TELUS World of Science, Edmonton
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| TELUS World of Science | |
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  Location in Edmonton
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| Established | July 1, 1984 |
| Location | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Type | Space and Science Centre |
| Visitor figures | 508,000 annually |
| President | George Smith |
| Website | www.edmontonscience.com/ |
Coordinates: 53°33′40″N 113°33′50″W / 53.560998°N 113.563940°W
The TELUS World of Science - Edmonton is a broad-based science centre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, operated by the Edmonton Space & Science Foundation. The centre is located on the southwest corner of Coronation Park in the neighbourhood of Woodcroft.
The centre first opened in 1984, as a replacement for the Queen Elizabeth Planetarium located to the east that had operated as Edmonton's Planetarium since 1960 but had become limited by its 65 seating capacity. 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.[1]. 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 to the original building, the name was changed again to the Odyssium. On May 2, 2005, the center was renamed to the TELUS World of Science - Edmonton after a $8.2 million, 20-year partnership with TELUS.[2]. The centre attracts over half a million visitors a year[3] and has Canada's largest planetarium dome theatre (the Margaret Zeidler Star Theatre).
There are currently plans in the works for another expansion that would see the center triple in size. The expansion would include a new DVT (Digital Visualization Theatre), new galleries, a restaurant and, through a partnership with the University of Alberta, a research facility that would allow ideas to be tested and modified.[4]
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[edit] Facilities and Other Exhibits
[edit] IMAX Theatre
A 275-seat theatre showing current educational movies shot in high resolution IMAX film reel. TELUS World of Science features the original IMAX Theatre - the first one in western Canada. Images enhanced by a custom designed six-channel, multi-speaker sound system are projected onto a 13m x 19m screen. Admission to the IMAX theatre is not included with general admission.
[edit] Margaret Zeidler Star Theatre
The 250-seat large dome theatre that use to be used for laser shows, and star shows. It was the largest one in Canada when the centre 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 centre in Canada to showcase this new technology for domed theatres. Admission to shows in the Star Theatre is included in general admission.
[edit] Science Demonstartions
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 presenter. The demonstrations are designed to interest children of elementary school age and are included with general admission. A recent poll of visitors cited the demonstrations as the best part of their visit.
[edit] The Amateur Radio Station
The amateur radio station opened during the summer of 1995 and is now located between the Margaret Zeidler Star Theatre exit and the new Chemistry Lab. Licensed amateur radio operators work within this area to share information about this popular hobby and the science behind amateur radio.
[edit] 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 - the computerized white board and the latest in software - and a high speed internet connection to each workstation. Since computers have become a part of most households and daily life, the allure and fascination of the lab has diminished over the years. However, the computer lab can still be rented for special events and is used during the summer months for computer camps.
[edit] Observatory
There is an observatory outdoors, separate from the main building. It is free of charge, but is only open if the weather permits, and closes if the temperature is below -15°C. It is equipped with seven telescopes, including a Meade 16" LX200, a 7-inch Starfire refractor, and three solar telescopes all provided by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (Edmonton Centre).[5]
[edit] Telus Robotics Lab
The lab is currently home to the LEGO MINDSTORMS Centre, featuring an 8-station Mars Mission programmable robot lab. Missions start on the hour and last anywhere from half an hour to forty five minutes. The lab is located inside just beside the Space Place gallery and is included with general admission. Open on Saturday, Sunday and holidays only. The current robots will soon be replaced with the NXT models.
[edit] Cafe and gift shop
The cafe sells a normal selection of fast food and has a concession for the IMAX theatre that sells popcorn and other snacks. The cafe provides catering services for functions. No admission fee is required to visit the cafe.
The gift shop is near the main entrance in the lobby of the building. It contains various science related toys as well as telescopes and as astronomy-related products.
[edit] Programs
Science in Motion Science in Motion is an exclusive feature at TELUS World of Science-Edmonton that brings exciting science programs and presentations to the participants' doorstep. Through experiments, demonstrations and hands-on activities Science in Motion makes science fun, dynamic and easy to understand. Science in Motion is a resource that meets the learning objectives set out in the Alberta science curriculum.
TransAlta Science Lab The TransAlta Science Lab is a fully equipped, hands-on, laboratory giving students an approach to science experiments that is both engaging and meaningful.
[edit] See also
[edit] Affiliations
The Museum is affiliated with: CMA, CHIN, and Virtual Museum of Canada.
[edit] References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: TELUS World of Science, Edmonton |
[edit] External links
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