British Columbia

Cranbrook

Science Exploration Visits
Location: Cranbrook District Schools
Date: October 21 & November 4 2009
Pairs of Education Students will present exploration kits to Elementary Classrooms to engage students in Science and get them inspired to do a Science Fair Project to bring to the Regional Science Fair. The ultimate goal of these kits is to show that science can be fun, exciting and easy and can be found everywhere.

Kamloops

Big Little Science Centre Society Fall Open House
Location: 711 Windsor Ave
Date: Saturday, Oct 24. 11:00am
The Fall Open House at the BIG Little Science Centre is a day of interactive exploration and fun. We will have two hands-on rooms of 130 plus activities and shows/demos all day. Barry Zunti and Grayden Cameron of Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be giving a presentation on alien species - invasive fish species that populate B.C.'s lakes and rivers. These aliens can be destructive to native fish and aquatic vegetation.  Learn what they look like - what they feel like - and how you can help to keep them out of our ecosystems!

Prince George

UNBC Undergraduate Student Research Award Banquet
Location: Bentley Centre, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC
Date: Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
Students, industry members, UNBC faculty and local Chamber of Commerce come together to celebrate the achievements of NSERC supported UNBC undergraduate student researchers! Participants will dine together while learning about all kinds S&T research happening in their community. Guest speakers, networking activities and a poster contest showcasing the students’ research will also be featured. For more information, please contact Megan Griffith (604) 666-8815 megan.griffith@nserc-crsng.gc.ca

The World of Astronomy
Location: The Exploration Place
Date: October 23rd, 2009
We have THREE FREE special presentations in our Canfor Atrium: We are pleased to welcome Dr. Roland Kothes of the national Research Council of Canada based at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO), a radio-astronomy research facility in Penticton, BC. Dr. Kothese spends his time there researching the instrumentation for future radio telescopes being designed and built right here in BC and Canada! Originally from Germany, Dr. Kothes has a background in physics and astronomy, and conducted his Ph.D. on supernova remnants and their interaction with interstellar medium. On Friday October 23rd, Dr. Kothes will join us for three free presentations in our atrium: 11:00am & 1:00pm Family-oriented presentations, "Dying Stars and Their Graveyards" about the lifecycles of stars, supernovae and planetary nebulae 7:00pm - Adult-oriented presentation on the same topic For more information please call (250) 562-1612 or e-mail info@theexplorationplace.com

Revelstoke

Explorations of Walter Moberly
Location: Revelstoke Museum and Archives 315 First Street West, Revelstoke, BC (corner of First & Boyle)
Date: Wednesday, October 21st
Explorations of Walter Moberly:1865-66 "Discovering" Three Valley, Searching for a Railway Route, Surveying for the Big Bend Gold Rush, Employing First Nations Guides. Presenter: Cathy English 12:15-12:45 - Brown Bag Lunch Talk 7:00-8:00 - Evening Talk. Revelstoke Museum and Archives

Mountain WHIT & Friends of Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks present Two Amazing Stories of Fire: Live Performance and Film Premiere!
Location: United Church, 314  MacKenzie  (Basement), Revelstoke BC, V0E 2S0
Date: Monday, October 19th, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m

1. Faces of Fire inspires with music, mask, puppetry and drama. Is Fire a bully or a friend? This interactive performance engages all ages in the heated, century-old relationship between fire and the managers of our Mountain National Parks. See a prescribed burn in action and discover the key role that fire plays in a healthy forest. http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/edu/edu4g_e.asp
2. The Burning Question Among many of the processes that contribute to the health of forests in Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks, periodic fire is one of them. The fact that fire is both a destructive force to people and a benefit to many forest ecosystems is a challenging equation to balance. When should fire be put out, lit, or allowed to burn naturally? This is the burning question. The Fire Management staff from Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks have teamed up with FD Productions to create a passionate, enthusiastic and engaging 30-minute film, documenting the story of how they successfully managed a fire during the summer of 2008.

Richmond

Brighouse Science Bash
Location: Richmond Public Library
Date: October 23rd 2009 (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Join us in celebrating the diverse sciences used in the classroom and workplace here in B.C. Building upon the huge success of previous years we hope to make this Pro-D event the biggest of them all by hosting the largest number of government and non-government groups. Bring your children for some hands-on science fun!

