CELEBRATING 25YEARS OF CURIOSITY IN 25 QUESTIONS 2013 Annual Report Past 1 2 Under whose What year was Q: leadership was Q: Science Alberta Science Alberta Foundation Foundation (now (now MindFuel) MindFuel™) founded? established? Jim Gray. 1990. A: In April 1989 Jim Gray spoke A: Jim Gray collected over at a Rotary South Club 22,000 signatures from Luncheon and articulated a Albertans who supported his bold idea for the future of belief in the importance of science education in Alberta—a science, and Science Alberta science centre without walls. Foundation, which would Instead of bricks and mortar, later grow into MindFuel, he envisioned a science centre was established. made of dynamic people and driven communities, and this vision has shaped MindFuel to this day. What science celebrities visited Q: rural Alberta as part of the ‘Science Happens Here’ program? The MythBusters, Tory Belleci, 3 A: Kari Byron and Grant Imahara. CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF CURIOSITY IN 25 QUESTIONS // 3 4 5 How long did Which former Q: Anne Tingle Q: MindFuel serve as the CEO received Executive an Alberta Director of Centennial Science Alberta Medal? Foundation (now MindFuel)? 10 years. Dr. Arlene A: As the founding Executive A: Ponting. Director, Anne Tingle was instrumental in Dr. Arlene Ponting served transforming Science as the CEO of Science Alberta Foundation into Alberta Foundation for a world-leader in science 13 years and received the education. She helped Alberta Centennial Medal in launch our first travelling recognition of her incredible exhibit as well as our service to the people and first program pillar, province of Alberta. Her focus Science-in-a-Crate™, on innovation and technology and played a key role in are key components of every establishing the Connect MindFuel program and has Charter School (formerly ensured that we continue to the Calgary Science engage students in relevant School). Anne Tingle’s and interesting ways. leadership and dedication continues to inspire us to push our programs to new levels. CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF CURIOSITY IN 25 QUESTIONS // 4 Letter from the Chair and CEO Through our innovative and award-winning programs, we have enabled youth to explore the world of science and ignite a passion for lifelong learning. We have much to celebrate – appreciation from teachers and students for our engaging and interactive programs, ongoing support from the Government of Alberta, corporate sponsors and donors, and the outstanding dedication from our employees and Board of Directors. Wonderville™, for its first year ever, surpassed 1 million visits and has added over 35 new learning resources, exceeding expected goals significantly. In addition, Wonderville secured distribution agreements with WestJet and the National Film Board of Canada. The Ignition Pack™ program (formerly Science-in-a-Crate) received resounding approval from teachers and students and is now in distribution within Alberta. Edacity™ had record levels of attendance at its Xtreme Challenge events across Alberta’s rural communities having over 800,000 impressions through event participation, traditional media and social media. We are well positioned to continue to inspire students with our 21st Century Learning programs! With all the success of this past year, combined with more than 25 million learning experiences delivered throughout Alberta and around the world, MindFuel has established itself as a world- class organization. We acknowledge and give sincere thanks for the dedication and hard work that began in 1990 with the vision of Founding Chair Jim Gray, Founding Executive Director Anne Tingle, and the continued innovative work of past CEO, Dr. Arlene Ponting. With their passion, as well as the dedication of our past and current Board and staff members, MindFuel will continue to lead the way in science education and literacy. As we move into the 2014-2015 year, the organization welcomes new Board Chair, Nancy Laird and gives sincere thanks for time dedicated to two retiring Board members – Stephen Burns and Jody Balko. We will continue to create award-winning programs that teachers rely upon to create curiosity, imagination and critical thinking in youth. Barbara Conkie Cassy Weber Chair, Board of Directors CEO, MindFuel MindFuel Present 6 7 What do the How many visits Q: Mars Odyssey Q: did Wonderville space probe and have in the Wonderville have last year? in common? Both were Over one million. A: launched in 2001. A: A 38% increase Wonderville was created as over the previous a virtual environment in year. 2001 and launched as a website in 2002. This incredible online destination enables students and teachers to explore the world of science through interactive activities, exciting games and award-winning videos. What prestigious international Q: award did our “Do You Know What Nano Means?” animation win? 8 A: A Webby. CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF CURIOSITY IN 25 QUESTIONS // 7 9 10 What long- What airline is Q: standing Q: currently sharing Canadian film Wonderville’s institution is content on now distributing its in-flight a selection of entertainment Wonderville systems? videos? The National WestJet. A: Film Board of A: Our content partnership with WestJet is helping us take Canada. science education to new This year, we’ve initiated heights. some exciting new partnerships to bring Wonderville’s award-winning content to more students. Why are there trillions of Q: microscopic plankton fossils in classrooms? Because that’s what chalk 11 A: is made of! CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF CURIOSITY IN 25 QUESTIONS // 8 12 13 What is the How many hours Q: most powerful Q: of learning educational experiences did tool ever Wonderville deliver created? to Alberta schools in the 2013/2014 fiscal year? The Internet, home A: to Wonderville. A: 21,996 hours. Wonderville continues to deliver world-class science education content to teachers and students. With 35 new products released this year and many more on the horizon, we are excited to continue to develop this unique online science hub. What year did Science Alberta Q: Foundation rebrand to MindFuel? 14 A: 2013. CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF CURIOSITY IN 25 QUESTIONS // 9 Present 15 16 Ignition Pack On average, Q: takes inspiration Q: how many hours from what of subject matter former MindFuel expert review go program? into each Ignition Pack? Science-in-a-Crate. Over 30 hours. A: We took the best aspects of A: Subject matter experts the Science-in-a-Crate review each Ignition Pack program and developed to ensure the science is Ignition Pack, a comprehensive expressed correctly and learning resource that tailored to a specific science includes almost everything unit. These experts also help needed to teach a full unit us understand the latest of science for grades 4 to 9. and greatest in scientific innovation, so we’re teaching students information that is current and relevant to the world around them. What do CSI and our first Q: travelling exhibit, “Body in the Library”, have in common? Both were focused on 17 A: forensic science. CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF CURIOSITY IN 25 QUESTIONS // 11 18 19 How many How many hours Q: Ignition Pack Q: did students resources were spend testing developed this Ignition Packs? year? 44 different As part of A: learning A: Ignition Pack resources, or development 25 hours worth students of learning collectively spent materials! 7,250 hours Through conversations with focus testing. teachers, principals and This year we continued to scientists, we have ensured explore the value of Ignition every Ignition Pack contains Packs while creating new the essential tools educators resources that support need to teach a unit of 21st Century Learning. science: To do this, every Ignition • Hands-on activities Pack undergoes extensive • Relevant real-world videos testing to ensure it captures • Interactive presentations the attention and imagination • Multi-purpose learning cards of today’s students. • A complete set of assessment tools CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF CURIOSITY IN 25 QUESTIONS // 12 Present 20 21 What MindFuel What was Q: program targets Q: Edacity’s reach rural Alberta across Alberta youth? this year? Edacity. Over 15,000 A: Designed by students for A: people were students, Edacity launched reached through in September 2012 with the goal of making science 18 events. relevant to youth in rural When most students think communities and showing of science, they think of them the possibilities lab coats and formulas. science offers them after Edacity changes that by they graduate. engaging students in fun activities through unique social media communities, online contests and events that show how exciting science is. CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF CURIOSITY IN 25 QUESTIONS // 14 22 23 How many How many Q: science kiosks Q: impressions does MindFuel did Edacity make have? through social media? Eight. Almost half a A: We operate eight free- A: million. standing kiosks placed Using YouTube, Twitter, in communities across Facebook, Pinterest and Canada. From Leduc to Instagram, we showcase Ottawa, our kiosks are the diversity of science and designed to make learning technology-based careers fun by combining science available in rural Alberta and education with interactive beyond. Social media gives digital games. This is just us a unique opportunity to one more way we’re taking engage with students in science outside of the an organic way and will be classroom and engaging an area we’ll continue to more people with our develop as we take science unique content. education into the future. CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF CURIOSITY IN 25 QUESTIONS // 15 24 25 How many local What is the Q: businesses have Q: name of the partnered with Calgary Science Edacity? School that Science Alberta Foundation helped get started? 41. Connect A: As part of our mission to A: Charter School. expand rural students’ Through hands-on learning definition of science, experiences, the innovative we work closely with use of technology and a businesses across Alberta to focus on inquiry-based demonstrate the incredible learning, Connect Charter applications of science in School is dedicated to everyday careers and to inspiring a lifelong interest highlight the post-secondary in science in a new programs that will help generation of students.