Come celebrate science and technology this October with over 100 organizations and thousands of Canadians!

This year’s National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) – from October 15th to 24th, 2010 - marks more than 19 years of science festivities in Canada.

Curiosity to Understanding: Past, Present and Future

Canada's National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebrates the significance of Canada’s science and technology (S&T) history, the importance of science and technology in today’s world, and Canada’s ongoing role as a world leader in innovation.

Each year, the NSTW provides an exciting environment where kids of all ages can engage in S&T with fun activities and talk with science professionals in their community.

Held annually in October since 1990, the NSTW is supported by many partners, including Natural Resources Canada, Environment Canada, and other departments (including regional offices), museums and science centres from coast to coast. This partnership between many groups allows for diverse opportunities for all Canadians to learn about S&T, and for youth to be inspired to consider science as a career choice.

Get Involved!

This October, recognize the role of science and technology in your everyday life. Look around and explore how science and technology plays an important role for everyone! Learn more about science and technology in Canada, and inquire how you can get involved.

Plan and host your own special event for NSTW that promotes science and technology in your own area! Organize a lecture, commemorate a scientific milestone or just plan a party to celebrate this special week. Any event with a focus on science or technology that educates and interests Canadians is a valuable part of this celebration. Complete the online form to register your event and it will be added to the interactive map on the NSTW homepage. Check out the helpful guidelines for hosting an event here.

Send in a video!

NSTW is also looking for videos from you! Become an ambassador for S&T by submitting your short video explaining why science and technology is important to you, and how you are getting involved this October. Videos that are selected will be showcased on the NSTW website.

Attend an Event!

Canadians from coast to coast to coast are planning events and festivities.

For example, the Science Funfest in Ottawa is an open house event that takes place at Natural Resources Canada’s Booth Street Complex on Sunday, October 17, 2010 from 11 am to 4 pm. This open house features hands-on activities for the whole family, encouraging exploration and discovery of science and technology. This year, you can bring your rocks and fossils for identification, go chocolate chip cookie mining, explore the secrets of the wind tunnel, see exotic insects and have fun with DNA!

For more information on activities near you, check out the interactive map on the NSTW website, and on Google Maps. If you can’t make it out to an activity during NSTW, enjoy some of the online activities which are available as well!

Science and Tech at EC!

Though NSTW only lasts one week in October, learning about science and technology can last year round. Check out what’s available on Environment Canada’s Science and Technology site!

rECent S&T is the go-to page for the latest and most notable happenings in science and technology (S&T) at Environment Canada. Find engaging articles on S&T activities including reports on emerging environmental concerns, lab activities and field studies. New items are posted online every two weeks on the rECent S&T Update.

Click on the map in S&T Centres to explore facilities and laboratories across Canada, and visit S&T Expert to learn more about Environment Canada’s talented scientists and technical professionals, and their areas of research and expertise.

Stay abreast of the most current research and findings at Environment Canada with the free e-newsletters Water Science News and Wildlife and Landscape Science News. Sign up to receive notification of new issues!  

Find out how science and technology has influenced environmental decisions with S&T into Action to Benefit Canadians and Research into Action to Benefit Canadians (Water Research). These case studies tell the story of Environment Canada's success in generating tangible environmental, social and economic benefits.

Be sure to check out Atmospheric Science, Water S&T, and Wildlife and Landscape Science to stay informed about the research and monitoring activities in each of these areas, and subscribe to the RSS feed for the latest S&T updates from Environment Canada!