Year in Review

Visiting a science centre or a museum or an art gallery is a choice, and there usually needs to be a compelling reason to visit. At the heart of any great cultural institution, driving that choice, is outstanding content.

In 2018, TELUS World of Science – Edmonton took some bold steps with new content and programs designed to keep the centre connected with our community. Some of these new experiences were part of the natural evolution of science programming at the centre, while others were major components of the Aurora Project.
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New Mission

Ignite curiosity.

Inspire discovery.

Celebrate science.

Change lives.

New Vision

The destination to engage Albertans' hearts and minds in science.

Attendance By The Numbers
Annual Attendance

452,782
Annual Members

22,191
Member Households

6,390
Number of Students

74,952
Number of Schools

750
Education Program Participants

180,286

Outreach By The Numbers
Outreach Program Attendance

29,902
Rural Communities Served

60
Volunteer Hours

13,499
Volunteers

238

Impressions By The Numbers
Website Sessions

849,148
Facebook Likes

31,319
Instagram Followers

12,083
Twitter Followers

8,333

November 10 we celebrated International Science Centre Day with our guests as we built a giant Sierpinski Pyramid Volcano.
Guests were delighted to enjoy the new S.P.A.C.E. (Stars, Planets, Astronauts, Comets, Etc.) Gallery that opened on August 3. Some of the gallery highlights include Destination: Moon (a 3D object theatre) as well as a Command Centre for hands-on programming.
The Zeidler Dome, a new world leading planetarium, opened on August 3 and had people sitting on the edge of their seat. The first film shown was “Aurorae”.
Pandas opened in IMAX on April 20 and was introduced by the film’s cameraman and stereographer, Edmontonian Dylan Reade. Attendance for the film in the first 90 days was 15,650.
Senator Grant Mitchell awarded volunteer John Chu with the Senate 150^th Anniversary Medal for his more than 20 years of volunteer work at the science centre.
Darrell Fox spoke at the February 16 opening of the Terry Fox: Running to the Heart of Canada exhibition.
The science centre hosted over 30 teams of teenagers for the FIRST Robotics, FIRST Tech Challenge Alberta Championship. Team TWOSE won the Motivation Award.
A series of larger than life science experiments, called Frank Science, were developed for additional television exposure.
We partnered with LitFest to host former astronaut Dr. Dave Williams speaking about his book "Defying Limits".
Volcanoes opened in IMAX on October 5. The film’s director Michael Dalton-Smith discussed the difficulties he encountered while shooting near the volcanoes. Attendance for the film in the first 90 days was 8,724.
The IMAX film Amazon Adventure opened on January 19 and after 90 days attracted 11,176 guests.
We launched two new technology based camps, one in stop motion animation and one in video game streaming.
While the Dinosaurs Unearthed: Down to the Bone exhibition was onsite we brought back the much loved DinoSnore sleepovers. The sleepovers generated over $13,000 of gross revenue.
We showed the Dinosaurs Unearthed: Down to the Bone exhibition from June 1 until November 4 and in that time drew in a total of 140,351 visitors.
A well attended mascot birthday party was held for our Dinosaur “Stanley” on June 2. Guests enjoyed watching the mascots participate in a Hula-Hoop Toss and Limbo competition.
The von der Ohe Family Imaginarium - a one-of–a-kind art installation called Remnant. Guests interact with the digital wall to create stars, black holes and gravitational waves.
LUMEN: Where Science Meets Cocktails was held on September 27 and raised over $65,000. The funds raised will be used to help send thousands of children from under-served schools on class field trips to the science centre.
The POPnology exhibition opened with a Back to the Future launch on February 9. The travelling exhibition explored popular culture and technology involving how we play, connect, move, live and work.
Dylan Brenneis was the winner of the first Science Slam event that took place on March 4. He performed an original composition about Bionic Limbs with his ukulele.
The Science of Cannabis was explored the day after legalization at a sold out DARK MATTERS, adults only night.
The first year of our IMAX Annual Fanatic Pass resulted in 1249 passes sold.
We launched a new birthday party program that has seen a 50% increase in net sales. The lucky birthday child even receives his/her own official science centre lab coat.
BODY WORLDS: ANIMAL INSIDE OUT opened on November 30.
The inaugural Science Fellowship was awarded to Dr. Greg Sivakoff from the University of Alberta.
In October, The Science Garage created a laser cut spider lamp for a make & take workshop.
On July 1 we opened Great Barrier Reef in IMAX which was sponsored by EPCOR.
In November a new, large, illuminated sign was built and replaced the very dated sign on 111 avenue.
Our Science in Motion team travelled over 25,000 km and brought science programming to over 6,000 Indigenous students.
On October 22, we opened Galapagos: Nature’s Wonderland. Over 6,200 people enjoyed the film in the first 90 days.
We celebrated the launch of CSA astronaut David Saint-Jacques on December 3rd on his journey to the International Space Station.
In November, we launched a new, mobile friendly website.
Our Science on Tap series in May featured discussions on driverless cars and was moderated by Kara Flynn.

