This opinion piece by Dr. Mary Wells, dean of Waterloo Engineering Dr. Donna Strickland, a professor in the department of Physics and Astronomy and Dr. Ashley Rose Mehlenbacher, an associate professor in the English Language and Literature department, appeared in the Hill Times, a popular news source for Canadian politics and government news.
The Ontario Science Centre closed in June, while New Brunswick lost its centre in February. The loss of these vital bridges is short-sighted, and presents a significant blow to public engagement with science and technology.
Visiting sciences centres as kids was formative for each of us.
Mary Wells vividly remembers her first visit to the Montreal Planetarium in elementary school. The experience left her with a sense of the wonder and awe of the universe and its expansiveness, and a curiosity which led her to study advanced science and math classes in high school, CEGEP, and then engineering at McGill University.
Donna Strickland spent her career studying lasers and their application to our lives. A visit to the Ontario Science Centre with her dad at just 10 years old was the first time she ever saw one. The experience sparked her curiosity and interest and led her to the work she does now.
Ashley Rose Mehlenbacher works at the intersection of the humanities and sciences, thinking about how we talk about science and technology, especially in spaces open to the general public.
Science centres remind all three of us that science is for everyone. This is particularly true for children.
At a time when trust is declining across many sectors, it remains high in science—in part thanks to efforts from these centres which bring science to everyone. They’re a conduit for kids to discover the wonders of science and learn to respect scientific expertise and the scientific process.
This is why the Ontario provincial government’s decision in June to close the Ontario Science Centre is so short-sighted and such a significant blow to public engagement with science and technology. This decision not only shutters a key resource for science education, it also undermines efforts to build public trust in science.
The Ontario Science Centre has been a beacon of interactive learning and scientific inquiry for decades. By closing its doors, we lose a vital space where young minds can explore and understand the wonders of science in a hands-on environment.
Science centres are dynamic environments where curiosity is sparked, and complex concepts are made accessible through engaging exhibits and programs. They provide a tangible connection to science, one that textbooks and digital media alone cannot offer.
Building public trust in science and technology is more crucial now than ever. In an age where skepticism about scientific consensus on issues like climate change and vaccine efficacy is alarmingly high, science centres serve as vital bridges between the scientific community and the public that they serve. By witnessing and participating in scientific experiments and demonstrations, visitors can see first-hand the evidence and reasoning behind scientific conclusions.
The University of Waterloo’s TRuST (Trust in Research Undertaken in Science and Technology) scholarly network is one important initiative aimed at addressing the growing mistrust in some areas of science and ensuring scientists and developers continue to engage in public conversations to create technology that is trustworthy by design.
TRuST seeks to foster dialogue and understanding between scientists, educators, and the public. Its goals align perfectly with the mission of science centres: to promote transparency, engagement and education in science and technology.
The closure of the Ontario Science Centre in June and New Brunswick’s Science East Science Centre in February stand in stark contrast to the objectives of initiatives like TRuST. Without such institutions, we lose crucial platforms for public education and engagement. Science centres also contribute to a community’s cultural and intellectual fabric. They inspire future generations of scientists, engineers, and engaged citizens.
We urge the provincial governments to reconsider these decisions in light of the broader impact it will have on public trust and engagement in science and technology innovation. Investments in science centres are investments in our collective future, ensuring that science and technology continue to advance in tandem with public engagement.
Both provincial and federal funding for science in Canada plays a critical role in earning and maintaining public trust in science and technology, much like the efforts of science centres. Such funding supports a wide range of research initiatives, from fundamental science to applied technologies, ensuring that scientific discoveries and innovations are made in the public interest. By providing the necessary resources for rigorous, peer-reviewed research, federal funding helps to ensure that scientific findings are reliable and unbiased.
As we face complex global challenges such as climate change, public health crises, and technological disruption, sustained investment in scientific research is essential for fostering informed public dialogue and decision-making. Just as science centres serve as vital bridges between the scientific community and the public, federal funding ensures that these connections remain strong and that science continues to progress hand-in-hand with public engagement.
Mary Wells is the dean of engineering at the University of Waterloo.
Donna Strickland is a Nobel laureate and professor in the department of physics and astronomy at the University of Waterloo.
Ashley Rose Mehlenbacher is a Canada research chair in science, health, and technology communication at the University of Waterloo.