Panellists in Toronto, Rio de Janeiro, London and Moscow engaged in a thought-provoking discussion, describing the biggest challenges facing their respective countries and their ideas on how to tackle them. Members of live audiences at each site challenged panellists with questions, and proposed some of their own solutions. Hundreds more watched the sessions live online.

High school student and human rights activist Nishin Nathwani of Fergus, Ontario moderated the event from Toronto. “The fact that youth were given a platform in an international venue to show their insights and expertise is an acknowledgement that youth are going to spearhead change for the future,” said the 17-year-old.

Participants also identified the need to shift public attitudes away from unbridled consumerism and development towards an enhanced appreciation of nature and the environment.

“To find a way forward we need to look beyond the science,” said Martin Rose, director, British Council Canada. “These young leaders will help set the cultural climate in which decisions will be made in the future.”

While the young activists agreed that even small efforts such as conserving water at home and volunteering in local programs are important, they stressed that it will take larger-scale efforts, legally-binding regulations and deep societal changes to make significant steps towards reducing carbon emissions.

The electronic forum linked countries on four continents with different climates and socio-economic conditions, each hosting Olympic Games this decade.

“The remarkable young people we have heard from over the past two days are true agents of change, “ said Lesley Lewis, CEO, Ontario Science Centre. “They are responding to a real global environmental challenge and challenging us to develop solutions.”

The real-time dialogues (10 am – 12:30 pm EST each day) will link countries in four continents with different climates and socio-economic conditions. The countries are Canada (2010 Winter Games), the United Kingdom, (2012 Summer Games), Russia, (2014 Winter Games) and Brazil, (2016 Summer Games).

Participants will be students in high school and university, including a core group of British Council International Climate Champions. The young people will discuss the biggest challenges facing their countries and their ideas about how to tackle climate change. The dialogues will be linked by video-conference and largely based at science museums, including the Science Museum in London and the Museu da Vida in Rio de Janeiro.

In Toronto, sessions will be moderated by Nishin Nathwani a dynamic 17-year old human rights activist from Centre Wellington District High School in Fergus, Ont. and a panellist at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

“The Ontario Science Centre is a place for young people – our future leaders -- to learn, to voice ideas and opinions, and to engage in new ways of thinking about themselves and the world around them,” said Lesley Lewis, CEO, Ontario Science Centre. “This event will encourage youth from around the world to share ideas, and strive to find solutions to current and future climate change issues.”

The Canadian panellists are:

• Julie D’Aoust, Marianopolis College, Montreal
• Thamy Giritharan, Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute, Toronto
• David Lawless, undergraduate student, University of Guelph, Guelph
• Edmonton-born Allan Luk, University of Toronto Schools, Toronto

“These young leaders are vectors of change,” said Martin Rose, director British Council Canada. “They will set the cultural climate in which decisions are taken over the next few years and their leverage over Canada and the world’s future will grow and grow,” he says.

The event can be viewed live at:

http://www.snwebcastcenter.com/event/?event_id=810

Seniors & Youths $13.50 (Science Centre ONLY)

$9 (OMNIMAX^® Films ONLY)

The Science Centre is TTC accessible; check out www.ontariosciencecentre.ca for directions.

Parking at the Science Centre is $8 CASH ONLY.

This year’s March Break is sponsored by Family Channel.

Lots of new experiences in the Procter & Gamble Great Hall, Level 2:

• Be the first to try a new exhibit: the Science Centre’s designers and fabricators have developed prototypes of two Winter Olympic Sport experiences: Curling (using humans as rocks!) and Biathlon. Learn how the exhibits are built and tested, give them a spin, and give us your feedback. The final product will become part of a future permanent exhibition.

• In honour of Black History Month, the exhibition Northern Lights: African-Canadian Stories will be on display. Curated by historian Dr. Sheldon Taylor, the exhibition features a collection of photographs and artifacts celebrating more than 10 generations of African-Canadian heritage in Toronto.

• Watch the Stouffville Steppers, a performance jump rope team representing the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart program. After their spectacular skipping demonstrations they’ll teach visitors some of their steps. Performances take place hourly from noon to 3 p.m.

