Update - March, 2008
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
Greetings from Toronto where indications are that the winter of 2007-2008 will end up as our snowiest on record! Don't let that concern you however - June is early summer in Toronto and the temperature for the World Congress should be in the mid 20s(C) / high 70's (F).
We are definitely moving into high activity mode in Congress planning.
- In my last update I said that we had posted sponsorship opportunities on the Congress website and were hopeful of a positive uptake. I am pleased to report that we have had tremendous response.
The Ontario Government will be the Lead Sponsor of the Congress, Siemens Canada and Nortel are Presenting Sponsors, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is the Plenary Sponsor, IMAX Corporation is supporting one of the keynote addresses and the Canada Foundation of Innovation (CFI) is a general congress supporter. A number of additional organizations are sponsoring specific sessions.
- Registration is underway (early bird registration cut off is March 30). At this stage our registration is split half from North America and the other half well divided among all continents except Antarctica. Previous congresses have seen approximately 60% from the "home continent" so we are currently tracking a bit differently but these are still early days. Conference registration will be capped at 1,000.
- 35 parallel program sessions are now listed on the website (of 50 approved). Work is continuing by some session convenors to confirm participants and submit final abstracts.
- We have confirmed three behind the scenes tours on Tuesday afternoon.
One tour will be to the Ontario Science Centre where we will have a full schedule allowing you to meet with our talented staff; learn about our recent Agents of Change transformation and how we are engaging with new audience segments with exhibits, experiences and programs; experience some of our curriculum linked school programs; and tour our fabrication facilities.
Another tour will be to the MaRS Centre. Located in Toronto’s Discovery District – two square kilometres that have been designated as the city’s centre of innovation – the MaRS Centre is the gateway to Canada’s largest concentration of scientific research, anchored by major teaching hospitals, the University of Toronto and more than two dozen affiliated research institutes. The Centre is also close to the Bay Street financial district, provincial legislature, key government organizations, arts and cultural attractions.
A third tour will take place at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). First opened to the public in 1914, the ROM has grown to become Canada’s largest museum of world cultures and natural history, with some six million objects in its collections today. The Museum is currently undergoing a $270-million expansion and renovation project, designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind. In 2005, the ROM unveiled ten new galleries in its historic 1914 and 1933 buildings. On June 2, 2007, the ROM celebrated the Architectural Opening & Building Dedication of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal. The final stage of ten more renovated galleries in the historic buildings will follow in 2008-2009.
Further information about the tours is available under the Program tab and details for signing up for the tours will be coming out soon.
- The 5th Science Centre World Congress is bringing you within 400 kilometres of Canada’s seventh and eighth largest science centres, Science North and Dynamic Earth, Science North’s new geology and mining centre, in Sudbury, Ontario. Recognized worldwide as a leader in interactive science education and science communication, you won't want to let this opportunity pass you by. Science North will unveil its secrets through sessions on community involvement, immersive visitor experiences, behind the scenes tours, and much more in an additional one-and-a-half-day program following the Toronto sessions. This experience is available for only $129 CAD and includes transportation to and from Sudbury on a deluxe highway coach, admission to the sessions, shuttle service from congress hotels, two lunches, the Northern Ontario Dinner/Party and dinner in the Science Centre. Register your guests to take advantage of our Accompanying Guest Program. Come and experience Northern Ontario, Science North style!
- If you want to begin your conference experience early, the Canadian Association of Science Centres' 2008 Conference will be hosted by the London Regional Children's Museum June 12 - 14 in London, Ontario - a short 2 hour train ride from Toronto. The 2008 conference theme is Learn to Play! Play to Learn!, taking a light-hearted approach to the serious issue of creating a truly innovative society. For program and registration information, visit www.casc2008accs.ca.
- For those who will arrive in Toronto early for some personal time, Luminato - Toronto's Festival of Arts and Creativity is from June 6-15. Luminato is the world's newest international multidisciplinary arts festival. Last year's inaugural festival attracted over one million participants to over 100 events, including 10 world premieres, and 3 Canadian premieres. Luminato's program encompasses a broad spectrum of creative expression including music, dance, theatre, film, literature, visual arts and lectures. You can find more information at their website www.luminato.com.
My next update will be in mid-March. At that time I will give you some detail on the exciting work being done by OSC staff to provide relevant daily updates for all attendees. I also hope to be able to confirm the third keynote speakers and outline the plenary sessions which are well advanced. In the interim, please check our website www.5scwc.org. Thank you to those who have already registered!
We are very excited to welcome you here in June.
Warm wishes
Lesley Lewis
Chair, 5SCWC Organising Committee
CEO, Ontario Science Centre
Read Lesley Lewis' other Congress updates: