With less than seven weeks to go before the Canada Science and Technology Museum officially reopens to the public, its director-general dropped in to chat with Techopia Live about the local institution’s “midlife crisis” moment.

In a few months, the museum will celebrate its 50th birthday – a time when one traditionally reflects on their past and looks at where they’re headed, Christina Tessier said.

The Canada Science and Technology Museum is based on fundamentals such as interactive experiences, epitomized by its wildly popular Crazy Kitchen.

As it prepares to reopen on Nov. 17 following an $80-million renovation, the museum is looking at broadening out and playing a role in Ottawa’s innovation ecosystem.

“Yes, we can tell stories through exhibitions as we’ve traditionally done,” Tessier told Techopia Live. “But we want to be a part of that community.”

This includes investing in applied research and bringing companies onto the museum’s stages to talk about the important work they’re doing.

The museum has already formed relationships with several local companies, including SimWave. The local software and simulation firm is building a virtual reality experience that will launch in the new museum.

Additionally, Gatineau-based Lumbec is building one of its tiny houses that will be used by the museum to examine our consumer culture.

To learn more about what’s in store for the revamped museum, watch the video above.