The list below includes new exhibitions, films and special events at the Ontario Science Centre. It also includes openings for Agents of Change, a $40-million initiative that, by the end of 2006, will transform more than 30% of the Ontario Science Centre's public space and create new outdoor experiences. Agents of Change is supported by Lead Partners The W. Garfield Weston Foundation, the Government of Ontario, TELUS, Knowledge Partner DuPont Canada, the Department of Canadian Heritage and other generous donors. Visit www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca  for updates on all activities.

The Summer of Thrills
now until Monday, September 5

The Ontario Science Centre has brought together the exhibition Scream Machines: The Science of Roller Coasters and the two IMAX® films Adrenaline Rush: The Science of Risk and OceanMen: Extreme Dive to give visitors a wide range of experiences in a summer of thrills. There will also be weekend workshops in May and June and daily programs throughout the summer (see details in list below). Scream
Machines is a head-spinning, stomach-churning exhibition for thrill-seekers of all ages. Interactive exhibits, artifacts and images invite visitors to explore the physics of roller coasters and the physiology and psychology of thrill-seeking. Adrenaline Rush uses the extreme sports of skydiving and base jumping to explore the science of risk in our everyday lives while OceanMen chronicles the  story of two freedivers who are driven to dive deeper than anyone ever has on a single breath of air, more than 500 feet (more than 150 metres).   This event has been financially assisted by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Culture, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation

CyberExplorer
now until September 25

CyberExplorer connects the Ontario Science Centre and six other museums and science centres across Canada through a virtual pavilion, similar to the Expo 2005 Canadian Pavilion in Aichi, Japan. Visitors can explore the Canadian Pavilion in Japan, take a quick guided tour of Canadian cities with Quick Quest or explore the country even further through Virtual Canada by creating a guide to explore science centres, museums and attractions across Canada. In Virtual Canada visitors can also take digital photos of the 3D virtual world and send them to an email account as souvenirs.

digifest
Thursday, May 12 - Sunday, May 15

The Ontario Science Centre has partnered with the Design Exchange and Harbourfront Centre to present digifest, Canada's largest annual festival of design and digital culture. The Science Centre will host a panel featuring Stephen Marshall of the Guerilla News Network on May 15 and give space to winners of the New Voices competition with interactive art installations on display from May 12 to 15.  Visitors will be able to create interactive virtual shapes with a wave of their hand, unite science and art by making the connection between DNA, spiral galaxies and Da Vinci's Last Supper and interact with robotic sculptures that read their feelings.

McLuhan Multimedia Festival (m3f)
Thursday, May 12 - Sunday, May 15

The McLuhan Multimedia Festival highlights new media art created by high school students across Canada. This event was started by a group of Grade 10 students five years ago and has been growing ever since into this year's showcase blending art and modern technology. Visitors can watch innovative videos, animation and photos, listen to digitally created sound and look at the cutting edge of desktop publishing.

Media Studios Pilot Project
Thursday, May 12 - Sunday, May 15

Media Studios, part of the Weston Family Innovation Centre at the Science Centre, is under development and visitors can join in pilot project testing of new experiences. Visitors can play the piano with water and electricity, draw pictures using their voice and meddle with art and technology to test new ideas.

Summer of Thrills: Build Da Vinci's Parachute
Saturday, May 14 - Sunday, May 15

Visitors can take part in a workshop where they will construct a parachute using Leonardo Da Vinci's original design from more than 500 years ago -- the first ever parachute design - and see if it really works.

Planting Day
Saturday, May 14, 11 am - 1 pm

Visitors can join Ontario Science Centre hosts and City of Toronto staff in a hands-on workshop to demonstrate current planting techniques for native plants. There will also be displays from the Ontario Forestry Association and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

Summer of Thrills: Design a Roller Coaster
Saturday, May 21 - Monday, May 23
Saturday, May 28 - Sunday, May 29

Using the very same computer design tools used by the pros, visitors can design a coaster that winds its way around the Science Centre. It could be steel, wood, looping, suspended, it's all up to the imagination - the only rule is that you can't defy gravity.

Robot Riot
Saturday, May 28 - Sunday, May 29

This robo-art showcase includes competitions in a variety of categories plus unique demonstrations. Competition categories include Monster Toy (for 10 years old and under), Junk-Bot, Robot Dancing, Robot Performance Art and Stupid Robot Tricks while sumo robots will demonstrate navigating Mars terrain, robot hockey and soccer, robot tag and robot firefighting. Judging of all categories will be based on originality, humour, rhythm, resourcefulness, drama, use of colour and accessories, absurdity, audience appreciation and judge's discretion. Registration is free in advance (until May 27) and $20 at the door with registration details available at www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca.

Summer of Thrills: Dangerous Science
weekends in June

The scientists at the Ontario Science Centre have put their most dangerous science demonstrations all into one thrilling show. From extreme temperatures to extreme voltage, laser beams to explosions, this is the kind of science you definitely can't try at home.

The Einstein Festival
Sundays in June, 2 pm

As part of the World Year of Physics, the Ontario Science Centre will have guest professors from the University of Toronto every Sunday in June explaining Albert Einstein's various theories of physics, including quantum physics, cosmology, relativity and the famous equation, E=mc2. The World Year of Physics commemorates the 100th anniversary of Einstein's "miracle year" in which he proved the existence of atoms, proposed the notion of quantum physics and published papers on his theory of special relativity and his equation linking energy and matter. These presentations are targeted to visitors aged 14 and up.

Einstein Show
Thursday, June 30, 8 pm

On the 100th anniversary of Einstein's theory of special relativity, the Science Centre will host an "Einstein Show" with music, stunt performers, comedy and Max Fleischer's legendary 1923 film The Einstein Theory of Relativity.

Summer of Thrills: Giant Miniature Roller Coaster Construction
Saturday, July 2 - Sunday, July 17

Visitors can join K'NEX expert Aldo Parise in building a giant miniature roller coaster, learn about roller coaster design first hand and watch the miniature K'NEX roller coaster cars zip through 20 metres of hills, loops, corkscrews and barrel rolls that they can help build.

Ontario Science Centre Day Camp
Weekly, starting July 4

Starting July 4, alternating week-long science day camps for kids ages 5 to 12 will focus on The Physics of Fun, an exploration of the basic science principles behind favourite toys and amusement park rides, and Amazing Space, where campers learn what it's like to be an astronaut. Youth aged 13-14 can register for a camp with the theme of Science Centre Insiders: Physics Investigation during the weeks of August 1-5 or August 15-19. Registration information can be obtained by calling 416-696-3256.

YTV's Weird on Wheels
Friday, July 8 - Sunday, July 10

Three full days of programs, games, activities and prizes will be on display when the YTV Weird on Wheels (WOW) touring show stops at the Ontario Science Centre.

Summer Star Party
Saturday, July 16

This free evening event at the Ontario Science Centre will give visitors the chance to explore astronomy-themed displays and meet other space enthusiasts. Viewing of the night sky will include clear visibility of the Moon and Jupiter (weather permitting). High-power telescopes will be provided by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

Summer of Thrills: Thriller Film Workshops
Monday, July 18 - Sunday, July 31

Visitors can find out how movies thrill an audience by making their own short thriller film with the help of professional filmmakers. A selection of films will be put to the test in the Thriller Film Festival on Saturday, August 6. The scariest film wins!

Summer of Thrills: Break World Records
Monday, August 1 - Sunday, August 14

Visitors can see how close they can come to breaking a variety of existing Guinness World Records. All the necessary materials will be supplied.

