Exploring the science of winter

Posted Feb 9, 2012 By Michelle Nash

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Cool Science Saturdays will run Feb. 4, 11 and 18 during Winterlude and will offer the chance to learn a bunch of frost facts, ranging from liquid nitrogen ice cream to Arctic icebergs to space exploration.

Michelle Nash, Ottawa East EMC

Cool Science Saturdays will run Feb. 4, 11 and 18 during Winterlude and will offer the chance to learn a bunch of frost facts, ranging from liquid nitrogen ice cream to Arctic icebergs to space exploration.

EMC news - Slime, live reptiles, liquid nitrogen ice cream, snowball challenges and a scavenger hunt are just a few of the fun activities planned for Winterlude's second annual Cool Science Saturdays.

After the success of Cool Science Saturdays at the Canada Science and Technology Museum last year, the National Capital Commission announced the event's return, adding two more museums to the lineup of venues, offering a number of activities for people of all ages.

Programming gets underway at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum on Feb. 4, before shifting to the Canadian Museum of Nature for the second weekend of Winterlude on Feb. 11 before finishing up the festival at the Canada Science and Technology Museum on Feb. 18. The announcement was made at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum on Feb. 1.

"Winterlude is also about science, yes, science," said Guy LaFlamme, spokesman for the National Capital Commission, at the official announcement on Feb. 1. "How can we enjoy all the Winterlude activities without science? The freezing of the canal, the ice sculptures - everything revolves around science."

According to LaFlamme, there will be no shortage of activities during Winterlude.

The science fun begins with a snowball challenge at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, where participants will be asked to see who can propel their snowball the furthest using a variety of launching methods. The museum will also hold an astronaut challenge where physical skills are tested in a manner similar to what potential astronauts undergo, allowing family members to compete to see who would make candidate for a trip into space.

The Space and Aviation Museum's Cool Science Saturday will include exhibits about the science of spacesuits from the Canadian Space Agency, as well as a space exploration engineering group from Carleton University who will feature their work on the Mars Rover robot.

In addition, the Ottawa International Airport will present how the airport deals with the challenges of ice and snow removal.

The Snowbirds Aerobatics team will also be on hand to show people how to fly in the cockpit of a CT-114 Tutor and the Squadron 51 Air Cadets will be setting up a survival winter camp outside the museum's front entrance.

On Feb. 11 the Canadian Museum of Nature will have an Awesome Arctic photo exhibition, live reptiles and amphibians and a scavenger hunt.

Lastly, the chance to mine for chocolate chips or learn how to make slime using everyday household chemicals is just the tip of the iceberg at the Canada Science and Technology Museum which will also be hosting an Arctic Science Field Camp where participants can learn about the Arctic and meet research scientists.

Liquid nitrogen ice cream will also be making an appearance as a very scientific treat.

All activities are free with the museum's admission. More information about the specific times and activities offered can be found at the NCC's website www.canadascapital.gc.ca

michelle.nash@metroland.com