Stephen Hawking Centre Grand Opening at Perimeter Institute in Ontario, Canada - September 16 to 18, 2011

WATERLOO, Ontario, July 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

This September, the all new Stephen Hawking Centre at Perimeter Institute launches with three days of exciting events.

The state-of-the-art facility will help advance scientific progress by providing the ultimate environment for physicists to interact and conceive, visualize, and understand the nature of physical reality, from the subatomic world to the entire universe.

With an innovative and interactive design, the Stephen Hawking Centre doubles the size of the initial research complex and will accommodate up to 250 physicists and research trainees, making Canada's Perimeter Institute the largest facility of its kind in the world devoted to research, training and outreach in theoretical physics.

So how do you design a collaborative environment from the ground up to facilitate scientific research and discovery?  Why is Perimeter's expansion the first entire centre Stephen Hawking has ever lent his name to? What exactly is theoretical physics and why is just one major discovery - such as those due to Newton, Maxwell and Einstein - literally capable of changing the world and making possible the new technologies that will transform our future?

About the Grand Opening

The all new research complex - and the mysteries and wonders of our universe - can be explored from September 16 to 18 through a series of special events, self-guided tours of the 55,000 square foot expansion, interactive exhibits, PI Public Lectures and many opportunities to chat with Perimeter's international scientists.

The activities are made possible by BMO Financial Group, presenting media partner TVO, and Perimeter Institute's public-private partnership including the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

Visit http://www.perimeterinstitute.ca for event details, fact sheets, photos and ongoing updates. For potential advance tours, interviews and possible media scholarships, please contact us.

About Perimeter Institute

Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (PI) is an independent, non-profit, scientific research organization working to advance our understanding of physical laws and develop new ideas about the very essence of space, time, matter and information. Located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, PI also provides a wide array of research training and educational outreach activities to nurture scientific talent and share the importance of discovery and innovation among students, teachers and the general public. In partnership with the Governments of Ontario and Canada, PI is a successful example of public-private collaboration in scientific research, training and outreach.

For further information:

Media contact
RJ Taylor
Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
+1-519-569-7600 ext.5371
rtaylor@perimeterinstitute.ca