Ontario Science Centre, designed by Toronto architect Raymond Moriyama, was commissioned by the Government of Ontario in 1964 to celebrate the Canadian Centennial in 1967. It was initially to be called the 'Centennial Centre of Science and Technology,' but the construction was not completed until 1969, two years after the centenial celebrations, and so it was simply called the 'Ontario Science Centre'.
The Centre teaches science and technology with the aid of hands-on exhibits. Exhibitions cover astronomy, biology, physics, sociology, technology, etc., each organised to encourage visitors to get physically involved with the museum's installations.
KidSpark, a special play/learning zone (KidSpark) for children aged 8 and under contains a water play area, pretend supermarket, sound studio, and more.
The Weston Family Innovation Centre, designed specifically for 14 - 24 year olds - teaches creativity, problem-solving and myth-busting, while finding solutions to real-world problems while playing with robotics, animation software and other gadgets.
Popular installations include an 'Amazing Aging Machine' - that allows you to see how you will age, a 'Funtain' - a water fountain on which you can play music, and the Van de Graaff generator, which will make your hair stand on end through static electricity.
The Centre's current major exhibition 'Facing Mars: Would you survive the journey' opened in June 2008, looks at the physical, psychological and scientific challenges of travelling to and living on Mars. Test yourself with 30 interactive exhibits as you “walk on Mars”, launch rockets and “fly over” the Martian landscape. See and explore compelling artifacts, such as a rare Mars meteorite, and visual imagery.
The museum also contains a planetarium, a live Rain Forest environment and an Omnimax cinema.
Opening Times
Daily: 10am - 5pm
Prices
Ontario Science Centre: $18
Centre + Facing Mars Exhibition: $20
Centre + Facing Mars Exhibition + Imax movie: $25
Address
770 Don Mills Road
(at the corner of Eglinton Avenue East)
Toronto
Tel: 416-696-1000
How to Get There
Take the Bloor-Danforth subway line east to the Pape station and transfer to the Don Mills (route 25) bus. Get off at St. Dennis Drive, right in front of the Science Centre.
External Links
www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
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