SUDBURY (September 29, 2021) – The Canadian Association of Science Centers (CASC) celebrated their Annual CASCADE Awards celebration virtually on Thursday, Sept 23, 2021. Close to 100 informal science engagement professionals and supporters connected over Zoom in meeting style, providing an opportunity for colleagues and friends from across the CASC network to connect informally “face to face”.
The hour-long event kicked off with dynamic hosts Anthony Morgan, Creative Director, Science Everywhere and Ashley Larose, Director of Operations, Science North. Sandra Corbeil, CASC Board President spoke to CASC’s mission to empower a national network of organizations who champion Science and Innovation by making science approachable, relevant, and accessible. Guest speaker Teresa Marques, President and CEO of the Rideau Hall Foundation shared exciting news related to the Canadian innovation landscape. Interspersed with the announcements of the 2021 CASCADE Awards Recipients (listed below), the audience enjoyed creative games featuring science centre and museum staff from across the country.
The innovative event brought the CASC network together for an evening of celebration, laughter, and inspiration.
Watch the recorded compilation video of the full event here.
INDIVIDUAL CASCADE AWARDS
Individual CASCADE Awards were adjudicated by the CASC Board of Directors. All award recipients will become Honorary Lifetime Members of CASC. The nominee can be an employee or a volunteer of a CASC Science Centre/Museum Member or Affiliate.
Outstanding Career Achievement (2 recipients)
Cathie Spencer
Project Consultant, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto , ON
During her 40 years at the Ontario Science Centre (OSC), Cathie (retired) served several roles, including host, Principal of the OSC Science School and project consultant in International Sales. Cathie is a true science communicator, leader and champion who worked to connect and push boundaries to innovate.
Tracy Calogheros
CEO, The Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre, Prince George, BC
Tracy has been with The Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre since 1994, becoming CEO in 2003. Tracy received the Employees First Award from Tourism BC in 2008 and the Award for Leadership in the Field: Experienced Leadership from ASTC in 2006. In 2019, The Exploration Place won the Chamber of Commerce Award for Top Workplace Culture. She has served on many local, regional, provincial, national and international associations and committees, including the CASC Board of Directors, where she served as Board president from 2018-2020. Tracy is a leader in the areas of Reconciliation, repatriation, and relationship-building with Indigenous peoples. She has carefully and respectfully built a strong relationship of trust and friendship with the Lheidli T’enneh Nation, an example of how a regional institution can think, work with, and represent the First Nation on whose territory it is located.
INSTITUTIONAL CASCADE AWARDS
Open to all CASC Science Centre/Museum and Affiliate Members, the Institutional CASCADE Awards are categorized according to the overall cost of the project. Total of four awards. Adjudicated by the CASCADE Awards Jury.
Best Project – Category 4: $50,000 and under
Out of the Box Noon Year’s Eve
Saskatchewan Science Centre, Regina, SK
COVID -19 restrictions sparked a re-imagining of the SSC’s popular, annual in-person Noon Year’s Eve family event. The Out of the Box Noon Year’s Eve Experience was designed to be a safe celebration in a box – packed with 9 STEAM activities and experiments equalling about 4 hours of discovery and play, engaging families across Saskatchewan and beyond.
Best Project – Category 3: $50,000 to $250,000
Innovate! The Science of New Ideas in New Brunswick
Science East, Fredericton, NB
“Innovate! The Science of New Ideas in New Brunswick” is a collection of 8 individual exhibits that showcases the wealth of recent work in innovation by companies, institutions and individuals from across the province including Measurand, Kognitiv Spark, Canum Nanomaterials, the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) (a leading Indigenous organization dedicated to working with partners to foster Indigenous economic development in New Brunswick), C-Therm, University of New Brunswick Science, Sabian Cymbals, and Ganong Chocolates.
Best Project – Category 2: $250,000 to $1 million
Rallye des Rivières (Rivers Rally)
C.I.EAU (Centre d’interprétation de l’eau), Laval, QC
The Rallye des rivières (Rivers Rally) is a recreational tourism activity proposed by the C.I.EAU. It is a perfect activity to do with family or friends to discover the history, heritage, fauna, flora and secrets of the rivers of Mille Îles and les Prairies. This is a course with 16 permanent markers located on the riverbanks of Mille Îles and les Prairies in particularly pleasant and interesting places. The Rallye des rivières allows you to take a complete tour of the Island of Laval!
Best Project – 1: $1M and over
Explore
Montréal Science Centre, Montréal, QC
Discover the science and technology in a space filled with interactive experiences that will surprise and make you laugh, that’s EXPLORE. With more than 50 interactive displays over 1,000 square metres, this new permanent exhibition presents the major scientific and technological principles in a giant format.
View a listing of all 2021 Institutional CASCADE Award finalists here.
The virtual event was made possible through the generous support of the Rideau Hall Foundation.
Event production by: Big Bang Beige
“The CASCADE Awards honours the people and institutions that are working so hard to ensure that a culture of science and innovation thrives in Canada.” ~ Teresa Marques, Rideau Hall Foundation
“A special thank you to those who helped make it fun by sharing videos or playing games. Tonight I was especially happy to be a part of this amazing community.” ~ Sandra Corbeil, Ingenium
“Amazing job! It was a fun and a high honour tribute to the collective of Canadian nerds that love this field.” ~ Lieff Salonius, Science East
“Best Zoom call of the year! Thanks, CASC.” ~ Catherine Harris, Ontario Science Centre
About the Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC)
The Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC) is a network of trusted organizations who represent a critical component of our science, technology, and innovation engagement landscape in Canada.
CASC is one of the largest membership-based associations of informal science learning organizations in Canada, collectively reaching more than 8 million citizens per year. We bring together more than 70 organizations committed to a thriving future through science and technology engagement.
Our members include not only science centres and science and technology museums, but also outreach and research organizations, as well as companies and nonprofit organizations that offer commercial products and services that support informal science learning environments.
To learn more about the Canadian Association of Science Centres, please visit:
Website: www.canadiansciencecentres.ca
Twitter: twitter.com/CASC_ACCS
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/canadian-association-of-science-centres
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CASC Media Contact:
Marianne Mader
Canadian Association of Science Centres
(437) 219.2412