Celebrating a nation of innovation
The national tour of Innovation150 — a celebration of Canadian ingenuity as part of the country’s sesquicentennial — kicked off in Vancouver this week.
Take a self-guided tour from quantum to cosmos!
by Canada has long been a nation of innovators. Its ambitious, diverse society is fertile soil for ingenuity and big ideas, from major scientific advances to social innovations that have led the world.
For Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation, five of the country’s leading science organizations have teamed up to celebrate and spark this ingenuity through the Innovation150 initiative.
Led by Perimeter Institute, Innovation150 is a nationwide partnership that engages Canadian youth, families, and communities across the country through two travelling exhibitions, major innovation festivals, a touring Maker Mobile, a digital storybook, guest speakers, and exciting online experiences.
The travelling science expo now begins its tour to more than 60 communities, reaching more than 100,000 youth across every province and territory, with a special focus on under-served audiences.
“Innovation150 is an excellent way to celebrate achievements in Canadian science and encourage our young people to engage with science and technology,” said the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, during the launch event at Vancouver’s Science World.
“The discoveries made by Canadian researchers have had a tremendous impact on the world today, and the future discoveries of our scientists are bound to change our lives in exciting ways and help support a strong, vibrant middle class.”
Also delivering congratulatory remarks at the launch was the Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and M.P. Vancouver Granville.
“Our government understands that strong support for our country’s scientific institutions and culture will help foster a nation of scientists and innovators,” she said.
Supported by the Government of Canada, Innovation150 is delivered through a partnership between Perimeter, Actua, the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo, the Canadian Association of Science Centres, and the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation.
“Innovation150 will engage Canadians of all ages, honouring the big thinkers who 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 COO of Perimeter Institute.
“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.”
Perimeter Institute Director Neil Turok also launched a cross-Canada speaking series called “We Are Innovators.” To be delivered in five Canadian cities, Turok explores, through historical examples and personal anecdotes, the traits and mindsets that drive true innovation: curiosity, creativity, courage, and collaboration.
Throughout 2017, Innovation150 will reach Canadians of all ages with:
Power of Ideas Tour — A travelling science expo from Perimeter Institute and Actua, young Canadians and their families explore the incredible ability of the human mind to question, make, and innovate. It includes a gymnasium-sized exhibition and a Maker Mobile travelling to 60+ communities. (Full tour schedule)
QUANTUM: The Exhibition — The first ever travelling show on quantum information science and technology. This fully interactive, bilingual experience from the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo showcases how quantum information technologies are poised to once again transform how we live, work, and play. It will travel to seven Canadian science centres throughout 2017. Learn more.
Innovation Festivals — Hosted in part by some of Canada’s largest science centres, these region-wide celebrations inspire curiosity and innovation through a wide range of exciting activities targeted for young Canadians and families. See them all.
Innovation150.ca — The go-to digital showcase about Canadian innovation. The online hub includes a crowdsourced digital storybook from the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation that celebrates people, places, and innovations of Canadian creativity and ingenuity. The website also hosts contests and other interactive activities.
The launch follows last July’s announcement by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, of $5.8 million in funding for Innovation150 through the Canada 150 Fund.
“The 150th anniversary of Confederation is the ideal opportunity to engage and inspire Canadians,” said Minister Joly. “Innovation150 celebrates Canada’s scientific and technological innovation. Young people and families all across the country will have the chance to discover the wealth of our scientific heritage in their own communities. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the incredible discoveries that have shaped our identity.”
To learn more about this Canada 150 Signature Initiative, visit Innovation150.ca.
The Power of Ideas Exhibition is supported by the Government of Canada, Shaw Communications, Cowan Foundation, and Toyota Foundation.
Related
When teams from The Amazing Race Canada dashed into Perimeter Institute, the gravity of their challenge left some racers befuddled at blackboards.
Perimeter Institute Director Neil Turok explores a universe of ideas in the presentation he delivered across Canada in 2017 as part of the country’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
From mountain passes and ice roads to prairie heat and blazing fall colours, the Innovation150 partnership delivered a year of fun, fascinating science to Canadians of all ages.
Featured