These introductory programs focus on how seasonal changes affect living things.  We offer two inquiry-based workshops that can meet your class where they are at in understanding how observations have led to us understanding our planet. Choose a Groundstation Canada Theatre demonstration, a Planetarium show, and a Workshop. 

COSMIC COURTYARD: 

Visit our space-themed, hands-on exhibit space. Students can enjoy a range of activities like Star Stuff, morphing into an alien, touching a Moon rock, trying to lift a meteorite. 

PLANETARIUM SHOW

One Sky Project: Indigenous Astronomy

This collection of three short films made for the One Sky Project features Indigenous perspectives of astronomy, space, time and navigation that have been inspiring minds for millennia.

Thunderbird: The sky is a powerful tool for measuring time, and for the Diné, or Navajo people, the Thunderbird transcends space and time, revealing the passage of seasons and connecting earth and sky.

Celestial Canoe: A First People of what is now northern Canada, the Innu, watched the slow turn of a canoe in the sky   mirroring the change in seasons on land. This celestial canoe guided them through a particularly challenging part of the year.

Hawaiian Wayfinders: Hear from a Hawaiian navigator as she describes how the sky provides a compass and calendar for the oceanic people whose voyages connected islands throughout the Pacific Ocean.

GROUNDSTATION CANADA SHOW

Day in Space 

Introduce your students to the world of the International Space Station (ISS) where astronauts live and work. This live science show addresses the differences between living and working on Earth versus the microgravity environment of the ISS.  What exactly do astronauts do up there? From microgravity experiments to eating and sleeping while floating - find out what it takes to live and work in space 

HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS

Secrets of the Sky

What is light and how do astronomers make use of its properties? Students will experiment with different tools and use observation and questioning skills to develop a better understanding of the properties of light and sources of natural and artificial light. 

• Observable patterns and cycles occur in the local sky and landscape
• Day and Night and how it affects nocturnal or diurnal animals
• Seasons and how sunlight affects living things including ourselves

This Little Light of Mine 

What is light and how do astronomers make use of its properties? Students will experiment with different tools and use observation and questioning skills to develop a better understanding of the properties of light and sources of natural and artificial light. 

• Natural vs artificial light sources, explore observations with flashlights 
• Observable patterns and cycles occur in the local sky and landscape 
• Natural Light provides us with day and night, and helps plants grow 

PROGRAM OPTIONS

(Times below include a lunch break)

Program A: Planetarium Show, GroundStation Canada, Workshop & Cosmic Courtyard exhibit space $25.40

• Indigenous Astronomy (Planetarium)
• Day in Space (GroundStation Canada)
• Secrets of the Sky or This Little Light of Mine (Workshop)
  (approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes)

Program B: Planetarium Show, Workshop & Cosmic Courtyard exhibit space $19.25

• Indigenous Astronomy (Planetarium)
• Secrets of the Sky or This Little Light of Mine (Workshop)
  (approximately 3 hours)

Program C: Planetarium Show, GroundStation Canada & Cosmic Courtyard exhibit space $17.70

• Indigenous Astronomy (Planetarium)
• Day in Space (GroundStation Canada)
  (approximately 2 hours 30 minutes)

Program D: Planetarium Show & Cosmic Courtyard exhibit space $11.65

• Indigenous Astronomy (Planetarium)
  (approximately 2 hours) 

What an exciting time to explore the wider world when students are making connections between themselves and the spaces surrounding them.  We offer a choice of 3 exciting hands-on workshops and can match it with Groundstation Canada Theatre shows and our starry Planetarium for a memorable day of expanded learning. 

COSMIC COURTYARD: 

Visit our space-themed, hands-on exhibit space. Students can enjoy a range of activities like morphing themselves into an alien, touching a Moon rock, trying to lift a meteorite and building a Mars rover.   

PLANETARIUM SHOW

• One Sky Project: Indigenous Astronomy

This collection of three short films made for the One Sky Project features Indigenous perspectives of astronomy, space, time and navigation that have been inspiring minds for millennia.

Thunderbird: The sky is a powerful tool for measuring time, and for the Diné, or Navajo people, the Thunderbird transcends space and time, revealing the passage of seasons and connecting earth and sky.

Celestial Canoe: A First People of what is now northern Canada, the Innu, watched the slow turn of a canoe in the sky   mirroring the change in seasons on land. This celestial canoe guided them through a particularly challenging part of the year.

Hawaiian Wayfinders: Hear from a Hawaiian navigator as she describes how the sky provides a compass and calendar for the oceanic people whose voyages connected islands throughout the Pacific Ocean.

• One Sky Project: Dreams of the Stars

This collection of three short films made for the One Sky Project features Greek,   Indian and Japanese perspectives of astronomy, history and mythology and how different   cultures looking up into the night sky see different stories in the stars and new   ways to study them.

The Forge of Artemis: In ancient Greece, Orion was a mighty but not particularly   popular hunter, but his constellation shines brightly a familiar shape to people   around the world. Why did the goddess Artemis immortalize him in the sky?

The Samurai and the Stars: For many, the stars offer solace and comfort.   For our Japanese narrator, images in the sky even the colors of the stars bring   back memories of music, history, and childhood.

