The Ontario Science Centre will be partnering with the Aga Khan Museum in a free program for youth, the latest in a series of pop-up programs since its building closed last year.
Called Illuminating Minds: The Art and Science of Light, the collaboration bridges art, science, and education.
Through to April 4, Illuminating Minds is a free program at the museum for public school students in Grades 4 to 12.
The institutions say that the partnership combines the museum’s expertise in cultural storytelling and art, with the science centre’s leadership in science and interactive engagement, for young students to continue exploring learning opportunities.
Students will delve into the museum’s collections including its 10th-anniversary exhibition Light: Visionary Perspectives, featuring immersive installations that "challenge perceptions and inspire reflection on the boundless possibilities of light."
The experience brings the science of light to life through interactive demonstrations and experiments, deepening students’ understanding of light’s role in the natural and technological world, the science centre says.
Running for 18 sessions, the programming is aligned with the Ontario curriculum, to connect visual arts, science, and social studies, while promoting creative and critical thinking.
In 2023, the provincial government announced its plans to close the existing Ontario Science Centre building and move the institution to a new facility as part of a redeveloped Ontario Place on the shores of Lake Ontario.
In June 2024, the government closed the science centre building early, citing public safety concerns and the high cost of repair.
Amid public outcry about the closure, Ontario Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma said they would open temporary “satellite” science centre sites in the meantime.
The science centre has since been running pop-up programs at locations that include Sherway Gardens and Harbourfront.
The Aga Khan Museum is located near Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue, just around the corner from the original Ontario Science Centre.
