“Inspiring Inventiveness: Beyond da Vinci” included Kobo founder Michael Serbinis, da Vinci expert Massimiliano Lisa, Today’s Parent executive editor Sandra Martin and the Science Centre’s chief science officer, Hooley McLaughlin. Broadcast live inside Leonardo da Vinci’s Workshop: The Exhibition, it was moderated by CBC host Wendy Mesley.

CEO Lesley Lewis said that the Ontario Science Centre encourages provocative dialogue on science and innovation. “We are pleased to host this discussion which will enrich our understanding of how to spark innovative thinking and Leonardo-like attitudes in today’s youth. Science centres can play a key role in exploring how we can motivate curiosity, discovery and fearless learning,” she said.

The broadcast can be viewed anytime online at www.facebook.com/OntarioScienceCentre.

For Michael Serbinis, who created the Kobo E-reader, a fascination with rockets and space – including trips to the Ontario Science Centre’s Space exhibit – drove his early innovative spirit. A winner of many national and international science fairs as a youngster, Serbinis found pleasure in discovery.

“For me it was fun, building new things and trying to make other things better. That led me to Silicon Valley,” he said.

Sandra Martin pointed to the vast importance of unchaining convention and allowing youngsters to think differently. “If kids escape that tendency to fit in, it releases the sense of ‘I can do anything,’” she said. “Tell (your kids) it is good to think outside the box. You don’t have to focus on one specific career. Your child can experience creativity and innovation no matter what they do.”

Dr. Hooley McLaughlin said that the Science Centre encourages a different approach to learning. “We have real, physical experiences here. Play is essential to learning, playing with no agenda, no set goals. That is key to innovative thought.”

McLaughlin added that the Science Centre has taken the position of seeking out Weston Youth Innovation Award candidates. “Young people don’t know that they are innovative, don’t understand that they are breaking loose, being inventive.”

Da Vinci as Inspiration

The subject of the Ontario Science Centre’s technology-rich exhibition was discussed as a source of inspiration despite Leonardo’s living in such a different time.

Massimiliano Lisa said Leonardo da Vinci’s penchant for writing backward was testament to his visionary nature. “Leonardo… didn’t have a formal education,” Lisa said. “As a child, he was let free to experiment. He invented a way to write backwards while the whole rest of the world wrote another way.”

The exhibition illustrates the amazing depth of talents that da Vinci possessed, including science, art, engineering and anatomy. Combining art and science, McLaughlin said, seemed to stoke his creativity.

Serbinis said da Vinci’s talent in multiple disciplines was his lasting imprint on engineering, a profession whose versatility attracted the Kobo founder. “The amazing thing was that Leonardo was one person, the master of so many different domains. A seven- or eight-year-old would be stunned to find out one person could do all this.”

Lisa, curator of the exhibition, said: “You can be like Leonardo by opening your mind. Don’t be afraid to experiment.”

McLaughlin said that da Vinci exemplified living a full, rich life, letting his imagination wander in daily life. “That is a powerful message,” he said. “He didn’t differentiate between art and science. (Young Canadians) don’t have to think of themselves as one type of person, having one career. You can invent in any area of your life.”

Lisa said five centuries after da Vinci, we are a part of human history where everyone can have an idea. “The possibilities of today are incredible… unlimited,” he said.

Martin suggested, “Youngsters need time, away from the screen, to experience the luxury of letting your brain expand and wander.”

Leonardo da Vinci and the Ontario Science Centre’s exhibition are, according to Serbinis, a great recognition that anyone can come up with an idea and make something if they have the time.

This exclusive engagement of Leonardo da Vinci: The Exhibition continues to March 18, 2012. For more information, please visit http://ontariosciencecentre.ca/davinci/default.asp.

Successful candidates will have used science and/or technology as the basis for developing creative and innovative ideas aimed at solving real-world problems. They will have also put their ideas into action, resulting in a positive impact either in their own community or on a broader scale.

The winning applicant or team will receive a $2,000 prize, travel expenses to attend the award ceremony in Toronto, and an Ontario Science Centre membership. The winner's work will be featured in a professional animation on display in the Weston Family Innovation Centre at the Science Centre in Toronto, which receives over one million visitors each year. It will also be posted online to inspire other youth to think, work and collaborate in new ways.

“There are Canadian youth who are already on the path to effect positive change in our world through innovative use of science and technology, “said Catherine Paisley, Vice President, Science Education at the Ontario Science Centre. “We want to recognize their efforts through this Award by giving them a platform for sharing their work, inspiring others to make a difference.”

