Science and technology

Canadian advances in science and technology changed the way the world communicates and does business. Science and research in Canada have won international recognition and attracted world-class students, academics, and entrepreneurs engaged in medical research, telecommunications and other fields. Canada has a number of Nobel Prize winning scientists. Canadians have made various discoveries and inventions: 1. Sir Frederick Banting of Toronto and Charles Best discovered insulin, a hormone to treat diabetes that has saved 16 million lives worldwide. 2. Alexander Graham Bell was the son, and grandson of speech experts, and with his mother being deaf, it's no surprise that he would devote his life to study and improve the methods with which we communicate to one another. Apart from the telegraph, and telephone, Bell was also granted sixteen other patents, plus twelve more shared with collaborators. He also founded the famous National Geographic Society in 1888. 3. Joseph-Armand Bombardier invented the snowmobile, a light-weight winter vehicle. 4. Sir Sandford Fleming invented the worldwide system of standard time zones. 5. Mathew Evans and Henry Woodward together invented the first electric light bulb and later sold the patent to Thomas Edison who, more famously, commercialized the light bulb. 6. Dr. Wilder Penfield was a pioneering brain surgeon at McGill University in Montreal, and was known as ''the greatest living Canadian''. 7. Dr. John A. Hopps invented the first cardiac pacemaker, used today to save the lives of people with heart disorders. 8. SPAR Aerospace / National Research Council invented the Canadarm, a robotic arm used in outer space. 9. Hugh Le Caine is the physicist, composer, and inventor whom many believe to have been one of the pioneers responsible for refining the invention of the synthesizer, and the multi-track tape recorder.

SPORTS

Sports have flourished as all provinces and territories have produced amateur and professional star athletes and Olympic medal winners. Ice hockey and lacrosse are national sports of Canada. The game of lacrosse was invented by the native people of Canada. Canadians also ski, golf, curl, ride horses, play baseball, football and tennis. Basketball was invented by Canadian James Naismith in 1891. In the national sport of ice hockey, Canadian teams have dominated the world. One of the greatest hockey-players of all time, Wayne Gretzky, played for Edmonton Oilers from 1979 to 1988. Canadian football is a popular game that differs in a number of ways from American football. Chantal Petitclerc became a world wheelchair racer and Paralympic champion.

1. What have you learnt about Canadian culture?

2. In what field, you think, have Canadians succeeded most?

3. What sports are popular in Canada?

4. What Canadian sportsmen do you know?