For immediate release
OTTAWA, Tuesday, April 25, 2017 — The Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation is excited to host the first annual National Science and Innovation Gala on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The Gala will celebrate the achievements of young Canadian innovators in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). The evening will be an opportunity to interact with young innovators and STEAM personalities, experience new technologies, and network with academics and established industry innovators.
The event will feature the presentation of the first ever STEAM Horizon Awards. Funded by the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation Foundation and six founding partners, the awards celebrate the important contributions of Canada’s youth in the STEAM fields. Announced on April 18, the seven winning students have each been awarded a $25,000 prize to go towards their post-secondary education.
For this year’s celebration, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum will be transformed into a steampunk laboratory. Guests will travel back in time to the 19th century steam era as they experience a mashup of Victorian fashion, steam powered technology, and futuristic innovation. Food and beverages by NeXT Chef Michael Blackie will fuel ingenuity, as guests prepare to dance the night away amid a unique scene of motion and sound.
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Quotes
“As Canadians from coast to coast to coast gather to celebrate 150 years of innovation and set the stage for the next 150 years, the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation is honoured to play its part. This evening represents an opportunity unlike any other to celebrate the success of youth in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. We invite everyone to join us on May 17 for a fantastic event dedicated to highlighting innovation and human ingenuity.”
– Fern Proulx, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation
“IBM Canada has a long standing history of supporting youth, particularly in encouraging students to pursue science, technology, math, and engineering. As we celebrate our 100 years of progress in Canada, we will continue to support events like the National Science and Innovation Gala which recognizes youths’ innovative and creative spirits."
– Krista Shibata, Leader, Women in Technology Initiative, IBM Canada
“Over the past 100 years, the National Research Council has actively supported science excellence and innovation in Canada. We are honoured to support this event and look forward to celebrating the next generation of innovators on May 17 as they carry this nation’s entrepreneurial and innovative R&D spirit forward to help solve the challenges our nation will face in the next 100 years.”
– Iain Stewart, President of NRC
“It is truly an honour to be a part of this exciting initiative to empower and motivate youth to embrace the possibilities that training in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics can offer. As Ciena has witnessed over the years, knowledgeable individuals with an expertise in these fields have often been at the forefront of devising solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges. We are thrilled to participate in an event that continually fosters youth interest and commitment to STEAM education.”
– Dino DiPerna, Vice President, Optical Transport Research & Development, Ciena
Contact Information
Zoë Lomer
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation
zlomer@techno-science.ca
613-298-5616
About the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation
The Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation is Canada’s only comprehensive science and technology collecting institution. Headquartered in Ottawa, the Corporation operates three Museums: the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and the Canada Science and Technology Museum. The Corporation’s mandate is to preserve Canada’s scientific and technological heritage, while promoting, celebrating, and sharing knowledge of that heritage and how it affects Canadians’ daily lives. To learn more, visit techno-science.ca.