Events
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre: Extended Hours and Observatory Opening
October 16, 17, 23 and 24, 2009
On these evenings the Space Centre is hosting special NSTW extended hours in the Cosmic Courtyard, and observing at the Gordon MacMillan Southam Observatory.
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre: Special Observatory Programming
October 16, 17, 23 and 24, 2009
Join the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre at the Gordon MacMillan Southam Observatory to celebrate National Science and Technology Week. The Space Centre's astronomer will be on hand to guide your tour of the night sky. You can look through a 1/2 meter Cassegrain telescope... maybe see Jupiter! Rain or shine, the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre will offer special programming and provide the opportunity to ask all your space questions.
TRIUMF Saturday Morning Lecture Series
October 17, 2009
TRIUMF kicks off one of its most popular outreach and education events, the annual Saturday Morning Lecture Series, on Saturday, October 17, 2009. The event features William Hsieh (UBC) speaking on short-term climate variability and prediction. In celebration of National Science and Technology Week 2009, a special topic has been added: "How I became a scientist - the career paths of five BC scientists," giving students a chance to hear from and ask questions of professional scientists from a range of different careers in the science and technology industry.
Storytelling Workshop for Scientists
October 20, 2009
The workshop will be given in two locations with one session in Victoria (Sidney/North Saanich) on October 20 and one in Vancouver on October 21. The aim of the workshop is to provide scientists with ideas for alternative ways to tell the story of their science - how to breathe some life into our presentations. The goal is to learn new skills so we are better able to engage the public and get them passionate about the important work that is being done by government scientists and engineers.
GVPL Talk for Kids - Earthquakes in Western Canada!
October 21, 2009
Join Alison Bird (NRCan) as she discusses "Earthquakes in Western Canada" in this outreach session aimed at children ages 8-12.
Pacific Forestry Centre: GPS Treasure Hunt
October 21, 2009
Calling All Homeschoolers! Ever wonder how pictures of Earth are captured? Are you curious about GPS devices? Do you want to participate in a treasure hunt? Come join us for a day of fun exploring satellite imagery in celebration of National Science and Technology Week and learn about satellite imagery and GPS. The day will include a GPS treasure hunt with clues leading you to your prize!
Storytelling Workshop for Scientists
October 21, 2009
The workshop will be given in two locations with one session in Victoria (Sidney/North Saanich) on October 20 and this one in Vancouver on October 21. The aim of the workshop is to provide scientists with ideas for alternative ways to tell the story of their science - how to breathe some life into our presentations. The goal is to learn new skills so we are better able to engage the public and get them passionate about the important work that is being done by government scientists and engineers.
Earth Science Extravaganza at the Pacific Geoscience Centre
October 22, 2009
Middle school classes from southern Vancouver Island will visit Pacific Geoscience Centre for an open house/office tour. This program is sure to be a hot ticket item for NSTW. Here future scientists and engineers will engage in hands-on activities and dynamic presentations about earthquakes, plate tectonics, gas hydrates, the Earth's magnetic field, mapping marine sediments, and rocks and minerals. Classes must be pre-registered. For information or to register, please contact Nina Parry ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 250.363.8834).
Quantum Leaps Conference
October 22, 2009
The Kootenay Association for Science & Technology in partnership with SCWIST is hosting The Quantum Leaps Conference. The Quantum Leaps conference focuses on career development and highlights the importance of continuing science and technology courses in secondary and post secondary schools to ensure a wide range of career opportunities for female students in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12.
Brighouse Science Bash
October 23, 2009
Join us in celebrating the diverse sciences used in the classroom and workplace here in BC. Building upon the huge success of previous years we hope to make this Pro-D event the biggest of them all by hosting the largest number of government and non-government groups. Bring your children for some hands-on science fun!
Blackholes: A Ninety-Year Journey and IYA/NSTW FREE Event
October 23, 2009
The year 2009 marks the International Year of Astronomy. The Black Holes: A Ninety-Year Journey event, which coincides with the 400th anniversary of Galileo's discoveries with the telescope, is a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture. As part of the on-going celebration, the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre presents, Black Holes: A Ninety-Year Journey. Of all the legacies of Einstein's general theory of relativity, none is more fascinating than black holes - space-time singularities, whose gravitational fields are strong enough to distort space, alter the flow of time, and even prevent light from escaping.
Astronomy in the Classroom (Just for Teachers)
October 23, 2009
Curious about the Universe? Not sure how to explain black holes, phases of the moon or the scale of the Universe to your students? Join us for a fun, mind-expanding day designed to help you tackle astronomy in the classroom. The day includes a special lecture by Dr. Laura Ferrarese (NRC-HIA) on Black holes. For details, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
GVPL Talk for Kids - Alien invasion: The Fort Rodd Hill Campaign
October 23, 2009
Join Conan Webb (Parks Canada) as he discusses an "Alien Invasion: The Fort Rodd Hill Campaign" in this child friendly (ages 8 and up) ProD presentation.
GVPL Talk for Kids - A Sense of Scale in the Universe
October 23, 2009
Join Dr. Alan McConnahie (NRC-HIA) as he discusses "A sense of scale in the Universe" in this child friendly (ages 8-12) ProD presentation.
BC Association of Physics Teachers (BCAPT) ProD Conference
October 23, 2009
Event Details To follow
Science in the Movies Night: The Atom Smashers
October 24, 2009
TRIUMF, in partnership with the Old Barn Community Centre, presents Science in the Movies, featuring The Atom Smashers, a documentary-style film that chronicles the search for the Higgs boson: a yet undiscovered subatomic particle that could explain how matter - and therefore, life - can exist. Part science, part international competition, and part human drama, The Atom Smashers watches its captivating characters in and out of the laboratory as they race along the intersections of politics, culture, and the possibility of the discovery of a lifetime. All ages are welcome and admission is FREE -come early to make sure you get a seat! For more information, please contact Meghan Magee at 604.222.1047.
GVPL Talk for Kids - How We Find Planets Around Other Stars
October 24, 2009
Join Dr. Brenda Matthews (NRC-HIA) as she explores this fascinating topic and see the first ever picture taken of another solar system! For more information please call 250.475.6100.
Big Little Science Centre Society Open House
October 24, 2009
The Fall Open House at the BIG Little Science Centre is an interactive exploration of fun science with two hands-on rooms of 130 plus activates and shows/demos all day. It runs from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday, October 24, 2009.
Kootenay Contraption Contest
November 1-7, 2009
The Kootenay Association for Science & Technologywill be holding the 3rd annual Kootenay Contraption Contest. Do you know students who love to invent or who are always coming up with great new ideas to solve a problem? If so, this contest will spark interest in those young inquisitive minds. This contest is aimed at getting youth thinking about innovative Science and Technology related ideas.
The Kwantlen Science Challenge
November 28, 2009
The Kwantlen Science Challenge is a day-long series of events for grade 8-12 high school student teams featuring practical laboratory activities in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering Design, Environmental Science, Geology, Mathematics and Physics. The activities are designed to be educational, entertaining and challenging. Come to this FREE event and compete with other schools, do some intriguing lab work and explore Kwantlen's excellent facilities and post-secondary programs.
CFIA School Visits
TBD
A CFIA inspector from the Victoria Regional office and a CFIA lab technician from the Centre for Plant Health, will head into the classroom to talk about how Canadian Food Inspection Agency puts science to work every day. Visits are planned for Biology, Geography and Science classrooms at two local high schools.