The University of British Columbia

Explore UBC’s impressive and extensive collection of over two million natural history specimens with a field trip to the Beaty Biodiversity Museum. Give your students an unforgettable hands-on experience with real museum specimens, increase their awareness of biodiversity, ecology and conservation. Your students will have an unforgettable experience that will last a lifetime.

Biodiversity Educational Programs

The Beaty Biodiversity Museum offers meaningful educational opportunities designed to complement the BC curriculum. Field trips are available to students from preschool through secondary school, and offer hands-on experiences with real museum specimens, to increase students' awareness of biodiversity, evolution, ecology, and conservation. All our lessons focus on conveying the importance of biodiversity and its fate, which is in our hands. See a list of our offerings below. Click here for a printable version.

The art of nature (k-7) –  1-2 hours depending on age
Students explore the biodiversity of life through a practical, hands-on, art exploration. Students will look at, talk about and make art representations of museum specimens, focusing on the visual elements of colour, line, shape, pattern and symmetry. Students will create a nature journal that they keep. $7/participant.
 
Beasts big and small  (k-2) – 1 hour
Students explore the concept of biodiversity by comparing and contrasting museum specimens. Using their senses to make observations, they will begin to classify familiar animals according to similarities and differences in appearance, behaviour and life cycles.  Students will examine a variety of specimens, including insects and birds, and use their bodies to represent the size of a whale. $7/participant.
 
One life to live (grade 3-7) – 1.5 Hours
Students will explore biodiversity and the interconnectedness of life by comparing structures and behaviours of local animals and plants in different habitats and communities. Students will participate in hands on activities and use museum specimens to learn about adaptations and taxonomy. $7/participant.

Self-Guided Visits

If you would like to create your own museum experience and bring your class for a self-guided visit to the Beaty Biodiversity Museum ($6/participant), please contact: bookings@beatymuseum.ubc.ca.

Book a Field Trip or Self Guided Tour

Booking request form

Lessons are $7 per student, with a minimum charge of 15 students. This includes cost of admission to the museum, and one supervisor for every 10 students is admitted for free. Payment will be required upon arrival. Memberships do not apply to participating students in school programs. They do apply to any supervisors accompanying the group.

To register your class with one of our instructors select your museum experience and fill in a booking request form. Call us at 604.827.4955 or contact bookings@beatymuseum.ubc.ca if you have any questions about the booking process.

Other Info for Teachers

Getting Here

Public Transportation - UBC is easy to get to on transit (take any bus headed for UBC, these include the 43, 44, 84, 99, and 480), and we're a short walk from the bus loops (see map above and watch our video).

By School Bus - we have a passenger drop-off accessed from East Mall via Biological Sciences Road. Please see directions above.

Additional Resources - Printable Map  and link to UBC Wayfinding website.

What to Expect

School children attending a Beaty-led lesson are to enter the museum by the main Museum entrance. Upon arrival, please register your group at the Reception Desk.

There is an outdoor area where students can eat their lunch. Bookings could be made for an indoor lunch, but must be arranged prior to your arrival to the museum. Food and drinks may be available for purchase on site in the Niche Café (limited capacity), located on the south side of the Djavad Mowafaghian Atrium overlooking Fairview Grove.

Policies

Rules of Conduct: For the safety and enjoyment of all visitors, each supervisor is responsible for the appropriate behaviour of his/her group. Supervisors must remain with students of all ages at all times and the student/supervisor ratio must meet your school or Board’s guidelines for out-of-classroom visits. Before your visit, familiarize your students and supervisors with the content of the Rules of Conduct. Groups who fail to respect the rules of conduct will be asked to leave.

Reservation Changes and Cancellations: Changes to reservations without written notice of at least 10 business days prior to your scheduled visit cannot be accommodated. Cancellations without written notice of at least 10 business days will result in a cancellation fee equivalent to 15 student minimum charge. Inclement weather is exempt.

Belongings: A limited number of coat racks are available to school groups for storing jackets, backpacks, lunches, etc. These are not secure and visitors are encouraged to leave valuables at home. The Beaty Biodiversity Museum is not responsible for lost belongings.

Educator Resources

Get your students excited about biodiversity with some of our museum-developed educator resources. These include web-links, colouring pages, and more!

Teachers visit free!

Looking for your next field trip location? Teachers are invited to learn about the Beaty Biodiversity Museum with a free visit to the museum. Teachers are invited to come and visit the museum with one complimentarty guest before January 2012. On your visit you'll be invited to leave your contact information to notified of new programs and teacher viewing nights. Please bring identification showing you are a teacher. You can also sign up to be on our teacher mailing list by emailing bookings@beatymuseum.ubc.ca and indicating you are a teacher.

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