Vancouver

(Just for Teachers) Astronomy in the Classroom
Location: H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
Date: October 23rd, 2009
Curious about the Universe? Not sure how to explain black holes, phases of the moon or the scale of the Universe to your students? Join us for a fun, mind-expanding day designed to help you tackle astronomy in the classroom. The day includes a special lecture by Dr. Laura Ferrarese (NRC-HIA) on Black holes. For details email lmcintosh@spacecentre.ca

Blackholes a ninety Year Journey and IYA/NSTW FREE event
Location: H.R.MacMillan Space Centre
Date: October 23rd 2009 7:00 p.m.
Black Holes: A Ninety-Year Journey The year 2009 marks the International Year of Astronomy. This event, which coincides with the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s discoveries with the telescope, is a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture. As part of the on-going celebration, the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre presents, Black Holes: A Ninety-Year Journey. Of all the legacies of Einstein’s general theory of relativity, none is more fascinating than black holes -- space-time singularities, whose gravitational fields are strong enough to distort space, alter the flow of time, and even prevent light from escaping. Dr. Laura Ferrarese (Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, National Research Council of Canada ) will take the audience on a journey from the formulation theory of black holes to the most recent observational efforts

H.R. MacMillan Space Centre: Special Observatory Programming
Location: The Observatory at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
Date: October 16th, 17th, 23rd and 24th
Join us at the Gordon MacMillan Southam Observatory to celebrate National Science and Technology Week. Our astronomer will be on hand to guide your tour of the night sky. You can look through our 1/2 meter Cassegrain telescope . . . maybe see Jupiter! Rain or shine, we will offer special programing and give you the opportunity to ask all your space questions. For details please contact (604) 738-7827 (ext 221) or e-mail info@spacecentre.ca

Lecture Series
Location: HR MacMillan Space Centre, 1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver, BC V6J 3J9
Date: October 20, 2009
As part of National Science and Technology Week 2009, Environment Canada is pleased to present the following topics and speakers:

• When the weather gets severe, Environment Canada makes the call and gets the calls. Meteorologist David Jones is the liaison between the weather service and the media and the emergency management community. David will present “Breaking down the Myths of Weather – Supporting Decision-making and Community Preparedness.”
• Gabor Fricska has been a meteorologist with Environment Canada since 1989. He will present Street Level Forecasting (SLF), a new website based application. This technology will be used during the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Gabor will illustrate how this new technology is applied to weather forecasting in southwestern BC.
• Climate change, like all environmental problems, needs collaboration to solve. As a climate change research scientist and member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Dr. Stewart Cohen will discuss the importance of participation and collaboration and how "participatory integration" can help society better meet its climate change challenge.
• Graham Van Aggelen, is a leading-edge scientist in the field of genomics research techniques and head of the Toxicology Lab at Environment Canada's Pacific Environmental Science Centre (PESC). Toxicogenomics may be the most powerful and significant advancement in environmental science in the last decade. “Omic” tools can help determine what types of negative impacts to organisms take place because of exposure to environmental discharges. This presentation focuses on the application of toxicogenomics and what it means to aquatic ecosystem protection.
• Thousands of birds die each year because of oil released at sea. Dr. Dayue Shang, an environmental chemist based at Environment Canada’s Pacific Environmental Science Centre (PESC) in North Vancouver will explore through a forensics lens, how seabirds are protected from illegal or accidental discharged oil. Environment Canada's Birds Oiled at Sea Program will be highlighted as will Bill C-15, the amended Migratory Birds Convention Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, two pieces of legislation used in tandem with funding which supports monitoring, analysis, research, and enforcement.
• A volcanic eruption? Come hear Dr. John Cassidy, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada present an engaging story about how a cluster of anomolous earthquakes near the community of Nazko, British Columbia were thought to be a possible precursor to a volcanic eruption.
• David Minns, Senior Advisor of Strategic Initiatives, National Research Institute, Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation, will look at the environmental and economic benefits and potential of home-grown fuel cell and related clean energy technology breakthroughs.

