Science Alberta Foundation is proud of the exceptional work we do, and so are others.
We are often in the news for our contributions to science awareness and literacy. Plus, our leadership and innovative programs have been recognized with some of Canada’s most prestigious awards.
Dr. Ponting represents NSERC at SAIT
unveiling of super eco-home
Science Alberta Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Arlene Ponting, serves on the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). As a representative for NSERC, she attended the ribbon cutting ceremony and unveiling of the first net-zero house in Calgary on February 10th, 2010 at The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).
It was a celebration because SAIT received funding for a partnership that brings it together with industry to support innovation and help move new discoveries, developed on campus, into the marketplace. This project will focus on improving green construction technologies and practices, including architectural ecology, the use of renewable energies and the transformation of current industry standards. The funding will be administered by NSERC.
Science Alberta Foundation facilitates
astronaut Dr. Bob Thirsk’s presentation
to Lord Beaverbrook High School students
As a teen, Dr. Bob Thirsk attended Lord Beaverbrook High School, making it extra special to share his experiences with these kids. During his talk, on February 9, 2010, he spoke with more than 900 students packed into the school’s gym, and thousands more around the province via video conferencing.
Thirsk really challenged the students. He attended this school, he had big dreams - and so should they. When asked what he thought the next development for space travel should be he turned it back to the students - asking them to consider how interplanetary travel could be possible. What inventions do the students of today have to work on to allow astronauts to stay in flight for years at a time? Is there a student out there that will determine how to use photosynthesis to recycle the air, and thereby reducing that limitation to space travel?
Thirsk returns to Calgary time and again to share with the youth of his “home town” because he feels it is important to “turn on” our youth to the possibilities of a science and technology-based career.
Science Alberta Foundation was proud to partner with Dr. Bob Thirsk, the Canadian Space Agency, and Lord Beaverbrook High School for this presentation. Our organization was formed twenty years ago to encourage youth to choose careers in Science and Technology. So along with Dr. Thirsk and the teachers of Lord Beaverbrook, we encourage students to do well in science and math, take as many courses as they can, and keep their options open to create their own future. There will be careers out there that we do not even know about now. What we do know is the greatest growth in jobs is in the science and technology fields.
The Science Happens Here program in Taber
was a great success
Science Happens Here is organized by Science Alberta Foundation to highlight the cool and amazing science happening in a community and the careers that make it possible. This year, we worked with the community of Taber and had a blast “showing of the science”.
We had contests. Both the community and the school contests encouraged participants to look at the science around them. Teachers told us that the students really enjoyed the task of finding a myth and determining if it is fact or fiction. And, as part of the community contest, a respondent to the weekly question replied “I didn’t know that” in response to figuring out the correct answer. That was amazing to hear that the science in everyday life is being seen. Because so often we are surrounded by science and technology and don’t even realize it.
In addition to providing content for the community contest, numerous business came forth to support our goal of encouraging youth to consider careers in Science, Math, Engineering and Technology. Science Happens Here engaged with local talents to make a career video. 2 of the talents were local high school students who really learned a lot from working with a professional and using the technology/equipment that the industry depends upon. The career video interviewed 4 professionals who are working locally and have made a career out of science. From the potato fields to the flower shop, from the research lab to the wind farm – these folks were really interesting to talk with and had amazing stories to share about how science has made a difference in their industries and their jobs.
To close out the 3 month program, the MythBusters - Grant and Tory - performed shows in Lethbridge and in Taber. Why the MythBusters? Because these guys are the “rock stars” of youth science culture. And much like Science Happens Here, they encourage youth to be knowledge seekers, to question information and to be myth busters too. Plus, in the process of busting myths, they show many of the amazing careers for people with a science or technology interest.
Science Alberta Foundation was pleased to work with presenting supporter Suncor Energy Foundation, and community partners the University of Lethbridge and 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union to help bring Science Happens Here to Taber and the surrounding area.
Dr. Arlene Ponting named as one of Canada’s
Most Powerful Women: Top 100
Science Alberta Foundation is proud to have its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Arlene Ponting, chosen as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 by the Women’s Executive Network. This honour recognizes Arlene’s dedication and achievement in advancing science literacy. The award was publicly announced at the Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Summit on Monday, November 30, 2009.
