Science on the Road Science on the Road

Science on the Road

Discover how our award-winning Science on the Road program can make a difference in your classroom. No matter where you are in Nova Scotia, our trained and talented educators will make learning fun through hands-on experiences tailored to all grades. All workshops are between 30-60 minutes in length, curriculum-connected, informative, inspiring and interactive.

Did you know? Day Trippers Children’s Charity aims to remove financial barriers and enable enriched learning opportunities for youth across Canada. Daytrippers provides funding to help elementary schools experience learning opportunities for school visits and class trips. Learn more: www.daytrippers.ca

Take part in our award-winning, curriculum-connected workshops led by our Science Educators, from the comfort of your classroom! Workshops are designed for a maximum of 30 participants.

Ramp It Up!

GR PP – Discovery and Invention
GR P – Physical Science: Movement (Properties of Ramps Impact Movement) 

What materials or surfaces improve an object’s ability to roll or slide? How can I change the way an object moves down a ramp? Engage your class in our hands-on workshop about motion! Working in small groups, learners will explore factors that affect rolling and sliding motion through building and testing different ramps!

30-minutes

Storm Structures

GR 1 – Physical Science: Materials, Objects, and Devices 

Working in small groups, learners are challenged to build a structure to weather a rainstorm and keep their paper person dry. Learners will investigate various reused and reusable materials while thoughtfully considering the responsibility of respecting materials to reduce waste and live sustainably.

45-minutes

We’re Wheely Moving

GR 2 – Physical Science: Motion
GR 3 – Physical Science: Structures  

How can I build an object that moves? How can I change how an object moves? Learners explore these questions as they complete two engineering challenges in this fast-paced, motion-packed workshop. Learners are encouraged to think about purpose, design, and the factors that effect motion, as they build and launch their own gravity and wind-powered cars. 

1-hour

May the Forces be with You

GR 3 – Physical Science: Invisible Forces 

Invisible forces are all around us! Through hands-on exploration with magnets and a shockingly, hair-raising experience with the Van de Graaff Generator, learners will discover that magnetic and static forces involve the pushes and pulls of repulsion and attraction. 

1-hour

Safety Advisory: Although the Van de Graaff generator produces a very low current, it may cause problems with people who have heart problems or a pacemaker and can affect electronic devices. It’s recommended that anyone with heart conditions, pacemakers, or electronic medical devices such as insulin pumps, and or cochlear implants, avoid close proximity and contact with the Van de Graff generator. 

Bridging the Gap

GR 3 – Physical Science: Structures

Students explore the art and science of architecture while learning about 4 different bridge designs (arch, truss, suspension, and beam). Working in small teams, students will construct an arch bridge from blueprints, learn what factors can result in structure failure, and complete an engineering challenge to design and build a paper bridge to support the most weight!

1-hour

Geology Rocks!

GR 4 – Earth and Space Science: Rocks and Minerals 

Rocks, minerals, and their uses come to life in this hands-on workshop. Students undergo hands-on investigations to classify real geological samples and gain insights into the dynamics of Earth’s crust through the rock cycle!

1-hour

Slimy Science

GR 5 – Physical Science: Chemical and Physical Properties 

Be prepared to get slimed as we explore the properties of matter. Students get messy as they conduct experiments on physical and chemical changes to matter. This 1-hour workshop has a fun take home for students.

1-hour

Allergy Advisory: This workshop uses food grade Sodium alginate. Individuals with shellfish allergies may also react to sodium alginate. While ingredients are not being consumed in this workshop, please make our team aware of shellfish allergies when booking so gloves can be provided.  

Capture the Wind

GR 6 – Physical Science: Electricity (Methods of Generating Electricity) 

In this energetic workshop, learners compare renewable and non-renewable sources of electricity before focusing on a wind turbine challenge. Working in small groups, learners apply their knowledge of forces to engineer and test turbine blades that will drive an electric generator. When faced with heavy winds, students will measure their turbine’s electricity output to determine which is most powerful!

1-hour

Electric Odyssey

GR 6 – Physical Science: Electricity (Circuits and Static Electricity) 

Explore current and static electricity in this jam-packed 1-hour workshop. Groups of students are challenged to hook up simple, series and parallel circuits on our circuit boards. Students get an up-close look at how positive static electricity can be with the Van de Graaff Generator.

1-hour

Safety Advisory: Although the Van de Graaff generator produces a very low current, it may cause problems with people who have heart problems or a pacemaker and can affect electronic devices. It’s recommended that anyone with heart conditions, pacemakers, or electronic medical devices such as insulin pumps, and or cochlear implants, avoid close proximity and contact with the Van de Graff generator.  