Science in the Movies Night: The Atom Smashers
Location: Old Barn Community Centre, 6308 Thunderbird Blvd., Vancouver, BC V6T 2K2
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2009 - 7:00pm – 9:30pm
TRIUMF, in partnership with the Old Barn Community Centre, presents Science in the Movies, featuring The Atom Smashers, a documentary-style film that chronicles the search for the Higgs boson: a yet undiscovered subatomic particle that could explain how matter – and therefore, life – can exist. Part science, part international competition, and part human drama, The Atom Smashers watches its captivating characters in and out of the laboratory as they race along the intersections of politics, culture, and the possibility of the discovery of a lifetime. All ages are welcome and admission is FREE --come early to make sure you get a seat! For more information, please contact Meghan Magee at 604.222.1047.

Science Professional Development Day
Location: University of British Columbia
Date: October 23rd, 2009
The UBC Faculty of Applied Science is hosting a Professional Development Day for Elementary School Teachers. We are supporting teaching science at all levels. Lower Mainland Elementary School Teachers can register to attend before October 15th. Space is limited.

Storytelling Workshop for Scientists
Location: Leylum Room, 1138 Melville Street (Report to 6th floor reception upon arrival)
Date: October 21st (1:30 p.m.)
The workshop will be given in two locations with one session in Victoria (Sidney/North Saanich) and one in Vancouver. The aim of the workshop is to provide scientists with ideas for alternative ways to tell the story of their science - how to breath some life into our presentations. The goal is to learn new skills so we are better able to engage the public and get them passionate about the important work that is being done by government scientists and engineers. This year the workshop will be facilitated by two exceptional storytelling experts. Al Fowler has been a professional storyteller and writer for the past 40 years. He was ordained as a minister in the United Church of Canada in 1969 and served as a military chaplain in the Canadian Forces 1971-1995. He was a sessional lecturer at the Canadian Forces’ chaplains’ School 1995-2005) and in recent years has led storytelling workshops using a wide variety of oral and audio-visual techniques. Faye Mogensen discovered she was a storyteller while working as a Park Interpreter for BC Parks and the National Parks of Canada where, for over 10 years, she concentrated on telling historical and natural history tales. Later, she received grants to develop more “Nature Dramas” for school and general public audiences, and performed them for 10 years. Faye completed her Masters of Education at the University of Victoria with her thesis, Story and Drama as Tools for Environmental Education. Now Faye works as a Field Biologist, surveying rare plants, animals and their habitats, and as a Storyteller, weaving folklore, personal story and non-fiction into tales of mystery, humor and passion. Faye facilitates lively workshops for all ages, including professional development workshops for Park Interpreters and others.
Audience: Federal Scientists and Engineers

TRIUMF Saturday Morning Lecture Series
Location: TRIUMF, 4004 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2A3
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2009 - 10:00am – 12:15pm
TRIUMF kicks-off one of its most popular outreach and education events, the annual Saturday Morning Lecture Series, on Saturday, October 17, 2009. The event features William Hsieh (UBC) speaking on short-term climate variability and prediction. In celebration of National Science and Technology Week 2009, a special topic has been added: "How I became a scientist--the career paths of five BC scientists," giving students a chance to hear from and ask questions of professional scientists from a range of different careers in the science and technology industry. The event is directed towards senior high school students and university undergraduates, but is open to the general public. For more information, please contact Meghan Magee at 604.222.1047.

Victoria

CFIA School Visits
Location: Saanich Peninsula High Schools
Date: TBD
A CFIA inspector from the Victoria Regional office and a CFIA lab technician from the Centre for Plant Health, will head into the classroom to talk about how Canadian Food Inspection Agency puts science to work every day. Visits are planned for Biology, Geography and Science classrooms at two local high schools. The goal is to promote the diverse science-based career options for students and to give them a chance to meet working scientists.

Earth Science Workshops for Student Teachers
Location: University of Victoria
Date: October 21st 2009
Two half-day workshops "Rocks, Fossils and Earth History" and "Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes and Volcanoes", will be offered for student teachers in the Faculty of Education at the University of Victoria. The workshops will provide an opportunity for student teachers to engage with curriculum-linked, hands-on activity ideas in Earth science and to receive classroom resources such as fossil kits, posters, maps and an activity manual. The workshops are offered through Pacific CRYSTAL (Centre for research in Youth Science Teaching and Learning) and CETUS (Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Understanding Science) at the University of Victoria and sponsored by EdGEO (www.edgeo.org).

Galileo as Artist and Scientist- An Orion Lecture by Dava Sobel
Location: UVic, B150 Science Building -- Victoria, BC
Date: October 16 at 19:30
The International Year of Astronomy celebrates the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first telescopic observations. While he used his scientific skills to build and refine his telescopes, he needed his talent in perspective drawing to interpret what he saw through them. His musical ability, acquired from his composer father, also figured in some of his experimental designs. Best-selling author Dava Sobel will give this free public talk and she will also be performing with the music ensemble "Galileo's Daughters" on October 17 with the Early Music Society of the Islands. For more information please view the events listings in www.astronomie2009.ca

IYA/NSTW Galileo's Daughters (New York) with Dava Sobel, narrator and Ronn McFarlane, lute
Location: Alix Goolden Hall, 907 Pandora at Quadra
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 8 pm
On the 400th anniversary of Galileo turning his telescope to the night sky comes a multi-media tribute to the great astronomer. Music of 17th century Italy is complemented by spectacular projected images of the cosmos and the narration of best-selling author Dava Sobel (Longitude, Galileo's Daughter). "... a passionate and improvisatory approach - sensual, languorous, compelling." -- BBC Music Magazine

IYA/NSTW Music of the Spheres
Location: Royal Theatre, Victoria BC
Date: October 25th 2009 - 1:30 p.m
A lively programme created for children and their families combining astronomy with a dramatic musical adventure through space. Written and conducted by Victoria Symphony Music Director Tania Miller in celebration of the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first use of a telescope and the 2009 International Year of Astronomy. The concert is proceeded by one hour of astronomy activities with NRC-HIA staff and Symphony volunteers, and an instrument petting zoo. Solar viewing, weather permitting, with volunteers from Victoria Centre, Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. More information is available at http://www.victoriasymphony.ca/concerts/index.asp#686

National Research Council Movie Night
Location:Dominion Astrophysical Observatory 5071 W Saanich Rd, Victoria, BC
Date:October 19, 2009 – 6:30
If you love the movies and want to learn about the science behind the classic film "Contact" join Dr. James Di Francesco (NRC-HIA) as he explores the facts and fictions in this moderated version of the film. Bring you lawn chairs and imaginations as we screen this inspiring film on the giant dome of the mighty Plaskett Telescope! We are proceeding with this rain or shine so please dress accordingly for this FREE family friendly event. For further information please call (250) 363-8262

GVPL talk for kids - Alien invasion: The Fort Rodd Hill Campaign
Location: Esquimalt Library
Date: Oct 23th (10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.)
Join Conan Webb (Parks Canada) as he discusses an "Alien Invasion: The Fort Rodd Hill Campaign" in this child friendly (ages 8 and up) ProD presentation.

GVPL talk for kids - A sense of scale in the Universe
Location: Nellie McClung Library
Date: Oct 23th (2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
Join Dr. Alan McConnahie (NRC-HIA) as he discusses "A sense of scale in the Universe" in this child friendly (ages 8-12) ProD presentation.

GVPL talk for kids - Earthquakes in Western Canada!
Location: Central Saanich Library
Date: October 21st (3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Join Alison Bird (NRCan) as she discusses "Earthquakes in Western Canada" in this outreach session aimed at children ages 8-12.

GVPL Talk for Kids - How we find planets around other stars
Location: Emily Carr Branch (3500 Blanshard Street), Victoria BC, V8X 1W3
Date: Saturday October 24th, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Join Dr. Brenda Matthews (NRC-HIA) as she explores this fascinating topic and see the first ever picture taken of another solar system! For more information please call (250) 475-6100

BC Association of Physics Teachers (BCAPT) ProD conference
Location: NRC - Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics
Date: Friday October 23rd 2009
Event Details To follow

