TELUS Spark Science Centre

Last night, ol.facto made its debut at Telus Spark Science Centre’s After Dark event—and what a night it was. With just a three-person team, we created nearly 400 custom scent experiences over six hours, with a constant lineup at our booth. I also had the honour of delivering a talk to a full house of ~250 guests, diving into how the brain processes flavour through smell. It wasn’t a high-production setup, but the audience response made it clear: people are into multisensory, science-infused storytelling. Thank you to everyone who showed up curious and hungry for knowledge! Big shoutout to Nynke van den Hoogen, PhD Gerardo Balderas, Mario Akpoghomeh and TELUS Spark Science Centre . We had an absolute blast.

We’re excited to be part of such an important conversation—thank you to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Cenovus Energy, and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute for bringing this dialogue to life at Spark. On May 13, Spark's proud to host the Engagement Forum: Talking About Mental Health—an event focused on breaking the stigma around men's mental health and creating space for real, honest conversation. Let’s keep the conversation going. 💬

We had the honour of speaking on two creator panels at the TELUS Spark After Dark event - sharing our journey as digital storytellers, the power of platforms like TikTok, and how content creation can drive culture, inspire communities, and create real-world impact. From going viral to going deeper—this conversation wasn’t just about numbers, but about narrative. It was about showing up authentically, building digital legacies, and using content to champion representation, belonging, and connection. We're grateful to TELUS Spark Science Centre and the incredible community of creators and thought leaders who continue to shape the creative landscape in Canada and beyond. A big shout out to our panelists Toyosi A. & Seyi Adeneye representing Lagos and Calgary—creating for the world. #TheOTLoveTrain #DigitalCreators #CreativeLeadership

This National Tourism Week, let's celebrate the people, places, and passion that makes Calgary a top destination and something TELUS Spark Science Centre is so proud to be a part of. From curious kids to science-loving adults, TELUS Spark welcomes explorers from near and far to discover, play, and ignite their imagination. We’re honoured to be part of what makes this city so unforgettable. As a non-profit educational charity, tourism plays an essential role in fueling our purpose: to lift people up through the power of curiosity. From science films in the Infinity Dome and experimenting in Steven's Lab, to riding RO5iE the robo-coaster and Indigenous Science in the Digital Immersion Gallery—every visit to Spark is a chance to connect with the science all around us. Thank you to our partners at Tourism Calgary, Travel Alberta, Indigenous Tourism Alberta, Tourism Industry Association of Alberta (TIAA), Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Calgary Hotel Association and many more for helping us share our mission. Happy Tourism Week! 🫶 #TourismWeek2025 #TravelAlberta #Alberta #ScienceCentre #Canada #Science

It’s Tourism Week April 7-11 and it’s time to celebrate! The tourism industry in Alberta is thriving. This years theme “Canada is Powered by Tourism” is a wonderful reminder of all the amazing experiences we have to offer the world right in our own back yards. The benefits to our economy are also huge with jobs, business growth, and the positive impact on our economy overall. At TELUS Spark Science Centre we are grateful to be part of the fuel driving the tourism economy. As a non for profit educational charity, we rely on tourism to help us share our mission of delivering world renown creative experiences with science. Our offerings like the beautiful Infinity Dome planetarium, the Digital Immersion Gallery and our own immersive experiences, the Creative Kids Museum, the Brainasium outdoor park, world class programs, educational offerings and off the hook events, we are so very proud to be a part of this community.  We are very grateful to our partners at Tourism Calgary Travel Alberta Indigenous Tourism Alberta Tourism Industry Association of Alberta (TIAA) Tourism Industry Association of Canada Calgary Hotel Association and many more for all they do. It takes tremendous collaboration and creativity to build the extraordinary experiences we all offer to travellers and we sure love being a part of it! #tourismweek2025 #tourismweek #travel #canada #alberta #sciencecentre #sciencecommunication

Looking for your next team-building adventure? Spark has just the challenge. Inspired by the resilience of fungi and the post-apocalyptic world of The Last of Us—filmed right here in Calgary—this high-energy, science-fuelled scavenger hunt is designed to push teams to think fast, collaborate under pressure, and explore in entirely new ways. Working together to solve survival-themed missions, teams will navigate TELUS Spark Science Centre, crack scientific puzzles, and uncover the fascinating world of fungi—building trust, communication, and creativity along the way. What to expect: ✔️ A fast-paced, immersive storyline ✔️ Strategic thinking and problem-solving ✔️ Collaboration in high-pressure moments ✔️ A collection of fun team photos and videos to relive the experience Perfect for teams that thrive on challenge, competition, and a unique experience outside the office. Book your survival mission today and take your next offsite to the next level. Learn more here about The Cordyceps Challenge: https://bit.ly/42uNDSV

Science meets the art of food at TELUS Spark—starting April 12. Banquet is a bold, hands-on exhibition that serves up the science and joy of food through all five senses. From unexpected flavour pairings to sensory experiments with sound, texture, and smell, it’s part dinner party, part science lab and 100% curiosity. Organized into three parts, the exhibition offers a sensory journey where you take on the roles of chef, taster, and guest. It’s a playful, thought-provoking experience for anyone who’s ever been fascinated by what happens in the kitchen. This is a fantastic opportunity to bring your kitchen crew, culinary students, or foodie friends on an exploration of their craft. Whether you're in the industry or simply passionate about what’s on your plate, Banquet invites you to see food through a whole new lens. 🗓️ April 12 – September 2, 2025 A little taste of what’s to come: https://bit.ly/3EViXkr Banquet is designed by Cité des sciences et de l'industrie in partnership with the INRAE and produced by Imagine. 📸 E Laurent

We love sparking curiosity that lingers long after you leave the science centre! ✨ Spark is so proud of the Digital Immersion Gallery immersive show, Quantum Sandbox. Check it out while you can!

Tonight, from 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM, TELUS Spark Science Centre joins millions worldwide in switching off non-essential lights. But why does this matter? Artificial lighting contributes to carbon emissions, light pollution, and ecosystem disruption. Excess energy use, largely powered by fossil fuels, accelerates climate change by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. Even short-term reductions in energy demand ease strain on power grids, cut emissions, and raise awareness of sustainable solutions. This is more than a symbolic gesture—it’s a reminder that collective action can drive real change. Join the movement, spark conversations, and be part of a brighter future. 💡✨ #EarthHour #ClimateAction

Today is World Water Day, and this year’s United Nations theme, Glacier Preservation, highlights the urgent need to protect our planet’s vital frozen reservoirs. Glaciers are melting faster than ever, disrupting the water cycle and fueling floods, droughts, and rising seas. As Earth heats up, billions rely on vanishing meltwater for survival. Science shows that reducing emissions and managing water sustainably isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity. Water connects us all. Let’s protect it!💧 More resources: www.worldwaterday.org