From humble beginnings, Science Timmins has grown to become an educational cornerstone in the city, providing an exciting mix of learning and fun for all ages.
For 50 years, the organization has helped engage students across northeastern Ontario in science and education.
Science Timmins is governed by a volunteer board of directors. The husband and wife team of Antoine Garwah and Lorraine Cantin are president and CEO, and chair, respectively.
It was the dedication of teachers that created it.
“It started at a school level with teachers interested in science and students with science projects,” he said. “Teachers got together and made it at a school level. And then from the school level, we went to the board level, and from board level to regional level. It was really about science fairs.
“After about 30 years we hosted the Canadawide Science Fair here in Timmins in 1998. After that, we switched to a physical location, which is our Science Village here.”
Garwah has a background in engineering and taught at Ecole secondaire catholique Theriault from 1968 to 2001. Cantin was an elementary school teacher. Both are retired and are involved in Science Timmins on a volunteer basis.
While the national science fair was a highlight, volunteers wanted to do more with Science Timmins.
“Once we finished the Canadawide Science Fair, we asked ‘what other projects can we do?’” Garwah said. “We were scattered all over the map program wise. We decided, ‘let’s find a location where we can store everything and deliver programs with it.’
“We still have our science van, which goes as far as Hearst, Kap … we travel the north with it. We get lots of demand from the northeastern Ontario area.”
Science Timmins also developed a regional science fair, a Science Olympics, and robotics competition.
“We expanded from science fair in the classroom to 22 different programs,” he said.
The couple, married for 23 years, enjoy volunteering with the organization.
“Our careers in education gave us a lot,” Cantin said. “It gave us a lot of fulfillment. It gave us a purpose. It really added to our personal lives. So now, we give back.”
To get students hooked, Garwah shows them something simple.
“You can see in their eyes. We get them ignited. Youth has lots of interest in science and technology. We do science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. We have art too — music, painting, photography," he said.
“When we hear the kids have fun and say they want to do more, we know we did our job.”
Both are quick to credit all the volunteers involved with Science Timmins.
“People mustn’t think we do this alone,” she said. “Because there is an army behind us. Alone we wouldn’t be able to do very much.”
Volunteers are vital to keep the 16,000-square-foot Science Village looking fresh. Volunteers with a knowledge of carpentry, art, electrical work and more help with the interactive displays. Nothing is nailed permanently in place, so displays can be rotated or made portable for the van. There is also a fully stocked workshop on site for the use of volunteers.
Cantin said the Science Village provides a nice complement to the classroom setting.
“I think Timmins and area deserves a science centre,” she said. “I think they deserve a place where they can come to play, discover and learn and a place where the schools can bring their students and complete their teachings.
“In the classroom, sometimes you have to focus more on concepts. But when they come here, they can apply those concepts and make science real in everyday life.”
In addition to its involvement with school programs, the Science Village is open for visits. There is plenty to hold the interest of students and adults.
It offers facility rentals, a space for birthday parties, and group visits. There is a coffee shop, the I-Café, on site. Other programs include weekly tutoring, kitchen science, 3-D printing and a planetarium, to name a few. For a complete list of programs, check out Science Timmins on Facebook.
There will be a special event in the spring to help mark the 50th anniversary.
Garwah said it will be for past participants, sponsors and volunteers who helped make Science Timmins a reality.
Even after 50 years, the organization is still evolving.
“It’s a work in progress,” Cantin explained.
December marks four years that they've been operating out of the 5th Avenue space, and she said there's a growth in attendance and enthusiasm.
"And people want to be a part of it. It will definitely continue to grow and flourish," she said.
The Science Village is located at 225 5th Ave., Science Village lane (behind city hall). It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information about programs or volunteering, contact Science Timmins at 705-268-4543 or visit sciencetimmins.com.