“The Great Baldini” brings his magic show The Science of Perception to the Imperial Oil Auditorium. Be amazed and mystified by how your brain interprets magic. Show times are 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. each day. The hours of operation for Family Day weekend are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The best way to buy tickets is online at www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca .

Interactive demos that promote healthy living will be going on throughout the Science Centre all weekend, and they’re free with admission: $18 for adults, $13.50 for seniors and youth and $11 for children aged 4-12. Children under three get in free.

Time is running out for BODY WORLDS & The Story of the Heart, closing at the end of February. Book your tickets online at www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca Tickets can also be purchased by calling the box office at 416-696-1000. Admission is $28.50 for adults, $24.50 for seniors and youth and $18.50 for children aged 4-12, and include general admission to the Science Centre.

“We want to give these students a chance to explore and discover what they’re interested in, even if it doesn’t necessarily lead to a career in science”, said Paul Kortenaar, the Ontario Science Centre’s Associate Director of Education and Weston Family Chair of Innovative Education.

Science School students are immersed in an enriched environment where Grade 12 chemistry, biology, math and physics are taught via group work, real-life problem solving and lots of lab time. The school is supported by the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board. In addition, Biovail Corporation was lead sponsor for the 2009-2010 school year.

Students have the opportunity to see new exhibitions before the public and team up with staff to interact with visitors. Last semester they participated in a live downlink with astronaut Robert Thirsk aboard the International Space Station. “The NASA downlink was one event that really had an impact on me,” said Jennice Colaco, whose home school is Ascension of our Lord Secondary School in Mississauga. “It highlighted the fact that this is the only school where you can get such amazing opportunities.”

Participants come from all over Ontario, from any public or Catholic school board. Applicants provide their grades, two teacher references, a list of extra-curricular activities and a short personal essay. Acceptance isn’t based on grades alone. Candidates must show they are confident and mature enough to handle school in this unconventional setting. There are no tuition fees. The deadline for fall 2010 application is April 9^th. Further details can be found at www.tinyurl.com/oscss

“I gained so much during my time at the Ontario Science Centre” said Stephanie Pataracchia, whose home school is Cathedral High School in Hamilton. “I made many new friends who I will remember forever. I gained a new perspective on learning. The intensified workload and living away from home will prepare me well for university life.”

The graduation ceremony takes place Friday Jan. 29 at 7pm in the Ontario Science Centre Auditorium.

 In partnership with The Ministry of Health Promotion, The Ontario Cancer Society, The Ontario Lung Association and The Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Science Centre’s goal is to inspire visitors to commit to quitting after seeing the ravages of tobacco use.

One of the many dramatic displays in BODY WORLDS features blackened smoker’s lungs in a side-by-side comparison with healthy lungs.  This striking contrast has moved many guests to resolve to quit smoking, as noted in several guest letters and comment books.

I Quit was conceived by BODY WORLDS in 2006 after exhibit maintenance crews kept finding unfinished packs of cigarettes discarded on the glass display case containing the smoker’s lung.  “Each rejected pack marked a victory by one person against nicotine addiction,” said Dr. Angelina Whalley, a physician and designer of the BODY WORLDS exhibitions.  “Many visitors to the exhibition reported to us that they had tried everything to quit smoking but only stopped after seeing the smoker’s lung on display,” she said.

“The Science Centre’s goal is to provide our visitors with new insights into themselves and the world around them,” said Lesley Lewis, CEO of the Ontario Science Centre. “We hope they will make wiser decisions about caring for their own bodies after seeing this exhibition and take the first step to stop smoking.”

The I Quit campaign will continue through the duration of the exhibition run – February 28, 2010.  The awareness initiative will feature an inspirational multimedia installation that includes a powerful public service announcement by The Ontario Cancer Society, pledge cards for visitors intending to give up smoking, a repository where visitors can leave their last packs of cigarettes, and take-home information about ways to kick the habit.

BODY WORLDS is presented by National Bank Financial Group and has been financially assisted by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism, and through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund of the Ministry of Culture, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation.

Dr. Gunther von Hagens, inventor of Plastination and creator of BODY WORLDS said of the hockey plastinates, "I know that hockey is more than a national pastime and a wonderful obsession. I wanted to honor Canada’s passion for hockey and created these specimens that would resonate with the Canadian public."

The hockey players, each being 180 and 184 cm tall with a combined weight of 160 kg, are the world's first plastinate duo in which the fragile internal organs, in their preserved state and with natural colors, can be easily admired from all angles. The specimens required 3,700 hours of preparation time– including 2,100 hours for the positioning and fine dissection. They convey "topographic anatomy," the anatomy of spatial relations.

Also premiering is the Brown Bear, one of the largest land-based predators in Eurasia and North America. This specimen is 2.23 metres from head-to-feet and weighs 275 kg. Through the engaging anatomy displays accompanying the specimens, visitors can learn fascinating facts, such as the Brown Bear's heart rate can drop as low as 8 BPM (beat per minute) during hibernation, and as high as 100 BPM whilst in a disturbed state.

BODY WORLDS & The Story of The Heart features more than 200 authentic specimens, including entire bodies, individual organs and transparent body slices. The exhibit is an unforgettable anatomy lesson that allows visitors to see and understand physiology and health and gain new appreciation and respect for what it means to be human. More than 29 million visitors around the world have experienced BODY WORLDS exhibitions.

Gunther von Hagens' BODY WORLDS exhibitions are the original, precedent-setting public anatomical exhibitions of real human bodies, and the only anatomical exhibits that use donated bodies, willed by donors to the Institute for Plastination for the express purpose of serving the BODY WORLDS mission to educate the public about health and anatomy. To date, more than 10,000 people have agreed to donate their bodies to Institute for Plastination.

BODY WORLDS is presented by National Bank Financial Group and has been financially assisted by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism, and through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund of the Ministry of Culture, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation.

About National Bank of Canada:
National Bank of Canada, which is celebrating its 150^th anniversary in 2009, is an integrated group which provides comprehensive financial services to consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations in its core market, while offering specialized services to its clients elsewhere in the world. National Bank offers a full array of banking services, including retail, corporate and investment banking. It is an active player on international capital markets and, through its subsidiaries, is involved in securities brokerage, insurance and wealth management as well as mutual fund and retirement plan management. National Bank has to close to $135 million in assets and, together with its subsidiaries, employs 17,772 people. The Bank’s securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (NA:TSX). For more information, visit the Bank’s website at www.nbc.ca

In 2008, the Ontario Science Centre established the Weston Youth Innovation Award to recognize Canadian students aged 14 to 18 who have shown initiative and leadership in addressing a current issue they are passionate about. The winner (either an individual or team) receives a $2,000 cash prize, and the opportunity to work with an Ontario Science Centre multimedia team to create a short animation showcasing their project. This video will be broadcast in the Centre’s Weston Family Innovation Centre, and can be viewed online at www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/innovationaward/

Applicants are asked to profile how they have shown initiative and leadership to be Agents of Change in addressing a current issue, for example, energy conservation or climate change, and illustrate the impact of their efforts. Entries will be judged on demonstration of the characteristics of innovation: inspiration, creativity, collaboration, risk-taking and problem-solving.

Submissions will undergo a two-step judging process. A panel from the Ontario Science Centre will review entries in February. A shortlist will go to a second panel of external judges, with the winner to be announced at the end of March, 2010. The Award will be presented at a ceremony in April.

The Weston Youth Innovation Award was established to encourage and recognize young Canadian innovators. It is named in recognition of The W. Garfield Weston Foundation’s $15 million lead gift to the Ontario Science Centre’s Agents of Change initiative, and to honour the Foundation’s support and commitment to education.

Detailed information about the Weston Youth Innovation Award can be found at www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/innovationaward/

Sony Canada announced an exclusive partnership with the Ontario Science Centre, as the lead sponsor of its new Creative Science program; a series of fun and interactive workshops that aim to inspire young people to be innovators in science and technology.

“At Sony, we believe that anything you can imagine, you can make real,” said Doug Wilson, President and COO of Sony of Canada Ltd. “We are excited to inspire youth to be innovators of the future. Together, the Ontario Science Centre and Sony Canada will create fun, hands-on programs that foster excitement about innovation in the fields of environment, science, communication and technology.”

Science Centre visitors will use Sony products and technologies in workshops that explore topics such as the science of electronic music mixing and video filmmaking. And as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, Sony Canada will support Creative Science workshops focused on the environment, such as how to use recycled materials to create new products.

“We are delighted to welcome Sony Canada as the lead sponsor of this exciting program” said Lesley Lewis, CEO of the Ontario Science Centre. “Creative Science workshops offer our visitors access to new technologies in an engaging, hands on environment. Through our partnership with Sony Canada our visitors will be inspired and challenged by innovative ideas and activities in Creative Science workshops.”

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About the Ontario Science Centre:

The Ontario Science Centre opened on September 26, 1969, a global pioneer of the concept of an interactive science museum. Since then, well over 44 million visitors have passed through its doors. It is a model for over 2,000 science centres around the world, built since its inception.

The Ontario Science Centre uses science as the lens to inspire and actively engage people in new ways of seeing, understanding and thinking about themselves and the world around them. The Ontario Science Centre is an agency of the Government of Ontario. For more information, visit www.ontariosciencecentre.ca or call our box office at 416-696-1000.

About Sony of Canada Ltd.

Established in 1955, Sony of Canada Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation, of Tokyo, Japan, a world leader in High Definition. Sony provides end-to-end solutions through products that include the market-leading Blu-ray Disc™ players, BRAVIA® televisions, Cyber-shot® digital cameras, Handycam® Camcorders, VAIO® computers, broadcast cameras, IPELA security cameras and video conferencing and many more products that deliver the true entertainment experience.

Sony is one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world with a portfolio that includes electronics, music, movies, games and online businesses.

With headquarters in Toronto, and offices in Vancouver and Montreal, approximately 1,000 employees support a network of more than 500 authorized dealers and 67 Sony Style retail locations across Canada.

Sony Canada is devoted to the betterment of children, the environment and the community. Through the Sony Canada Charitable Foundation (SCCF), Sony Canada aims to maximize its support of charitable and philanthropic organizations, including Make-A-Wish® Canada, the United Way of Canada and Earth Day Canada. Sony Canada is also proud to support Canadian athletes, including 6 time Olympic medalist Cindy Klassen.

“During a time of economic recession, families found excellent value in spending time together exploring the Science Centre,” said Lesley Lewis, CEO. “The incredible turnout for our 40^th Birthday Party demonstrates just how important the Science Centre is to the community.”

With the exhibition BODY WORLDS & The Story of the Heart running through the holiday season, attendance is on track to surpass 1.2 million visitors by Dec. 31, 2009, a 22% increase over the 2008 calendar year.

Expanded public access programs such as Free Fridays after 2 p.m. for secondary students, and the Adopt-a-Class program, which pays for admission and transportation for students from inner-city model schools, opened up the Science Centre to even more youth. Combined with the Museum and Arts Pass available at libraries in at-risk neighborhoods and the Cultural Access Pass Program for new Canadian citizens, the centre is now more accessible than ever.

Milestones:

• 1,300 guests attended the LG Innovators’ Ball, raising a net of $325,000 in support of community access and outreach initiatives
• Family day weekend attendance topped 24,500 (+35% from 2008)
• March Break week attendance reached 71,652 (+19%)
• Best summer attendance in ten years (+20%)
• 40^th Anniversary Birthday party attracted 15,279 guests, the second largest number of visitors in one day

2009 Featured exhibitions:

• Sultans of Science: 1000 Years of Knowledge Rediscovered
• The Science of Spying
• Lizards and Snakes: Alive!
• BODY WORLDS & The Story of the Heart

A brand-new blockbuster exhibition is already scheduled for the New Year.

Harry Potter™: The Exhibition makes its Canadian premiere at the Science Centre April 9!

Our Sponsors and Supporters

Adopt-a-Class has been made possible though the program’s founding partner Procter & Gamble and the sponsorship of Amgen Canada.

The LG Innovators’ Ball is supported by title sponsor LG Electronics Canada.

BODY WORLDS & The Story of the Heart is presented by National Bank Financial Group and has been financially assisted by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism.

The Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund of the Ministry of Culture administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation, provided support for the Science Centre’s full line-up of 40^th anniversary exhibitions.

About the Ontario Science Centre:

The Ontario Science Centre opened on September 26, 1969, a global pioneer of the concept of an interactive science museum. Since then, well over 44 million visitors have passed through its doors. It is a model for over 2,000 science centres around the world, built since its inception.

The Ontario Science Centre uses science as the lens to inspire and actively engage people in new ways of seeing, understanding and thinking about themselves and the world around them. The Ontario Science Centre is an agency of the Government of Ontario. For more information, visit www.ontariosciencecentre.ca or call our box office at 416-696-1000.

 The Ontario Science Centre is the first and only Canadian venue to host Harry Potter: The Exhibition, which made its highly successful global debut at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry in April 2009.  The exhibition is currently on display at the Museum of Science, Boston. 

Exhibitgroup/Giltspur created the 1,300 square metre (14,000 square foot) exhibition in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products.  Harry Potter: The Exhibition offers fans a firsthand view of authentic artifacts displayed in detailed settings inspired by the film sets, including the Great Hall, Hagrid's hut, the Gryffindor™ common room, and more.  The exhibition will also include costumes and props from the upcoming installments of the Harry Potter film series, once production of these films has been completed. 

The latest Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, was released on Blu-ray and DVD Dec. 8.  The final film in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, is currently in production.  The film will be released in two parts – Part 1 in November 2010 and Part 2 in July 2011.    

“The Harry Potter books have introduced millions of children to the enjoyment of reading and the film adaptations have enthralled fans, stimulating their creativity and imaginations,” said Lesley Lewis, CEO, Ontario Science Centre.  “Harry Potter: The Exhibition is an ideal fit with our Science Centre mission and I’m confident that Harry Potter fans will be delighted by the opportunity to immerse themselves in this exhibition.”

 “We are thrilled to be opening Harry Potter: The Exhibition in Canada to give fans the opportunity to experience all of the incredible components of this magical world brought to life,” said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President, Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “The Ontario Science Centre is a wonderful venue that will showcase perfectly Harry’s world for fans of all ages to enjoy.”

"We are delighted with the reception the exhibition has received in Chicago and Boston and we are honoured to make the Ontario Science Centre the first stop on its international tour," said Eddie Newquist, President, Branded Entertainment, Exhibitgroup/Giltspur. "Fans young and old from around the world have given us tremendous positive feedback, and we are hopeful that all the Harry Potter fans in the Toronto area and beyond will have a chance to visit this one-of-a-kind exhibition."

"The Ontario Science Centre is excited to offer our visitors the opportunity to step into a world that has captured the imagination of both children and adults for over a decade. This exhibition will add a new dimension to our exciting and inspiring programming,“ said Dr. Hooley McLaughlin, Director, Visitor Experience, Ontario Science Centre. “We’re confident that Harry Potter: The Exhibition will draw local and tourist visitors of all ages.”

Harry Potter: The Exhibition opens Friday April 9, 2010, and will run through Sunday August 22, 2010 at the Ontario Science Centre.  The exhibition is a timed entry experience and will be open for visitors during the Science Centre’s extended regular hours: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily up to June 25, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from June 26 to the last date of the exhibition. Tickets are now available online at www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca, by calling 416-696-1000, or by visiting the box office.

Admission to Harry Potter: The Exhibition, which includes general admission to the Science Centre’s exhibition halls, is $27.50 for adults; $23.50 for seniors and youth (ages 65+ and 13-17); $20.00 for children (ages 4-12); and for Ontario Science Centre members admission is $14 for adults; $12 for seniors and youth; and $10 for children.

In 2008, Ontario Science Centre established the Weston Youth Innovation Award to recognize Canadian students aged 14 to 18 who have shown initiative and leadership in addressing a current issue they are passionate about. The winner (either an individual or team) receives a $2,000 cash prize and recognition on the Science Centre’s website.

“Last year’s submissions demonstrated that there are young people who are using science and technology in original ways to create a positive impact on local and global issues,” says Catherine Paisley, Director of Science Education at the Science Centre. “We want to acknowledge their efforts and encourage youth to choose careers that involve science and technology, and pursue their passions.”