Heat of the Moment

Gr 7 – Engineering Structures (Construction Materials)
Gr 8 – Climate Change (Heat Capacity of Materials)  

Let’s get some appreciation for insulation! This workshop challenges learners to apply knowledge of construction materials and heat transfer and capacity to construct the most heat efficient building. Together, we will evaluate the structures like an energy efficiency inspector. Learners will go on to consider how they can apply this knowledge in their own lives to save energy. 

1-hour

Fabric Footprint

Textile Art and Design 7 – Learners will analyse factors that influence clothing choice;
Learners will evaluate the suitability of fabric properties for end use.
Science 7 – Learners will analyse particle theory in relation to substances in environments (How does pollution enter the environment?)

Through hands-on activities and class discussion, learners will explore the scope of textile waste in Nova Scotia. Learners will consider the impacts of textile production on climate change, the ocean and environment, the extent of textiles making it to the landfill,  and most importantly, the choices they can make to offset their fabric footprint.

1-hour

Salt and Vinegar: Exploring Ocean Acidification

GR 10 Physical Science: Chemical Reactions
GR 10 Life Science: Sustainability of Ecosystems  

This hands-on and inquiry-based learning experience connects multiple topics in Science 10. It explores climate change through the impact of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems due to carbon dioxide emissions. Centered in concepts related to chemical reactions, it moves from pure to applied science using real samples of marine animal shells.

1-hour

Get the whole school together for these demos. They’ll be sure to have everyone buzzing. Designed for school assemblies with 10-500 students.

Sail the Sour Seas

With a flash of fire, colourful chemical changes, and some cinematic acid we will explore the impact of CO2 emissions on shellfish populations and all of us who depend on them. 

45-minutes

Colourful Chemistry

Learn about the brilliance of chemistry as we explore pH indicators, how fireworks get their colours, and the magic of combustion. We’ll create a lava lamp while learning the basics of solubility, density, and effervescence, and end the show with a sudsy pop of colour that’s sure to elicit a crowd-pleasing reaction.

45-minutes

Fueling Our Future

Wind, earth, water… these aren’t just elements, they are sources of power! Watch as our scientists perform the flaming hand, create smoke without fire, and test tidal energy. Learn about green hydrogen and its potential.

45-minutes

Abrakazam

Perfect for elementary school students who will be captivated by the science of magicthis show is full of the spellbinding experiments, with results that defy expectations!  Disappearing water, “Invisible Glue, and so much more!  Designed to get large audiences interested in the science behind magic, and the magic behind science.

45-minutes

Marvel at the stars and learn about the constellations in our Portable Digital Planetarium. Can accommodate 30 younger students or 25 older students. Due to its size and equipment a ceiling clearance of at least 10 ft from any sprinklers or lights is required for booking, the room size must be a minimum of 18ft by 18ft, a gymnasium is ideal.

Above and Beyond
PR – GR 2
Bring the wonders of the night sky to your school with our Portable Digital Planetarium! Above and Beyond is an educator-led experience with engaging content adaptable to all ages and curriculum connections from Primary to Grade 12. Explore everything from cycles (daily/seasonal changes) and the sun’s energy (climate change, auroras), to space exploration, distant stars and galaxies, and the very origins of our universe.

Stories of the Night Sky
GR 3-12
An astronomical narrative story by Mi’kmaq elders, with teachings of current cosmological understanding.

Initial Fee* – Booking includes 2 workshops or 1 whole school demo.

$300

Additional 30-minute workshop

$60

Additional 45 or 60-minute workshop

$100

Additional whole school demo

$150

 

Portable Digital Planetarium (4 sessions, 30-minutes each)

$300

Additional session

$60

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
  • Rates are subject to change. Please make your booking a minimum of two weeks in advance.
  • Workshops are for a maximum of 30 students
  • Portable Digital Planetarium sessions are for a maximum of 25 students
  • * Schools that are 200km or over outside of Discovery Centre (1215 Lower Water St.) need to book a minimum of $500.

Payment Terms

Cheques can be made payable to Discovery Centre and are due on the date of delivery. Please note that Discovery Centre memberships cannot be used as a substitute for any educational program fees.

Postponement Policy
In the event that school is cancelled due to inclement weather the visit scheduled for that day will be rescheduled to a future date at the school’s convenience within Science on the Road’s already confirmed schedule.

Cancellation Policy

To cancel or reschedule all or part of a visit, the school is required to contact Discovery Centre at least two weeks prior to the visit. In the event that a school cancels a visit after this time a cancellation fee of $200 will be incurred.

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