Full Press Release Text
OOTW25: Marking 25 Years since the First Canadian Walked in Space with National Education Initiative Led by CanHist and McMaster Children & Youth University (MCYU)
Hamilton, Ontario & Dufferin County, Ontario – February 19, 2026
McMaster Children & Youth University (MCYU), with the support of the McMaster University Office of Community Engagement (Office of the Vice‑Provost, Teaching and Learning), has partnered with Canadian Historical Education Services Ltd. (CanHist.ca) to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the first spacewalk by a Canadian — Col. Chris Hadfield’s April 2001 Mission STS‑100 — a defining moment in Canada’s history and international collaboration.
The partnership will deliver Out of This World 25 (OOTW25), a two‑year national project launching April 1, 2026, funded jointly by the federal Ministry of Identity and Culture, CanHist.ca, and McMaster University as core project partners.
Set against the backdrop of NASA’s upcoming Artemis II mission, which will see Canadian astronaut Commander Jeremy Hansen travel around the Moon in 2026, the initiative connects Canada’s historic first spacewalk to the country’s next chapter in deep‑space exploration. By linking Artemis II back to STS‑100, OOTW25 highlights 25 years of Canadian leadership in science, research, technology, and international cooperation.
At its heart, OOTW25 is about science communication — how Canadians teach, understand, and talk with one another about science. At a time when scientific literacy has never been more important, the project focuses on sharing Canada’s science history in clear, engaging, and accessible ways for young people and families.
Drawing on MCYU’s expertise in hybrid and experiential learning and CanHist’s strength in storytelling and historical interpretation, the initiative positions MCYU as one of Canada’s leading learning hubs for science communication while expanding CanHist’s national education programming.
Through this collaboration, OOTW25 will deliver:
- Interactive learning experiences for Hamilton‑area schools and communities
- Free digital programming and curriculum‑connected resources for educators and families across Canada
- Hands‑on activities and storytelling that connect history, geography, and science
- Opportunities for students to engage with Canadian leaders in space exploration, aerospace engineering, and research
- National partnerships that bring Canada’s space story into classrooms coast to coast
Joining the partnership are multiple private, academic, research, and public institutions, including the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Esri Canada, the Canadian Science & Technology Historical Association (CSTHA), and Canadian History Ehx.
“We are proud to support CanHist.ca’s Out of This World 25 project, which connects Canada’s space history with the next generation of learners. By contributing Esri’s GIS technology and hands‑on expertise, we’re helping create curriculum‑connected K–12 learning resources that bring storytelling, geography, and science together in meaningful ways for classrooms across Canada.”
— Susie Saliola, Program Manager, K–12, Esri Canada
“MCYU is thrilled to partner with CanHIst for OOTW25 - an initiative that connects curiosity, innovation, and international collaboration. With a mission to Question / Discover & Create, MCYU encourages young Canadians to ask big questions, using the best evidence to understand how science shapes our universe. OOTW25 will inspire young learners to create new ideas about Canada’s future in space exploration.”
— Dr. Sandeep Raha, McMaster Children & Youth University (MCYU)
“I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and the members of your organization the greatest success in commemorating Out of This World 25.”
— Marc Miller, Federal Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture
Media Inquiries:
Neil Orford, CanHist, info@canhist.ca
Dr. Sandeep Raha, McMaster Children & Youth University (MCYU), rahas@mcmaster.ca
About CanHist
Based in Dufferin County, CanHist believes history isn’t just found in textbooks — it’s something we experience, share, and carry forward. Through tours, learning programs, and national projects, CanHist brings Canada’s stories to life in engaging, meaningful ways. We do history differently.
About McMaster Children & Youth University (MCYU)
MCYU creates innovative, accessible learning experiences that connect young people with university researchers, educators, and real‑world discovery. Through hybrid and experiential programming, MCYU supports science communication and serves as one of Canada’s leading hubs for youth learning and engagement.
For more information:
Email: info@canhist.ca
Website: www.canhist.ca
Facebook & Instagram: @thecanhist
Left to Right: Rebecca Young, Dr. Kim Dej, Dr. Sandeep Raha, Dr. Rebecca Collins-Nelson, Neil Orford
OOTW25: Neil Orford to Lead 25th Anniversary of Hadfield’s Spacewalk
Dufferin’s Neil Orford Will Lead the “Out of This World 25” Commemorative Project to Mark the 25th Anniversary of Chris Hadfield’s Spacewalk
It’s hard to imagine that 25 years have passed since Canadian Astronaut and Mission Specialist Chris Hadfield stepped from the Shuttle Endeavour on April 22, 2021 to help install the robotic ‘Canadarm 2’ on the International Space Station as part of Mission STS-100. Hadfield became the first Canadian to ‘walk’ in the vacuum of space. Neil Orford, a retired history teacher and owner of CanHist.ca in Orangeville, will lead a two-year Commemorative project entitled “Out of This World 25” (OOTW25). The project is being presented in partnership with McMaster Children and Youth University (MCYU) and several other science and heritage education organizations to commemorate this defining moment in Canadian history.
Other partners include ESRICanada, the Canadian Space Agency, the Canadian Aviation & Space Museum, the Canadian Science & Technology Historical Association & Canadian History Ehx,
Orford says the Out of This World 25 Commemoration project will connect Chris Hadfield’s April 2001 spacewalk with the highly anticipated spaceflight of Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen aboard Artemis II in April 2026. The anniversary commemoration celebrates not only Hadfield’s achievement, but also the significance of teamwork and communities that led to this spacewalk and shaped the path for a new generation of Canadian astronauts.
Project Lead at CanHist.ca Neil Orford states: "At its heart, OOTW25 is about 'Science Communication'- how we teach, understand, and talk to one another about science. There has never been a more important time for Canadians to share the stories that shape our scientific history. Artemis II fulfills the latest chapter for Canadians in space yet could never have happened without the ground-breaking achievements of Canadian space research emergent from that successful mission of Col Hadfield’s aboard the NASA Mission STS -100 from 25 years ago."
Orford adds: "Working with the creative team at MCYU, led by Dr. Sandeep Raha at McMaster University, young Canadian learners will be exposed to the most innovative tools and expertise in science, math, the Arts & technology in Canada...and all with an aspirational focus on Space & the Stars!"
Expressing his pleasure on January 23/26 when informing CanHist.ca that the OOTW25 project had been approved for full funding, Federal Minister of Canadian Identity & Culture, Marc Miller said: "I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and the members of your organization the greatest success in {commemorating OOTW25}"
Launching April 1st 2026, Canadians will be able to participate in the free digital commemoration through www.ootw25.ca, and register to bring your families to exciting events at McMaster Children & Youth University (MCYU) beginning in the Fall of 2026.
Chris Hadfield during the first space walk of the STS-100 mission.
