Youth programs

School programs

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

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.

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+HST per class

Grade 2 science

Plaskett Telescope Tour
The Sky Tonight planetarium show
Total: 60 mins, $80+HST 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+HST 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+HST per class

Grades 7 and 8 science

Plaskett Telescope Tour
The Sky Tonight planetarium show
Total: 60 mins, $80+HST 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+HST 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+HST 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+HST per class

Additional programs

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

Astronomy camps

This year's astronomy camps will run during the first three weeks of July, as follows:

• July 3 – 6: Little Galileos, Grades 1 & 2 (must have completed at least Grade 1)
• July 9 – 13: Junior Astronomers, Grades 3 to 5
• July 16 – 20: Little Galileos/Junior Astronomers combination, Grades 1 to 5

Little Galileos costs $175+HST, while each of the other camps costs $195+HST. Spaces are limited, so call us soon at 250-363-8262 or email us, cu@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca, to avoid disappointment.