NEW PORTABLE PLANETARIUM FOR NORTHWEST
NEW PORTABLE PLANETARIUM WILL BENEFIT STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS OF NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
THUNDER BAY, ON – Science North is presenting the planetarium experience to students and residents in Northwestern Ontario, thanks to a new portable planetarium unveiled this morning in Thunder Bay. The Honourable Michael Gravelle, Minister of Natural Resources and MPP Thunder Bay-Superior North, was on hand at the Science North’s outreach base, located in the Boys and Girls Club building for a live demonstration of the new experience.
“This is an amazing hands-on experience for any Northerner interested in astronomy, and is a great example of how educational opportunities can be tailored to reach everyone in our riding, no matter where they live.”
“The mandate of Science North is to serve residents of Northern Ontario,” says Guy Labine, Science North CEO. “We have been offering astronomy programs in a portable planetarium through outreach programs for a couple of years but presence in Northwestern Ontario has been very limited due to distance. We’re pleased to now offer the planetarium as part of our standard program offerings, in the Northwest.”
As part of its outreach program Science North scientists, based in Thunder Bay, will be available to travel throughout Northwestern Ontario with the portable planetarium, visiting schools and public events to provide a high quality and interactive experience.
The portable planetarium is an inflatable dome equipped with a digital projection system that mirrors the permanent installation at the Science North science centre in Sudbury. Staff Scientists will deliver live planetarium shows and astronomy and space dome films in the portable planetarium, and will also have access to a comprehensive library of scientific data and ready-to-use educational materials.
“It is wonderful to be extending the planetarium experience to residents of Northwestern Ontario through our Outreach program,” said Nicole Chiasson, Science North Director of Education and Northern Programs. “Science North delivers hands-on educational programs to schools in Northern Ontario and general science activities to festivals, fairs and malls. This portable planetarium will bring astronomy to a whole new level.”
Science North’s outreach programs introduce a unique brand of hands-on science education experiences. This is done through the Cool Science Caravan where Science North staff travel in a van to communities across the North throughout the year, delivering bilingual outreach programs in schools, at festivals and fairs, special events, malls and libraries. Staff deliver formal, curriculum-based structured programs to students and also offer special science-based family nights in schools and libraries.
