First-ever SWERVE technology festival sees thousands of visitors touch the future

From robot dance parties and 3D printed delights to virtual spacewalks outside the International Space Station and towering block creations, there was something for each of the 3,500+ visitors to the first-ever SWERVE festival this past weekend.

Hosted by the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) along with high-energy exhibitors, SWERVE gave guests of all ages a hands-on feel for how they will live and work in the future.

For larger view, Click on Image

“We drove an hour and a half to check it out,” said Hillary Einboden, parent and small business owner of Home Learning Coach. “And my kids loved it so much we returned for a second day! SWERVE sparked so much inspiration, making it an event not to be forgotten. The most powerful aspect was the chance for us to chat with passionate engineers in various robotic and technological fields—such incredible role models for my young scientists to learn from!”

Experiences echoing Hillary’s popped up again and again over the course of the three-day event:

  • The young girls cautiously approaching one of the event’s robot “dogs”—followed moments later by the children commanding it to “Sit!” and “Dance!”
  • Proud students posing for photos in the ball pit after successfully sticking “cancer cells” to their medical isotope super suits
  • Report after report from parents whose kids have now added VR headsets, coding robots and green screens to their holiday wish lists
  • The senior couple who described their relief at experiencing “no-pressure-to-buy” electric vehicle test drives in the Drive the future exhibit

The event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of sponsors:

  • Major sponsors: Bruce Power, BWXT Canada, Cameco, E.S. Fox, Kinectrics, SNC-Lavalin, Power Workers Union, and the Government of Ontario through the Reconnect Ontario 2022 Grant.
  • General sponsors: General Fusion, Nuclear Waste Management Organization, Nuvia Canada, Scotiabank, TC Energy, and Westinghouse Electric Canada.

“Throughout the weekend we saw children and adults encountering exhibitor staff who are passionate about their work and able to meet people where they are, bringing audiences along this journey of technological change we’re all experiencing,” described Bruce Wallace, NII’s President and CEO. “Thank you to all of our partner organizations and volunteers for their time and energy—and to our sponsors for supporting our vision for SWERVE.”

The SWERVE exhibitors, volunteers and event partners were:

  • Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre
  • Bruce County Public Library
  • Bruce Power Pensioners’ Association
  • Dave’s Armoury
  • Electric Vehicle Network
  • Georgian College
  • MacLean Engineering
  • MDA Canada
  • Mitchell Cycle
  • Mosaic Manufacturing
  • NORCAT
  • Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
  • Peninsula Ford
  • Plug’n Drive
  • ReDeTec Inc.
  • Saugeen Ojibway Nation
  • Saugeen Shores Rotary Club

Follow along for highlights from the event at nii.ca/swerve, on Instagram @NIIExplore and Facebook @OntarioNII.

About the Nuclear Innovation Institute

The Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) seeks to accelerate the pace of innovation in Canada’s energy industry and is a champion for opportunities that help students and adults embrace new knowledge and gain the tools they will need to make positive change in their communities and the world.

Learn more at nii.ca and join the conversation on Twitter (@OntarioNII), on LinkedIn (Nuclear Innovation Institute) and on Facebook (@OntarioNII).