Canadian Science Centres join the global #GivingTuesdayCA movement

Canadian Association of Science Centres

SUDBURY, ON, Nov. 26, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Science Centres and its member Science Centres have joined #GivingTuesdayCA, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.  This year, Canada's Science Centres are promoting the Gift of SCIENCE (#ScienceGift) – providing high quality, fun and educational science camp experiences to underserved children and youth that would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate.

Occurring this year on December 1, #GivingTuesdayCA is held annually on the Tuesday after the US Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  The purpose of the event is to kick off the holiday giving season, inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to charities and the causes they support.

#ScienceGift is an initiative created by the Canadian Association of Science Centres, which seeks to promote Science Centres across Canada as registered charities/ not-for-profits dedicated to increasing the science literacy of Canadians of all ages.

"Each year, Canada's Science Centres host day camps and workshops that inspire young people to get excited about science, technology, engineering and math," says Stephanie Deschenes, Executive Director for the Canadian Association of Science Centres. "These camps provide a spark that encourages children to be curious about the world around them and to consider careers in science."

Those who are interested in joining the Canadian Association of Science Centre's #GivingTuesdayCA initiative can visit http://givingtuesday.ca/partners/the-gift-of-science#.VkuEV9-rSL4, follow @CASC_ACCS, #ScienceGift. For more details about the #GivingTuesdayCA movement, visit the #GivingTuesdayCA website (www.givingtuesday.ca).

"On Tuesday, December 1st, 2015 with your help, we hope to create spaces for underserved children in communities across our country so they can experience the joy of discovery, too," said Deschenes.

About the Canadian Association of Science Centres
The Canadian Association of Science Centres' mission is to: "build capacity for its members to inspire a creative and prosperous Canada through science and technology engagement."  The Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC) represents 45 Canadian Science Centres, Museums, Aquariums and Planetariums.  The workforce across our membership represents more than 1,500 science communicators and support staff and more than 10,000 volunteers.  We estimate that each Canadian will visit a science centre once in the next five years.

To learn more about the Canadian Association of Science Centres, please visit:
Website: www.canadiansciencecentres.ca
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Canadian-Association-of-Science-Centres 
Twitter: twitter.com/CASC_ACCS

About #GivingTuesday
#GivingTuesdayCA is a movement to celebrate and provide incentives to give—the 2015 iteration will be held on December 1, 2015. This effort harnesses the collective power of a unique blend of partners—nonprofits, businesses and corporations as well as families and individuals—to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. #GivingTuesdayCA inspires people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they celebrate and help create a better world. #GivingTuesdayCA harnesses the power of social media to create a global moment dedicated to giving around the world.

To learn more about #GivingTuesdayCA participants and activities or to join the celebration of giving, please visit:

Website: http://www.givingtuesday.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GivingTuesdayCanada
Twitter: twitter.com/GivingTuesdayca

SOURCE Canadian Association of Science Centres

Image with caption: "Your contribution enables underserved children across Canada to experience the joy of discovery through hands-on activities (CNW Group/Canadian Association of Science Centres)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151126_C5650_PHOTO_EN_553403.jpg

Stephanie Deschenes, Canadian Association of Science Centres, [phone], ext. 277, [email protected], @CASC_ACCS, www.canadiansciencecentres.ca