At TELUS Spark Science Centre, science looked a little different than usual on Friday night.
The latest “Spark After Dark” event transformed the space into an adult only experience, blending interactive exhibits with a social atmosphere. Guests moved through the building with drinks in hand, stopping at booths, trying hands-on activities, and engaging with science in a way that felt more like a night out than a traditional visit.
Victor Bustamante, Senior Director of Business Development and Guest Services, says that shift is exactly the point.
“The event is about opening the doors for adults to come and enjoy the Science Centre in a fun and different way,” Bustamante said. “You can have a drink, you can be with friends, you don’t have to deal with children running around, and you can focus on things that are part of the Science Centre, or a lot of other interactive stations.”
That change in tone doesn’t mean science disappears. If anything, it becomes more accessible. Bustamante describes the goal as getting people “into that excited mindset about science and what it can do for society, and just to find answers about the world.”
This edition of the event leaned into sport science, a natural fit for a city like Calgary. The theme connected to both a travelling extreme sports exhibit and the city’s identity as a winter sports hub. Across the building, guests could explore everything from nutrition and conditioning to reaction time and shooting accuracy.
“The idea came because we have our travelling exhibit called extreme sports, and Calgary is a sports city,” Bustamante said. “So why don’t we offer a night on the science of sports?”
The result was a mix of education and entertainment. A biathlon shooting simulator drew consistent lines, while other stations encouraged guests to test their own abilities or learn how athletes train. According to Bustamante, the most successful booths are always the ones that invite participation.
“The booths that work best are the ones where people can actually interact with it, like get their hands on it,” he said. “Those are going to tend to be the most impactful ones.”
Beyond the exhibits, the event also highlights something less tangible. Community. Bustamante pointed to a recent moment tied to the Artemis II program, when about 100 people arrived early just to watch a splashdown together.
“They wanted to be connected with others and enjoy that one in a lifetime experience,” he said.
That sense of shared experience is what separates Spark After Dark from a typical visit. While families make up the majority of daytime attendance, these nights are designed to give adults something of their own.
“We’re bringing adults to have their own experience,” Bustamante said. “They’re focusing on themselves and how they interact with others.”
For Bustamante, the success of the night comes down to a simple moment at the end.
“There’s a great deal of joy when I see people really enjoying the night and having fun,” he said. “We’ll high five ourselves because the job has been well done.”
At Spark After Dark, science isn’t just something you learn. It is something you experience.
Friday, April 10, 2025
Calgary, ALTA
Mitch Carlson, Sport Calgary