Youth programs

School programs

The Centre of the Universe is the National Research Council's astronomy outreach centre. Located at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Victoria, the centre features interactive exhibits and curriculum-linked educational experiences, including a behind-the-scenes tour of the 1.8-metre Plaskett Telescope.

Please contact us, cu@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca, if you have any questions or would like to book your class for an unforgettable field trip to the Centre of the Universe.

Below is a list of grade-appropriate programs to complement a telescope tour and planetarium show. For more information, or to book your visit, please email, cu@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca, or call us at 250-363-8262.

All of our programs can be delivered in either English or French.

Curriculum-linked multimedia programs or workshops

Choose one of the program combinations below, or design your own visit.

Description
Grade 1 science
  • Plaskett Telescope Tour
  • The Sky and the Seasons planetarium show
    Curriculum Link: Daily and seasonal cycles as seen in the sky
    Total: 60 mins, $80+tax per class
Grade 2 science
  • Plaskett Telescope Tour
  • The Sky Tonight planetarium show
    Total: 60 mins, $80+tax per class
Grade 3 science
  • Plaskett Telescope Tour
  • The Sky & Planets Tonight planetarium show
    Tour of the Solar System multimedia show
    Curriculum Link: Characteristics of objects in our solar system
    Total: 90 mins, $120+tax per class
Grade 6
  • Plaskett Telescope Tour
  • The Sky Tonight planetarium show
    Extreme Environments multimedia show
    Curriculum Link: Extreme environments within and outside of the solar system, and Canada’s contribution to the exploration of space.
    Total: 90 mins, $120+tax per class
Grades 7 and 8 science
  • Plaskett Telescope Tour
  • The Sky Tonight planetarium show
    Total: 60 mins, $80+tax per class
Grade 9 science
  • Plaskett Telescope Tour
  • View from a Blue Planet planetarium show
  • Stellar Lifecycle multimedia show
    Curriculum Link: The steps in the life cycles of various types of stars are outlined, from stellar nurseries to planetary nebulas and black holes.
    Total: 90 mins, $120+tax per class
Grade 11 Earth science
  • Plaskett Telescope Tour
  • The Sky Tonight planetarium show
  • Cosmic Fireworks multimedia show
    Curriculum Link: Characteristics of astronomical entities such as supernova remnants, quasars, black holes, etc.
    Total: 90 mins, $120+tax per class
Grade 12 physics
  • Plaskett Telescope Tour
  • The Sky Tonight planetarium show
  • The Science of Black Holes multimedia show
    Curriculum Link: Gravitational attraction between masses and circular motion in the universe
    Total: 90 mins, $120+tax per class
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Astronomy camps 2013

Come celebrate summer 2013 with our week-long astronomy themed summer day camps. For four weeks in July, we invite young participants to join our professionally trained staff for 4-5 days of learning and fun, designed to feed their imagination and build excitement for astronomy.

Little Galileos

  • Age Group: Grades 1 to 2 (participants must have completed grade 1)
  • Dates: July 2-5 (This camp is only 4 days due to the national holiday on July 1st) or July 15-19
  • Time: 9AM – 4PM
  • Cost: $175 + tax for July 2-5 (4-day camp) or $195 + tax for July 15-19
  • Programmes: Multimedia shows, planetarium shows, tours of the observatory, and hands-on activities.
  • Highlights: Making a comet, building a moon-base, learning the constellations, creating alien landscapes.
  • Language: English or French

*PLEASE NOTE: No food or cooking facilities will be provided.
Before/After Camp Care is not available.

Junior Astronomers

  • Age Group: Grades 3 to 5 (participants must have completed grade 3)
  • Dates: July 8-12 or July 22-26
  • Time: 9AM – 4PM
  • Cost: $195 + tax
  • Programmes: Engineering challenges that utilize the scientific method and that stimulate creative thinking, problem solving as well as teamwork.
  • Highlights: Building a working pinhole camera, solar astronomy, mapping the sky & constellations, classifying galaxies, creating a Martian habitat and building/launching a rocket.
  • Language: English or French

*PLEASE NOTE: No food or cooking facilities will be provided.
Before/After Camp Care is not available.

Registration starts on Monday April 1st, 2013.
Save your spot now!

Email: cu@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Telephone: 250-363-8262
Fax: 250-363-8290

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Bring the Centre of the Universe to your school with the Starlab Portable Planetarium.

The Starlab is a fully portable Planetarium which is easily set up in any gym, multi-purpose room, library, or other 6.5 × 6.5 × 3 metre space. Treat your class to the magic of the night sky projected on the inside of the Starlab Dome!

Details

  • up to 6 curriculum-relevant presentations from one of our expert interpreters
  • presentations can last from 30 minutes to one hour and can include such program enhancers as Greek and Egyptian mythology, celestial coordinates, and North American aboriginal star lore

Cost

  • 450+tax per day for up to 6 classes of 30 students
  • plus mileage and accommodations if outside of Greater Victoria or Cowichan areas

Contact the Centre of the Universe to book your Starlab today!

Telephone: 250-363-8262
Fax: 250-363-8290
Email: cu@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Feedback

The unique interactive nature of the experience totally fired up my students' enthusiasm and interest in astronomy."
- Miriam, Teacher

"I learned a lot more than just reading my textbook."
- Amber, Grade 9 student

"Brings the perfect combination of astronomical knowledge, program flexibility, and technology together to create an experience for students that is truly out of this world."
- Paul, Teacher

Starlab Portable Planetarium
Starlab Portable Planetarium
Starlab Portable Planetarium

Starlab Portable Planetarium

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