Spring into Space – More learning, more fun, all through Spring Break!

Nowruz & Spring Equinox
12:00 to 4:00pm

Learn about this history and significance of the ancient Persian tradition along with the interactive activities and a Planetarium show.

Augmented Reality Experience
10:00am to 5:00pm

Step inside the Solar System with an immersive augmented reality experience at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. Presented by Immersi Learn, this instructor-led program transforms the room into a shared space environment where planets, moons, and cosmic phenomena appear around you at incredible scale.

Participants wear lightweight AR headsets that overlay digital content onto the real world, allowing them to see the environment, their classmates, and the presenter while exploring detailed 3D models together. Guided by a live instructor, the group journeys through four themed modules: Rocky Worlds, Tides, Gas and Ice Giants, and Seasons. Watch planets rotate, moons orbit, and gravitational forces unfold as you walk around the models and observe them from every angle.

Each session includes 15–30 minutes of guided AR exploration, followed by a live Q&A. Designed for groups of up to 15 participants, the experience is suitable for ages 7 and up.

This isn’t a video or a screen, It’s a chance to physically explore space as if it were right in front of you, bringing astronomy concepts to life in an unforgettable way! Don't miss it!

Listen to Alexander de Graaf talk about the social aspects of living on Mars and watch a Planetarium show where our Interpreters take you on an exploratory journey to Mars.

The Mars Generation: Now - A presentation by Alexander de Graaf

The Mars Generation: Now is a presentation that highlights why engaging youth is essential for the future of space exploration. As humanity moves closer to Mars exploration and beyond, it is crucial to inspire and empower young minds to shape this journey. This presentation outlines a three-step process for fostering involvement:

• Introduction – The first step is building awareness and understanding of space exploration’s significance.
• Interest – The next step, sparking curiosity by connecting space exploration to science, technology, and personal passions.
• Inclusion – The final step, broadening programs and opportunities to ensure all young people can engage, contribute, and see themselves as part of this vision.

By guiding youth through these steps, we can create a foundation for long-term engagement. The future of space exploration depends on those who will carry it forward. Involving young minds early ensures that tomorrow’s discoveries reflect their creativity, ambition, and leadership. Space exploration is not just a distant dream - it must be an accessible, inclusive, and a shared vision for all.

About the Speaker: Alexander is a Canadian Grade 8 student from Vancouver, BC with a strong interest in science, technology, history, and languages. He speaks two languages fluently—English and Russian—and is currently learning his third, French. Alexander has presented at two of the last three Mars Society Conferences he attended (Phoenix 2023, Seattle 2024, and Los Angeles 2025). He was recently appointed the youngest Ambassador of the Mars Society. In 2025, he was interviewed by Planetary Society’s Planetary Radio and by The New York Times about his passion for space exploration. He also attended the 2025 Humanoid Robotics Forum hosted by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), where he was interviewed for U.S. National STEM Day. Outside of his academic interests, Alexander plays ice hockey as a goalie, holds a green belt in karate, and enjoys cooking as a serious hobby.

Planetarium Show: Surfing the Solar System

See the solar system as you’ve never seen it before – leave Earth behind to tour some of the most intriguing destinations in our solar system and find out more about some of the latest discoveries about our neighbouring planets.

Purchase tickets at front desk or visit the link below. Members walk-in free!

Alcohol Ink Art Workshop
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a creative cosmic twist at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre! In partnership with Art Vancouver, this family-friendly Alcohol Ink Art Workshop invites kids and families to explore the beauty of space through vibrant, flowing colours under the theme “Paint the Universe Green.”

Using alcohol inks, participants will create stunning space-inspired artwork featuring swirling galaxies, glowing planets, and nebula-like patterns, with a touch of St. Patrick’s Day green. Guided by experienced instructors, this hands-on workshop introduces simple techniques that allow artists of all skill levels to experiment and create their own unique cosmic masterpiece.

At the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, we believe that the wonder of space should be accessible to everyone. Guided by our motto, “Learning Beyond Frontiers,” we strive to break down barriers and create opportunities for all visitors to explore, discover, and be inspired. Join us for a special day designed to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for visitors of all abilities. Through sensory-friendly experiences, accessible programming, and hands-on activities, this event ensures that everyone can explore the universe in ways that work best for them.

Companion Support
To ensure a welcoming experience for everyone, visitors with special needs are invited to bring an aid attendant at no extra charge. This allows individuals to fully enjoy exhibits, activities, and shows with the support they need.

If you have any other accessibility needs, please reach out to us on info@spacecentre.ca and we will do our best to accommodate them. Events like these are part of our ongoing commitment to making the Space Centre a place where everyone can feel welcome, curious, and inspired. Whether you’re exploring the night sky through sound, building rockets, or enjoying a sensory-friendly environment, this day is all about ensuring that the wonders of space are open to all.