The 2009 award recipient was Eden Full, then a grade 12 student from John G. Diefenbaker High School in Calgary. Her invention, Dynamic Photovoltaics, is a device that maximizes solar energy collection using simple materials that can be easily maintained, making it suitable for use in developing countries.

In addition to the cash prize, the seventeen-year-old was given the opportunity to work with an Ontario Science Centre multimedia team to create a short animation showcasing her project. This animation is currently on display in the Centre’s Weston Family Innovation Centre, and can be viewed online at www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/innovationaward/

Applicants are asked to profile how they have shown initiative and leadership to be Agents of Change in addressing a current issue, for example, energy conservation or climate change, and illustrate the impact of their efforts. Entries will be judged on demonstration of the characteristics of innovation: inspiration, creativity, collaboration, risk-taking and problem-solving.

Submissions will undergo a two-step judging process. A panel from the Ontario Science Centre will review entries during the first two weeks of February. A shortlist will go to a second panel of external judges, with the winner to be announced at the end of March, 2010. The award will be presented at a ceremony in April.

The Weston Youth Innovation Award was established to encourage and recognize young Canadian innovators. It is named in recognition of The W. Garfield Weston Foundation’s $15 million lead gift to the Ontario Science Centre’s Agents of Change initiative, and to honour the Foundation’s support and commitment to education.

“We chose to host this completely new and different exhibition because of the overwhelmingly positive feedback we received from a diverse array of audiences four years ago. Visiting BODY WORLDS & The Story of the Heart is a compelling experience that makes us appreciate the complexity and beauty of the human body. Not only is the exhibition awe-inspiring, it transforms us, increasing our understanding of health issues and motivating us to make healthier life choices,” said Lesley Lewis, CEO of the Ontario Science Centre.

BODY WORLDS & The Story of the Heart includes more than 200 authentic human specimens and features the North American premiere of a striking new animal plastinate – a giraffe measuring 5.60 meters from head to feet, which took 6,650 hours and two years to complete. The exhibit is organized according to the major systems of the body including the locomotive, nervous, reproductive, digestive and cardiovascular systems. The exhibit also features a special presentation on the heart, examining how this four-chambered muscle nourishes, regulates and sustains life. Through life-like and dramatic poses of full-body specimens and detailed presentation of organs and body parts, guests gain profound insights into the structure and function of healthy and unhealthy bodies.

The specimens on display come through the Institute for Plastination’s body donation program – all of the donors had agreed before their deaths that their bodies could be displayed for public education purposes. Seventy Canadians have bequeathed their bodies to von Hagens’ Institute for Plastination in Heidelberg, Germany.

“BODY WORLDS is at its core, a joint work, a collaboration between anatomist, donors, and visitors. It allows those who choose to see the exhibition to venture towards an understanding of who we are, and what we are made of,” said Dr. Angelina Whalley, Creative and Conceptual Designer of the BODY WORLDS Exhibitions.

Body Worlds is presented by National Bank Financial Group and has been financially assisted by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism, and through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund of the Ministry of Culture, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation.

“Science and innovation are key ingredients to a strong, knowledge-based economy,” said Culture Minister Aileen Carroll. “Ontario is proud to support a remarkable line up of events such as BODY WORLDS, which will continue to build on the Ontario Science Centre’s 40 year record of inspiring visitors through programs that celebrate science and discovery.”

Nearly half a million visitors came to see BODY WORLDS 2 at the Science Centre during its five-month run from September 30, 2005 to February 26, 2006. Due to its popularity, doors remained open for 61 consecutive hours during the final weekend, when over 32,000 people flocked to see the exhibition before it closed. Visitors are encouraged to buy their tickets early either online at www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca or by calling 416-696-1000.

“National Bank Financial Group is proud to be the title sponsor of Body Worlds & The Story of the Heart” said Neil Glasberg, Senior Vice-President, Personal and Commercial Banking - Central, Western and Atlantic Canada. “An exhibition like this has the ability to both captivate and educate visitors throughout the Greater Toronto Area, and National Bank Financial Group is delighted to be involved with this unique blockbuster.”

