For the past week, North Bay and area students have been engaged in science, technology, and innovation, with the return of the Annual North Bay Science Festival, now celebrating its seventh year.
Students of varying ages, participated in a wide range of activities and events held across the city, including Northern Ontario Youth Climate Action Summit at Canadore College, Lego FIRST Robotics Workshop at the North Bay Public Library, and Haunted Hikes hosted by the North Bay Museum.
On Friday, a group of grade four and five students attended a news conference at the North Bay Museum, where they witnessed a FIRST Team1305 robotics demonstration, in addition to some hands-on science learning.
Organized by Science North in conjunction with several community partners, the festival wraps up today, this Saturday, October 26 with the North Bay Science Carnival, a free public event at the Canadore College/Nipissing University Cafeteria.
“Visitors can expect Science North-style shows, we’ve got a team of blue coats who will be there engaging the community. They’ll see booths and activities from various science organizations across North Bay that are so excited to share what they do with the public,” explained Science North CEO, Ashley Larose.
With Halloween just around the corner, there is a spooky twist with families invited to get into the spirit of things by having some fun, by dressing in their scariest, most creative Halloween costumes.
The carnival is an opportunity for youngsters to learn through many hands-on science activities, interactive exhibits, and live entertainment, in keeping with the Halloween theme.
Exhibitors will “showcase the science behind what they do, using both local and global innovations, rooted in engineering, technology and the natural world.”
Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota attended the North Bay Museum event telling students that “Understanding science is the foundation for great possibilities, and is often the catalyst for positive change in our community, country and world.”
Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli thanked community partners for collaborating with Science North “to support our local children and families by offering hands-on STEM experiences.”
“With over 70,000 Ontario STEM graduates every year, we recognize that events like these science festivals can foster and inspire STEM careers in the future.”
North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico encouraged the youngsters to embrace science.
“Enjoy this festival and learn lots from it.”
Science North CEO, Ashley Larose shared the importance of introducing science to young people through the festival.
“It is important to make sure that we are connecting all of Northern Ontario with science. So, we run these festivals in various communities across the north, and being so close to Sudbury, it is really important for us to have a major impact on this community as well,” shared Larose.
“One of our missions is to connect people with science in their everyday lives, and what better way than to show them the science that is happening right here in the community? So, all of the community partners who came together to put this festival on is a great way for people to go to one or two places and get a taste of everything that is happening in their own community.”
Saturday’s free carnival runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