Storytelling Workshop for Scientists
Location: Sidney (Institute for Ocean Sciences - IOS; 9860 West Saanich Rd., North Saanich B.C.)
Date: Oct 20th @ 9:00 a.m.
The workshop will be given in two locations with one session in Victoria (Sidney/North Saanich) and one in Vancouver. The aim of the workshop is to provide scientists with ideas for alternative ways to tell the story of their science - how to breath some life into our presentations. The goal is to learn new skills so we are better able to engage the public and get them passionate about the important work that is being done by government scientists and engineers. This year the workshop will be facilitated by two exceptional storytelling experts. Al Fowler has been a professional storyteller and writer for the past 40 years. He was ordained as a minister in the United Church of Canada in 1969 and served as a military chaplain in the Canadian Forces 1971-1995. He was a sessional lecturer at the Canadian Forces’ chaplains’ School 1995-2005) and in recent years has led storytelling workshops using a wide variety of oral and audio-visual techniques. Faye Mogensen discovered she was a storyteller while working as a Park Interpreter for BC Parks and the National Parks of Canada where, for over 10 years, she concentrated on telling historical and natural history tales. Later, she received grants to develop more “Nature Dramas” for school and general public audiences, and performed them for 10 years. Faye completed her Masters of Education at the University of Victoria with her thesis, Story and Drama as Tools for Environmental Education. Now Faye works as a Field Biologist, surveying rare plants, animals and their habitats, and as a Storyteller, weaving folklore, personal story and non-fiction into tales of mystery, humor and passion. Faye facilitates lively workshops for all ages, including professional development workshops for Park Interpreters and others. Audience: Federal Scientists and engineers. For information contact: Jane Wynne (jwynne@nrcan.gc.ca; (250) 363 6471)

Earth Science Extravaganza at the Pacific Geoscience Centre
Location: Pacific Geoscience Centre
Date: Oct 22nd (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
Middle school classes from southern Vancouver Island will visit PGC for an open house/office tour. This program is sure to be a hot ticket item for NSTW. Here future scientists and engineers will engage in hands-on activities and dynamic presentations about earthquakes, plate tectonics, gas hydrates, the Earth’s magnetic field, mapping marine sediments, and rocks and minerals. - classes must be pre-registered. For information or to register please contact: Nina Parry [nparry@nrcan.gc.ca (250) 363-8834].

Ocean science & technology Pro-Development Workshop for teachers
Location: Institute of Ocean Sciences
Date: Friday, October 23, 2009
BC Science teachers can dive into earth and ocean sciences with expert scientists and educators. Pacific Geoscience Centre, NEPTUNE Canada and Bamfield MArine Sciences Centre team up. Track tectonic plate movement in your classroom, invite the ocean into your class through a Live Dive over the Internet. Hands-on, experiential. Focus on Science 7 & 10. 9AM to 4 PM. $25 Lunch, book "At Risk; & resources included.

Pacific Forestry Centre: GPS Treasure Hunt
Location: The Pacific Forestry Centre - 506 West Burnside Road, Victoria
Date: October 21, 2009 9:30am
Calling All Homeschoolers! Ever wonder how pictures of Earth are captured? Are you curious about GPS devices? Do you want to participate in a treasure hunt? Come join us for a day of fun exploring satellite imagery in celebration of National Science and Technology Week and learn about satellite imagery and GPS. The day will include a GPS treasure hunt with clues leading you to your prize!

West Kootenay

Quantum Leaps Conference
Location: West Kootenay Region
Date: October 22, 2009
The Kootenay Association for Science & Technology in partnership with SCWIST is hosting The Quantum Leaps Conference. The Quantum Leaps conference focuses on career development and highlights the importance of continuing science and technology courses in secondary and post secondary schools to ensure a wide range of career opportunities for female students in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. 

Kootenay Contraption Contest
Location: West Kootenay Region
Deadline: November 1-7, 2009
The Kootenay Association for Science & Technologywill be holding the 3^rd annual Kootenay Contraption Contest. Do you know students who love to invent or who are always coming up with great new ideas to solve a problem? If so, this contest will spark interest in those young inquisitive minds. This contest is aimed at getting youth thinking about innovative Science and Technology related ideas. All the kids have to do is design a contraption or a new technology “thing a ma jig”, “what ya ma call it” or “widjit”, it doesn’t have to work it just has to be drawn on paper, explained how it works and why we would need it. For more information, see http://www.kast.com/.