40 Years of Innovation

2000 +

• Four years after BODY WORLDS 2 brought record crowds to the Science Centre the new blockbuster exhibition, BODY WORLDS & The Story of the Heart opens October 2009. The exhibition gives visitors a profound insight into the human body, health and disease with over 200 human specimens including whole-body plastinates, organs and translucent body slices.
• The Ontario Science Centre continued to challenge and engage visitors with the premiere of Facing Mars: Would You Survive the Journey? This exhibition is opened June 2008 and is developed and created by the Science Centre’s scientists and craftspeople. It focuses on overcoming the challenges of sending humans to Mars and exploring the surface of the planet.
• The Agents of Change $47.5 million transformation is completed in 2007 with the opening of the Weston Family Innovation Centre and TELUSCAPE in 2006, an outdoor exploration plaza, accompanied with the installation of three permanent art works, Steve Mann’s FUNtain, David Rokeby’s Cloud and Stacy Levy’s Lotic Meander.
• KidSpark, a new area for junior scientists age eight and under, opens to rave reviews in 2003. Due to its immense popularity, the space is doubled in size in early 2005.
• Strange Matter, an exhibition exploring the science of “stuff,” is developed in collaboration with the Materials Research Society. The Ontario Science Centre also creates an award-winning website to complement the show.
• The Science Centre’s Timescape: Unearthing the Mysteries of Time exhibition is voted Best Indoor Site by Attractions Canada in 2002.
• In 2001, Dr. Jane Goodall visits the Science Centre to unveil the Reason for Hope garden on our grounds.
• Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield delivers a media briefing at the Science Centre prior to the historic STS-100 space mission in 2000.

The ‘90s

• In 1999, cutting-edge Haptech technology lets Science Centre visitors “feel” virtual objects and communicate through touch over distances.
• Ontario’s first IMAX® Dome theatre opens at the Science Centre in 1996. (It’s still the only IMAX® Dome in Ontario.)
• It’s a jungle in here! In 1993, the Science Centre debuts its indoor rain forest environment in the Living Earth hall.
• In 1992, Canadian astronaut Dr. Roberta Bondar places a conference call to the Science Centre from the orbiting Space Shuttle.

The ‘80s

• On your marks, get set, go! The Sport hall opens in 1988 – it has the distinction of being the Science Centre’s first bilingual exhibition.
• The Science Centre is used as a location for the feature film, Gorillas in the Mist, starring Sigourney Weaver. This isn’t the first time our unique building has starred on the silver screen—it’s appeared in countless movies and TV shows.
• In 1986, the Food Show becomes one of the Science Centre’s biggest draws, exploring the tantalizing science behind the things we eat.
• In 1985, Dr. David Suzuki discusses humanity’s treatment of the planet in a panel discussion at the Science Centre.
• The exhibition China: 7,000 Years of Discovery breaks all attendance records, attracting more than 1.5 million visitors in 1982.

The ‘70s

• In 1979, the Wood Show displays the many fascinating facets of one of Ontario’s top industries.
• In 1975, inventor Rowland Emett visits the Science Centre, which owns the world’s largest collection of whimsical Emett machines. These fanciful creations (featured in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) are on display every December.
• The first world crafts exhibition, In Praise of Hands, takes place at the Science Centre in 1974, featuring artisans from 50 countries.
• In 1973, the Science Centre initiates its Outreach program—bringing hands-on science to smaller communities across North America.

The ‘60s

• December 17, 1969: John Lennon and Yoko Ono hold a press conference at the Science Centre. Lennon is asked, “Don't you think your long hair and your clothes may put old people off in your pursuit of peace?”
• On September 26, 1969 at 11:16 a.m. (EDT), a powerful radio signal from a quasar over 1.5 billion light years away reaches a relay circuit set to raise the curtain at the official opening of the Ontario Science Centre.
• In 1964, the Government of Ontario commissions Toronto architect Raymond Moriyama to design the Ontario Science Centre, a project in celebrating the Canadian Centennial.