SOME MEMORABLE MOMENTS 1982: The exhibition China: 7,000 Years of Discovery breaks attendance records, attracting more than 1.5 million visitors. 1992: While aboard the space shuttle, Canadian astronaut Dr. Roberta Bondar places a conference call to the Science Centre. 1993: Visitors first experience the sensations of walking in the indoor rain forest, which opened in the Living Earth hall. 1996: Ontario’s first IMAX® Dome theatre debuts. To this day, the Shoppers Drug Mart® OMNIMAX® Theatre remains Ontario’s only such venue. 2003: KidSpark, a new area for junior scientists age eight and under, opens to rave reviews. Due to its immense popularity, the space doubles in size two years later. 2007: One of the most significant phases in Science Centre history is realized with the $47.5 million “Agents of Change” transformation. This led to the Weston Family Innovation Centre and the outdoor exploration plaza TELUSCAPE. 2015: On July 13, the Ontario Science Centre welcomes its 50 millionth visitor since opening its doors 46 years earlier.
“What’s really important in the longer term are the 21st century learning skills,” Bitran explains. “Kids today are going to need different skills as they go into the workforce. They’re not going to work one job all their lives. We are experimenting with new learning approaches…things like creativity, innovation, collaboration and resilience are all part of that.” The community involvement piece, he says, comes from getting feedback about what visitors want to see in the centre, and providing a space for conversations about science, society and technology. “We have a program called Great Conversations, where [the speaker gives a presentation], an interviewer asks them questions and then we take questions from the audience. We need spaces where people can express their concerns and discuss issues.” As the Science Centre heads into its next 50 years, Bitran emphasizes the importance of it serving the community and adapting its offerings to match the times. “I think we need to embrace being part of the innovation ecosystem, part of the educational ecosystem, and (being) more linked with our communities. For example, we have some relationships with startups, but this should be a hub for young innovators and startup activity that is linked to the rest of the province’s innovation ecosystem. In education, we need to continue to be the testing ground for new technological approaches that can then be scaled up throughout the province. “I think that [the Science Centre’s] function in society is more important, relevant and necessary than ever,” Bitran continues. When science and technology become more complex and intertwined in our lives, there’s a tendency for some people to turn their backs on science, and there is some evidence that is happening. “Institutions like the Ontario Science Centre play a role in making sure that we as a society continue to hold science and technology in the right regard, because it's kind of the only hope we have to solve the problems we have.” To learn more about the Ontario Science Centre and its 50th anniversary, visit www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
28 | the COLLECTION
