The 2009 - 2010 Education Programs
GET A CLEAR VIEW OF SPACE
The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre allows you and your students to explore the wonders of space like never before. Programming is based on the curriculum organizers in the Ministry of Education's Integrated Resource Packages.
Teachers and pre-service teachers may preview the facility FREE of charge. Please bring your teacher ID or letter of acceptance. Note: Friends and family pay regular admission rates.
School Packages by Grade
For information: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (604) 738-7827 ext 241
Please click here to download a PDF school reservation form.
PLEASE NOTE: PAY PARKING in effect for private vehicles (buses park for free)
6am-6pm | $2/hour (or portion) | $10/day || 6pm-6am | $5 flat fee
Planetarium Show In My Backyard with Fred Penner
This show features renowned Canadian children’s entertainer Fred Penner, as he explores the changes that take place in his backyard and in the sky over the course of a year. Program content includes the seasons, day and night, the planets, and constellations. Words to the songs in the show, are available on our website under Teacher’s Notes. Please note that Fred Penner does not appear live. (35 mins)
Hands on Workshop Suiting up for Space Travel
Pack up your imagination to learn about space travel! What do we need to pack into our Space Ship? Through felt-board discussion and props, this program prepares budding Astronauts for the strange environment of space. They even get to try astronaut ice cream! Workshop outline is available on our website under “Teacher’s Notes.” (45 mins)
A Planetarium Show Only $5.00
B Planetarium Show and Workshop $9.25
Planetarium Show Little Dippers
Discover the night sky with Harold our astronomer. We’ll introduce seasonal and diurnal changes, seasonal constellations and other wonders of the night time sky such as the Big Dipper, Little Dipper and North Star. (30 mins)
Hands on Workshop Secrets of the Sky
Students identify how animals, plants, and humans react to the similarities and differences between day, night, and the seasons. They will also make a sky-inspired take-home craft. (45 mins)
A Planetarium Show $6.00
B Planetarium Show & Workshop $10.25
All costs per child and adult - 1 adult free with every 4 children.
Curriculum-based programming not available for this Grade level.
Planetarium Show
Harold's Solar System
Our Solar System is a marvelous place full of unexpected wonders and surprises. Harold, the Star Projector, features current space imagery to highlight our Sun’s family of planets, the Big Dipper, and the stars and planets visible in the night sky. (35 mins)
Hands on Workshop Solar System Fun
Students will compare planetary orbits and describe the physical characteristics and components of our solar system and build their very own Solar System Headband. Through hands on activities, they will reproduce the phases of the moon, learn how an eclipse is produced and follow the day and night cycle. (60 mins)
GroundStation Canada Theatre
A Day in Space
This live presentation introduces students to the world of the International Space Station where astronauts live and work. Volunteers from the audience help investigate the differences between living and working on Earth versus the microgravity environment of the ISS. (20 mins)
A Planetarium Show & GroundStation Canada Show $10.00
B GroundStation Canada & Workshop $10.25
C Planetarium Show, GroundStation Canada & Workshop $14.00
Hands on Workshop Wacky Weather
Students discover through fun demonstrations that air pressure is an important player in creating wind and weather. Students build a weather instrument to use in class. (60 mins)
GroundStation Canada Theatre
Earth Watch: Our Fragile Planet
We hear Earth is rapidly changing, but how do we monitor those variations? Students will discover how we use satellites to measure changes in Earth’s climate, ecology and water systems and how we use that information to better protect our fragile planet. (20 mins)
A GroundStation Canada & Workshop $10.25
Hands on Workshop Rocket Construction
Students put Newton ’s Laws of Motion in practice by designing, building, and launching bottle rockets. An altitude tracker and calculator are used to measure the height of their rocket flights. Each group is required to supply their own 2 litre plastic pop bottles (one per student pair) and should be prepared to launch rockets outside, rain or shine. (60 mins)
GroundStation Canada Theatre
Rocket Lab
What goes up doesn’t necessarily come down. How do rockets get up there in the first place? Students participate in this live demonstration of the basic principles of Newton’s Laws of Motion and its use in rocketry. (20 mins)
A GroundStation Canada & Workshop $10.25
Planetarium Show
Going to Extremes
