Empowering science and innovation in Canada
The Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC) is a network of trusted organizations that represent a critical component of the science, technology, and innovation landscape in Canada.
With an annual audience of over 10 million people, CASC is the biggest membership-based network of scientific engagement organizations in Canada. More than 70 members are dedicated to a thriving science and innovation culture in Canada, and they all come together under our umbrella.
A single voice before government
CASC was founded in 1985 to create synergy among Canada’s science engagement organizations, to help find solutions to the challenges faced by these important public institutions, and to provide a single voice before government
Our mission
We connect a national science engagement community that cultivates a joy of learning by making STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) approachable, accessible, and relevant.
Our vision
Canada has a thriving science and innovation culture of engaged citizens.
Our beliefs
Lifelong public STEM engagement is essential. The work of the CASC community is critical to improving STEM equity, promoting critical thinking, and supporting people to take action on issues that impact their daily lives.
“Nothing about us without us.” Diverse participation and representation are non-negotiable. We ensure that no policy, initiative, or program is implemented without the direct participation of members of the group(s) affected by it.
STEM engagement is fun! Done well, STEM engagement manifests as a joy of learning and is a two-way process. It can be varied in creative approaches, including informal education, public participation, community engagement, and communications.
Collaboration is essential to tackle global challenges. No one organization can solve climate change, biodiversity loss, and the proliferation of misinformation. Diverse perspectives and organizations are needed for effective solutions and to foster collective impact.
There are many ways of knowing. Our work is informed by inclusive approaches that value knowledge gained from Indigenous and Western research methods, as well as the inherent need for multi- and interdisciplinary, mission-driven research to help address pressing social, technological, economic, and health challenges.
Data-driven approaches support innovation and learning. Intentionally gaining new insights and different ideas through the use of data and analytics. We maximize our impact by using data to help prioritize, adapt, and be nimble.
Our core values
Core values are the deeply ingrained principles that guide all of CASC’s actions to achieve our core purpose for Canada to have a thriving science and innovation culture of engaged citizens. Our core values are visible in every aspect of the organization – from operations, programs, and communications to internal policies and processes. CASC’s values serve as our cultural cornerstones. They are never compromised, either for convenience or short-term economic gain.
Collective impact
We are a national network that brings diverse people and organizations together in a structured and collaborative way to achieve social change.
Trust
We actively work to build and maintain trust by being honest, credible, transparent, authentic, reliable, and accountable.
Shared understanding
We are curious and listen deeply, with compassion and humility, to understand and meet the needs of our members, partners, audiences, and staff.
Diverse and inclusive
We bring together people with a wide range of backgrounds, opinions, ideas, and skills, from a variety of types of organisations. We cultivate a culture of inclusion where people feel respected and valued for who they are as an individual or group and for their contributions.
Effective communication
We strive to communicate clearly and are always learning, using approachable, relevant, and accessible strategies in all our communications, and support the advancement of science communication.
Environmental sustainability
We will continue to envision and implement sustainable environmental practices across CASC operations and support leading the CASC network towards a greener future.
Our people
Meet the people working behind the scenes at CASC to empower and elevate science engagement across Canada.
1,500+ science communicators across Canada
The workforce across our membership represents more than 1,500 science communicators and support staff in addition to more than 10,000 volunteers.
Engaging over 10 million visitors every year
We are a national platform for Canada’s Science Centres/Museums and informal science engagement. We represent 50+ institutions across Canada that attract millions of visitors annually.
Our approach
Our work to support and empower our network will help build Canada’s science and innovation culture over the years to come.