Second Anniversary of the Blackout Star Party
Sunday, August 14

Two years ago a blackout plunged 50 million people on the Eastern seaboard of North America into darkness, but one of the benefits was a clear view of the night sky without light pollution. The Science Centre will host a free evening event with astronomy displays and viewing of the night sky with the Moon and Perseid meteor shower visible on this day (weather permitting). High-power telescopes will be provided by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

Summer of Thrills: FEAR Factors
Monday, August 15 - Monday, September 5

Visitors will be invited to participate in a live game show, where courage will be weighed against better judgment. Each round will pose a scary challenge to earn points. If a challenge is attempted that turns out to be hazardous points will be deducted.

Orbita Max - MacGillivray Freeman's
Mystery of the Nile --- new IMAX film!!
opens Friday, October 14

Mystery of the Nile is a breathtaking cinematic adventure that takes audiences on an epic journey down the Nile River, the world's greatest and most deadly river. For 114 days, a team of explorers led by Pasquale Scaturro and Gordon Brown face seemingly insurmountable challenges --- the world's most dangerous rapids, deadly crocodiles and hippos, gunfire from bandits, malaria, the fierce Saharan sun --- as they make their way along all 5,246 kms of the river to became the first in history to complete a full descent of the Nile from source to sea. Throughout the journey, the beauty and wonder of the magnificent Nile region are revealed as never before.

Halloween Star Party
Saturday, October 29

With Mars having its closest approach to Earth during the entire year the Science Centre will mark the occasion with a free evening event with astronomy displays and viewing of the night sky (weather permitting). High-power telescopes will be provided by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

Playing With Time --- featured exhibition!!
opens early 2006

Playing With Time takes visitors on a journey to the unseen world of natural change and shows events that happen too fast or too slow for humans to perceive. The exhibition invites visitors to experiment with high-speed photography, time-lapse videos, natural records of change like eroded rocks and lake cores and other "time-shifting" techniques to discover the changes that take place in the world beyond their perception. From popcorn popping and hair growth to canyons forming and the universe expanding, Playing With Time will allow visitors to slow down or speed up the element of time to reveal the fascinating transformations that are hidden within.
Playing With Time is a co-production of the Science Museum of Minnesota and Red Hill Studios. The exhibit was made possible with support from the National Science Foundation.

Fighter Pilot --- new IMAX film!!
opens early 2006

Fighter Pilot, a new IMAX film from acclaimed director Stephen Low, focuses on the experience of a pilot participating in a demanding, high-tech air combat exercise that prepares pilots for the realities of war. The film features unprecedented coverage of air combat exercises, including stunning air-to-air photography, and a wide range of training activities from aerial dog-fights to pilot rescue.
Directed by Stephen Low. Presented by the Boeing Company.

Currently playing at the Shoppers Drug Mart OMNIMAX Theatre:

Adrenaline Rush: The Science of Risk
Skydiving and base jumping are used to explore the science and psychology of risk-taking.
A Sky High Entertainment production

OceanMen: Extreme Dive
The story of two men driven to dive deeper than anyone ever dared on a single breath of air --- over 500 feet.
H5B5 Media AG presents a Bob Talbot Film

Forces of Nature (closes June 24)
Witness the awesome spectacle of earthquakes, volcanoes and tornadoes as three scientists risk their own lives to understand the origins and behaviours of these natural events.
Presented by Amica®, a National Geographic Film Production

Coral Reef Adventure (closes June 24)
Explore some of the world's largest and most beautiful reefs, but also some of its most threatened.   A MacGillivray Freeman Production, sponsored at this theatre by Shell Canada

The Ontario Science Centre delights, informs and challenges visitors through engaging and thought-provoking experiences in science and technology. The Ontario Science Centre transforms the way in which people see and think about the world around them. Every day, staff hosts demonstrate the wonders of science in electricity (a hair-raising experience), papermaking, a starlab and seasonal nature
walks. Entertaining scientific fun is explored with more than 600 interactive exhibits in 10 exhibit halls, plus touring exhibitions.
 

For ticket prices and more information on the Ontario Science Centre go to Toronto Area Family Attractions.