Tuesday, October 18, 2011 - Thursday, April 26, 2012
On-site school programs on a variety of subjects have been given every year for nearly 30 years at the Royal BC Museum. Each year programs are given on subjects ranging from pioneer life to marine biology. Programs are offered from the middle of October to the end of April and take place in the museum galleries and classroom.
To register 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, try our new on-line registration system for the most up-to-date program availability. See your school administrator for your school's username and password.
- Program times are flexible and we may be able to accomodate special requests
- We will continue to accept applications/bookings on an ongoing basis until all program opportunities are filled.
- Once your booking has been processed, you will be sent a confirmation number and letter.
To Register: your class for a school program, or to book a self-conducted visit of the permanent galleries:
Please print and complete this registration form and:
Fax: (250) 387-0102.
Mail: 675 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC V8W 9W2
Drop off at: 675 Belleville Street - Main Reception, Fannin Tower. Office Hours: : Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (closed BC statutory holidays). Museum visiting hours: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Docent Guided School Programs
Capacity 30 Students unless otherwise noted
Feathers, Fins and Fur Grade: K/1 $60.00 per class
(maximum 25 students)
Tuesdays 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Thursdays 10:30 am – 11:45 am
Students will look at a variety of BC animals and discover the differences and similarities between them, and determine what things all animals require to stay healthy (food, water, oxygen). The program will make use of the museum’s natural history collections and exhibits to illustrate the tremendous diversity of animal species in British Columbia. The program will look at birds, mammals, fish, marine invertebrates, insects and spiders.
Wild World of Wolves Grade K - 1 – 2 NEW! $60.00 per class
(maximum 25 students)
Tuesdays 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Thursdays 10:30 am – 11:45 am
Wolves once had the largest worldwide range of any mammal. Despite being hunted by humans to near extinction in many parts of the world, British Columbia still has a healthy population of wolves. Sniff out other members of your pack and discover how wolves are adapted to their environment, how they communicate and how they are important to the First Nations people of British Columbia. This program will have you wagging your tail.
This Old Town: Communities Past and Present - Grades 2/3 $60.00 per class
Tuesdays: 10:30 - 11:45 am
Thursdays: 10:30 - 11:45 am
What would it be like to go back in time 100 years to a small community in BC? What would you see and what would you find there? “Time Travel” with your classmates back to Old Town. Using a map, find your way to the movie theatre, the livery, the pharmacy and the train station. You will discover how communities met the needs of the people who lived there and how they have changed over time.
Living & Learning a Century Ago Grade: 2/3 NEW! $60.00 per class
Begins in January 2012.
Tuesdays 10:30 am – 11:45 am
Thursday 10:30 am – 11:45 am
What was it like living, working and playing in the days of the early pioneers? Discover the challenges and simple pleasures of the various activities associated with life a century ago. This program will take place in the newly interpretated Helmcken House and St. Ann’s Schoolhouse. It will include stations that explore learning in the schoolhouse, laundry and kitchen chores. Hands-on activities will demonstrate how the early pioneer lifestyle differs from, or is similar to life today. As the houses have been recently updated and reinterpreted, the program will be somewhat different than in years past.
*Limited wheelchair and stroller access.
Simon Fraser: Explorer, Map-Maker & Fur-Trader Grade 4/5 $60.00 per class
Wednesdays 10:15 am – 11:45 am
Thursdays 10:15 am – 11: 45 am
Simon Fraser is best known for his daring exploration of the great river which bears his name, the Fraser River. In this program students will explore a variety of artifacts that were traded between the Europeans and First Peoples, and learn to understand the importance of bartering during that period. The program will conclude with students taking a step back in the time of ‘Simon Fraser exploration days’ and will use the new skills they have learned in the program to role play their own trading game.
Stones, Bones & Pithouse Homes: BC’s Ancient Underground – Grade 4 NEW! $60.00 per class
Begins February 2012
Wednesdays 10:15 am – 11:45 am
Thursdays 10:15 am – 11: 45 am
Long before hardware stores and shopping malls, First Nations people made their own tools to produce everything they needed. What raw materials did they use? What objects were made and just how did they make them? Find out yourself by following the clues from the fragments and objects unearthed during archeological digs around BC. From ancient “chuckits” to bird bone jewelry; subterranean pithouses to micro-blade technology… a creative, innovative and artistic world will be revealed.
Our Changing Climate Grade: 4 $60.00 per class
Tuesdays 10:15 am – 11:45 am
This program developed to complement the Climate Change gallery will look at climate change – the evidence for it and the consequences of global warming. The program will explore weather forecasting, with hands-on demonstrations of equipment used, weather maps and types of clouds. Past and present climates of BC will be examined as well as human contributions to global climate change, the consequences of global warming and what can be done to reduce our impact on the climate.
Space Invaders: Alien Adventures In Our Own Backyard- Grade 4 NEW! $60.00 per class
Tuesdays 10:15 am – 11:45 am
Do you know what is growing and living in your backyard? Is it native to British Columbia or was it introduced by humans? Does that even matter? Surveying the Natural History Gallery, students will put on their boots and journey through the wet and wild habitats of our province to explore what species are newly arrived and what affect their presence is having on our ecological balance. Aliens (no not that kind) are among us, in the ocean, in our estuaries and in our forests. The question is - do they come in peace?
Wealth from the Ground Grade: 5 $60.00 per class
Tuesdays 10:15 am – 11:45 am
Gold, the symbol of affluence and power! This program looks at the mineral itself, where to find it, (no we don’t have a secret map), and how to mine it. Students will gain an understanding of various mining methods and the importance of mining in the history of the province. They will be able to examine ore and try panning for gold in our sluice box.
*Limited wheelchair and stroller access.
Helmcken Old Fashioned Christmas – Grades K to 3 $60.00 – Monday, November 28 - Friday, December 16th. Monday - Friday, 10:30 - 11:45 am or 1:00 - 2:15 pm. Bookings are now closed for this program.
In 1880s Dr. Helmcken’s family would have been busy getting ready for Christmas celebrations. What did they put under the tree? How did they decorate the house? What are they going to eat for dinner? Join us and learn about Victorian traditions and the Helmcken family. You will also travel to St. Ann’s school house for some old time winter fun.
*Limited wheelchair and stroller access