From Human DNA to the Heart of Space: Visiting the Ontario Science Centre

• Author: AnneC
• Accommodation: Toronto

At the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto, you’ll find something for everyone, from little kids to young at heart centenarians. Since it first opened in September of 1969, the centre has hosted more than 40 million visitors from all over the planet, and, it is one of Canada’s most popular attractions. One of the world’s first interactive science museums, it offers everything from hands-on workshops for children eight and under, to incredible IMAX films for everyone to enjoy.

Highlights of a Visit to the Ontario Science Centre

With nine exhibition halls bursting at the seams with all sorts of science from astronomy to zoology, the science centre features rotating exhibits, so even those who visit frequently can always find something new to learn. Outdoor exhibitions take place on the Teluscape Exploration Plaza, and so do star parties. Kids can sleep over during the summer, and school groups are always welcome.

Inside the Space Hall, you can enjoy live planetarium shows once the sun goes down, get a look inside the galaxies, and even take a virtual space tour all the way to Saturn. You can see other planets too, along with our sun and the Earth’s moon. In addition, you can try piloting a rocket chair like those the astronauts use, and you can view an immense collection of meteorites, moon stones, and rocks from as far away as Mars; plus, you can visit one of Canada’s only publicly accessible cloud chambers.

In the Human Body Exhibit, you can do more than just look at the amazing structures that make up our bodies; you can also compare the size of your heart with the heart of an elephant. You can take a look into your own future with the Aging Machine, and you can see how expert crime solvers use DNA to catch the bad guys. You’ll get to learn how digital medical imaging works, and much more.

You can also participate in a program called Research Live, where you can take a variety of tests to help scientists learn more about the way the human mind, body, and psyche work. Past tests include taste tests, swallowing tests, and tests that have studied the way we form our impressions about other people and situations that surround us. Most tests are open to people between the ages of twelve and one hundred although some are designed for young children five years old and up.

IMAX film features change regularly; the Ontario Science Centre boasts Ontario’s only IMAX film dome. Whether you want to swing through the trees with wild chimpanzees, or travel underneath the waves of the ocean with intriguing marine mammals, you can experience life in a whole new way with this amazing film experience.

Located at 770 Don Mills Road in Don Mills, Toronto, the Science Centre offers extras like teambuilding for corporations, and birthday parties for people of all ages. There is dining on site and in the surrounding area, and hotel packages, group discounts, and other special offers are available. Whether you visit just once or become a member, you’ll find that the thrill of discovery never gets old.