British Columbian Teacher Earns Award for Promoting Science

Kamloops, British Columbia, May 26, 2012 — A British Columbian teacher has been recognized for his leadership and dedication to science promotion, both inside and outside the classroom. Gordon Gore has received a 2011 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Award for Science Promotion, valued at $10,000, in recognition of his passionate advocacy for science education in his community for more than five decades.

"The Government of Canada recognizes the immense importance of work done by dedicated leaders like Gordon Gore to inspire our youth to take an interest in science," said the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology. "His work to inspire youth to pursue an education in science and engineering will help make Canada more innovative and support our long-term prosperity."

Dr. Gore's enthusiasm for science led to the creation of the  BIG Little Science Centre in Kamloops in 2000. In keeping with Dr. Gore's goal of making science entertaining, accessible and practical, the Centre helps visitors develop a passion for science through camps, experimental stations, clubs and travelling exhibits. Last year, the Centre attracted more than 15,000 visitors.

"Dr. Gore's effort to stimulate an interest in science, particularly among young people, is essential to Canada's future capacity to innovate and prosper," said Suzanne Fortier, President of NSERC. "The work of dedicated and committed people such as Dr. Gore is of benefit to all Canadians."

The NSERC Awards for Science Promotion honour individuals and groups who make an outstanding contribution to the promotion of science in Canada through activities that encourage popular interest in science or develop science abilities.

NSERC is a federal agency that helps make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for all Canadians. The agency supports some 30,000 post-secondary students and postdoctoral fellows in their advanced studies. NSERC promotes discovery by funding more than 12,000 professors every year and fosters innovation by encouraging more than 2,000 Canadian companies to participate and invest in post-secondary research projects.

More information on the NSERC Awards for Science Promotion is available in the backgrounder below.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Michèle-Jamali Paquette
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
Minister of State for Science and Technology
Tel.: 613-947-2956

Martin Leroux
Media and Public Affairs Officer
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Tel.: 613-943-7618
E-mail: media@nserc-crsng.gc.ca

Media Relations
Industry Canada
Tel.: 613-943-2502

Backgrounder

NSERC Awards for Science Promotion

About the awards

The NSERC Awards for Science Promotion honour individuals and groups who make an outstanding contribution to the promotion of science in Canada through activities encouraging popular interest in science or developing science abilities. The group award is valued at $25,000 and the individual award at $10,000. Two recipients (one individual and one group) may be selected for the awards each year.

Profile of the 2011 winner
Individual
Gordon Gore (British Columbia)

Science is best learned in a fun, hands-on environment. That simple philosophy has guided Gordon Gore's teaching and science promotion efforts for more than five decades.

The recipient of a 2011 NSERC Award for Science Promotion, Gore's achievements include inspiring countless students; authoring textbooks, resource manuals and general interest science books; and creating a popular science centre in Kamloops, British Columbia.

The BIG Little Science Centre was started in 2000, replacing a travelling show based in Gore's truck, and has since evolved into an 8,000 square-foot facility, which last year attracted 15,000 visitors. In keeping with Gore's goal of making science entertaining, accessible and practical, the Centre helps visitors develop a passion for science through camps, experimental stations, clubs and travelling exhibits.

Gore's other honours include the Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year Award from the BC Science Teachers' Association, the Rotary Club Four-Way Test Award, the BC Community Achievement Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the BC Association of Physics Teachers, the Eve Savory Award for Science Communication and an honorary doctorate from Thompson Rivers University.