Telus World of Science (Edmonton)

Telus World of Science (TWOS) is a broad-based science centre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, operated by the (non-profit) Edmonton Space & Science Foundation. The centre is located on the southwest corner of Coronation Park in the neighborhood of Woodcroft. It is currently a member of both the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) and the Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC).

Telus World of Science
Telus World of Science
Location in Edmonton
Former name
Edmonton Space Science Centre, Edmonton Space and Science Centre, Odyssium
EstablishedJuly 1, 1984 (1984-July-01)
Location11211 142 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
T5M 4A1
Coordinates53.560796°N 113.563451°W / 53.560796; -113.563451
TypeSpace and Science Centre
Collection size5 permanent + 1 rotating
Visitors432,533 (2016)[1]
PresidentAlan Nursall
ArchitectDouglas J. Cardinal
Public transit access Westmount Transit Centre
Websitetelusworldofscienceedmonton.ca

History

The centre first opened in 1984, as a replacement for the Queen Elizabeth Planetarium,[2] located to the east, that had operated as Edmonton's Planetarium since 1960 but had become limited by its seating capacity of 65. The City of Edmonton selected the Edmonton Space Sciences Centre as the City's flagship project commemorating the Province of Alberta's 75th Anniversary. The original building was designed by architect Douglas J. Cardinal.[3]

When first opened, it was called the Edmonton Space Science Centre and then later it was changed to the Edmonton Space and Science Centre. In 2001, after a 14-million dollar expansion of the original building, the name was changed again to the Odyssium. On May 2, 2005, the centre was renamed to the Telus World of Science - Edmonton after a $8.2 million, 20-year partnership was established with Telus Communications.[4] The centre attracts over half a million visitors a year[5] and has Canada's largest planetarium dome theatre (the Zeidler Dome).

TWOS is currently undergoing another expansion, budgeted at $40 million, that would see the centre triple in size. The expansion includes a new DVT (Digital Visualization Theatre), new galleries, an upgraded restaurant and, through a partnership with the University of Alberta, a research facility that would allow ideas to be tested and modified.[6] The renovations have begun, with the café under renovation. There is currently no target date available for these renovations.[7]

Exhibits Galleries

Discoveryland

An interactive gallery that is designed to interest children between the ages to two and eight years. It consists of four main areas: WaterWorks, the Construction Zone, Discovery Den and Potters Corner. Some of the highlights include a giant piano, which you play by walking on the keys, a multi-level water table and a multitude of blocks.

The Environment Gallery has interactive displays about hydrology, ecology, meteorology (featuring a Science On a Sphere projector), and Alberta's geology.

The Body Fantastic room is an interactive carnival-style exhibition about the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Highlights include a multi-axis trainer and the Gallery of the Gross, which houses specimens of earwax, urine, semen, and other substances that the human body produces. [8]

Robotics Laboratory

The Lego Mindstorms Centre is a 45-minute guided program in which guests program pre-built robots to perform various tasks and missions. It is only open to the general public during weekends and holidays. During the week it is used by school groups.

The Space Place introduces visitors to astronomy and astronautics. Highlights include an actual moon rock, on long-term loan from NASA, that was collected during the Apollo program, a radio controlled replica of the Mars Pathfinder rover and a computer program that turns your face into an alien.[9]

Kinetic Hall

This exhibit space hosts small temporary exhibits that are included with a general admission. Currently, it is used for summer camps, school groups, and for various public and non-public events.

Science Garage

The Science Garage is an exhibit where visitors can be more hands-on and explore science face-to-face, with activities as well as learning opportunities such as a vertical climbing wall. There are make-and-take workshops, as well as an array of ever-changing programming offered in this gallery. This gallery also houses a rolling ball machine built by George Rhoads which used to be at West Edmonton Mall.

This 1,500-square-metre (16,000 sq ft) gallery hosts large temporary exhibits that are not included with a general admission. Past exhibits have included Star Wars: Identities, Body Worlds & The Cycle of Life, Harry Potter: The Exhibition, Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archaeology, and the International Exhibit of Sherlock Holmes, and The Science Behind Pixar.

