A program coming to Olds next month is out to prove that science happens everywhere.
Science Happens Here was designed by the Science Alberta Foundation to increase curiosity about science that occurs locally.
“What we want to do is showcase the science that happens in rural Alberta,” explained Arlene Ponting, CEO of the Science Alberta Foundation.
“Science is just absolutely prevalent in every community and every place.”
She said she’d ultimately like everyone to be proud of the science in their region, whether it be commonplace in businesses, manufacturing, agriculture or university research.
The community-based program will run for six weeks and feature a school and community contest, science exhibits, videos describing local science-based careers, and two presentations by Grant Imahara and Tory Belleci from the Discovery Channel’s MythBusters.
Much like the popular television show, the Show Us Your Science, Bust a Myth contest encourages residents to determine whether various theories can be confirmed or proven as false. The myth can be anything from whether yawning is contagious to something more common to the area.
“Part of being a science-literate person is being able to think critically about things,” Ponting said.
“We want people to be healthy in their skepticism and say, ‘How do I know that to be true?’ And that’s kind of what myth busting is.”
MythBusters stars Imahara and Belleci will hold shows on March 12 at the Red Deer College Arts Centre and on March 13 at the Ralph Klein Centre in Olds. Details have not yet been finalized.
Science Happens Here will run its six-week program in Olds from Feb. 1 to March 13.
The program began 14 years ago and this is its first stop in Olds.
The program was most recently held in Fort McMurray, Taber and Grande Prairie.
For more information, visit www.sciencehappenshere.ca.
ptrotter@www.reddeeradvocate.com