March 17 – April 1
During Spring Break, join the Beaty Biodiversity Museum every day at 12:00 pm for a different hands-on activity, brought to you by volunteers, staff, curators, and special guests! Meet new friends while exploring different aspects of the biodiversity around us. From identifying incredible insects, to art, games, crafts, and hands-on activities, you’ll be a biodiversity pro in no time.
All activities are open to all ages and are included with membership or admission on a drop-in basis, unless otherwise noted. Children under the age of 13 must have adult supervision in the museum at all times. Please call us for more information at 604-827-4955; press 0 to connect to staff.
Are you offering a spring break camp? Check out our children’s program options for private, hands-on, biodiversity experiences suitable for your group
Meet under the whale at 12:00 pm unless otherwise noted. The Beaty Biodiversity Museum reserves the right to change or modify programming as needed. The Beaty Biodiversity Museum is closed on Mondays and statutory holidays.
Saturday, March 17: Animal Gliders | 12:00 – 12:30 pm
An amazing variety of animals have evolved the ability to glide. Swoop on over to the museum to check out real specimens, learn about some gliding animals, and pick your favourites to create a simple craft to take home.
Sunday, March 18: Do Dinosaurs Still Exist? | 12:00 – 12:30 pm
Have dinosaurs really gone extinct, or do some still exist? Let’s learn about the only living group of dinosaurs that exists today, and how dinosaurs transformed into the diverse, flying animals we call birds!
Monday, March 19: museum closed, no session
Tuesday, March 20: Penguins for Kids | 12:00 – 12:30 pm
Learn all about penguins with our Tetrapod Assistant Curator, Ildiko Szabo. In this mini-lecture designed for families, you’ll learn about warm and cold water penguins, and get up close to real penguin specimens.
This activity takes place in the theatre.
Wednesday, March 21: Window into Biodiversity | 12:00 – 12:30 pm
Can you imagine being under the sea peering through the portal of your submarine? Or do you picture yourself on dry land looking at lions through the window of a jeep? Whatever your favourite ecosystem, this activity gives you the opportunity to craft your own ‘window into biodiversity’ to look through and take home.
Thursday, March 22: Pressing Plants | 12:00 – 12:30 pm
If cared for, a plant specimen can last hundreds of years in a museum. But how is this done? Learn how to collect and press plants for art and science with Linda Jennings, the Herbarium’s Assistant Curator of Vascular Plants & Algae.
This activity takes place in the Niche Café and outside – dress accordingly!
Friday, March 23: Open Studio | 12:00 – 12:30 pm
Get inspired to draw from amazing museum specimens with the help of Derek Tan, our Digital Media Specialist and the illustrator behind many exhibits in the museum. Art supplies will be available; feel free to bring your sketchbook.
Saturday, March 24: Planet Science | 12:00 – 12:30 pm
Join our friends from the Pacific Museum of Earth to get hands on and learn more about the wonders of crater formation on Planet Mars!
Sunday, March 25: Comparing Giants | 12:00 – 12:30 pm
The Blue Whale or a dinosaur – who is the longest? Who is the largest? Find out with a hands-on activity whereby you can compare the length and mass of the Blue Whale with that of five very cool dinosaurs.
Monday, March 26: museum closed, no session
Tuesday, March 27: Museum Exhibits Takeover! | 12:00 – 12:30 pm
Have you ever wanted to add your own stories to exhibits and specimens on display in the museum? Today, you’ll get to write and display your own creations in the museum for everyone to enjoy.
Wednesday, March 28: Pond Poke | 12:00 – 12:30 pm
Join our Entomology Assistant Curator, Karen Needham, for a springtime pond poke! Peer beneath the water’s surface and discover the fascinating creatures living in the Beaty Museum’s water features.
This activity takes place outside – dress accordingly!
Thursday, March 29: Stress on the Seashore | 12:00 – 12:30 pm
Come learn about the uniquely challenging conditions of the seashore and some of the amazing adaptations of seaweeds and bivalves inhabiting it!
Friday, March 30: Good Friday, museum closed, no session
Saturday, March 31: Urban Animals | 12:00 – 12:30 pm
You may recognize many of the animals that live alongside humans in urban environments, but some of these familiar creatures are relatively new to the area. Join us to get close to common and familiar animals in British Columbia, and learn if they are native or introduced.
Sunday, April 1: Nature Club Family Days | 10:30 am – 1:00 pm
Drop in between 10:30 am – 1:00 pm the first Sunday of the month to enjoy a special activity for families plus all of our regular museum programming, Raising Big Blue movie, museum tours, and more! Stay for our Way Cool talk at 1pm!