The Exploration Place is hosting a rare event in Prince George history. A national conference will be coming to this city, and it's premier history facility will be the centre of the action.
The Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC) will be sending delegates from coast to coast to coast, as well as an all-star set of presenters who will discuss the new directions and best practices for operating public locations where science is showcased.
It happens May 9-11.
Local people can attend as well.
"This event is not just for people who work at science centres, it's for anyone who has an interest in science, and the more local people who can come learn from this major event, the better for local education and local awareness," said Alyssa Tobin, curator of Exploration Place and leader of the first official CASC Conference activity, a walking tour of the Ancient Forest with an ethnobotanist and Aboriginal elders along for context.
"You would normally have to travel a long way to get access to information and inspiration like this, but this time it's right here in our back yard," Tobin added. "It's a tremendous opportunity for Canada to see what we're all about here, and it's a tremendous opportunity for people in this city with an interest in science to learn from the whole Canadian industry."
Many of The Exploration Place staff will be making official presentations on the local area's scientific strengths.
The incoming presenters have top-level credentials. Some are from Science World in Vancouver, some from the Canadian Space Agency, Montreal Science Centre, the Royal Ontario Museum, Kitikmeot Heritage Village, even the London Science Museum in the U.K. will be sending a presenter.
There are two scheduled keynote speeches.
One will be delivered by Todd Boyette, director of the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center in North Carolina on the topic of how to communicate data-based topics to audiences prone to disbelieve, on political grounds, authenticated science.
The other will be delivered by Deanna Burgart explaining why she calls herself an Indigeneer, and how connecting Aboriginal context to topics of science, technology, engineering, arts and math (the so-called STEAM fields) can forge strong foundations for reconciliation, improving both general culture and science-based industries at the same time.
Anyone wishing to attend can purchase registration from a set of choices. Full-access passes for CASC members is $575 or non-members for $675. Students can access a package of conference highlights for $250 or upscaled to $375. One-day registrations are available for a highlights package at $325 for either the Thursday or Friday events, and an upscaled option for $450. Registration and information is available at the CASC website (www.canadiansciencecentres.ca).
Some of the events will be held at The Exploration Place while others are at the Coast Inn of the North.
This year's conference theme is Lhulh'Uts'Ut'En (pronounced "Lull uts soo tan"), a Lheidli T'enneh word meaning "Working Together."
