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SUDBURY (May 22, 2019) – The Canadian Association of Science Centres wrapped up the 17th Annual Conference with the CASCADE Awards on Friday, May 10, 2019. The CASCADES recognize outstanding achievement in science communication by both individuals and organizations Canada-wide.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Individual awards are selected by the CASC Board of Directors based on nominations received from member organizations. Outstanding Career Achievement
Amanda Smedley, The Exploration Place Museum & Science Centre
Amanda steps forward to take on leadership of exciting but complex and unproven STEM education initiatives for children and youth. She enthusiastically and competently engages community stakeholder as partners in the pursuit of enhanced science literacy across all ages.
Outstanding Project or Program Leadership
Gillian Davidge, Manuels River Hibernia Interpretation Centre
As the education leader, Gillian is a vision setter as evidenced by the scope of programs that have been developed and implemented since joining Manuels River. She understands the importance of and how to surround herself with exceptional talent and empowers her team to be creative and bring their ideas to life.
“Making a Difference” (2 winners)
Annika Trimble, Aurora Research Institute
Annika is passionate about learning and helping others learn around her. Her dedication and enthusiasm about science is infectious. When she is in schools, she presents herself as a consummate professional, and her excitement about the topic causes students and teachers to become enthralled in what she has to present. She always goes above and beyond in her supportive role.
Cathy Stadder Wise, Science North
Cathy has devoted close to 30 years to developing and delivering science programming at Science North. In her different roles as Staff Scientist - Camps, Senior Scientist at Dynamic Earth, and most recently as Senior Scientist – Informal Learning Programs, she developed and delivered quality experiences that captured the imaginations of the young.
INSTITUTIONAL AWARDS
Institutional Awards are selected by an independent awards jury based on a review of nominations received by the deadline date. 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 is both rigorous and reachable, notably thanks to the experts, teachers and students who contributed greatly to its development.
Best Exhibit or Show – Large Institution (2 winners)
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.
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.
CELEBRATING EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
At the Gala, CASC takes a moment to highlight 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 Future program 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 British Columbia
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.
The 18th Annual CASC Conference will be hosted by Ingenium - Canada's Museums of Science and Innovation in Ottawa, Ontario, May 27-29, 2020.
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