The Royal Canadian Institute for Science (RCIScience) is honoured to receive the NSERC Award for Science Promotion (Organization), recognizing our long-standing efforts to connect Canadians with science.

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. Two recipients (one individual and one group) may be selected for the awards each year.

Our members enjoying the conversation at the 2019 Fleming Medal ceremony.

Since its founding in 1849, the Institute has helped shape the scientific landscape of Canada and it currently fills a critical need: to foster public engagement with science.

A common thread running through the long history of RCIScience is connecting Canadians with science. Seventy years ago, attending an “Institute” talk meant dressing up on a Saturday night and heading down to the University of Toronto to listen to an eminent scientist give a presentation. Today, you can still hear talks from eminent scientists, but right alongside them are early-career researchers on the cusp of discovery. If you’ve dressed up, it’s more likely that you’re at a tasting to explore the chemistry behind a wheel of brie or you’re attending a science-themed variety shows.

Fun times to be had at *Science is a Drag*!

RCIScience is one of the few organizations that keeps its focus mainly on adult audiences. Using many types of engagement, RCIScience reaches a range of audiences, from the merely curious to the deeply knowledgeable. Different programs allow people to participate at their own pace, by attending live events, watching them later on YouTube, reading a blog or following an Instagram takeover. RCIScience provides many pathways to engagement with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

The COVID-19 pandemic took this outreach to a new level. Rather than shutting down (as it did during the influenza pandemic of 1918 to 1921), RCIScience turned entirely to online program delivery. While some events covered timely topics such as the COVID-19 vaccines and pandemic trends, others talked about forest fires, the future of food, and the importance of exercise for mental as well as physical health.

Science-themed face painting at our *Spark After Dark* variety show.

In the last three years alone, RCIScience has hosted more than 115 events featuring over 300 scientists and reaching more than two million people, both in person and online. Thanks to the help of over 100 volunteers, most of these programs are delivered free of charge or at very low cost to encourage participation.

Review past events on YouTube or subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to hear about upcoming activities!

Thank you to NSERC for recognizing our efforts in promoting science to the public. And a very special thank you to all of our members and supporters, speakers, volunteers and program partners, followers and attendees over the past 173 years - we can’t wait to see what the next century brings for science, science engagement and RCIScience.