams International Airport. Created for the Barbados Tourism Investment Corporation by a Canadian team, Reich + Petch Design International in partnership with Science North Enterprises, the centre offers the unique opportunity to discover what it was like to be one of the privileged 100 passengers on the luxury Concorde airline.
More info on Science North’s multimedia and travelling exhibit business…
New Membership Category Introduced
Just in time for summer holidays, Science North has introduced a new Membership category - Local Family with Designated Caregiver. Now your regular babysitter or nanny can accompany your children to our attractions for an additional $10 per year. She/he may present one of your Membership cards in order to accompany your children on visits to our attractions only. Some restrictions apply.
More info…
Father's Day & Teacher Gift Ideas
Having trouble deciding what to do for dad this Father's Day? Treat him to a screening of Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag in the IMAX Theatre (screens at 2 and 8 p.m. daily). Add in dinner at the newly-renovated LakeHouse Restaurant to really spoil him. The Big Nickel Boutique at Dynamic Earth and Whizards Gift Shop have unique gift ideas for dad! Come in and see our selection of clothing! (Don't forget, Members receive a discount at both gift shops!) Pictured below is a sample of the Hard Rock Miner series available at Dynamic Earth.
The school year is almost over. If you're looking for a treat to say thank you to a special teacher, a Science North Gift Card is an excellent choice. Gift Cards are available in any amount, and can be redeemed for admission, Membership, IMAX films, at the LakeHouse Restaurant, and more!
"School's Out" P.A. Day Program: June 29
School's out! There's still time for one last P.A. Day program for the 2006/07 school year. This one will be held at newly-expanded Dynamic Earth, so the kids are in for an even bigger blast!
F.I.R.S.T. LEGO® League Tournament: Team Registration Open
Science North annually hosts a regional tournament in conjunction with the F.IR.S.T. LEGO League's worldwide initiative.
Guided by adult mentors, participants aged 9 to 14 will face real-world engineering challenges. They'll design, build and program robots with LEGO MINDSTORMS™ technology; learn teamwork skills, and research challenges facing today's scientists. And best of all, learning will be great fun while preparing for, and competing in, this high-energy event!
More info...
The Cortina Sails Again!
Sit back and relax during a one-hour tour of picturesque Ramsey Lake aboard The Cortina, a 70-passenger cruise boat. Members, be sure to use your 50% off coupons for the Cortina that you received with your membership if you have not used them already.
More info...
Science North Acknowledges Contribution of Volunteers at "Great People" Event
The week of April 15th was National Volunteer Week, and Science North took the time to recognize our volunteers at the aptly-named Great People Event. To all our volunteers: Thank you!
For more information on volunteer opportunities at Science North, contact Carey Roy at 522-3701 ext. 291 or roy@sciencenorth.ca.
Science North Portion of Jim Gordon Walkway Now Open
Just in time for spring, the Science North portion of the Jim Gordon Walkway along Ramsey Lake has been refurbished and is now open.
Please note that there are a few small adjustments to be made, and that the boardwalk may be closed briefly from time to time over the next few weeks.
LOL Comedy Festival: June 21 to 24
There's plenty of scientific evidence that laughing lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, boosts the immune system, releases endorphins (the body's natural painkillers) and produces a general sense of well-being. Check out Cinéfest Sudbury's new comedy festival - it's good for you!
More info...
Trivia Question: Win tickets to see Meagan McGrath's Public Presentation on June 19th or 20th!
Congratulations to Therese Bilsborough of Cochrane for winning the passes to Great North in last month's Member e-News trivia contest.
Answer this trivia question correctly, and you could win a pair of passes to see Meagan McGrath's public presentation in the IMAX Theatre on June 19th or 20th: How high above sea level is Science North? (Hint: The answer can be found within this newsletter.)
Send your answer to koski@sciencenorth.ca by 5 p.m. on June 15th. All current Science North Members who submit a correct answer will be entered into the draw.
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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