Originally published in TEACH Magazine, May/June 2018 Issue
Extra time in the summer may allow for the discovery of, and engagement in, new interests. As a teacher, it’s advantageous if those interests can then be shared with your students in the future. Growing knowledge and understanding in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) is becoming increasingly valuable in education. Here are some fun summer excursions that can get you, your family, and consequently, your students, excited about the wonders of STEM!
Dynamic Earth
Sudbury, ON
Owned and operated by Science North, Dynamic Earth is an earth sciences museum located in Northern Ontario. Dynamic Earth builds on the city’s mining heritage, with a focus on geology and mining exhibitions. With a perfect balance of both science and engineering, “Engineering Earth” offers interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences that invite visitors of all ages to understand the composition of raw earth, to study the behaviour of granular material, and to discover the world of engineering.
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
Vancouver, BC
The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre is a non-profit community resource that brings the wonders of space to earth. Take a family trip to the Space Centre and check out the various shows and exhibits offered. For example, in “Asteroid: Mission Extreme,” explore an astronaut’s journey to an asteroid and the effect this could have on humankind. In “Astronomer’s Periodic Table,” explore where elements come from and how they are cycled through the universe. When school starts up again, you may even consider taking your class on a curriculum-connected adventure to the Space Centre, as bookings are offered for students of all ages.
Ingenium Canada
Ottawa, ON
Plan a family visit to the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, or the Canada Science and Technology Museum, all located in Ottawa. Under the Ingenium brand, these museums provide the whole family with sensory experiences demonstrating how science and technology connect with our everyday lives. For instance, the Canada Science and Technology Museum allows visitors to discover artefact-rich exhibitions featuring marine and land transportation, communications, space, computer technology, and several unique objects from its national collection.
Montréal Science Centre
Montréal, QC
At the Montréal Science Centre, there are a variety of multimedia challenges, games, interactive areas, and an IMAX theatre that make science-learning fun for everyone. One experience, the “Fabrik” Creativity Factory, is an imaginative workshop space for experimentation and inventiveness. It brings out creativity as it challenges participants in assembly work on things like parachutes, catapults, and floating vessels. The goal is to envision a technological solution and build it using the various materials provided.
TELUS Spark
Calgary, AB
Visit TELUS Spark in Calgary, AB, to spark the imagination. The facility offers hand-on activities for kids of all ages, including teens. For instance, in “Earth & Sky,” you may sculpt landscapes through erosion, make a snowstorm, compare our landscape to other worlds in the solar system, and create personalized constellations. In addition, TELUS Spark offers specially designed professional development programs for educators who want to grow their careers and their minds through design thinking, innovation, and making.
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