Science North
Encyclopedia
Science museum
A science museum or a science centre is a museum devoted primarily to science. Older science museums tended to concentrate on static displays of objects related to natural history, paleontology, geology, industry and industrial machinery, etc. Modern trends in museology have broadened the range of...
in Greater Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
The complex, which is Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario is a region of the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron , the French River and Lake Nipissing. The region has a land area of 802,000 km2 and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it contains only about 6% of the population...
's most popular tourist attraction, consists of two snowflake
Snowflake
Snowflakes are conglomerations of frozen ice crystals which fall through the Earth's atmosphere. They begin as snow crystals which develop when microscopic supercooled cloud droplets freeze. Snowflakes come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Complex shapes emerge as the flake moves through...
-shaped buildings on the southwestern shore of Lake Ramsey
Lake Ramsey
Lake Ramsey is a lake in Sudbury, Ontario, located near the city's downtown core. Until 2001, Lake Ramsey was listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest lake located entirely within the boundaries of a single city, but when the Regional Municipality of Sudbury was...
, just south of the city's downtown core, as well as a former ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
arena which includes the complex's entrance and an IMAX
IMAX
IMAX is a motion picture film format and a set of proprietary cinema projection standards created by the Canadian company IMAX Corporation. IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems...
theatre. The snowflake buildings are connected by a rock tunnel, which passes through a billion-year-old geologic fault
Geologic fault
In geology, a fault is a planar fracture or discontinuity in a volume of rock, across which there has been significant displacement along the fractures as a result of earth movement. Large faults within the Earth's crust result from the action of tectonic forces...
. This fault line was not known to be under the complex during the construction of the building in the early 1980s. Where the walkway reaches the larger snowflake, the Inco Cavern auditorium
Auditorium
An auditorium is a room built to enable an audience to hear and watch performances at venues such as theatres. For movie theaters, the number of auditoriums is expressed as the number of screens.- Etymology :...
is frequently used for temporary exhibits, as well as for press conferences and other gala events.
Inside the main building, a 20-metre fin whale
Fin Whale
The fin whale , also called the finback whale, razorback, or common rorqual, is a marine mammal belonging to the suborder of baleen whales. It is the second longest whale and the sixth largest living animal after the blue whale, bowhead whale, and right whales, growing to nearly 27 metres long...
skeleton recovered from Anticosti Island
Anticosti Island
Anticosti Island is an island at the outlet of the Saint Lawrence River into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, in Quebec, Canada, between 49° and 50° N., and between 61° 40' and 64° 30' W. At in size, it is the 90th largest island in the world and 20th largest island in Canada...
hangs from the ceiling.
The complex also features a boat tour, the Cortina, which offers touring cruises of the scenic Lake Ramsey. The Jim Gordon Boardwalk
Boardwalk
A boardwalk, in the conventional sense, is a wooden walkway for pedestrians and sometimes vehicles, often found along beaches, but they are also common as paths through wetlands, coastal dunes, and other sensitive environments....
also extends from the facility to the city's Bell Park
Bell Park (Sudbury)
Bell Park is a large municipal park in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, located on the western shore of Lake Ramsey.The park is named for William J. Bell, an early lumber baron in the city whose former mansion is also the site of the Art Gallery of Sudbury. The park site is part of his former...
along the western shore of the lake.
The facility was designed by architect Raymond Moriyama
Raymond Moriyama
Raymond Moriyama, CC, O.Ont is a Japanese-Canadian architect. He has designed several buildings at Brock University from the 1970s through the latest campus expansion and is the University's former chancellor....
.
An agency of the provincial government of Ontario, Science North is overseen by the provincial Ministry of Culture
Ministry of Culture (Ontario)
The Ministry of Culture in the Canadian province of Ontario was responsible for the development of policies and programs and the operation of programs related to arts, cultural industries, heritage sectors and libraries, in Ontario...
.
First Level
- IMAX 3D - Science North has a 3D IMAXIMAXIMAX is a motion picture film format and a set of proprietary cinema projection standards created by the Canadian company IMAX Corporation. IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems...
theatre. The theatre originally opened in 1994, and was converted to 3D in February 2009. - Planetarium - In June 2009 Science North added a planetarium. It has an 8 metre dome and 36 seats.
- Vale Cavern - Wings over the North: a 4D Bush Plane Adventure soars through the Arctic archipelago.
- TD Canada Trust Toddler's Treehouse - a children's educational play area
Second Level
- Nature ExchangeNature ExchangeThe Nature Exchange is a specialized learning environment that encourages people to explore nature and actively observe, collect, study and share the world around them. It is a turn-key exhibit, now used in nature-based institutions around North America...
