Toronto

Ontario Science Centre

Main entrance to the Science Centre.

I first visited the Ontario Science Centre in March 1970. We were there for only two hours, but I couldn't see everything there. At the time, one of the more popular attractions was the computer that played tic-tac-toe. That attraction is now long gone, but the ever popular electricity show still takes place a couple of times a day practically unchanged in forty years.

Great Hall, with sculpture Cloud.

As in the early days, the emphasis is on hands-on exploration of science. Learning happens even though in most cases it's presented as fun. In two areas of the Science Center this is most prevalent. First, there's the area on Level C called KidSpark. This is geared towards kids eight and under. (Adults are allowed in only if accompanied by kids!) If you have young children, it's worth getting a family membership to the Science Centre just for this area alone. One of the more popular attractions within this area is a house under construction. Some kids put foam blocks into place on the walls and roofs. Others have fun tearing down the walls.

An unusually quiet time in KidSpark.

The other area is the Challenge Zone. On Level D, this area is geared towards kids 14 and older. Here, they can build anything they want from various bits and pieces.

In the rain forest.

Over the years, the Science Center has changed a great deal, largely the result of new funding from corporate sponsors. This is clear already looking at the main building on Don Mills Road. The long pond has been replaced by the Teluscape outdoor experience area. Also obvious is the dome for the new Omnimax theater. Inside, the cool cantilever bridge is gone. And the Science Arcade is in a different place, displaced by a special temporary exhibit showcasing artifacts from the Titanic (Summer 2007).

In the Communication hall.

A lesson in camouflage.