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{{Short description|Science centre in Sudbury, Canada}}
{{Infobox museum
| name            = Science North
| native_name     = Science Nord
| native_name_lang = fr
| logo            = Science North Logo.svg
| image           = Science North Construction and Concept 1980.jpg
| image_size      = 250px
| caption         = Science North in 2022
| coordinates     = {{Coord|46|28|14|N|80|59|46|W|region:CA-ON_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| established     = {{Start date|1984|6|19}}
| location        = 100 Ramsey Lake Road<br />[[Greater Sudbury|Sudbury]], [[Ontario]]<br />P3E 5S9
| type            = [[Science centre]]
| accreditation   = [[Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums]]
| architect       = {{unbulleted list|[[Moriyama & Teshima]] | [[Bélanger Salach Architecture|Townend, Stefura, Baleshta and Nicholls]]}}
| visitors        = 
| ceo             = Ashley Larose
| owner           = [[Government of Ontario]]
| website         = {{URL|https://sciencenorth.ca}}
}}

'''Science North''' ({{Langx|fr|Science Nord}}) is a [[science museum]] in [[Greater Sudbury]], [[Ontario]], Canada.<ref name="loverseed">{{Cite news |last=Loverseed |first=Helga |date=1987-05-09 |title=Impressive science museum symbolizes the new Sudbury |work=[[The Globe and Mail]]}}</ref> It contains object theatres, an [[IMAX]] theatre, a planetarium, and exhibition halls across four levels with a variety of hands-on permanent exhibits focused on technology, ecology, geology and the geography of [[Northern Ontario]].

== History ==
[[File:Science North August 2023.jpg|left|thumb|Science North from Ramsey Lake]]
The plans for what was to become Science North were unveiled in 1980, and the centre opened in 1984.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Immen |first=Wallace |date=1984-06-20 |title=Science centre an open laboratory |work=[[The Globe and Mail]]}}</ref> The plans were designed by architect [[Raymond Moriyama]] in association with [[Bélanger Salach Architecture|Townend, Stefura, Baleshta and Nicholls]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Immen |first=Wallace |date=1987-05-09 |title=Canadian North to be centre theme; Nickel mine, wildlife to be shown |work=[[The Globe and Mail]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gilhula |first=Vicki |date=2021-02-17 |title=Memory Lane: From predicting your height to the trading post, Science North is written on our brains |url=https://www.sudbury.com/memory-lane/memory-lane-from-predicting-your-height-to-the-trading-post-science-north-is-written-on-our-brains-3434354 |access-date=2024-03-20 |work=Sudbury.com}}</ref> It received the [[List of Governor General's Medals in Architecture|Governor General’s Medal for Architecture]] in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Governor General's Medals in Architecture |url=https://canadacouncil.ca/funding/prizes/governor-generals-medals-in-architecture |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Canada Council for the Arts |language=en}}</ref> Science North opened on June 19, 1984 with an official opening ceremony held in October that was presided by [[Elizabeth II]] during the 1984 royal tour of Canada.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cherry |first=Zena |date=1984-10-05 |title=Queen opens Science North at Sudbury fete |work=[[The Globe and Mail]]}}</ref> 

==Exhibits and attractions==
[[File:-31-07-2019- - Science North - Sudbury CA - 14 - Phill Natal (50854429806).jpg|left|thumb|The rock tunnel connecting the two buildings]]
Science North consists of two [[snowflake]]-shaped buildings on the southwestern shore of [[Ramsey Lake]].<ref name="loverseed" /> The buildings are connected by a rock tunnel, which passes through a [[Fault (geology)|geological fault]].<ref name="loverseed" /> This fault line was not known to be under the complex when the site was originally selected, and was only discovered during construction. Inside the main starwell, a 20-metre [[fin whale]] skeleton, recovered from [[Anticosti Island]], hangs from the ceiling.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1983-09-29 |title=Museum to show whale skeleton |work=[[The Globe and Mail]]}}</ref> 
[[File:-31-07-2019- - Science North - Sudbury CA - 19 - Phill Natal (50854517177).jpg|thumb|The F. Jean MacLeod Butterfly Gallery]]
The F. Jean MacLeod Butterfly Gallery is located on the second level. The gallery is a glass-enclosed [[butterfly house]] containing approximately 400 butterflies from 30 different tropical species. The third level covers the ecosystems of Northern Ontario, with displays covering regional ecology. The exhibits include aquariums and enclosures with frogs, turtles, snakes, porcupines and flying squirrels.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pickard |first=Arron |title=New resident porcupine calling Science North home |url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/new-resident-porcupine-calling-science-north-home-700223 |access-date=2025-10-11 |work=Sudbury.com}}</ref> The third level previously housed beavers as 'animal ambassadors', including Drifter from 2004 until 2020 and Kash from 2016 until 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-03-18 |title=Science North's Drifter the beaver dead at age 20 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/kash-beaver-science-north-1.7034181 |access-date=2025-10-11 |work=[[CBCS-FM|CBC Northern Ontario]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-21 |title=Science North's resident beaver is moving to a new facility |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/kash-beaver-science-north-1.7034181 |access-date=2025-10-11 |work=[[CBCS-FM|CBC Northern Ontario]]}}</ref> The fourth level covers technology, housing displays on astronomy and the human body.

=== Outdoors ===
The [[Jim Gordon (politician)|Jim Gordon]] Boardwalk connects Science North to [[Bell Park (Sudbury)|Bell Park]] along the western shore of the [[Ramsey Lake]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stradiotto |first=Laura |date=2005-06-23 |title=Boardwalk is Sudbury's 'piazza' |work=[[The Sudbury Star]]}}</ref> The ''William Ramsey'' cruise boat departs from the dock at the boardwalk, and runs from June to September.<ref name="boat">{{Cite news |date=2014-05-29 |title=Sudbury's Cortina cruise boat now called 'The William Ramsey' |work=[[CBCS-FM|CBC Northern Ontario]]}}</ref> Formerly called the ''Cortina'', it was renamed the ''William Ramsey'' in 2014 for the surveyor for whom the lake was named.<ref name="boat" /> 

== Auditoriums ==
Science North houses an IMAX Theatre with [[IMAX#Laser projection|laser projection]], opened in 1994.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1994-05-04 |title=Sudbury IMAX |work=[[The Globe and Mail]]}}</ref> The theatre was converted to 3D in 2009. Within the rock tunnel is the [[Vale Canada|Vale]] Cavern [[auditorium]]. The auditorium is used for temporary exhibits, [[press conference]]s, film screenings, and other events.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hobbs |first=Pam |date=1984-08-11 |title=Face to face with nature at Science North |work=[[The Globe and Mail]]}}</ref> In June 2009, an 8-metre dome planetarium with 36 seats was installed. The Discovery theatre, located in the centre of the third and fourth levels, hosts live science shows cover topics ranging from fire to sound. The Climate Action Show, narrated by [[Rick Mercer]], opened in 2003 and was updated in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-18 |title=Science North officially opens Climate Action Show |url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/science-north-officially-opens-climate-action-show-5593197 |access-date=2025-10-11 |work=Sudbury.com}}</ref>

==Education==
Science North employs a team of science communicators known as 'Blue Coats' for their blue lab coat uniforms. Blue Coats provide interpretive and educational experiences for visitors, present shows at the Discovery Theatre, and lead events and tours.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Migneault |first=Jonathan |date=2024-06-19 |title=Science North celebrates its 40th anniversary |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/science-north-sudbury-40-years-1.7238602 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619163720/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/science-north-sudbury-40-years-1.7238602 |archive-date=2024-06-19 |access-date=2025-02-08 |work=[[CBCS-FM|CBC Northern Ontario]] |url-status=live }}</ref> 

The [[Science North Production Team]] produces object theatres, multi-media presentations and large format film productions for science museums and educational facilities around North America. The team's productions include the 2023 documentary film ''[[Jane Goodall: Reasons for Hope]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-03 |title=Despite environmental challenges, Jane Goodall says there are reasons for hope |url=https://www.wgbh.org/culture/film-and-tv/2023-10-03/despite-environmental-challenges-jane-goodall-says-there-are-reasons-for-hope |access-date=2025-10-10 |website=GBH |language=en}}</ref> which won a [[Canadian Screen Award]] for sustainable production at the [[12th Canadian Screen Awards]] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=2024-04-04 |title=Devery Jacobs, Lamar Johnson to Receive Honorary Canadian Screen Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/devery-jacobs-lamar-johnson-canadian-screen-awards-1235865866/ |access-date=2025-10-10 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> 

Science North has worked with [[Laurentian University]] on scientific and environmental research, including as a partner in the university's graduate program in [[science communication]]. Science North runs science education [[day camp]]s for children throughout the year in several Northern communities covering a wide range of scientific topics.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1999-07-10 |title=Discovery Camp coming |work=[[Timmins Daily Press]]}}</ref>

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario|COVID-19 pandemic]], Science North engaged in several programs to promote [[COVID-19 vaccine]]s to youth, families and young adults.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-01-12 |title=Sudbury series to discuss COVID-19 misinformation |work=[[The Sudbury Star]]}}</ref> The museum received a $50,000 CAD grant in July 2021 from the [[Government of Canada]] for a project titled “Promoting Vaccine Confidence across Northern Ontario.”<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-26 |title=Encouraging vaccine confidence in Canada - Competition Results |url=http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/NSERC-CRSNG/FundingDecisions-DecisionsFinancement/2021/Vaccine_eng.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220115100237/https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/NSERC-CRSNG/FundingDecisions-DecisionsFinancement/2021/Vaccine_eng.asp%23tphp |archive-date=2022-01-15 |access-date=2022-11-05 |website=[[Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada]] (NSERC)}}</ref> It was awarded through a grant program called “Encouraging Vaccine Confidence in Canada” jointly administered by the [[Canadian Institutes of Health Research]] (CIHR), [[Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council]] (NSERC) and the [[Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council]] (SSHRC).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-03 |title=NSERC - Encouraging vaccine confidence in Canada |url=https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Promoter-Promotion/VaccineConfidence_eng.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105180543/https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Promoter-Promotion/VaccineConfidence_eng.asp |archive-date=2022-11-05 |access-date=2022-11-05 |website=[[Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada]]}}</ref> Science North also received a $500,000 grant from the [[Public Health Agency of Canada]]'s Immunization Partnership Fund to target [[Vaccine hesitancy|vaccine hesitant]] individuals through virtual and in-person activities including [[podcast]]s, [[webinar]]s, digital content and events, museum exhibits and workshops.<ref>{{Cite web |last=[[Public Health Agency of Canada]] |date=2022-10-12 |title=Immunization Partnership Fund |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization-vaccine-priorities/immunization-partnership-fund.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104154209/https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization-vaccine-priorities/immunization-partnership-fund.html |archive-date=2022-11-04 |access-date=2022-11-04 |website=[[Government of Canada]]}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of science centers|List of science centres]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.sciencenorth.ca/ Official Website]
{{City of Greater Sudbury}}{{ONGovDept}}
{{Zoos of Ontario}}

[[Category:Museums established in 1984]]
[[Category:Museums in Greater Sudbury]]
[[Category:Crown corporations of Ontario]]
[[Category:Science museums in Canada]]
[[Category:Raymond Moriyama buildings]]
[[Category:Butterfly houses]]
[[Category:1984 establishments in Ontario]]