Step inside the Solar System with an immersive augmented reality experience at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. Presented by Immersi Learn, this instructor-led program transforms the room into a shared space environment where planets, moons, and cosmic phenomena appear around you at incredible scale.

Participants wear lightweight AR headsets that overlay digital content onto the real world, allowing them to see the environment, their classmates, and the presenter while exploring detailed 3D models together. Guided by a live instructor, the group journeys through four themed modules: Rocky Worlds, Tides, Gas and Ice Giants, and Seasons. Watch planets rotate, moons orbit, and gravitational forces unfold as you walk around the models and observe them from every angle.

Each session includes 15–30 minutes of guided AR exploration, followed by a live Q&A. Designed for groups of up to 15 participants, the experience is suitable for ages 7 and up.

This isn’t a video or a screen—it’s a chance to physically explore space as if it were right in front of you, bringing astronomy concepts to life in an unforgettable way! Don't miss it!

Spend an afternoon exploring what it might take to live and build on the Moon through a series of engaging talks, demonstrations, and youth-led design activities at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre.

Led by a team of aspiring architects and designers, Young Architects for Change empowers youth to use architecture and creative thinking to solve real-world challenges and imagine the cities of tomorrow—on Earth and beyond.

Interactive Coding for Kids
11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Code Ninjas Richmond is a fun and engaging coding program where kids ages 7–14 learn to code by building their own video games. Instead of just playing games, students become creators, designing characters, solving challenges, and bringing their ideas to life through coding. Their curriculum is designed to grow with each child, helping them develop real-world technology skills that prepare them for an ever-changing digital future. Along the way, kids strengthen problem-solving abilities, build discipline and focus, and gain confidence as they work through increasingly exciting projects. Just as important, they make new friends in a positive, supportive environment that feels more like a community than a classroom. At Code Ninjas Richmond, learning to code isn’t just educational, it’s an adventure that empowers kids to think creatively, work collaboratively, and build skills that will benefit them for years to come.

Check out Code Ninjas on Instagram!

Step inside the Solar System with an immersive augmented reality experience at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. Presented by Immersi Learn, this instructor-led program transforms the room into a shared space environment where planets, moons, and cosmic phenomena appear around you at incredible scale.

Participants wear lightweight AR headsets that overlay digital content onto the real world, allowing them to see the environment, their classmates, and the presenter while exploring detailed 3D models together. Guided by a live instructor, the group journeys through four themed modules: Rocky Worlds, Tides, Gas and Ice Giants, and Seasons. Watch planets rotate, moons orbit, and gravitational forces unfold as you walk around the models and observe them from every angle.

Each session includes 15–30 minutes of guided AR exploration, followed by a live Q&A. Designed for groups of up to 15 participants, the experience is suitable for ages 7 and up.

This isn’t a video or a screen. It’s a chance to physically explore space as if it were right in front of you, bringing astronomy concepts to life in an unforgettable way! Don't miss it!

Canada Youth Robotics Club
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Explore the exciting world of robotics and artificial intelligence with Canada Youth Robotics during this special hands-on experience at the Space Centre. Visitors of all ages are invited to drop in, experiment, and discover how emerging technologies are shaping the future.

Highlights include:

• Hands-on robot demonstrations where visitors can see small robots in action and try controlling them themselves.
• Mini drone and unmanned vehicle showcases, offering a close-up look at how these technologies move and operate.
• AI-powered interactive games that demonstrate how artificial intelligence can be used in fun and creative ways.
• Creative experimentation, where participants can suggest new challenges, test different robot behaviours, and add their own twists to the activities.
• Family-friendly drop-in format, allowing visitors to participate for a few minutes or stay longer while exploring robotics and AI.

This engaging experience is designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and excitement about the technologies shaping our future.

Purchase tickets at front desk or click below!

Watch this space for exciting information on March topic and speaker!

Step inside the Solar System with an immersive augmented reality experience at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. Presented by Immersi Learn, this instructor-led program transforms the room into a shared space environment where planets, moons, and cosmic phenomena appear around you at incredible scale.

Participants wear lightweight AR headsets that overlay digital content onto the real world, allowing them to see the environment, their classmates, and the presenter while exploring detailed 3D models together. Guided by a live instructor, the group journeys through four themed modules: Rocky Worlds, Tides, Gas and Ice Giants, and Seasons. Watch planets rotate, moons orbit, and gravitational forces unfold as you walk around the models and observe them from every angle.

Each session includes 15–30 minutes of guided AR exploration, followed by a live Q&A. Designed for groups of up to 15 participants, the experience is suitable for ages 7 and up.

This isn’t a video or a screen. It’s a chance to physically explore space as if it were right in front of you, bringing astronomy concepts to life in an unforgettable way! Don't miss it!