Big things are happening for Entomica, the Sault’s own live insect exhibit, which operates out of a small space within the Sault’s Mill Market building.
The insectarium has been invited to be a part of Earth Day Weekend at Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) Apr. 21 to 23.
“It’s a three day event, we’ll bring all of our bugs and they (the ROM) are paying for it. This is like the little country mouse that goes to the big city,” said John Dedes, Entomica president and Chief Executive Officer.
As many as 10 volunteers from the Sault plan to travel to Toronto with Dedes help out with the Entomica show at the ROM.
“They want to participate in the endeavour. They want to have the experience. Isn’t that so cool?” Dedes enthused while speaking to SooToday.
“There’s going to be a lot of bugs going down there. We’re expecting thousands of participants, they get thousands of people going to the ROM every weekend, so we have to prepare ourselves, so that’s why there are so many volunteers coming, to be presenters and to allow the people in Toronto to have that one on one experience,” Dedes said.
Don’t worry, Sault insect lovers.
Entomica will return from its Toronto trip.
The Entomica crew will travel back to the Sault Monday, Apr. 24 in time for the third annual Sault Ste. Marie Science Festival (under the direction of Science North), which runs from Apr. 24 to 29.
“People are hearing about us, we’re getting some major recognition, and we’re looking at partnerships now because we just became not-for-profit and the doors are opening all over the place…we’ve had meetings with Science North, people want to partner with us in as many ways as they can,” Dedes said.
“This isn’t just for Entomica, this is great for the city of Sault Ste. Marie to be recognized this way, all the people that volunteer and work at Entomica, they’re recognizing the programming that involves everything from little children to seniors.”
Entomica will launch its involvement in this year’s Sault Ste. Marie Science Festival at the Finnish Resthome, displaying its insect collection to seniors (some of whom are fascinated by the bugs, Dedes said).
Entomica will also be present at other Science Festival events at other local rest homes during the week of Apr. 24, as well as at Algoma University, the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre and, like last year, the Science Carnival at The Machine Shop.
More details on the Sault Ste. Marie Science Festival can be found online
The following weekend (May 5 to 7), Entomica will be delivering a presentation at the Canadian Association of Science Centres conference at Toronto’s Ontario Science Centre.
The Canadian Association of Science Centres represents the 45 major science centres in Canada.
There’s more.
Entomica will also be on hand at the Bushplane Museum when Actua’s Maker Mobile Tour comes to the Sault July 5.
Actua’s Maker Mobile is a van containing learning spaces in which young participants, ideally from Grades 6 to 12, can use 3D printers, a laser cutter, programmable circuit boards and other gadgetry to create their own innovations.
Entomica, Dedes said, was instrumental in getting the Maker Mobile to come to the Sault.
“It’s a travelling science centre that completely unfolds into a huge space, so that’s why we’re partnering with the Bushplane Museum because we didn’t have the space at Mill Market,” Dedes said.
There is no fee to visit the Maker Mobile, a Canada 150 initiative.
A $15 fee applies to take in accompanying Entomica and Bushplane Museum programming while the Maker Mobile is there July 5.
Space at the Maker Mobile event is limited to 180 pre-registered children.
To register, call 705-945-6242 or visit the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre at 50 Pim Street.
That’s a lot of activity and recognition for Entomica, which is now heading into its fourth year of operation after what was originally intended to be a one month pilot project.
“It’s just incredible the amount of stuff that has happened to us in three years,” Dedes said.