NEW BOOK PROMOTES SCIENCE ACHIEVEMENTS

High school students are being encouraged to explore careers in science with the launch of a new book profiling major Saskatchewan achievements in science and technology.

Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline today launched 25 Saskatchewan Science and Technology Achievements and its complementary website.

"This is an effective awareness-building project," Cline said. "It shows high school students the distances bright minds in Saskatchewan can go. It should serve as inspiration to explore rewarding careers in science and technology in the province."

Copies of the book will be distributed to high schools and regional libraries throughout the province. Additional copies are available through the Marketing Branch of Industry and Resources. The content can be viewed at www.sk25.ca along with suggestions for teachers on how to use the book in the classroom.

A select number of scientific achievements will also be published in the Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan, a project of the Canadian Plains Research Centre, which helped research and write the profiles.

As part of the launch, Droycon Bioconcepts Incorporated President Dr. Roy Cullimore relayed his own story, which is also chronicled in the book. Cullimore is recognized around the world for his rusticles experiments on the Titanic shipwreck.

"Saskatchewan offers an incredibly fertile environment for our growing scientific community," Cullimore said. "Science and technology are being nurtured very attentively in this province. Our achievements can be likened to a forest of massive trees with roots that are spreading far and wide."

Organizations that helped assemble the original list of science and technological firsts included: Ag-West Bio Inc., Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, Saskatchewan Research Council, the University of Regina, the University of Saskatchewan, and Saskatchewan Industry and Resources.

A selection committee made up of scientists and high school science teachers and students evaluated the firsts according to specific criteria to determine which 25 would be profiled.

Expertise in science and technology contributes to every key economic sector in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan's two research parks alone had an impact of $500 million on the provincial economy in 2004.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-1691