About Gunther von Hagens' BODY WORLDS

Dr. Gunther von Hagens invented Plastination in 1977, in an effort to improve the education of medical students. He created the BODY WORLDS exhibitions to bring anatomy to the public.

The organs and whole-body plastinates in the exhibition derive from people who have, in their lifetime, generously donated their bodies for Plastination, to specifically educate future generations about health. More than 10,000 donors have bequeathed their bodies to von Hagens’ Institute for Plastination in Heidelberg, Germany. For more information on BODY WORLDS, please visit www.bodyworlds.com

About National Bank of Canada

National Bank of Canada, which is celebrating its 150^th anniversary in 2009, is an integrated group which provides comprehensive financial services to consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations in its core market, while offering specialized services to its clients elsewhere in the world. National Bank offers a full array of banking services, including retail, corporate and investment banking. It is an active player on international capital markets and, through its subsidiaries, is involved in securities brokerage, insurance and wealth management as well as mutual fund and retirement plan management. National Bank has close to $135 billion in assets and, together with its subsidiaries, employs 17,772 people. The Bank’s securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (NA:TSX). For more information, visit the Bank’s website at www.nbc.ca.

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Grand Canyon Adventure: River At Risk tells an inspiring and engaging story of how ordinary people can make a difference for our parched planet. Noted river advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and anthropologist Wade Davis lead this unforgettable journey accompanied by their teenage daughters and guided by Shana Watahomigie, the first Native American National Park Ranger. The film lets audiences experience the Grand Canyon as never before, while learning about the challenges we face and the opportunities that exist for conserving and restoring the planet’s waterways.

“Safe fresh water is a human right like clean air, yet more than one-fifth of the world’s people suffer without adequate clean water,” says Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who recalls going down the Colorado four decades ago with his own father and seeing wide, sandy banks and animals that have since vanished. “My hope is that this film will remind the world that restoring our waterways and conserving fresh water is important to the quality and survival of our civilization.”

The filming of Grand Canyon Adventure: River At Risk represents the largest filmmaking expedition in the canyon’s recent history and the last major film production of its magnitude to be shot in the canyon due to new protective restrictions in the number of crew members and equipment allowed. Shot in four weeks and almost entirely on the Colorado River, the challenging production took the 158- kilograms IMAX camera through its paces and involved the cooperation of the Havasupai, Hualapai and Najavo nations, the National Park Service, Teva’s team of champion kayakers and more than a dozen experienced river guides.

The vital urgency for people around the world to address the water crisis comes to the fore as the explorers make their way down the Colorado, itself a prime example of a mighty and hallowed river that has been altered by excess and inefficient use. The Colorado once flowed freely across 2,253 kilometres from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, but today no longer reaches the sea.

“In our film, the Colorado River becomes a metaphor for global water issues, revealing how interconnected our rivers, water supply and human actions really are”, says producer/director Greg MacGillivray. “A river trip is one of those amazing life events where you’re ripped out of your daily routine and inspired to see the world in new ways.”

Grand Canyon Adventure: River At Risk is a MacGillivray Freeman Film. Presented by Teva and proudly supported by Kohler. Part of the LG Film Series, it is directed by Greg MacGillivray and produced by Greg MacGillivray, Mark Krenzien and Shaun MacGillivray, narrated by Robert Redford, and written by Jack Stephens and Stephen Judson. The score is com-composed by Steve Wood and Stefan Lessard, with music and songs by the Grammy Award-winning Dave Matthews Band.

Prices for the Shoppers Drugmart® OMNIMAX® Theatre: Adults $12, Seniors and Youths $9 and Children $8. Grand Canyon Adventure: River At Risk runs daily. For film times and more information check online listings at www.ontariosciencecentre.ca.

The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, brought birthday greetings, along with MPP Laura Albanese Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Culture, and Kathleen Wynne, Ontario Minister of Education. Retired Canadian astronaut Dr. Dave Williams also made an appearance with his best wishes, while Members of the Toronto Children’s Chorus sang Happy Birthday.

Three thousand free mini-cupcakes were consumed within the first two hours of the party. In addition, 2,600 slices of pizza, 1,600 hot dogs and 1,900 ice cream cups were among the food items enjoyed at only 69 cents apiece.

Partygoers were treated to six free screenings of the IMAX film North of Superior, signed a giant birthday card mural and collaborated with artist Victor Fraser in creating a huge work of sidewalk art in TELUSCAPE. Visitors participated in new exhibits and sought out old favourites. Children chased after foam bubbles shaped like the Science Centre’s logo floating through the air.

The previous single-day attendance record was set in February 2006 when 17,624 people attended the BODY WORLDS exhibition over a continuous 24-hour period. An all-new edition of the blockbuster exhibition, Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS & The Story of the Heart, is set to open October 9.

The Ontario Science Centre’s 40^th Birthday Party was generously sponsored by TELUS and Pizza Pizza.

The Ontario Science Centre is getting ready to party like it’s 1969! On Saturday, September 26^th, we’re celebrating our 40^th anniversary with a massive party, free screenings of the IMAX film North of Superior, select food items priced at only 69 cents and free admission!

“In the last forty years, the world has changed dramatically and the Ontario Science Centre has kept pace. Constantly evolving in order to stay relevant and engage visitors of all ages with science, the Centre has not strayed far from the original vision as a place of wonder and joy, encouraging active participation and discovery,” said Lesley Lewis, CEO of the Ontario Science Centre.

The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, will commence the celebrations by bringing official greetings. The Lieutenant Governor will then cut the ceremonial cake before those in attendance sing Happy Birthday and 2000 birthday cupcakes are distributed.

Party guests will receive a Pathfinder map to stake out 40 highlighted experiences that can be found around the Ontario Science Centre, ranging from the Aging Machine and elephant heart to the Bubble Wall and sneeze exhibit. Each experience has a corresponding letter, and together the 40 letters will spell out secret words. At the end of the visit, ballots with the correct secret words will be entered in a draw for exciting prizes.

Other activities of the day include:

• The Family Food game show--participants compete for prizes by answering food trivia questions
• Sidewalk chalk art--visitors can contribute to a special piece in the TELUSCAPE to commemorate the anniversary
• A giant birthday card will be posted for everyone to sign at the end of their visit

“The Ontario Science Centre had a profound impact on me when I was younger,” said Mr. Cohon, Chair of the Science Centre Board. “Today I see that same impact when I bring my daughter to the Centre. What I have come to appreciate in the last few years is that the Ontario Science Centre is world renowned as a leader in science engagement. All Ontarians should feel a sense of pride in the accomplishments of the past 40 years. Congratulations to all those who made this possible. ”

“Today is a celebration of the Ontario Science Centre’s 40 years of innovation and interactive education that connects our communities with science and technology,” said David Fuller, senior vice-president, TELUS Business Solutions, and Ontario Science Centre board member. “TELUS is excited to support this milestone and continues to invest in the Agents of Change campaign, transforming environments and bringing thought - provoking science experiences to Toronto families.”

The Ontario Science Centre’s 40^th Birthday Party has been generously sponsored by TELUS and Pizza Pizza.

• Summer camp for five to 14-year-olds
• Sleepovers for families, Guides, Scouts and recreation groups
• Robot-building workshops and competitions
• SCI FRI – a monthly evening event designed for youth aged 14-19, where they can come and chill out while learning about and sharing ideas with others on global issues. Part of SCI FRI is the Siemens Challenge, which encourages innovative ideas, creativity and teamwork in order to find answers to the challenges of the 21st century.
  

• Opened in 1996 – seating capacity 324
• Only IMAX® Dome screen in Ontario
• Current films: Under the Sea, Mysteries of the Great Lakes, The Alps, Journey to Mecca: In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta
  

• Largest museum-based education program in Canada
• The Ontario Science Centre designs and offers over 40 curriculum-based school programs
• On average, 215,000 Ontario school student attendees per year 
• Canada’s only Challenger Learning Centre
• Programs range from 45 minutes to a full day 

• Full-time, one-semester, enriched program for students in their last year of high school

• More than 18,000 households or 72,000 individuals

• The Science Centre sells/rents exhibitions and offers design-build and consulting services around the world

• Rental of all or part of the Ontario Science Centre is available for corporate or social functions. Numerous team-building opportunities for corporations or other groups are also available.

• Agency of the Ontario Ministry of Culture