2002 Michael Smith Awards Announced Today

Ottawa, Ontario, October 15, 2002 – The 2002 Michael Smith Awards were announced in Ottawa today by Mac Harb, M.P. for Ottawa Centre, on behalf of Industry Minister Allan Rock. Named after Canadian Nobel Laureate Michael Smith, the award honours individuals and groups who make an outstanding contribution to the promotion of science in Canada.

This year’s winners are:

• Evergreen Theatre Society (Calgary)
• Discover Engineering (Toronto)
• ISPAJES (Montréal)
• Jamie Bastedo (Yellowknife)
• Eric R. Muller (St. Catharines)

“Michael Smith had a clear vision of what science promotion can achieve for the enrichment of our society,” said Mr. Harb. “These winners have been amazingly creative in finding ways to draw young Canadians to science.”

“The 2002 winners of the Michael Smith Award are each contributing to making Canada a more innovative nation,” said Allan Rock. “That will help us achieve our goal of making Canada one of the top five countries in the world for research and development.”

The Awards Committee looks for sustained and significant effort to inspire public understanding and develop abilities in science and engineering.

Individual winners receive an award of $5,000. Winning organizations are awarded $10,000 to further science promotion activities. Winners also receive a medal bearing Dr. Smith’s likeness.

NSERC president Tom Brzustowski said, “This year’s Michael Smith Award winners show the diversity and creativity of Canadian science promotion. The more we do to inspire and inform Canadians, the better equipped everyone will be to discuss the important issues generated by modern science.”

Michael Smith won a Nobel Prize in 1993 for his breakthrough contribution to genetic research.

NSERC is a key federal agency investing in people, discovery and innovation. The Council supports both basic university research through research grants, and project research through partnerships among universities, governments and the private sector, as well as the advanced training of highly qualified people.

For further information, contact:

Arnet Sheppard
NSERC Newsbureau
Tel.: (613) 995-5997
Fax: (613) 943-0742
E-mail: axs@nserc.ca

Background on Winners

Evergreen Theatre Society: The Evergreen Theatre Society has been a lively and imaginative educational presence in Alberta for the last 11 years. More than 600,000 people have enjoyed this group’s unique blend of basic science and fast-paced drama, during their annual tours in Canada and the United States. Through shows with titles like PondScum Inc., Full of Hot Air, and Rockin’ and Eroding, Evergreen has addressed topics ranging from climate change and environmental issues to electromagnetism and aerodynamics. More recently, Evergreen has broadened its approach to incorporate its theatre activities into a day-long program made up of classroom presentations supported by resource materials for teachers. Nevertheless, the goal remains the same: providing young people with some of their fondest memories of the role played by science in our world.

Discover Engineering: The Discover Engineering initiative at Ryerson University has pioneered outstanding programs for girls and young women, including a summer camp that provides hands-on experiences led by female undergraduate engineering students who also run workshops at local schools. Discover Engineering also hosts a career conference for grades 11 and 12 and has introduced the “Be Prepared” program and the Engineer Badge in partnership with the Girl Guides of Canada. Over 50 per cent of camp participants have enrolled in engineering programs and on average 80 per cent have gone on to study at university.

ISPAJES: The ISPAJES Project (Ingénierie Simultanée Présentée Aux Jeunes du Secondaire) introduces grade 9 students to the engineering profession by giving them the opportunity to design a product or system based on a client’s needs. With help from business people, researchers, and teachers, the students work in teams to find a creative and workable solution to their “assignment.” Over the course of a school year, the participants are exposed to research and development, production basics, quality tools, and marketing. They also visit companies and laboratories. ISPAJES Project involves 14 schools and 1,000 students. By familiarizing young people with the scientific and technological world, ISPAJES demonstrates that it is possible to create lasting links between schools and companies.

Jamie Bastedo: The ghosts of a geologist and an arctic explorer are two of the living history presentation characters that share a 2002 Michael Smith Award with their portrayer, Jamie Bastedo, a vibrant science educator and communicator. Since the 1990’s, through a dazzling array of innovative initiatives spanning family and school presentations, enthusiastic hands-on field experiences, videos, posters, books, articles and radio shows, Jamie has very effectively promoted popular interest in science to audiences of all ages in the Northwest Territories and beyond. A deep understanding of the sciences ranging from biology and geology to climate, often underpinned with local aboriginal knowledge, have fulfilled Jamie’s mission to “Take Northern Science to the Streets.”

Eric R. Muller: Eric Muller has been a mathematics and science educator for over 30 years. Through hands-on learning at camps, fairs, and workshops, schoolteachers, students, as well as aboriginal youth alike have had the opportunity to learn and become intrigued by science and mathematics. Through creative innovations such as the Math Trails booklets and the Canadian Virtual Math Trail, students use math to explore the history and unique features of Canadian landscapes. Eric has also created games such as Brock Bugs and Brock Bees which promote mathematical thinking and develop a sense of logic and foresight. These activities are in addition to his decades of teaching and mentoring, for which he has received numerous awards.