Arlene’s leadership has led to the development and success of innovative programs including internet focused activities, hands-on science programs and regional science celebrations. Science Alberta Foundation is committed to fostering an interest in science, expanding science learning and encouraging youth to enter science-based careers.
The 7th Annual Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards honours women who are proven achievers in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Arlene is recognized in the category of Trailblazers & Trendsetters.
Science-In-A-Crate resource and
School Science Leaders program acclaimed as
beneficial by recognized researcher
Ann Sherman, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Calgary, conducted a qualitative research study focused on the use of Science Alberta Foundation’s Science-In-A-Crate resource and the School Science Leader program. Overall, comments about the crates and the School Science Leaders program were positive.
Crates
Teachers described the crates as useful, powerful, enabling and educational. They really appreciate that the resources within the crate are carefully aligned with Alberta science curriculum outcomes. The crates are easy to use because they come packed with everything needed and they model good science instruction (experiential, inquiry-based, collaborative learning and evidence-based). What’s more – the students are actively engaged in the activities within the crates and having fun.
School Science Leaders
Teachers who participate in the School Science Leaders continuous professional learning program describe the program with enthusiasm. They felt with their own learning about science concepts and science instruction has allowed them tremendous personal and professional growth. And they take these learnings back to their school communities and share with other teachers. These teachers now lead ‘science talk’ in their own schools. And they attribute a renewed interest and awareness in science within schools to Science Alberta Foundation.
This paper, submitted for consideration to the American Educational Research Association, was accepted for presentation at the 2010 AERA Annual Meeting. Science Alberta Foundation is very proud of this accomplishment as the AERA received more than 10, 000 submissions for this meeting.
Dr. Arlene Ponting recognized as one of
Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People
In July 2008, Alberta Venture magazine recognized Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Arlene Ponting as one of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People.
Alberta Venture’s 12th annual award reflects Albertans who have really made an impact in the province and beyond our borders. Arlene is recognized as a science promoter. She has not only made science education and science literacy cool, she has increased the market reach of Science Alberta Foundation’s programs.
Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA)
In 2006, Science Alberta Foundation received the Friends of Education award from the Alberta School Boards Association. This award recognizes organizations in Alberta who have made a significant contribution to education and who are committed to the improvement of education for Alberta students. Nominated by the Fort McMurray Public School District, is shows that Science Alberta Foundation has strong ties to the classrooms and teachers that our programs serve.
Emerald Award
Science Alberta Foundation was one of the finalists for the 2006 Emerald Awards for environmental excellence under the Education: Other Organization category. This was the first time that Science Alberta Foundation has been nominated for this award. Emerald Awards recognize the outstanding initiative and leadership Albertans are demonstrating in the face of many environmental challenges. The Emerald Awards were created by the Foundation to celebrate these achievements.
Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC)
Best Program Award
In 2004, Science Alberta Foundation received the Best Program Award for Ways of Knowing. Ways of Knowing is an Aboriginal science program that enables all children to appreciate science from an Aboriginal perspective. Ways of Knowing is comprised of six Science-In-A-Crate topics, an Aboriginal Wonderville.ca character named Hayley Little Moccasin, and three digital activities on Wonderville.ca. Each year, CASC gives this award to a member organization in recognition of the best educational or interpretive program.
The Peter F. Drucker Award for Canadian
Non-Profit Innovation
In 1997, Science Alberta Foundation was one of seven finalists from across Canada for the prestigious Peter F. Drucker Award. The annual award recognizes a non-profit organization for creating a program that has made a difference in the lives of the people it serves. Science Alberta Foundation was nominated for their innovative Science-In-A-Crate titled Murder in A Minor Key, a joint venture between the organization, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the Court House.
The Michael Smith Award
In 1994, Science Alberta Foundation received the Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion. The award is presented to individuals and groups who make an outstanding contribution to Canadian science promotion, through activities encouraging popular interest in science or developing science abilities.
The Alberta Science and Technology (ASTech) Excellence in
Science and Technology Public Awareness Prize
Science Alberta Foundation was awarded the ASTech Excellence in Science and Technology Public Awareness Prize in 1994. This prize honours individuals or organizations whose projects, activities or institution increases public awareness about science and technology, or enhances Albertans’ understanding of science and technology. The Alberta Science and Technology Leadership Awards recognize individuals, businesses and institutions that have made significant contributions to Alberta’s science and technology community.