Newfoundland Science Centre is making waves: radio waves

The Newfoundland Science Centre (NSC) today launched the Marconi: Wireless Workshops Provincial Outreach Program with the help of grade five students from Holy Cross School in Holyrood.

On hand for the event were Beaton Tulk, Minister of Industry, Trade and Rural Development and Dr. Angus Bruneau, member of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).

The $60,000 program has received $40,000 from NSERC�s Promoscience Program and $20,000 from the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development as part of the Receiving the World initiative.

This newest initiative of the Science Centre delivers hands-on interactive workshops to grades 4-6 students all over the province. Students learn about the history of communications, how wireless works, and they make and test their own crystal radios, all without having to leave their schools!

"Delivering hands-on programs to areas outside of St. John�s is a major focus of the Science Centre and we are proud of our success across the province," said Executive Director, Patricia O�Neill. "The Wireless Workshop Program will reach over 3,000 students by year end and will extend its reach even further into the new year as it travels to Labrador."

"Government�s Jobs and Growth Strategies describes the need to develop technological skills in our young people. This initiative introduces thousands of young people in rural Newfoundland and Labrador to basic wireless technology," says Beaton Tulk. "My congratulations to the Newfoundland Science Centre for making science fun. I believe these workshops will help re-create the sense of wonder and achievement that Marconi must have experienced here a century ago. I am pleased that in this year of Receiving the World, the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development is able to support this program."

Dr. Bruneau has been involved with the Newfoundland Science Centre since its establishment in 1993 under the name Discovery Network. Under the direction of the province's Science and Technology Council, chaired by Dr. Bruneau, the Network's first outreach program was developed.

"It is important for us to help each child along the path of arousing and exploring their interests, of discovering their talents and developing their abilities fully. To the extent we succeed, we will contribute to their happiness and fulfillment and to the quality of life for all Canadians," said Dr. Bruneau.

The Newfoundland Science Centre is a provincial organization that promotes greater awareness of science throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Since its formation in 1993, the Centre has reached over 250,000 people throughout the province with hands-on interactive science programs.

Photo #1: Grade 5 students from Holy Cross School in Holyrood attend a news conference at the Newfoundland Science Centre in St. John's. They have built receivers using toilet tissue tubes and copper wire and wait to receive a morse signal from Industry, Trade and Rural Development Minister Beaton Tulk. (November 21, 2001)

Photo #2: Minister Tulk with Science and Technology Council Chair, Dr. Angus Bruneau, sends morse code radio signals to grade 5 students. (November 21, 2001)

Photo #3: Dr. Angus Bruneau, Minister Tulk and Holy Cross grade 5 students prepare to receive radio signals on home made receiver. (November 21, 2001)

Media contact: Patricia O�Neill, Executive Director, NSC, (709) 754-6176.
                      Josephine Cheeseman, Communications, ITRD, (709) 729-4570.

2001 11 21                      11:35 a.m.