Join host Hap Hazard for another round of the game show, Going to Extremes. Learn about extreme environments on Earth and meet Canadians who've been there. Vote on where else in the Solar System you can find crushing pressure, bone-numbing cold, and intense radiation. (35 mins)
Hands on Workshop Rocket Construction
Students put Newton ’s Laws of Motion in practice by designing, building, and launching bottle rockets. An altitude tracker and calculator are used to measure the height of their rocket flights. Each group is required to supply their own 2 litre plastic pop bottles (one per student pair) and should be prepared to launch rockets outside, rain or shine. (60 mins)
GroundStation Canada Theatre
Space is a Dangerous Place
Students participate in demonstrations that highlight the challenges involved in exploring the extreme environment of Space. Topics include radiation, temperature changes, physical obstacles, and the lack of air pressure. (20 mins)
A Planetarium Show & GroundStation Canada $10.00
B Planetarium Show & Workshop $10.25
C Planetarium Show, GroundStation Canada & Workshop $14.25
Planetarium Show
Earth's Crust
Is Earth geologically unique in our Solar System? How has the Earth's surface changed over time and is it still changing? What forces shape our local landscape? Discover answers to these questions and more as you take a virtual field trip from Squamish to the Fraser River delta narrated by local geologist Dr. Bob Turner. (35 mins)
Hands on Workshop Rocks 101
Rocks are everyhwere but we don't spend enough time looking at them and discovering their story. In this one hour workshop students will use observation and questioning techniques to identify local rock samples and to piece together part of the geological story of the lower mainland. (60 mins)
A Planetarium Show & Cosmic Courtyard Exhibit $6.00
B Planetarium Show, Workshop & Cosmic Courtyard Exhibit $10.25
Planetarium Show (Choose 1 of 4 shows)
Nightwatch: The Astronomer's Passion
This historical look at astronomy highlights the relationship between astronomical discoveries and our understanding of the Universe. The show culminates with one of our astronomers describing the Vancouver sky.
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Solar System
What does a solar eclipse look like? What new discoveries are we making about our Solar System? Curious? Our astronomer will introduce you to astronomical phenomena we can see from Earth and take you on an out-of-this-world tour of our Solar System.
Sky Stories: A First Nations Journey
Expand your cultural horizons and experience the night sky through the stories, dances, and cultural practises of the First Nations of BC and the Yukon. Follow the Raven as we fly through time and space to learn about the 13 moons of the Wsanec, experience the Gitksan origin story, and marvel at the beauty and meaning of the northern lights.
Galileo Live!
Journey back 400 years to meet Galileo as he describes how his use of the telescope changed astronomy and our understandings of the Solar System. Note: Galileo does not appear live.
GroundStation Canada Theatre (Choose 1 of 2 shows)
Powering the Future
Power is a critical resource for space exploration because it is required to operate the spacecraft, perform scientific experiments, manage computer data, and allow crews to live comfortably. This live presentation examines renewable and non-renewable methods of producing the power required for space exploration.
Colour of Fire - An Astronomer's Tool
Polaris, our North Star, is made mostly of hydrogen. Ever wonder how astronomers obtain such detailed information about stars, which are so far away? This blazing presentation demonstrates the use of light’s spectrum and how it applies to astronomy.
A Planetarium Show & GroundStation Canada Show $10.00
Coming this Fall
Life Beyond Earth? Lecture Series
Engage in discussions about the possibility of life on other planets.
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Oct 23
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Astrobiology and the Search for Life
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Oct 30
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UFOs and other Unexplained Sky Sightings
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Nov 13
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Exo-Planets and the Search for Earth-like Worlds
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Education Partner
Special at the Planetarium
Johnny Tomorrow takes you on a journey to the stars inside the star theatre, and back in time over the 40 year history of the H.R. Macmillan Planetarium in this Fringe Festival monologue. Read more . . .
Sept 9 - 19, 2010
Thurs-Sat 7pm
Sun Matinee 4pm
Tickets (with Fringe membership) $12
604-257-0350
Tour of the Planetarium
Engineering association tours our Planetarium.
Galileo Planetarium Feature
WINNER
Best Exhibit or Show - Large Institution
2010 CASCADE Award
