Building curiosity: The future of the Ontario Science Centre

Catherine Paisley, Business Management ’90, is the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at the Ontario Science Centre and Chair of the Board of Governors at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). In her role at the Science Centre, she leads efforts to identify and execute new opportunities, partnerships and initiatives that advance the centre’s strategic goals, including the upcoming relocation to Ontario Place.

With the release of new renderings, Ontarians now have a glimpse of what the future holds. The new and innovative 400,000-square-foot complex will include a state-of-the-art mainland building designed for dynamic programming, fully modernized pods and an upgraded Cinesphere with almost double the seating of the former Omnimax theatre. A greater proportion of space will be dedicated to programming, allowing for immersive exhibits, hands-on learning and educational workshops.

We spoke with Paisley about what these sweeping changes make possible, the challenges and opportunities ahead, and what innovation means for a science centre dedicated to curiosity and learning.

The Ontario Science Centre has been inspiring curiosity in Ontarians for more than 50 years. As you look toward a brand new home at Ontario Place, how do you think about honouring that legacy while building something genuinely new?

This is such an exciting time for the Ontario Science Centre.

As the first science centre in Canada and one of the first immersive science centres in the world, we have strived to be a place where visitors of all ages can explore, have fun, ask big questions and experience science in new ways.

Our history gives us a powerful foundation as we design for the future. Some of the people who will come to the new Science Centre haven’t even been born yet. We need to consider what will be relevant to them. It’s an incredible opportunity.

What does innovation actually look like in practice at the Ontario Science Centre — is there something you’re working on right now that excites you?

It’s been an incredible time of change and experimentation for the Ontario Science Centre. We have focused on bringing science into the community in new ways, meeting people where they are at, and highlighting that science is all around us. 

During last year’s solar eclipse, we had teams of our science communicators all along the path of totality, supporting the incredible public interest in this phenomena. This past summer one of our staff was the Astronomer-in-Residence in Algonquin Park, leading conversations about the night sky. We have presented programming across the GTA in pop-ups and at satellite locations. Each of these allows us to learn more about our audiences and their interests, and to test new methods of engagement.

Supporting that, as part of our new expansion at Harbourfront Centre this summer, we will be adding an experimentation zone. This is very exciting as it will give visitors the chance to help us test exhibits and ideas as we prepare for our new centre at Ontario Place.

When the doors open at Ontario Place, what does success look like to you?

When the doors open at the new Science Centre, it will be a very special and momentous day. Success will be seen in the pride our team feels and the excitement for this great new attraction. Success will also be our visitors feeling a sense of belonging in a place whose purpose is to celebrate play, science innovation and curiosity. You’re all invited!

How has your time at TMU shaped the way you approach your work today?

TMU’s call out to be “unapologetically bold” is definitely inspirational. The university has advanced change in so many meaningful ways — the new law school, medical school, Zone Learning, commitment to advancing research with partners — all while centring students in its decision-making. It is not conforming to the traditional definition of what a university is — it is defining what it can and should be.

More about Catherine Paisley:
Catherine Paisley has held senior leadership roles on the board of the Canadian Association of Science Centres, including a two-year term as President. She is the Chair of the Board of Governors of Toronto Metropolitan University, where she leads the Audit & Risk Committee. Catherine is also involved with the international Association of Science and Technology Centres, located in Washington D.C., where she sits on the Global Trends Committee; and was a member of its Social Justice & Racial Equity Task Force and an Editorial Advisor for its publication, Dimensions.