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CASCADE AWARDS

CASCADE Award Nominations deadline

MARCH 17, 2023

Individual CASCADE Awards

Individual CASCADE Awards adjudicated by the CASC Board of Directors. 

The nominee can be an employee or a volunteer of a CASC Science Centre/Museum Member or Affiliate.

All award recipients will become Honorary Lifetime Members of CASC.

Emerging Professional 

Awarded to a creative, effective, inspiring individual emerging as a leader and/or innovator in the Canadian science centre and museum community. The Emerging Professional is producing results and making an impact on their CASC member institution, stakeholders, and/or audience. The Emerging Professional has achieved notable success within five years or less in the sector. 

This leadership or innovation can be expressed through exhibitions, education, fundraising, visitor service, community involvement, or other key activities that lead to success for the science centre. The work of the Emerging Professional is having a demonstrable effect now and shows great promise for the foreseeable future.

The nomination will be judged by the degree to which the nominee is: 

    • Demonstrably inspiring as leader and/or innovator with the current staff and visitors at their institution. 
    • Producing results and making an impact on their institution, stakeholders, and/or audience.
    • Demonstrating the potential to inspire and nurture creative thinking.
    • Demonstrable effect now and shows great promise for the foreseeable future.

A nomination must contain:

    • A completed application form.
    • Supporting documents as appropriate (visual or other e.g., publications, web links, program/project summary, etc.).
    • At least three (3) letters of support for the application (at least one letter from a senior leader from within their institution).
    • Maximum ten (10) page limit for all supporting documents (not including application form).

Exceptional Project/ Program Leadership 

Awarded to multiple individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities during the successful implementation of a program/ project that has made science approachable, relevant, and accessible in 2022. These individuals have gone above and beyond their role responsibilities, and have had a positive impact on people, facilities, or experiences within the Canadian science centre/museum community.

The nomination will be judged by the degree to which the nominee is: 

    • Demonstrably inspiring the current staff and visitors at their institution. 
    • Applying new ideas and/or enhancing best practices in making science approachable, relevant, and accessible.
    • Demonstrating the potential to inspire and nurture creative thinking.
    • Building relationships for his or her institution within the community.

A nomination package must contain:

    • A completed application form.
    • Supporting documents as appropriate (visual or other e.g., publications, web links, program/project summary, etc.).
    • At least three (3) letters of support for the application (at least one letter from a senior leader from within their institution).
    • Maximum ten (10) page limit for all supporting documents (not including application form).

Outstanding Career Achievement

Awarded to an inspirational thought leader who has made significant long-term contributions to the Canadian science centre/museum sector during their 15+ year tenure and is deeply committed to building a thriving science and innovation culture of engaged citizens.

Note: This individual may already be retired from or currently working within the science centre/museum sector.

It is preferred that one person be selected annually to receive this award. If more than one nominee meets the criteria, the judges may select more than one recipient.  

Nominations will be judged by the degree to which the nominee:  

    • Has made a demonstrable contribution to the leadership of one or more CASC member institutions.
    • Has made an exceptional and ongoing contribution to the development of Canadian science centre/museum community.  This might include service on industry associations or committees, conference presentations, cross-sectoral collaboration. 
    • Has engaged a broader audience in science and innovation through activities like published work, organized science events, public speaking, science communication for a wide audience, or other activities that further the broad goals of the informal science sector. 

A nomination must contain:

    • A completed application form.
    • A complete curriculum vitae or equivalent.
    • Supporting documents as appropriate (visual or other e.g., publications, web links, documents).
    • At least three (3) letters of support for the application.
    • Maximum ten (10) page limit for all supporting documents (not including application form).

Institutional CASCADE Awards

Past Recipients:

2021   2020   2019   2018   2017   2016   2015   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010


Institutional CASCADE Awards are categorized according to the overall cost of the project. 

      • Category 1: $1M and over                                                                                                                         
      • Category 2: $250,000 to $1 million
      • Category 3: $50,000 to $250,000
      • Category 4: $50,000 and under 

    NOTE: Each institution can only apply for up to two (2) categories each year.



    Eligibility Criteria 

    • The project was led and completed by a CASC Member Institution
    • The project has taken place in the last five years (2017-2022)
    • The project has not previously received a CASCADE award
    • The project was/is delivered in Canada


     Key Science Engagement Offerings:

    • Temporary or travelling exhibition
    • New permanent exhibition/gallery;
    • Improvement of a permanent exhibition/gallery (at least 60%);
    • Multimedia, live presentation or planetarium show
    • Public engagement programs - onsite or outreach educational, interpretive, or public program, such as school visits, camps, festivals, outreach, weekend events, etc.


    Evaluation Criteria

    • How does the project make science approachable, relevant, and accessible?
    • How does the project demonstrate innovation and creativity?
    • What was the impact of the project?
    • Describe how diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility (DIEA) strategies were incorporated and measured in the planning and execution of the project?


    Submitting your nomination and Supporting document uploads

    The information must be submitted into the form. We suggest drafting responses in a word processor (e.g. Microsoft Word) and then copying responses into the survey. The survey must be completed all at once. You will be unable to save it and return to it at a later time to complete it.

      You will have the opportunity to submit:

      • Up to five pages of supporting documents including publications, brochures, texts, production excerpts, panel reproductions, 2D models, etc.


      • Budget for the project - broken down annually by:

      Personnel
      Travel
      Materials
      Equipment
      Rent
      Utilities

      Performance Measurement

      Note: Budget information will help confirm the Award Category for the nominated project.
      • Up to two hyperlinks


      Canadian Association of Science Centres

      100 Ramsey Lake Road 

      Sudbury, ON. P3E 5S9

      info@casc-accs.com

      The CASC office is situated in Robinson Huron Treaty territory and the traditional territory of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. We pay respect to their traditions, ways of knowing and acknowledge their many contributions to the innovations in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Clearly and overtly this gratitude must be demonstrated in our collective commitment to truth and reconciliation, by working to transform existing relationships, with open dialogue, mutual understanding and respectful collaborations

      ©2022 Canadian Association of Science Centres