Lead The Science Conversation

While we engage and inspire our audience and build a standout facility for our community. Almost a half a million visitors and almost 75,000 school children delighted in the changing, expanding and re-imagined science centre. From creating black holes with their bare hands to constructing roller coasters, our newly created galleries and theatres allowed our guests to experience science in new and exciting ways.

New Zeidler Dome

After almost a year of re-imagining, we opened the world’s most technologically advanced 10K resolution planetarium. The Zeidler Dome is the ultimate journey through time and space.

This transformation included brand new screen panelling for the projection surface, new chairs and carpeting, new theatre lighting and audio system, a new laser light projection system and most importantly, a 10K video projection system. The first show to be shown, Aurorae, was fitting for our Northern science centre.

New S.P.A.C.E. Gallery

The new S.P.A.C.E. (Stars, Planets, Astronauts, Comets, Etc.) Gallery was revealed on the same day as the Zeidler Dome. It truly is a journey of discovery as you enter and are invited to unravel the mysteries of our solar system and beyond.

Children and adults alike are delighted to command a lunar lander to the surface of the moon and see the Aurora Borealis up close. The focal point for the gallery is the Destination: Moon, 3D object theatre that tells the story of our very own moon rock and the Apollo 15 mission.

Science Fellow
In August 2017, the science centre launched a search for its very first Science Fellowship program, aimed at recognizing an outstanding young researcher or innovator in Northern Alberta. In March 2018, the science centre awarded the honour to Dr. Gregory R. Sivakoff, associate professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Alberta.

His research explores the remnants of stars, such as black holes, neutron stars, and white dwarves, or as Dr. Sivakoff said, he studies “how these stellar undead come alive again by eating materials from a nearby star.” He attributes his interest in astronomy to his father, who gave him this advice when he left for university: “Space is big, you ought to be able to find your place in it.”

Dr. Sivakoff participated in a number of science centre events including:
- The opening of the S.P.A.C.E. Gallery
- A judge for the October Science Slam
- A spokesperson for students during Space Day

Aurora Project

2018 was an exciting year for the Aurora Project, our $40 million renovation and expansion of the science centre. The Government of Alberta matched the financial support of the City of Edmonton when they announced a $12 million commitment in Budget 2018, while the community campaign reached $2.6 million in philanthropic contributions.

Construction of Phase 2 came to a conclusion in August with the opening of the Zeidler Dome and S.P.A.C.E. Gallery. Phase 3 began in September, and saw the creation of our brand new early childhood development gallery CuriousCITY (opened March 2019) followed by the Nature Exchange (opening June 2019).

Practice Sustainable Financial Operations

Revenues and Expenditures

Download PDF

Funds and Endowments

Vega Scholarship

Fund Value = $95,044

The VEGA Scholarship Program was established in 1987 through the generous support of Helen Tkachenko. This fund sponsors elementary school-aged children to attend a Summer Science Camp. In 2018, 16 children received funds to attend camps.

Les Young Fund For Science Education

Fund Value = $20,315

In 1999 The Edmonton Space & Science Foundation established the Les Young Fund for Science Education. It was dedicated as a permanent fund legacy in memory of his outstanding dedication and leadership. The fund provides opportunities for the development of unique and innovative programs to inspire, motivate and challenge students.

