Spring Break 2019

March 16 – March 31
Spring Break

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.

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 16Focus on Colour | 12:00 – 12:30 pm

Curious about colour? From vibrant butterflies to beautiful flowers, learn how animals and plants get their colours in nature and why these colours are important. Get up close with specimens, make a craft, and participate in a colour scavenger hunt in the museum.


Sunday, March 17: Talkative Trees | 12:00 – 12:30 pm

Did you know trees and other plants are actually very chatty? They are actually able to communicate with each other through a network similar to our Internet today! Come and craft your very own forest ecosystem and learn about how trees and mushrooms work together to create a massive “wood wide web”.


Monday, March 18: museum closed, no session


Tuesday, March 19: Terrific Tectonics | 12:00 – 12:30 pm

How concrete is our planet? Do we live on a solid rock hurtling through space, or is it more of a delicate balance of pressure and gravity that make our home? Learn what happens when that balance is interrupted, and the consequences of that disruption. Presented in conjunction with the Pacific Museum of Earth.


Wednesday, March 20: 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.


Thursday, March 21: Littlest to Largest | 12:00 – 12:30 pm

How can microscopic phytoplankton affect a blue whale? Learn about complex marine ecosystems and the impacts of climate change on today’s oceans.


Friday, March 22: Sustainability Superheros | 12:00 – 12:30 pm

Participants will create their own sustainability challenge journal to lead up to Earth Day on April 22. Learn tips and tricks to help you conserve resources and learn about local organisms.


Saturday, March 23: Pond Poke | 12:00 – 12:30 pm

Join our Entomology Collections 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!


Sunday, March 24: Adaptation Exploration | 12:00 – 12:30 pm

Ever wondered why animals have such different body parts? Shells, wings, teeth, and more are all adaptations that help them to survive. Learn about some fascinating animal adaptations and combine your favourites to make your own super adapted creature!


Monday, March 25: museum closed, no session


Tuesday, March 26: 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 27: Plankton | 12:00 – 12:30 pm

Why and how are the tiny, beautiful planktonic creatures in our oceans so important for our survival? Let’s discuss the potential complications on these creatures when considering global climate change.


Thursday, March 28: Pressing Plants | 12:00 – 12:30 pm

Join the Herbarium’s Collections Curator, Linda Jennings, and learn how to press plants for science and art! While pressing plant specimens, learn how to collect, ID and make your own plant collection.

This activity takes place in the Niche Café and may go outside – dress accordingly!


Friday, March 29: Penguins for Kids | 12:00 – 12:30 pm

Learn all about penguins with our Tetrapod Collections 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.


Saturday, March 30: Crafty Cats | 12:00 – 12:30 pm

Big cats and our little house cats share many traits.  Examine a variety of feline specimens and create a wearable cat pin to show off our love for these amazing predators.


Sunday, March 31: DNA Demystified | 12:00 – 12:30 pm

Can you see DNA without a microscope? Extract DNA from fruit using just a few household items! Get to know DNA structure with a K’NEX model and learn how biodiversity researchers sequence DNA to help understand relationships between living things. Arrive at noon sharp to participate.