Know someone who might qualify? Please contact us at wyia@OntarioScienceCentre.ca by February 1, 2012.

An external jury will make a selection in April 2012 and the winner will be announced on the website by May 31, 2012.

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

About the Weston Youth Innovation Award

The Weston Youth Innovation Award was established in 2008 to encourage and recognize young Canadian innovators and was named in recognition of The

W. Garfield Weston Foundation’s $15 million lead gift to the Ontario Science Centre’s ‘Agents of Change’ initiative. This national award builds on the Foundation’s longstanding tradition of support to educational initiatives for Canadian youth.

“Barilla is so proud to be the title sponsor of Leonardo da Vinci’s Workshop,” said Gino Rulli, Country Manager, Barilla Canada Inc. “Everyone in Southern Ontario and beyond gets a chance to see the inner workings of one of the most influential Italians of all time, and one of world’s greatest thinkers.”

Leonardo da Vinci’s Workshop: The Exhibition is curated by da Vinci experts at Leonardo3 in Milan and produced by Leonardo3 and Running Subway Productions. Its limited run at the Ontario Science Centre ends on March 18, 2012. This is its third stop in North America following New York and Philadelphia. Tickets (including Science Centre admission) are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, students and youth, $17 for children. Member prices are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, students, youth and children.

About the Ontario Science Centre

The Ontario Science Centre delights, informs and challenges the communities we serve, enriching people’s lives and understanding through engagement with science of local, national and global relevance. Since 1969, the Ontario Science Centre has welcomed over 45 million visitors, with an interactive approach that was the model for Science Centres around the world. It is the public centre for innovative thinking and provocative dialogue in science and technology, aiming to inspire a lifelong journey of curiosity, discovery and action to create a better future for the planet. The Ontario Science Centre is an agency of the Government of Ontario. www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca


About Leonardo3

An innovative research center and media company dedicated to the work of Leonardo da Vinci, L3 encompasses a center and workshop for research and study; exhibition and museum production; editorial, television and multimedia production; and a publishing company. The mission of L3 is to study, interpret and make cultural heritage available to the public through the use of avant-garde methods and technology. www.leonardo3.net

About the Barilla Group

Barilla, originally established in 1877 as a bread and pasta shop in Parma, Italy, ranks as one of today’s top Italian food groups. Barilla is the global leader in the pasta and pasta sauce business, and is recognized worldwide for its traditional Italian heritage, principles and values. Barilla owns 43 production sites and exports to more than 100 countries. Every year, about 2,500,000 tons of food products under the brands of Barilla, Mulino Bianco, Voiello, Pavesi, Alixir, Academia Barilla, Wasa, Harry’s, Lieken Urkorn and Golden Toast, Misko, Filiz, Yemina and Vesta are featured on dining tables all over the world.

Barilla Canada is part of Barilla Group, which is owned and operated by the fourth generation Barilla family. Barilla products are available at major grocery and mass merchandise stores across Canada. More information on the full range of Barilla products can be found at www.barilla.ca.

Directed by award-winning Canadian filmmaker Stephen Low, Rocky Mountain Express propels audiences on a present-day steam train journey through the breathtaking vistas of the Canadian Rockies, relating the extraordinary story of how the nation’s first transcontinental railway was laid. Ride the rails along deep river canyons, over high mountain passes and discover some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes on Earth while feeling the heroism and epic engineering that shaped a continent.

“The completion of the transcontinental railway in 1885 ranks among the greatest engineering feats in history,” said Hooley McLaughlin, Chief Science Officer of the Ontario Science Centre. “The project drew on the expertise and labour of thousands from around the world. It demonstrates the impact that science and technology had on the creation of a nation.”

Spanning thousands of miles and some of the world’s greatest natural barriers, this grand transcontinental project and its ribbon of steel linked communities isolated in the wilderness, shaped a fledgling nation and changed North America forever. The project’s ultimate fate was decided deep in the mountains. Would Canada even exist today if the builders had failed?

Retracing the original route aboard the majestic steam engine 2816, Rocky Mountain Express transports viewers to the age of steam to relive this alpine odyssey. Low weaves together spectacular IMAX aerial cinematography, awesome landscapes, archival footage and the power of a live steam locomotive to showcase an era of remarkable ingenuity, immense struggle and a region of stunning natural beauty.

