British Columbia Innovation Council

Vancouver, BC (January 19, 2012) -  The British Columbia Innovation Council (BCIC) is making it possible for 200 lucky young scientists to soak in four days of scientific discovery, discussion and demonstration led by the world's best scientists and engineers at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting and international conference in Vancouver February 16-20, 2012.

The conference will bring 8,000 of the world's brightest scientific minds from more than 60 countries to our province. Conference goers will have the opportunity to hear from leading scientists and engineers throughout the four days of symposia, seminars, workshops and poster sessions that cover every area of science, technology and education.  AAAS also provides the opportunity to showcase Canada's contribution to solving global issues through science and innovation.

BCIC has invested $19,000 in passes to the conference and has partnered with TRIUMF, Canada's national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics, to allocate the tickets to 200 BC high school and university students in science, engineering and business.

"Science affects our everyday lives - whether it's the oceans we fish, the diseases we conquer or the digital media breakthroughs that allow us to communicate better," said Richard T. Lee, Parliamentary Secretary for Asia Pacific and MLA for Burnaby North. "The more young people we have experiencing the excitement of science and scientists, the more we can encourage the innovation that keeps BC and Canada growing and strong."

The theme of this year's conference is Flattening the World: Building the Global Knowledge Society. In today's global knowledge economy where technology plays such a big role in our day-to-day lives, it's never been easier to communicate, and then collaborate with others. The focus of 2012's meeting will address the use of information technology and electronics to tackle complete problems on a global scale through international, multidisciplinary efforts.

AAAS has also organized Family Science Days, a community science showcase featuring hands-on demonstrations and other family and kid oriented activities while shining the spotlight on researchers and science educators who are instrumental in promoting interest in science and technology.

All Family Science Days events are free to the public and will take place on Saturday and Sunday, February 18-19, 2012 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

For more information on AAAS and the Annual Meeting in Vancouver, visit www.aaas.org/meetings/2012.

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About AAAS

AAAS is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world by serving as an educator, leader, spokesperson and professional association. In addition to organizing membership activities, AAAS publishes the journal Science, as well as many scientific newsletters, books and reports, and spearheads programs that raise the bar of understanding for science worldwide.

Learn more about AAAS at http://www.aaas.org or on Twitter.

About BCIC

BCIC (British Columbia Innovation Council) develops entrepreneurial talent and commercializes technology. BCIC focuses on competitively positioning British Columbia in today's global knowledge economy in order to provide significant employment opportunities and a high standard of living for British Columbians. BCIC is a Crown Agency of the Province of British Columbia. For more information about BCIC, visit www.bcic.ca or follow us on Twitter.

About TRIUMF

TRIUMF is Canada's national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics.  Together with its partner AAPS, Inc., TRIUMF also seeks to commercialize its technologies for the benefit of all Canadians.  Located on the south campus of the University of British Columbia, TRIUMF is owned and operated as a joint venture by a consortium of the following Canadian universities, via a contribution from the federal government through National Research Council Canada: University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, Carleton University, University of Guelph, University of Manitoba, McMaster University, Université de Montréal, University of Northern British Columbia, Queen's University, University of Regina, Saint Mary's University, Simon Fraser University, University of Toronto, University of Victoria, University of Winnipeg, and York University.  See http://www.triumf.ca.

For more information, contact:

Lindsay Thom
Media Manager, BCIC
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604.602.5249