The Community Fund

Fund Value = $19,776

The Community Fund was developed to be used to help subsidize part of the admission price for those attendees getting the social service discount. Total number of social service attendees was 2,861.

Seeds Of Science Endowment Fund

Fund Value = $12,134

This fund was established in 2015 by John and Avery Stobbe. The revenues will be used in the ongoing operations and programming at TELUS World of Science.

Feature Exhibition Sponsors

POPNOLOGY

Presented locally by SMS Equipment Inc.

Dinosaurs Unearthed: Down to the Bone
Presented by Raymond James Ltd.

Adopt-a-Dino
- Richard Dickinson, Raymond James Ltd.
- Staybridge Suites West Edmonton
- Horse Racing Alberta
- Civic Service Union 52
- Riverstone Garden Center
- Gateway Pediatric Dentistry
- CHS Benefits Consulting Group Inc.
- Phoenix Fence
- The Grocery People
- Capital Colour
- Harlan Fairbanks
- Tage Cawley, Raymond James Ltd.
- Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada
- Scott McCartney and George McConechy, Novus Pro at Raymond James Ltd.
- Melcor Developments Ltd.
- Melton Foundation
- PosterTech

IMAX^® SPONSORS

Amazon Adventure

Supporting sponsors: Go RVing Canada & RVDA Alberta
Pandas

Presented by: Darlene Schindel
Supporting partner: Calgary Zoo
Volcanoes: Fires of Creation

Presented by: The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta
Great Barrier Reef

Presented by: EPCOR
Trails in Motion 6 Film Festival

Presented locally by: MEC
The Moment

Presented locally by: United Cycle
Trails in Motion Mountain Bike Film Festival

Presented locally by: MEC

OTHER SPONSORS

What Are People Saying

"Love Amazon in the IMAX Theatre. We try to get there every time we’re in town."

Melanie Kabyn
What Are People Saying

"Excellent overnight experience with fun & educational science experiments. Highly, highly recommend."

Dana Brindle
What Are People Saying

"We have been longstanding Members always love our visits and the interactive exhibits. The Purple Pear Restaurant is FANTASTIC."

Lillian Au
What Are People Saying

"Our family LOVES it here. We have 5 kids from toddler to teens and there’s something for everyone."

Sarah Price
What Are People Saying

"We had a great time on our field trip to the science centre this past week! The grade ones got a close-up look at some different animals!"

Miss Dayman

Download The Report

Download PDF

Year in Review

New Mission

New Vision

Attendance By The Numbers

Annual Attendance

452,782

Annual Members

22,191

Member Households

6,390

Number of Students

74,952

Number of Schools

750

Education Program Participants

180,286

Outreach By The Numbers

Outreach Program Attendance

29,902

Rural Communities Served

60

Volunteer Hours

13,499

Volunteers

238

Impressions By The Numbers

Website Sessions

849,148

Facebook Likes

31,319

Instagram Followers

12,083

Twitter Followers

8,333

Lead The Science Conversation

New Zeidler Dome

New S.P.A.C.E. Gallery

Science Fellow

Aurora Project

Practice Sustainable Financial Operations

Annual Donors and Sponsors

$100,000+

$50,000-$99,999

$25,000-$49,999

$10,000-$24,999

$5,000-$9,999

$1,000-$4,999

$500-$999

$50-$499

Aurora Project Donors

Government Partners

Aurora Borealis ($1,000,000+)

Polaris ($500,000+)

Ursa Major ($100,000+)

Ursa Minor ($25,000+)

Draco ($10,000.00 +)

Cassiopeia ($1,000.00 +)

Cepheus (>$1,000)

2018 "Be A Star" Program Donors

Funds and Endowments

Vega Scholarship

Les Young Fund For Science Education

The Community Fund

Seeds Of Science Endowment Fund

Feature Exhibition Sponsors

POPNOLOGY

Dinosaurs Unearthed: Down to the Bone

Adopt-a-Dino

IMAX® SPONSORS

Amazon Adventure

Pandas

Volcanoes: Fires of Creation

Great Barrier Reef

Trails in Motion 6 Film Festival

The Moment

Trails in Motion Mountain Bike Film Festival

OTHER SPONSORS

What Are People Saying

What Are People Saying

What Are People Saying

IMAX^® SPONSORS