Ontario Science Centre

The Ontario Science Centre (OSC) opened in 1969, a gift from the Ontario government to mark Canada’s centennial of 1967. Now in its 38th year, the Ontario Science Centre is proud of its accomplishments in a number of areas, including innovative experience, exhibit and program development, education programming and partnerships, and international business development and sales.

In 2006, the OSC attracted some 1.4-million visitors making it the most visited cultural attraction in Canada. This was just one of the outstanding achievements in a year of major changes.

Over the past four years, the Centre has completed a $47.5 million transformation resulting in the renewal of over 30 per cent of public exhibition spaces plus the development of a dramatic new outdoor plaza. With the support of numerous partners, the Centre created a hub of innovative experiences for all generations, drawing in new audiences to experience and learn more about the fascinating world of science and technology. The new Science Centre is challenging, engaging and even provoking visitors to think deeper, imagine more and take risks, all behaviours that underlie innovation.

The cornerstone of the transformation is the 2325-square metre Weston Family Innovation Centre. Geared to teens and young adults, the dramatic new environment inspires visitors to take on and find practical solutions to current world problems; merge art with science; and work with a variety of materials. The experiences encourage the skills, attitudes and behaviours that enable innovation in a broad array of disciplines. Visitors are challenged to think differently about themselves and the world. Current science content is presented to visitors digitally and in live presentations. Content changes daily and highlights new developments in science and technology as well as explaining the science behind events such as earthquakes or tornados.

For our very young visitors, the OSC now includes KidSpark, a 1400 square metre space for learners under the age of 8 and their parents and caregivers – in effect a children’s museum within a science centre. In addition to these new experience areas, all opened since 2003, the OSC exhibition halls include The Living Earth, A Question of Truth, the Human Body and the Science Arcade. An Imax domed theatre was added in 2006.

Included in the 1.4 million visitors last year, were over 280,000 students and their teachers participating in the Science Centre’s Ontario Science and Technology Curriculum-correlated programs. These leading edge educational programs and the in-house Science School for students in their last year if high school highlight the Centre’s commitment to developing new ways of teaching and learning science and technology.

In addition to its onsite visitors, the Science Centre reaches over 4 million visitors annually through its traveling exhibitions and award-winning websites www.ontariosciencecentre.ca and www.redshiftnow.ca.

 As part of its commitment to the development of a science-literate population, the OSC has considered how to engage the adult population in considering and responding to science related public policy issues such as climate change, genetically modified organisms and stem cell research. Monthly Café Scientifiques, held in an offsite downtown location, enable adults to engage in hot topics over a glass of wine or cup of coffee fostering a climate of discussion and debate.

All OSC experiences, exhibits and programs are created and produced by talented in-house scientists, educators, developers, designers and fabricators (wood, metal, electrical and electronics). The Ontario Science Centre annually sells millions of dollars worth of exhibits and consulting services around the world. It is also a market leader in producing and touring science exhibitions - our travelling shows including Strange Matter, Circus!, Jelly Belly® presents Candy UnWrapped, Scream Machines and A Question of Truth have been featured in over 30 cities.

Delegates of the 5th Science Centre World congress will have the opportunity to visit the Ontario Science Centre during the course of the program either for a pre-visit, a “behind the scenes” tour or for the closing dinner.