Amazing Sound and Visuals

Rocky Mountain Express is a culmination of Stephen Low’s remarkable 30-year career shaping films for the giant screen. Kindled in childhood, Low’s love of high-fidelity cinema and his fascination with the steam locomotive have come together in the new production — a giant screen experience that brings to life the magic and drama of the steam age for audiences of all ages. “There just isn’t a subject more perfect for the big screen than a giant steam locomotive,” said the filmmaker. “This is a film I’ve wanted to make since I was a kid. Couple this with an epic story of engineering one of the most impossible railways in the world and it was just something that had to find its way onto the IMAX screen.”

Producer Pietro Serapiglia said: “The story of the building of the CPR has never been seen or heard like this — with the visual scale and fidelity of IMAX and the power of a six channel soundscape. Few Canadians have ever experienced their country like this.”

The film itself has been in production since 2006, as the team worked to schedule perfect shooting opportunities with the star of the project, the Empress (CPR 2816) – a steam locomotive built in 1930 and now restored and operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Low filmed extensively from the air using a helicopter and gyro-stabilized camera mount to capture the train’s journey and the great diversity of the western landscape. “Ultimately, we mounted IMAX cameras all over the train,” said Low. “We wanted to give audiences an intimate ‘being there’ experience of steam power and this magic place that even train engineers don’t get to experience.”

The production was filmed with full 15/70 negative — the world’s largest film format, guaranteeing spectacular image fidelity on the giant screen. Sound too is a vital part of the experience and the team has been careful to faithfully capture and render in six channel sound, the remarkable symphony of sonic moods produced by a locomotive, matching this with an original musical score by celebrated Montreal composer Michel Cusson.

The film's producers are also providing a supplementary educational resource for young pupils. For school or organizational group tickets to Rocky Mountain Express, contact the Ontario Science Centre at 416-696-1000.

Rocky Mountain Express is directed by Stephen Low and produced by The Stephen Low Company/Age of Steam Film Company Inc. (producers Pietro L. Serapiglia and Alexander Low). The film is shot with the collaboration of the Canadian Pacific Railway. For more information, visit the website: www.stephenlow.com/films/rockymountainexpress/index.html

Admission prices for Shoppers Drug Mart_® OMNIMAX^® Theatre are $13 for adults, $9 for youth (13-17), students (with ID) & seniors (65+) and $9 for children. Tickets are 50% off or free for Science Centre Members depending on level of membership. For additional membership benefits and savings, please visit www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca/membership. For specific times for ROCKY MOUNTAIN EXPRESS please visit our website at www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca.

About The Stephen Low Company.

The Stephen Low Company is a leading producer of the IMAX® Experience and giant screen 3D entertainment and a distributor to IMAX^® theatres and other giant screen theatres worldwide. Filmmaker Stephen Low is the director of 15 giant screen films including the recently released films Rescue, Legends of Flight and The Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D, as well as such classic IMAX titles as Across the Sea of Time, Mark Twain's America, Beavers, Titanica, Super Speedway and Fighter Pilot. For more information please visit: www.stephenlow.com.

About the Ontario Science Centre

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. Twitter: @ontsciencectr. Facebook: www.Facebook.com/OntarioScienceCentre.

“In a tradition that began with our 40^th anniversary, the Ontario Science Centre is happy to welcome Ontarians to enjoy our programs and activities,” said Grant Troop, vice-president & COO, Ontario Science Centre. “Community Day gives families who may never have visited us before a chance to get a taste of the hundreds of exhibits we offer.”

This year’s activities included a wide range of performances and demonstrations. The Toronto All Stars Steel Orchestra entertained and educated visitors on the science behind the steel drum. The Caribbean Carnival costume “Storm”, winner of the Ontario Science Centre Innovation Award was on display for a close-up look at the amazing use of new technologies in costume.

Community Spotlight, outside on the TELUSCAPE, offered local community groups a chance to celebrate the diversity of the neighborhood with interactive performances and demonstrations.

Popular programs included electricity demos with the iconic Van de Graaff generator and journeys through the CA Technologies Planetarium, where visitors explored cosmic questions like; ‘what's the Universe made of’ and ‘where did we come from’.

Multiple interactive kiosks were situated among the exhibits, encouraging visitors to experience local cultural groups and meet with neighborhood experts to learn more about health, childcare, immigration and various community issues.

“Technology and innovation play such an important role in our communities. As a technology leader in Canada, we are strongly committed to fostering interactive education that connects all communities with science and technology,” said David Fuller, chief marketing officer at TELUS. “We are thrilled to support this year’s Community Day at the Ontario Science Centre and be a part of an initiative that enables families to experience the wonder of today’s science and technology.”

About the Ontario Science Centre

The Ontario Science Centre opened on September 26, 1969, pioneering the concept of an interactive science museum. Since then, over 45 million visitors have passed through its doors. It is a model for more than one thousand science centres around the world that have been 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 on the Ontario Science Centre please visit ontariosciencecentre.ca

About TELUS

TELUS (TSX: T, T.A; NYSE: TU) is a leading national telecommunications company in Canada, with $10.1 billion of annual revenue and 12.4 million customer connections including 7.1 million wireless subscribers, 3.7 million wireline network access lines and 1.2 million Internet subscribers and more than 400,000 TELUS TV customers. Led since 2000 by President and CEO, Darren Entwistle, TELUS provides a wide range of communications products and services including data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, entertainment and video.

In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees will, by year-end 2011, have contributed $245 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered 4.1 million hours of service to local communities since 2000. Eleven TELUS Community Boards across Canada lead TELUS’ local philanthropic initiatives. TELUS was honoured to be named the most outstanding philanthropic corporation globally for 2010 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, becoming the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious international recognition.

For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com

This year’s event delivered a night of sensory deception to the evening’s 1,165 guests. Event Co-Chairs Joe and Laurissa Canavan led a memorable evening that revolved around the five senses, including one dinner course where guests dined in complete darkness.

“Toronto is a very prosperous city, but sadly there are many children, students and families across the Greater Toronto Area who are financially unable to enjoy all the Science Centre has to offer,” said Joe and Laurissa Canavan, Event Co-Chairs. “The proceeds of this event will support access programs that will help open up the wonder, excitement and inspiration of science to thousands of people in our community.”

“The LG Innovators’ Ball enables us to give the gift of science and opportunity to the children and families who need it most. The effort, dedication and creativity of our committee, sponsors, volunteers and staff were key to making this year’s event a resounding success,” said Lesley Lewis, CEO of the Ontario Science Centre.

One community outreach initiative is the Adopt-a-Class program that helps make science education programs more accessible to classes from Toronto’s priority neighbourhoods. Working with both the Toronto District and Toronto Catholic District School Boards, funds raised from the LG Innovators’ Ball will go towards shaping the city’s and province’s next generation of innovators. Many of the schools in these neighbourhoods have never been to the Science Centre, as the cost of class trips can be prohibitive when both school and home resources are limited.

The LG Innovators’ Ball has raised $1,965,000 (net) to date, helping more than 350,000 people experience the wonder of the Ontario Science Centre. This year’s event saw 54 classes adopted as a part of the Adopt-a-Class challenge conducted during the evening’s dinner. Children to benefit from these class visits have shown much gratitude.

According to Natasha, age 7, “It was the best trip in the whole wide world. I would like to go back to the Science Centre. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I almost fainted but I did not because I had so much joy. It was fun!!!”

By the Numbers LG Innovators’ Ball

$1,965,000 net amount raised over five years

350,000+ number of people able to visit thanks to five years of fundraising

$518,000 net amount raised in 2011

100,000+ number of people who will be helped due to 2011 fundraising efforts

$314,000 amount raised by corporate sponsorship of the LG Innovators’ Ball in 2011

54 number of classes adopted through Adopt-a-Class challenge

About Our Sponsors

The LG Innovators’ Ball is supported by title sponsor LG Electronics Canada. Other sponsors include Scotia Capital (Dinner); Tiffany & Co. (Jewellery); Joe Fresh (Party); Willson International (Programme); TAXI Advertising (Guest Welcome), McNabb Roick & Associates (Décor); Cisco (Event); CGI (Entertainment); Roy Foss Motors (Automotive); TELUS (Cocktail Reception); Porter Airlines (Lounge); HELLO! Canada (Media); Bensimon Byrne (Creative) Bill Joslin Inc. (Creative); Stratus Vineyards (Wine); Davis + Henderson (Spirits); Baker Street (Dessert); Bassett Financial (Event Sponsor); Chair-man Mills; Pepsi Beverage Company Group; Iceberg Vodka; Flor de Cana; Mombacho Cigars; Steam Whistle Brewing; and 247 Integrated.

About LG Electronics, Inc.

The LG brand was established in 1995. The company is a global leader in electronics, information and communications products, with more than 82,000 employees working in 77 countries around the world, and annual worldwide revenues of more than US $40 billion. LG Electronics Canada is comprised of five business units - Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, Home Entertainment, Business Solutions and Commercial Air Conditioning. The company has offices in Toronto and Vancouver. LG Electronics Canada is focused on delivering award-winning products known for blending style and technology. These innovative products include cell phones, flat screen TVs, laptop computers and home appliances. For more information please visit www.lg.ca.