BRANDON, Man. – From subatomic particles to vast black holes, close to 1,000 Westman students will be immersed in a science experience unlike anything ever seen in the city next week at Brandon University (BU).
Celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation, Innovation150 is bringing the Power of Ideas Tour to Brandon University on Tuesday, April 25 and Wednesday, April 26.
Innovation150 is a nationwide partnership that engages Canadian youth, families, and communities across the country through travelling exhibitions, major innovation festivals, a touring Maker Mobile, a digital storybook, guest speakers, and exciting online experiences. Supported by the Government of Canada, Innovation150 is delivered through a partnership between Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Actua, the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo, the Canadian Association of Science Centres, along with its members, and the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation.
The Power of Ideas Tour features displays, discussions and hands-on activities designed to inspire youth by teaching them about the achievements of Canadian innovators and encouraging the students to explore their own ideas.
“Innovation150 will engage Canadians of all ages, honouring the big thinkers that have made Canada the progressive country it is today while motivating Canadian youth to pursue big, ambitious ideas that will make them the innovators of tomorrow,” said Michael Duschenes, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Perimeter Institute, the lead partner in the collaboration. “Ingenuity has always been one of our country’s greatest resources, which Innovation150 will proudly celebrate through hands-on exhibitions, talks, and festivals from coast to coast to coast throughout 2017.”
Brandon University’s Mini U is the host for next week’s event, which will take place in the Healthy Living Centre and the J.R.C. Evans Theatre, in promotion of the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines.
The Power of Ideas exhibition, aimed at older students, will include activities based on the Event Horizon Telescope project to study the black hole at the centre of the Milky Way, a look at how the cosmic speed limit can allow us to look back in time, and the largest particle accelerator in the world, the Large Hadron Collider.
Actua’s Maker Mobile exhibition will allow younger students to use cutting-edge technology like 3D printers and laser cutters to experiment and build.
“This will be a fantastic experience for students to learn and get excited about science,” said Dr. Nancy Stanley, BU’s Director of Mini U.
“To host a world-class exhibit of this calibre where the kids can explore such a vast array of possibilities and be exposed to the wonder of science is a tremendous opportunity for Brandon and Westman. I believe that this experience will send many of our local students on an amazing, lifelong path of discovery.”
The Power of Ideas Tour will visit more than 60 Canadian communities this year, reaching more than 100,000 youth in every province and territory. You can learn more about Innovation150 and its touring exhibitions at Innovation150.ca.
About the Innovation150 partners:
Perimeter Institute — Perimeter Institute is the world’s largest research hub devoted to theoretical physics. The independent Institute was founded in 1999 to foster breakthroughs in the fundamental understanding of our universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos. Research at Perimeter is motivated by the understanding that fundamental science advances human knowledge and catalyzes innovation, and that today’s theoretical physics is tomorrow’s technology. Located in the Region of Waterloo, the not-for-profit Institute is a unique public-private endeavour, including the Governments of Ontario and Canada, that enables cutting-edge research, trains the next generation of scientific pioneers, and shares the power of physics through award-winning educational outreach and public engagement. PerimeterInstitute.ca
Actua — Actua is Canada’s leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) youth outreach network representing 33 university and college based members. Over 3 million young Canadians have been inspired through their participation in Actua’s hands on educational workshops, camps and community outreach initiatives. Each year, Actua’s growing network of member organizations reach over 250,000 young Canadians in over 500 communities nationwide. At the national level Actua focuses on the engagement of underrepresented audiences through specialized programs for Indigenous youth, girls and young women, at-risk youth and youth living in Northern and remote communities. Actua’s major funders include: Google Canada, Suncor Energy Foundation, GE Canada and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Actua.ca
Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo — The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) is a world-leading research centre in quantum information science and technology at the University of Waterloo. IQC’s mission is to develop and advance quantum information science and technology through interdisciplinary collaboration at the highest international level. Enabled by IQC’s unique infrastructure, the world’s top experimentalists and theorists are making powerful new advances in fields spanning quantum computing, communications, sensors and materials. IQC’s award-winning outreach opportunities foster scientific curiosity and discovery among students, teachers and the community. University of Waterloo is Canada’s top innovation university. With more than 36,000 students we are home to the world’s largest co-operative education system of its kind. Our unmatched entrepreneurial culture, combined with an intensive focus on research, powers one of the top innovation hubs in the world. UWaterloo.ca/Institute-for-Quantum-Computing
Canadian Association of Science Centres — The Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC) is a national platform for Canada’s Science Centres and informal science engagement. Founded in 1985, the association was created with a goal to create synergy among Canada’s science centres and science-related museums, to assist in finding solutions to the challenges faced by these important public institutions, and to provide a single voice before government. The association provides professional development and networking opportunities for the more than 2,000 science communications, support professionals and 10,000 volunteers across Canada. CASC represents 50 members across Canada that collectively attract an estimated 8 million visitors each year through direct visits, outreach, curriculum-linked school programs, lectures and adult-only events. CanadianScienceCentres.ca
Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation — The Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation is Canada’s only comprehensive science and technology collecting institution. Headquartered in Ottawa, the Corporation operates three Museums: the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the Canada Science and Technology Museum. The Corporation’s mandate is to preserve Canada’s scientific and technological heritage, while promoting, celebrating and sharing knowledge of that heritage and how it affects Canadians’ daily lives. Techno-Science.ca
Contact
- Brandon University
- communications@brandonu.ca
To receive any BU publication in an alternate format please contact Communications@BrandonU.ca
About BU
Success is built at Brandon University. Our growing, progressive campus welcomes a diverse and inclusive community that combines proud tradition with shared ambition. Through our excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship, we educate students to make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders. Join us at BrandonU.ca.