- visitors collect and research natural items from the wild and are swapped for points in a database. The points can be used to "purchase" other natural artifacts from around the world (i.e.: Rocks, sea shells, fossils, etc.) - Lapidary Lab - Visitors learn how to cut, grind and polish rocks to turn them from ordinary stones into works of art.
- F. Jean MacLeod ButterflyButterflyA butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
Gallery - This glass-enclosed gallery is home to more than 400 butterflys from 30 different tropical species.
Third Level
The exhibits on the third floor are divided into four main areas:- Northern Forests - In this area you learn and see animals who live in northern forests. Some of the animals ambassadors for the Northern Forest include the Northern Screech Owls, the Porcupine and the Sunk. Other notable animals include the Northern Flying Squirrels, the Grey Rat Snake and the Big Brown bats. One of the biggest improvements to the third floor include a nocturnal room, allowing people to see active nocturnal animals during the day and better equipment habitats for the animals and for visitors.
- Rivers and Lakes - In this area animals that live in rivers and lakes are featured. The animals ambassadors on this floor include the Beaver, the Common Snapping Turtle, the Northern Water Snakes and local fish found in Northern Ontario Lakes. This sections allow people to get a better understanding of the aquatics systems that surround Northern Ontario and the difficulties and challenges these systems are currently facing. As well, the stream table (also known as the sand table) shows people what is erosion and how erosion can shape the landscape around us.
- Wetlands - In the wetlands area, people will learn about the complex wetlands ecosystems. With Lilly creek situated right beside Science North, people are able to go on Lilly Creek tours (weather permitting) and get a personal look of what makes wetland such an important landmass for our ecosystems. Some of the animal ambassadors include Northern Ontario frogs (including Green Frogs, Wood Frogs, Tree Frogs and Bullfrogs), American Toads, The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake and the Painted Turtle. This section also houses the SO2 monitor, which measures the sulphur dioxide levels in Sudbury. There is also an interactive computer that displays the current reading of other sulphur dioxide monitors located throughout the Greater Sudbury region.
- Discovery Theatre - The discovery theatre is located in the center of the third and fourth levels of Science North. Here, people are able to watch live science shows on topics ranging from fire to sound. A daily schedule, located in front of the theater and on the LCD screens around the Science Center, is kept up to date and people can schedule their day around the shows they want to see. Usually, upbeat music will be played two minutes before the show starts to allow people to know the show is about to begin. Wheelchair accessibly is offered on the first, and third level of the discovery theater.
- The Northern Garden - The Northern Garden is located outside of the Science Center. This gives people the opportunity to learn about native plant species in Northern Ontario, plant growth and general garden maintenance.
Fourth Level
- BodyZone - In BodyZone you learn about DNA and how it makes you unique, and now our body works. There are also many exhibits allowing you to measure your performance, such as the race track. The Club Genome object theatre entrance is also in BodyZone.
- Racetrack - Build a race car and run it on the figure 8 track. This area also features a K'NexK'NEXK'Nex is a brand name of a construction toy system invented by Joel Glickman, designed and produced by Industries of Hatfield, Pennsylvania, USA. Currently Michael Araten is the president of the organization. The name is, presumably, a phonetic variation of connects, and is pronounced the same way...
table, a LEGOLegoLego is a line of construction toys manufactured by the Lego Group, a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. The company's flagship product, Lego, consists of colorful interlocking plastic bricks and an accompanying array of gears, minifigures and various other parts...
play area, and the ball wall. - FedNorFedNorThe Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario is a program of Industry Canada whose mission is to address the economic development, diversification and job creation in Northern Ontario. FedNor especially aids women, Franco-ontarians, youth, and Aboriginal peoples in Ontario...
CyberZone - The focus of CyberZone is on computer and communications technology. You can mix your own music at the DJ station, play with green screen technology, and create stop-motion animation movies. - Space Place - This lab focuses on astronomy and space exploration. Exhibits include a 6 feet (1.8 m) gravity well, a microgravity drop tower, exhibits on SNOLABSnolabSNOLAB is a Canadian underground physics laboratory at a depth of 2 km in Sudbury, Ontario in Vale's Creighton nickel mine. The original Sudbury Neutrino Observatory experiment has ended, but the facilities have been expanded into a permanent underground laboratory.SNOLAB is the world's...
, and information on Canadian space exploration. The entrance to the "Between the Stars" object theatre is also found in Space Place. This show explores the topic of dark matter - why we know it exists, and how we are trying to detect it. Between the Stars opened in June 2010 and is designed to appeal to all age ranges with a cartoon character named String Man narrating the story of a topic that is quite complex. - TechLab - Technology and engineering area where you can create your own circuits, take apart old electronics, and play with pulleys and gears.
Object Theatres
Special film and video exhibits which change over time; current exhibits include- The Global warmingGlobal warmingGlobal warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
Changing Climate Show -- narrated by Rick MercerRick MercerRichard Vincent "Rick" Mercer is a Canadian comedian, television personality, political satirist, and blogger.Mercer first came to national attention in 1990, when he premiered his one man show Show Me the Button, I'll Push It, or Charles Lynch Must Die at the Great Canadian Theatre Company in...
and talks about the change in climate. This show was updated and reopened in March 2011. - Club Genome -- talks about DNA
- Legends of the Great Lakes -- This 16 minute show focuses on the bald eagle, the sturgeon, and the woodland caribou. The information is presented as a story that a father tells his daughter before they go to sleep while camping on the shores of Lake Superior.
- Between the Stars -- This show is on the science of dark matter. It lasts 16 minutes and features holographic technology, creating a 3-D effect. The main themes on the show are an exploration of the evidence for dark matter, what it might be, and how scientists are trying to detect it at SNOLABSnolabSNOLAB is a Canadian underground physics laboratory at a depth of 2 km in Sudbury, Ontario in Vale's Creighton nickel mine. The original Sudbury Neutrino Observatory experiment has ended, but the facilities have been expanded into a permanent underground laboratory.SNOLAB is the world's...
.
Outdoor Grounds
- Polaris Boulevard - is a line which reaches from a large sundial right up the side of the building which points directly at Polaris (the north star).
- Terra - You’re literally on top of the world when you stand on this one-millionth scale world model, outdoors near Science North’s main entrance. At sunset and sunrise, you can watch the Earth's shadow move across Canada. The benchmark at the centre of Terra is: 46° 28' 12.00" N and 80° 59' 45.70" W.
- a sculpture honouring local bush planeBush planeA bush airplane is a general aviation aircraft serving remote, undeveloped areas of a country, usually the African bush, Alaskan and Canadian tundra or the Australian Outback...
pilot Rusty Blakey. - Lily Creek - a marsh located opposite to the centre, Lily Creek is home to many species of creatures.
- The Northern Forest - This outdoor exhibit features many of the tree species grown in northern Ontario that Domtar relies on for its sawmills and for the manufacture of pulp and paper at the Espanola mill.
Other activities
Science North, which was opened in 1984, also owns and operates Sudbury's Dynamic EarthDynamic Earth
Dynamic Earth is an interactive science museum in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Owned and operated by Science North, Dynamic Earth is an earth sciences museum which builds on the city's mining heritage, focusing principally on geology and mining history exhibitions.The centre, which opened in...
facility, an earth sciences exhibition which is home to the Big Nickel
Big Nickel
The Big Nickel is a nine-metre replica of a 1951 Canadian nickel, located at the grounds of Dynamic Earth in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada...
, one of the city's most famous landmarks. From January 22, 2001 to May 10, 2003, the Big Nickel was temporarily located on the primary Science North grounds while Dynamic Earth was under construction.
The Science North Production Team
Science North Production Team
The Science North production team is an award winning group that produces object theatres, multi-media presentations and large format film productions for Science Museums and Educational Facilities around North America...
produces object theatres, multi-media presentations and large format film productions for Science Museums and Educational Facilities around North America.
Science North's former science director, Alan Nursall
Alan Nursall
Alan Nursall is a Canadian scientist and television personality, who reports on science news for the Canadian television series Daily Planet and the Alan Nursall Experience on the Discovery Channel.- Biography :...
, is also a correspondent for the Canadian science newsmagazine series Daily Planet
Daily Planet (TV series)
Daily Planet is a television program on Discovery Channel Canada which features daily news, discussion and commentary on the scientific aspects of current events and discoveries. The show first aired as @discovery.ca in 1995. It was renamed to Daily Planet in 2002. The show relaunched with in high...
, which airs on Discovery Channel Canada
Discovery Channel Canada
Discovery Channel is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel devoted to nature, adventure, science and technology programming. Discovery Channel is currently owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc...
and CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
. The institution's original science director, David Pearson
David Pearson (scientist)
David Pearson is a Canadian scientist, academic and television personality. He is a professor of earth sciences and science communication at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, and was the founding director of Science North, the city's interactive science museum, from 1980 to 1986...
, returned to the position in 2007.
Science North has also worked extensively with the city's Laurentian University
Laurentian University
Laurentian University , was incorporated on March 28, 1960, is a mid-sized bilingual university in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada....
, both on scientific and environmental research and as a partner in the university's graduate program in science communication
Science communication
Science communication generally refers to public media aiming to talk about science with non-scientists. This often involves professional scientists but has evolved into a professional field in its own right...
.