Spring Break 2023

March 11 – 26, 2023 | Drop-in activities at 12:00 pm daily

Join us this Spring Break for a different activity every day, brought to you by volunteers, staff, curators, and special guests!

From identification tips & tricks to art, games, crafts, and hands-on activities, you’ll be a biodiversity pro in no time. Check out the museum calendar for our full Spring Break and daily program schedules.

Meet under the whale at 12:00 pm unless otherwise noted. Some activities may take place outdoors, dress accordingly! The Beaty Biodiversity Museum reserves the right to change or modify programming as needed. Please note that the Beaty Biodiversity Museum is closed on Mondays and statutory holidays.

Activities are open to all ages and are included with membership or museum 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 visit our accessibility page if you have any access questions!

Are you offering a spring break camp? Check out our in-person program options for private, hands-on, biodiversity experiences suitable for your group.

Spring Break will follow all public health orders and UBC guidelines, please click here for the most up-to-date information.


Saturday, March 11, 12:00 – 12:30 pm: Birds on Campus

Have you ever seen or heard birds but weren’t sure what they are and who’s singing those little tunes? Do you want to learn more about the birds and other critters around you? Let’s explore the green space around the museum and meet some new friends. The hummingbirds and sparrows are excited to meet all of you! This activity takes place outside – dress accordingly. Bring binoculars if you have a pair!


Sunday, March 12, 12:00 – 12:30 pm: Biodiversity Trivia Challenge with Button-Making!

Explore the exhibits to write your own biodiversity museum trivia questions to test other visitors. Answer trivia questions from other visitors to win your turn at our button-making machine – create a custom biodiversity badge to wear proudly and take home.


Monday, March 13: museum closed, no session


Tuesday, March 14, 12:00 – 12:30 pm: Meet the (Plant) Press

Scientists press plants the same way you might at home, but they have extra information to support biodiversity science. Join Linda, the Herbarium’s  Collections Curator, to learn about the ways pressed plants are put together for science and art! Meet us in the Discovery Lab


Wednesday, March 15, 12:00 – 12:30 pm: Meet the Penguins

Learn all about penguins with our Tetrapod Collection Curator, Ildiko Szabo. You’ll learn about warm and cold water penguins, and get up close to real penguin specimens under the whale!


Thursday, March 16, 12:00 – 12:30 pm: Window into Underwater Biodiversity

Can you imagine being under the sea peering through the portal of your submarine? What do you think would you see? This activity gives you the opportunity to craft your own ‘window into underwater biodiversity’ to look through and take home. Meet in the Niche Café.


Friday, March 17, 12:00 – 12:30 pm: Mushroom Mural

Learn about all kinds of mushrooms and other fungi. From the edible to the deadly, and from decomposers to parasites, fungi come in many fantastic forms. Take what you learn and make your own mushroom to add to a collaborative mural.


Saturday, March 18, 12:00 – 12:30 pm: Surprise Activity!

Join us for a surprise activity hosted by our museum team!


Sunday, March 19, 12:00 – 12:30 pm: Super Snails 

Have you ever been curious about the wonders of marine snails? In this activity, learn all about the wondrous adaptations of carrier snails and cone snails. You can even take a look at our snail specimens and decorate your own snail craft!


Monday, March 20: museum closed, no session


Tuesday, March 21, 12:00 – 12:30 pm: Adaptation Exploration

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 creature!


Wednesday, March 22, 12:00 – 12:30 pm: Drawing Studio

Get inspired to draw from amazing museum specimens with the help of Derek, the Manager of Exhibitions and the illustrator behind many exhibits in the museum. Art supplies will be available; feel free to bring your sketchbook. Check out our artist policy for information on materials you can bring with you.


Thursday, March 23, 12:00 – 12:30 pm: Create a Museum Label!

Have you ever wanted to add your own stories to exhibits and specimens on display in the museum? With the help of museum staff and volunteers, you’ll get to write, draw, and display your own creations in the museum for everyone to enjoy!


Friday, March 24, 12:00 – 12:30 pm: Pond Poke

Join Karen and Savi from the Spencer Entomological Collection 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.


Saturday, March 25, 12:00 – 12:30 pm: Animal Gliders

Build paper animal gliders! We’ll celebrate the amazing animals that fly or glide and we’ll touch and observe beautiful wing specimens.


Sunday, March 26, 12:00 – 12:30 pm: Microscopic Exploration

Explore the world of all things tiny! We’ll use microscopes and magnifiers to look at amazing tiny creatures that have a big impact. You can even take a closer look at your own clothes and hair. Meet us in the Discovery Lab.