From the Nominator

Uniquely positioned amid the harsh North Atlantic, Memorial University is a world leader in ocean-related research, teaching and learning, and public engagement. Over 40% of Memorial’s research activity is ocean-related. If there is research happening in the North Atlantic, there is a high likelihood Memorial is involved. Memorial’s new Core Science Facility features a 75-foot blue whale skeleton that was designed to showcase the majesty of this creature. It is one of only two blue whale skeletons on display in Canada. To enhance visitors’ experiences, the vertical support posts in the atrium were used in a creative way to tell the story of the whale. The exhibit, developed in collaboration with experts in the Faculty of Science and entitled "A Blue Whale’s Tale," guides curious minds throughout the space, teaching viewers about the whale heart, anatomy, environment, lifecycle and more. The exhibit also provides immersive learning resources that link to supporting documents, web pages, and media-rich content, and an audio tour is also available. The display was part of a coordinated effort to share our ocean expertise with the community. This supports Memorial’s institutional goal of welcoming the people of the province to our campuses to experience the university’s cutting-edge research and creative work firsthand.

From the Judges

Memorial University excelled in engaging visitors and crafting a cohesive experience through thoughtful decisions. The colors and images seamlessly blend with the surroundings, maintaining a balanced spacing that avoids overwhelming or crowding visitors. Their achievement on a modest budget is particularly impressive.