“Oh Crap!” Tackles Sanitation, Sustainability, and Society — With a Sense of Humour
The Canada Science & Technology Museum takes a bold—and admittedly cheeky—approach to environmental education with its exhibition. Opening in Ottawa, “Oh Crap! Rethinking Human Waste” challenges visitors to set aside their preconceptions and explore what the museum describes as the “world’s most misunderstood, limitless resource.”
Developed by the Musée de la civilisation de Québec, as explained here, the exhibition weaves together microbiology, anatomy, history, culture, art, engineering, and environmental science into a cohesive and surprisingly thought-provoking journey—balancing humor with genuine substance.
“The exhibition transports visitors of all ages on a journey that will entertain and amuse while sparking reflection on significant environmental and social issues we must collectively address,” the museum said, adding that it hopes to inspire audiences to imagine a more sustainable future for the planet.
With over 200 artifacts, archival materials, videos, immersive environments, and interactive displays, the exhibit sheds light on stark inequalities in access to sanitation across Canada and around the world. Visitors will also discover innovative ways human waste is being repurposed as a sustainable resource—a concept gaining serious traction among scientists and engineers alike.
Among the highlights is “Planet Toilets,” a fascinating tour through lavatory history spanning ancient Rome to modern-day Japan. And for those seeking a more… personal experience, the exhibition features a “fart room” where guests can leave their own contribution to science, complete with gas analysis.
Lisa Leblanc, Director General of the Canada Science and Technology Museum, praised the exhibition’s ability to tackle weighty issues with wit and creativity. “The management of sanitation and human biowaste are key issues of our time,” she said. “More than half of the world’s population does not have access to safe sanitation facilities, including safe drinking water. We hope museum goers leave inspired to take action in their own lives.”
Complementing the exhibition, Ingenium has launched a new mobile app—“Oh Crap! On the Trail of the Golden Poops”—which sends users on a scavenger hunt through the heart of downtown Ottawa, uncovering the surprising and often overlooked history of human waste along the way.