Selected recent Science North projects (as Science Director):

  1. •Ends of the Earth travelling exhibition – 6000 sq ft traveling exhibition on the Arctic and Antarctic (opened March, 2007)

  2. •The Climate Change Show object theatre (Best Exhibit or Show, 2006, Canadian Association of Science Centres)

  3. •Human Machine special exhibition/BodyZone permanent installation (opened 2004)

  4. •Discovering Chimpanzees: the remarkable world of Jane Goodall travelling exhibition (Best Exhibit or Show, 2003, Canadian Association of Science Centres)

  5. •Dynamic Earth concept and schematic plan for Science North’s major new earth sciences center at the Big Nickel (opened 2003)

  6. •TD Canada Trust Toddler’s Treehouse – an exploration space for toddlers and parents (opened 2001)

Selected external projects (with Science North):

  1. •National Hurricane Museum & Science Center, Lake Charles, LA  (with Reich+Petch)

  2. •Western Canada Aviation Museum, Winnipeg, Manitoba  (with Reich+Petch)

  3. •Science Gallery, Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg, Manitoba – redevelopment plan  (opened March 2008)

  4. •‘Imiloa - the Mauna Kea Astronomy Education Center, Hilo, Hawai’i  (with Aldrich Pears Associates – opened 2006)

  5. •Canada Marine Discovery Centre, Hamilton, Ontario  (opened 2004)

Professional memberships and activities:

  1. • Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC)

    1. •Great Canadian Science Adventure development team (Chair, Exhibit Management Team, 2003-present)

  2. • Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC)

    1. •ASTC Leading Edge Awards (Chair 2007-present; founding member 2004)

    2. •ASTC Conference Committee (Chair 1996-98; member 1993-96)

  3. • Canadian Science Writers Association

  4. • American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

  5. • Royal Canadian Geographical Society


Teaching and media:

  1. • Host, Science and the City, Daily Planet, Discovery Channel Canada – Since 1996, Alan has created and produced a weekly science column for the science news program Daily Planet, broadcast nationally on Discovery Channel Canada.  Alan has also acted as a guest host on Daily Planet.

  2. •Faculty, Science Communication Graduate Diploma program, Laurentian University/Science North – Alan teaches a graduate-level course called Communicating Science Through Exhibits.

Selected recent publications:

Nursall, A., 2006.  Playing hockey in the science centre, in C. Yao (ed.) A Guide to New Science Centers, Altamira Publishing.

Nursall, A., 2005.  Writing for the crowd, ScienceLink, newsletter of the Canadian Science Writers Association, Vol 26, no. 2, April 2005

Nursall, A., 2003.  Building public knowledge:  collaborations between science centres and industry.  International Journal of Technology Management, 25:  381-389.

Occasional contributions to Crucible, members magazine for the Science Teachers Association of Ontario (STAO)

Recent professional development:

July 2006:    Museum Leadership Institute, Getty Leadership Institute, Los Angeles, CA


Recent awards (as team leader):

June 2006:    The Climate Change Show,

                       Best exhibition or show, Canadian Association of Science Centres

June 2003:    Discovering Chimpanzees: The remarkable world of Jane Goodall,

Best exhibition or show, Canadian Association of Science Centres

About Alan Nursall and NEXT

Alan got his start in the science center and museum industry when he joined Science North in 1984 as the Program Planner for the Atmosphere Lab.  His meteorological education and passion for science quickly found a home.  For the next 23 years, Alan played a central role in the evolution and emergence of Science North as a widely respected and emulated science centre.


In January 2000, Alan was appointed Science Director, assuming responsibility for the entire visitor experience at Science North including all exhibits, programs, workshops and live shows. Alan is also featured in a weekly nationally broadcast science segment on the Discovery Channel Canada.


Over the years, he has been active in ASTC, CASC, and other science center organizations.  He has also worked extensively in the media, including Discovery Channel Canada on which he has appeared nationally each week since 1996.


In 2007, Alan left Science North to start NEXT Exhibits and start a new chapter, or maybe a couple of chapters, in sharing the joy of science.

Click here for  NEXT background April 08.pdf

(2.1 MB)