Teachers Page

As an educator, how can you help facilitate student learning at the museum?

The museum contains a wide variety of specimens and information, which can be catered to learners of all ages. We offer onsite and online tours of the museum free of charge for groups of teachers. We hope that a tour of the museum will help you feel comfortable in the space for any of your future visits with your classroom!

At the Museum

60-minute Museum Tour

    • Appropriate for teachers of all grades and ages, this is your chance to learn something new at the Beaty Museum! Our interpreters will draw on their experiences of leading our school programs and take you on a guided tour of the collections, focusing on a topic of their choice.
    • Expect a wide variety of stories that may include museum history, evolution, ecology, local diversity, biodiversity basics, and UBC Biodiversity Research. After a guided walk through the collections, your group will spend time getting hands-on with real museum specimens in the Discovery Lab
    • This tour is appropriate for educators looking for a group outing or professional development day. Use our online booking form (link to program booking form) to request a date and time for a Museum Tour for your group of teachers. Please make a note in the special discount text box, that this is a ‘Tour for Teachers’ to ensure your booking is free of charge.

Join us Online

60-minute Online Museum Tour

  • Join us online to virtually explore the six collections that make up the museum: Tetrapods, Marine Invertebrates, Herbarium, Entomology, Fish, and Fossils. Our interpreters will draw on their experiences of leading our school programs sharing stories about BC species, biodiversity research, and different specimens in the collection and how they relate to each other.
  • This introductory online tour will teach you about some of the different specimens in the collection, and showcase some of our Museum Interpreters’ favourite specimens and stories. After a virtual tour, you will have time to ask questions.
  • See booking information webpage for more details on costs, technology requirements, platforms and security
  • This online tour is appropriate for educators looking for a group outing or professional development day. Use our online booking form (link to program booking form) to request a date and time for an Online Museum Tour for your group of teachers.  Please make a note in the special discount text box, that this is an ‘Online Tour for Teachers’ to ensure your booking is free of charge.

FREE General Admission for Teachers

Receive complimentary admission during regular museum hours for you and one guest when you show ID from your school, or proof of membership with a teachers association, such as BCTF or an accredited home earner association. We suggest visiting prior to your field trip to become familiar with our space and specimens.

Join our Educator Mailing List

Be among the first to learn about new tours, programs and classroom resources. Click here to read more and sign-up.

Prepare for Your Visit

Accessibility at the Beaty Museum
Find specific accessibility details here: https://beatymuseum.ubc.ca/visit/about/accessibility/

Art at the Museum
Art is welcome and encouraged at the museum! Learn about what you can bring for your visit here: https://beatymuseum.ubc.ca/get-involved/artists-in-the-museum/

Audio Tour
Use our free audio tour at the museum to learn more about our six collections. Bring your own device, headphones, and connect to UBC Visitor WiFi.

Indigenous Initiatives at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum
Read more about our past, current, and future work: https://beatymuseum.ubc.ca/visit/about/indigenous-initiatives-at-the-beaty-biodiversity-museum/

Museum Events Calendar
All public activities are listed on our museum calendar: https://beatymuseum.ubc.ca/visit/calendar/
Please note all events are subject to change, please call to confirm the day of your visit or inquire at the front desk when you arrive.

Social or Visual Story
The Beaty Biodiversity Museum has a visual story for visitors to use before and during their visit to the museum. The visual story guides you through what to expect at the museum, it includes both text and images. The story provides information about access, touchable objects, specimens, the blue whale, activities, and where to find staff. This can be especially helpful for visitors with anxiety, autism, neurodivergence, and those who would like extra support before their visit.

Teachers Page
Teachers can visit for free! Learn more about professional development: https://beatymuseum.ubc.ca/learn/educator-resources/teachers/

Visitor Guide
 Click here to view and download a PDF version of our visitor guide.