Facilities

IMAX Theatre

A 275-seat theatre showing current educational movies, shot in high resolution IMAX film reel. The Telus World of Science features the original IMAX Theatre in Western Canada. Images are enhanced by a custom designed six-channel, multi-speaker sound system are projected onto a 13m x 19m (4 storey x 6 storey) screen.

In early 2016, renovations had been completed in the IMAX theatre, upgrading it to an IMAX Laser 4K Projector system (one of 3 theatres in Canada).[10]

Admission to the IMAX theatre is not included with general admission. Recently, the IMAX Theatre began showing Hollywood blockbusters (such as Batman v Superman or Zootopia) within a few months after screening in cinemas. As with the educational films, these are not included in the admission price and can be more expensive than the educational films. The Hollywood films cannot be used in the Science Centre + IMAX combos.

Margaret Zeidler Star Theatre

The 250-seat large dome theatre that was formerly used for laser shows and star shows. It was the largest such theater in Canada when the center opened in 1984. In 2008, the Margaret Zeidler Star Theatre changed its projection system and educational content to a full dome immersive video experience. The Telus World of Science Edmonton was the first planetarium and science center in Canada to showcase this new technology for domed theatres. Admission to shows in the Star Theatre is included in general admission.

Science Stage

The Syncrude Science Stage features a staff member demonstrating science, typically involving flammable gases, dry ice, or electricity. A child from the audience will often be called upon to assist the demonstrator with an activity. The demonstrations are included with general admission.

DOW Computer Lab

This computer lab opened in August 1995 and relocated to its new location in April 2001 beside the Telus Robotics Lab. The DOW Computer Lab has various electronic teaching tools available and a high speed internet connection to each workstation. However, the computer lab can still be rented for special events and is used during the summer months for computer camps.

Observatory

There is an observatory outdoors, separate from the main building. It is free of charge, but it opens only when the weather permits, and it closes if the temperature is below −15 °C (5 °F). It is equipped with seven telescopes, including a Meade 16" LX200, a 180 mm (7 in) Starfire refractor, and three solar telescopes all provided by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (Edmonton Centre).[11]

Purple Pear and Gift Shop

The science centre has a café for visitors and for special events such as fundraisers. The café was undergoing renovations as of early 2016 with an estimated completion by the end of August 2016, though it was delayed until November 2016. The café is also responsible for providing the concession, which is currently hosted in the main lobby, next to the box office.

In November 2016, the cafe re-opened, but under a new name, The Purple Pear[12] and a new focus on fresher, and local ingredients. They were also the first location in Western Canada to use tagged Coca-Cola Freestyle machines.

There is also a gift shop in the lobby, featuring a range of educational products, books, gift items, and other knick-knacks.

Programs

Science in Motion

Science in Motion is a feature at Telus World of Science - Edmonton that brings science programs and presentations to schools that are more than 100 km (62 mi) from the centre. The program, taught by certified teachers, uses experiments, demonstrations and hands-on activities to teach science and is designed to meet the learning objectives set out in the Alberta science curriculum.

TransAlta Science Lab

The TransAlta Science Lab is a fully equipped laboratory that allows students to participate in science experiments.

Affiliations

The Museum is affiliated with: ASTC, CMA, CHIN, and Virtual Museum of Canada.

See also

References
  1. "Annual Report 2016" (PDF). Telus World of Science Edmonton. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  2. Queen Elizabeth Planetarium
  3. Douglas Cardinal Architect Inc. Portfolio - Edmonton Space Sciences Centre Archived 2015-12-08 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Telus invests $8.2 million in Odyssium
  5. "2007: Building our future" (PDF). Odyssium.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 December 2008. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  6. Shari Narine (5 August 2009). "TELUS World of Science: The future starts here". Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  7. "Home - Aurora". Aurora. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  8. "The Body Fantastic". Telusworldofscienceedmonton.ca. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  9. "Space Place". Telusworldofscienceedmonton.ca. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  10. "IMAX Laser 4K Projector | Telus World of Science - Edmonton". telusworldofscienceedmonton.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  11. Telus World of Science - Edmonton: Observatory and Astronomy Links Archived 2007-07-03 at the Wayback Machine
  12. "Purple Pear | Telus World of Science - Edmonton". telusworldofscienceedmonton.ca. Retrieved 2017-06-16.
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