Science Director Alan Nursall Stepping Down
After 23 years with Science North, Science Director, Alan Nursall, announced recently that he will be stepping down from his post in August.
Alan laughs when he recalls his first day of work at Science North. It was a frigid day in January 1984 when 26-year-old Alan Nursall began working at Science North. His Volkswagen Beetle was frozen and wouldn't start...
A meteorologist by training, Alan's first project was to develop an atmosphere lab. One of Alan’s favourite anecdotes about his early years involves an activity that demonstrated how cloud droplets in the air turn into ice crystals. “The founder of fractal geometry, Benoit Mandelbrot, visited Science North and I had the opportunity to show him this lab. Mandelbrot watched, amazed, as the air was super cooled and sparkling ice crystals formed inside the box. Then he said, ‘Do it again.’ I thought he must’ve seen some interesting fractal pattern in the crystal formations, but he replied, ‘No, it’s just really cool!’” That same enthusiasm for science has been the theme of Alan’s time at Science North.
Alan Nursall in 1984 with the atmosphere lab
By 1987 he had risen to the position of Deputy Science Director, followed by terms as a program director and senior scientist before becoming Science Director in late 2000. He became well known in the community as a weatherman on Q92 radio and as a science demonstrator on the Discovery Channel.
Science North has had many extraordinary people visit, and one of Alan’s most memorable moments was publicly thanking Sir Edmund Hillary following a speaking engagement. “I’d read books about him, and followed Sir Edmund Hillary’s Everest expeditions since I was a kid, so having the opportunity to meet and publicly thank him on behalf of Science North was a real honour,” Alan recalled.
When asked about which project he’s most proud of, Alan doesn’t hesitate before naming the special exhibition Discovering Chimpanzees: The Remarkable World of Jane Goodall. “It was our first travelling exhibit, and the quality and content was leaps and bounds beyond anything we’d done previously. The opportunity to work with someone like Jane Goodall was also amazing.” He’s also particularly proud of The Climate Change Show. “My background is meteorology, so I was able to make a significant contribution to that project.”
What’s next for Alan Nursall? "NEXT is next," says Alan with a grin. NEXT is the name of the company he's forming, which is a bit of a play off 'Nursall Exhibits'. Alan will continue to partner with the Science North team in the future where their respective skills can best serve a client.
Science North CEO Jim Marchbank expressed the centre’s appreciation of Alan’s contributions to the science centre. “Alan's creativity and ability to make science fun is enjoyed by visitors every day in our exhibits and shows at Science North and Dynamic Earth. While we will miss his ongoing leadership of our science program, we look forward to continuing to work with him on current and future projects”, said Marchbank.
After more than two decades with Science North, of course there are more than a few things that Alan will miss. “I’ll miss the staff. Science North has incredibly talented, innovative and dedicated staff. Also, I'll really miss watching our visitors having so much fun with science!”
Exclusive Member Offers to Northern Attractions
Swim with polar bears at the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat *
To add even greater value to your Science North Membership, you may now take advantage of exclusive admission offers to: Santa's Village, Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat, Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, and Hockey Heritage North.
* Glass separates two pools
More info...
Win Parkas a Polar Bear Would Envy!
Purchase or renew your Membership before September 4th, 2007 and you could win his & hers parkas that a polar bear would envy (courtesy of Canada Goose Expedition Clothing Outfitters), or a pair of tickets to each presentation in the Explore Science Speaker Series!
More information...
Register for Summer Science Camps in August
It's not too late to register your child for one of Science North's Summer Science Camps. They're fun, fascinating, and affordable!
More info…
Ends of the Earth: From Polar Bears to Penguins ends September 3rd
There are only weeks left to see Science North's special exhibition, Ends of the Earth: From Polar Bears to Penguins. Bring your family, friends and relatives to see this "cool" exhibit that will begin its five-year North American tour in September. Be sure to take in one of the daily webcasts to and from the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat while you're here!
Now Playing in the IMAX Theatre
Cool off in Science North's IMAX Theatre with these great films: The Alps, Antarctica, Great North (pictured above) , and Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag.
More info…
Dynamic Earth Makes Top 10 List of Canadian Attractions
Newly-expanded Dynamic Earth was recently named one of the Top 10 Canadian Attractions for Summer, 2007, by the editors of Where Canada. The list is comprised of "…this season’s must-see events, exhibits, venues and sites of relevance for anyone considering travel within Canada." If you haven't visited Dynamic Earth yet, it's time to check it out!
More info…
Xstrata Nickel Donates $100,000 To Dynamic Earth
Mike Romaniuk, Vice-President, Sudbury Operations, Xstrata Nickel, Elyse Clements, Campaign Chair, and Jim Marchbank, Science North CEO
A $100,000 donation from Xstrata Nickel to Dynamic Earth was announced in early July. The funds will be invested in the new Xstrata Nickel Mining Gallery, which is a part of the Phase 3 expansion of Dynamic Earth. Phase 3 is scheduled to open in Spring 2008.
More info…
Arctic Birds of Prey Visit Science North!
A great horned owl flies over visitors to Canadian Raptor
Conservancy Director, James Cowan
On July 21 and 22, James Cowan of the Canadian Raptor Conservancy treated Science North visitors to a presentation featuring raptors of the Canadian Arctic. There were plenty of 'oohs and ahhs' from the audience as each majestic bird was brought out.
Sasquatch the golden eagle eyes his admirers
Board Chair Risto Laamanen Awarded
In May, Science North Chair, Risto Laamanen was awarded the Chair's Award at the Sudbury Chamber of Commerce's Bell Business Excellence Awards. Mr. Laamanen was recognized for his numerous and invaluable contributions made to the community. Congratulations on this well-deserved honour!
Trivia Question: Win a Gold Fever Jacket!
Congratulations to Kennedy Lopez-Nguyen of Birch Island! You are the winner of last month's e-News trivia contest and have won a pair of passes to see The Alps at Science North's IMAX Theatre!
Answer this trivia question correctly, and you could win this stylish Gold Fever jacket: Question: Which four Northern attractions are offering Science North Members exclusive discounts on admission?
(Hint: The answer can be found within this newsletter.)
Send your answer to koski@sciencenorth.ca by 5 p.m. on August 17th. All current Science North Members who submit a correct answer will be entered into the draw.
Is your Membership expiring soon? Renew on-line and receive two additional guest passes for FREE!
Thank you for being a Science North Member!
Your support helps us to develop
new exhibits and programming - for you!
Don't forget that you can access this and past editions of the Members' e-Newsletter on-line at sciencenorth.ca/members in the e-News archive.
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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