Canada's National Science and Technology Week

Canada's National Science and Technology Week
Name	Canada's National Science and Technology Week
Genre	Public science festival
Frequency	Annual
Country	Canada
First	1993
Organized	Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Canada's National Science and Technology Week is an annual nationwide public engagement initiative that promotes scientific literacy through community events, exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations and competitions. It convenes universities, museums, research institutes, private companies, non-profit organizations and municipal science centres to present interactive activities, hands-on workshops and media campaigns. The Week seeks to connect Canadians with researchers, inventors and policymakers across provinces and territories.

Overview

The Week brings together institutions such as Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Canada Foundation for Innovation, National Research Council (Canada), Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Mitacs, Genome Canada, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Canadian Space Agency, NRC Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre and Royal Ontario Museum to stage public programs. Local hosts include Ontario Science Centre, Science World (Vancouver), Telus World of Science (Edmonton), The Manitoba Museum, Musée de la civilisation, Batawi Centre, Calgary Science Centre and numerous university outreach offices such as University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, Université de Montréal, Queen's University and Dalhousie University. Media partners have included broadcasters like Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, CTV Television Network, Global Television Network, TVOntario and publications such as The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star and Maclean's.

History and Development

Origins trace to collaborations among federal agencies and provincial science bodies in the early 1990s, involving stakeholders like Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, National Research Council (Canada), Canadian Museums Association and provincial ministries such as Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, Québec Ministry of Science and Technology and British Columbia Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. Milestones include national coordination during Expo-linked anniversaries, partnerships with events such as Canada Science and Technology Museum reopening, links to international observances like World Science Day for Peace and Development and alignment with campaigns by organizations including Engineers Canada, Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies and Canada's Ocean Supercluster. The program evolved through successive federal initiatives under cabinets involving prime ministers such as Brian Mulroney, Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin, Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau who influenced science policy and funding priorities. Significant partnerships developed with foundations such as The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, Banting and Best Scholarships sponsors, and corporate supporters including Bombardier, Bell Canada and Rogers Communications.

Organization and Funding

Coordination typically involves federal research agencies including Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and the National Research Council (Canada) working with provincial science ministries like Alberta Innovates, Nova Scotia Department of Business, Manitoba Innovation, Investment and Trade and municipal partners such as City of Toronto and City of Vancouver. Funding sources have included federal grants, corporate sponsorships from firms such as TD Bank Group, Royal Bank of Canada, Scotiabank, philanthropic gifts from The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation and programmatic support from organizations like Mitacs and Genome Canada. Event logistics draw on staff from institutions including Canadian Association of Science Centres and volunteers coordinated through networks like Science Literacy Week allies.

Events and Programming

Programming spans hands-on workshops, public lectures, science cafés, hackathons, maker fairs, planetarium shows, demonstrations and school visits hosted by facilities such as Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Royal Tyrrell Museum, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Institut national de la recherche scientifique and university labs at University of Waterloo and McMaster University. Signature activities have included speaker series featuring researchers from University of Alberta, Simon Fraser University, University of Ottawa and Western University; science communication workshops run by The Royal Society of Canada fellows; competitions connected to Canada-Wide Science Fair and innovation showcases aligned with Startup Canada and Communitech. Outreach formats range from livestreamed panels with participants from Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Cambridge, Max Planck Society and Institut Pasteur to local street demonstrations by makers affiliated with Maker Faire communities.

Impact and Outreach

The Week aims to increase public engagement with research areas represented by organizations such as Genome Canada, Canadian Space Agency, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and National Research Council (Canada), contributing to recruitment pipelines for programs at École Polytechnique de Montréal, Western University Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, McGill Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering and technical colleges like BC Institute of Technology. Evaluation studies involving partners such as Statistics Canada, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and provincial research offices have measured reach, demographic engagement and downstream effects on STEM program enrolment and volunteerism. Collaborative projects have linked community groups including Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada-affiliated organizations, Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and local science centres to increase representation in STEM.

Awards and Recognitions

Associated recognitions have highlighted excellence in science communication and outreach by individuals and institutions such as recipients of the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering, Order of Canada honourees active in outreach, winners of the Canadian Science Writers' Association awards, and institutional awards from bodies like Mitacs and NSERC. Special mentions have been made in national science policy prizes administered by Council of Canadian Academies and through distinctions offered by universities including McGill University and University of Toronto for public engagement.

Participation and Partnerships

Participation spans a network of partners including universities (University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, Université Laval), museums (Canadian Museum of Nature, Canada Science and Technology Museum), professional societies (Royal Society of Canada, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Psychological Association), industry partners (Hydro-Québec, Suncor Energy, Magna International), non-profits (Let’s Talk Science, ACTUA), broadcasters (CBC Radio One, CTV News) and municipal partners (City of Ottawa, City of Montreal). International collaborations have involved organizations like UNESCO, European Commission, National Science Foundation (United States), Australian Research Council and bilateral research partnerships with institutions such as CNRS, Max Planck Society and RIKEN.

Category:Science festivals in Canada