Jai Singh s Dream: Amid the political chaos of 18th-century India, a   great ruler brought the order of the skies down to earth. His giant instruments   allowed for precise measurements of stars, planets, and the passage of time and   his observatories still stand today!

• Big Astronomy

People, Places, Discoveries explores three observatories located in Chile, at extreme and remote places. With its high, dry, and dark sites, Chile is one of the best places in the world for observational astronomy. The show gives examples of the multitude of STEM careers needed to keep the great observatories working, giving us new views of the universe and new data for astronomical science! The show is narrated by Barbara Rojas-Ayala, a Chilean astronomer.

• Worlds of Ice

Worlds of Ice invites us on a journey to the farthest reaches of the solar system, travelling through the many dimensions of ice—from the territories of the Arctic to a scientific complex nestled under the South Pole. We experience it all immersed in a kaleidoscopic igloo from which we emerge utterly dazzled by the chronicles of an icy wonderland, to which Beatrice Deer, a popular figure of Inuit culture, has lent her unique voice.

GROUNDSTATION CANADA SHOWS

• Planet Hunters

  Astronomers use their understanding of the relative position between a star and its planets to find planets beyond our solar system. Discover more about the planet hunting techniques astronomers use on their quest to find signs of life in the universe.

• 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.

• Cosmic Glue
  

  Hold onto your seats! We'll be discussing Newton's and Einstein's perspectives on gravity and how astronomers use gravity to study the universe.

• Space is a Dangerous Place
  

  Space has many hazards. From wild temperature swings to speeding micrometeorites, humans have had to face many challenges. Learn about how space is a dangerous place and how scientists, engineers, and astronauts deal with these many risks.

• ROCK STARS - COMING SOON

  Get curious about the different types of rocks on Earth, asteroids, and meteors! How does the periodic table of elements combine to create the stones on Earth’s crust? How do stars explode and create the ingredients that make up our own lifeforms? 

HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS

• Moon in Motion

  How does a better understanding of the Moon help fuel exploration? Students will learn about the relationship between the Earth, Sun and Moon, including Moon phases and tides and of the challenges humans would face living in a lunar environment.

• Space Launch Challenge

  What do scientists and engineers do to make their ideas a reality? They use their knowledge of scientific concepts and rigorous experimentation. In this workshop, students will apply basic concepts of physics to design, prototype and launch a simple rocket.
  NOTE: Students will work together in groups of three and each group is required to supply their own 2-litre plastic pop bottles.

• Extremophiles 

  Does life exist beyond our solar system? By applying an understanding of the extremes that life on Earth can endure and the work of scientists searching for exoplanets (planets beyond our solar system), students will develop their own conclusions on whether alien life exists somewhere in the galaxy and what it might look like.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

(Times below include a lunch break)

Program A: Planetarium Show, GroundStation Canada, Workshop & Cosmic Courtyard exhibit space $25.40

• Indigenous Astronomy or Dreams of Stars or Big Astronomy or Worlds of Ice (Planetarium)
• Planet Hunters or Rocket Lab or Cosmic Glue or Space is a Dangerous Place (GroundStation Canada)
• Moon in Motion or Extremophiles or Space Launch Challenge (Workshop)
  (approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes)

Program B: Planetarium Show, Workshop & Cosmic Courtyard exhibit space $19.25

• Indigenous Astronomy or Dreams of Stars or Big Astronomy or Worlds of Ice (Planetarium)
• Moon in Motion or Extremophiles or Space Launch Challenge (Workshop)
  (approximately 3 hours)

Program C: Planetarium Show, GroundStation Canada & Cosmic Courtyard exhibit space $17.70

• Indigenous Astronomy or Dreams of Stars or Big Astronomy or Worlds of Ice (Planetarium)
• Planet Hunters or Rocket Lab or Cosmic Glue or Space is a Dangerous Place (GroundStation Canada)

(approximately 2 hours 30 minutes)

Program D: Planetarium Show & Cosmic Courtyard exhibit space $11.65

• Indigenous Astronomy or Dreams of Stars or Big Astronomy or Worlds of Ice (Planetarium)
  (approximately 2 hours) 

Physics, biology, chemistry, and life sciences all have a place in space! We can build an engaging day using the variety of learning spaces that will provide a rich experience for secondary students. Our education team can provide science demonstrations, workshops, and planetarium shows that will enhance your classroom goals. 

COSMIC COURTYARD: 

Visit our space-themed, hands-on exhibit space. Students can enjoy a range of activities like morphing themselves into an alien, touching a Moon rock, trying to lift a meteorite, and building a Mars rover.   

PLANETARIUM SHOWS

• Phantom of the Universe: The Hunt for Dark Matter

Discover more about dark matter, from the Big Bang, to the theorizing of dark matter’s existence, to its anticipated discovery at the Large Hadron Collider. Finally, learn about the role of scientists associated with Vancouver-based TRIUMF in current scientific break-throughs.

• One Sky Project: Indigenous Astronomy

This collection of three short films made for the One Sky Project features Indigenous perspectives of astronomy, space, time and navigation that have been inspiring minds for millennia.

