2019 CASCADE AWARD RECIPIENTS
Best Exhibit or Show – Large Institution (2 recipients)
Indigenous Ingenuity – Montreal Science Centre
Indigenous Ingenuity is an interactive quest exploring Indigenous innovations from across Canada. Through a series of entertaining interactive activities, this 500 m2 exhibition sheds light on the ingenuity of the First Peoples and their influence on society.
Under the Same Stars: Minwaadiziwin – Science North
Under the Same Stars: Minwaadiziwin, is a planetarium experience exploring the night sky. The show is a legacy of stories that celebrates Indigenous people and explores the seasonal changes in the night sky through the telling of Anishinaabe, Cree and Oji-Cree stories of the visible constellations.
Best Program – Small Institution
Adult Speaker Series – The Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre
On the second Monday of the month, from September to June, an engaged crowd gathers in the evening at Exploration Place to listen to a researcher from UNBC describe their work in an open and accessible fashion for the general public.
Best Program – Large Institution
Junkyard Playground – TELUS Spark
Junkyard Playground is an outdoor play area with no adults allowed. Based on the “Risky Play” philosophy, inside the junkyard you’ll find curated construction materials, real tools (saws, hammers, etc) for kid-directed building and play experiences that are messy, creative and free.
Best Exhibit or Show – Small Institution
Allergies Get People Talking! – Armand Frappier Museum
The Allergies get people talking! exhibit addresses a theme that concerns over 25% of Canadians, which explains the tremendous excitement it generated among its visitors. The content of the exhibit both rigorous and reachable, notably thanks to the experts, teachers and students who contributed greatly to its development.
CELEBRATING EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
At the CACADE Awards Banquet, CASC showcased the many ways in which Canada’s science centres and museums represent the diversity of the Canadian population within its workforce and its visiting audiences.
These are just a few examples of the efforts made over the past year.
Armand Frappier Museum: Us and Them: From prejudice to racism exhibition explains scientifically what racism is and why this phenomenon takes place in our societies.
Okanagan Science Centre: Celebrated International Women’s Day with Take Your Daughter to Work Day and launched their Writing the Futureprogram by bringing indigenous author Drew Hayden Taylor
Ontario Science Centre: Sensory Friendly Saturdays programming and the Science of Anxiety are a few of Ontario Science Centre’s EDI initiatives.
Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium: One of Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium’s missions is to increase the presence of women and diversity in STEM.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada: Sensory-friendly days: offer increased lighting, a music-free environment and a quiet room for guests who require a break and were developed with Autism Ontario.
Science World: Have several EDI initiatives including: Sensory Friendly Mornings, their Community Pass Program and taking part in #LGBTSTEM Day, 2018.
TELUS Spark: Science of Mental Health workshop aimed to destigmatize mental health.