Thunderbird: The sky is a powerful tool for measuring time, and for the Diné, or Navajo people, the Thunderbird transcends space and time, revealing the passage of seasons and connecting earth and sky.

Celestial Canoe: A First People of what is now northern Canada, the Innu, watched the slow turn of a canoe in the sky   mirroring the change in seasons on land. This celestial canoe guided them through a particularly challenging part of the year.

Hawaiian Wayfinders: Hear from a Hawaiian navigator as she describes how the sky provides a compass and calendar for the oceanic people whose voyages connected islands throughout the Pacific Ocean.

• One Sky Project: Dreams of the Stars

This collection of three short films made for the One Sky Project features Greek,   Indian and Japanese perspectives of astronomy, history and mythology and how different   cultures looking up into the night sky see different stories in the stars and new   ways to study them.

The Forge of Artemis: In ancient Greece, Orion was a mighty but not particularly   popular hunter, but his constellation shines brightly a familiar shape to people   around the world. Why did the goddess Artemis immortalize him in the sky?

The Samurai and the Stars: For many, the stars offer solace and comfort.   For our Japanese narrator, images in the sky even the colors of the stars bring   back memories of music, history, and childhood.

Jai Singh s Dream: Amid the political chaos of 18th-century India, a   great ruler brought the order of the skies down to earth. His giant instruments   allowed for precise measurements of stars, planets, and the passage of time and   his observatories still stand today!

• Big Astronomy

People, Places, Discoveries explores three observatories located in Chile, at extreme and remote places. With its high, dry, and dark sites, Chile is one of the best places in the world for observational astronomy. The show gives examples of the multitude of STEM careers needed to keep the great observatories working, giving us new views of the universe and new data for astronomical science! The show is narrated by Barbara Rojas-Ayala, a Chilean astronomer.

• Worlds of Ice

Worlds of Ice invites us on a journey to the farthest reaches of the solar system, travelling through the many dimensions of ice—from the territories of the Arctic to a scientific complex nestled under the South Pole. We experience it all immersed in a kaleidoscopic igloo from which we emerge utterly dazzled by the chronicles of an icy wonderland, to which Beatrice Deer, a popular figure of Inuit culture, has lent her unique voice.

GROUNDSTATION CANADA SHOWS

• Planet Hunters

Discover more about planet hunting techniques astronomers use and their quest to find signs of life in the universe.

• Colour of Fire

Polaris, our North Star, is made mostly of hydrogen. Have you ever wondered how astronomers obtain such detailed information about stars which are so far away? This blazing 20-minute presentation demonstrates the use of spectroscopy and how it applies to astronomy. 

• Cosmic Glue

Hold onto your seats! We'll discuss Newton's and Einstein's perspectives on gravity and how astronomers use gravity to study the universe. 

• Space is a Dangerous Place

Space has many hazards. From wild temperature swings to speeding micrometeorites, humans have had to face many challenges. Learn about how space is a dangerous place and how scientists, engineers, and astronauts deal with these many risks.

HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS

• Constellation Storytelling

Create your own myth and constellation story. In this interactive workshop, students will learn how to apply their knowledge of the story in the stars by creating their own constellation myth.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

(Times below include a lunch break.)

Program A: Two Planetarium Shows, GroundStation Canada & Cosmic Courtyard exhibit space $27.90

• Pick Two: Indigenous Astronomy or Dreams of Stars or Big Astronomy or Phantom of the Universe (Planetarium)
• Cosmic Glue or Planet Hunters or Colour of Fire or Space is a Dangerous Place (GroundStation Canada)
• Cosmic Courtyard exhibit space
  (approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes)

Program B: Planetarium Show, GroundStation Canada, Workshop & Cosmic Courtyard exhibit space $25.40

• Indigenous Astronomy or Dreams of Stars or Big Astronomy or Phantom of the Universe (Planetarium)
• Planet Hunters or Rocket Lab or Colour of Fire or Space is a Dangerous Place (GroundStation Canada)
• Constellation Story telling (Workshop)
  (approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes)

Program C: Planetarium Show, Two GroundStation Canada & Cosmic Courtyard exhibit space​ $24.40

• Indigenous Astronomy or Dreams of Stars or Big Astronomy or Phantom of the Universe (Planetarium)
• Pick Two: Cosmic Glue, Planet Hunters or Colour of Fire or Space is Dangerous Place (GroundStation Canada)
• Cosmic Courtyard exhibit space
  (approximately 3 hours) 

Program D: Planetarium Show, Workshop & Cosmic Courtyard exhibit space $19.25

• Indigenous Astronomy or Dreams of Stars or Big Astronomy or Phantom of the Universe (Planetarium)
• Constellation Story Telling (Workshop)(approximately 3 hours)

Program E: Planetarium Show, GroundStation Canada & Cosmic Courtyard exhibit space $17.70

• Indigenous Astronomy or Dreams of Stars or Big Astronomy or Phantom of the Universe (Planetarium)
• Cosmic Glue or Planet Hunters or Colour of Fire or Space in Dangerous Place (GroundStation Canada)
• Cosmic Courtyard exhibit space
  (approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes)