Policies and Procedures

JUMP TO:

• Plan Your Visit
• Guidelines for Science North
• Guidelines for Dynamic Earth
• Elementary and Secondary School Memberships
• Changes and Cancellations

PLAN YOUR VISIT

BOOKING AND ARRIVAL

• Expect a confirmation email with your invoice once your field trip is finalized. Check your spam / junk or quarantine folders if you haven't received it.
• If you have any questions, please email schoolvisit [at] sciencenorth.ca (schoolvisit[at]sciencenorth[dot]ca) or call 705-522-3701. Our Customer Service Representatives are available to assist you from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
• Book well in advance for Science North and Dynamic Earth’s busy months (November, December, April, May).
• Member schools get free unlimited admission from September to the end of May.  June is reserved for non-member schools only.
• Arrive 10 minutes before your first program.
• When you arrive, provide the front desk staff with the number of students and supervisors attending.
• If the weather prevents your visit, we will reschedule your program at your earliest convenience.
• Call us if you will be late for your visit to Science North or Dynamic Earth. We will try to accommodate your group, but programs cannot be guaranteed if you arrive after the scheduled start time.
• Please let your Bluecoat know what time you need to leave.

PAYMENT

• A non-refundable deposit of $100 per non-member school group is required to confirm your booking. Full payment is required upon arrival at Science North or Dynamic Earth.  Please bring a cheque, VISA or MasterCard to pay the full amount of the invoice, less your deposit. Cheques are to be made payable to Science North and include your school's name, invoice number, and visit date.
• For fewer students than booked, finance will issue a cheque to the school for the overage. 

PERSONAL BELONGINGS AT SCIENCE NORTH

• Coatracks are available in the Sunwalk. Please bring only necessary items as they are unattended and have limited space.
• Your group will be assigned a set of bins for their backpacks and coatracks for their coats. Please bring only necessary items as they are unattended and have limited space.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS AT DYNAMIC EARTH

• Coatracks are available by the KGHM Victoria Café. Please bring only necessary items as they are unattended and have limited space.
• Your group will be assigned a set of bins for their backpacks and coatracks for their coats. Please bring only necessary items as they are unattended and have limited space.

LUNCH AT SCIENCE NORTH

• Your class will be assigned tables and a lunch time in the Sunwalk. Look for signs with your school’s name and time. Tables usually seat 10 students.
• Bring your own lunches or order from the cafeteria. Pre-order lunches at least two weeks prior to your visit.
• We cannot guarantee an allergy-free environment.

LUNCH AT DYNAMIC EARTH

• Your class will be assigned space and time in the KGHM Victoria Café.
• Bring your own lunches or pre-order lunches at least two weeks prior to your visit.
• The restaurant does not have the capacity to take food orders day-of from a class.
• We cannot guarantee an allergy-free environment.

PHOTO RELEASE

• If photographers, videographers, or media representatives will be present during your visit, Science North will notify teachers in advance and provide media release forms. Students without a signed media release form will be identified with a wristband, so they can be easily recognized and excluded from any photography or filming.

FIELD TRIP GUIDE

PDF

HOMESCHOOL GUIDE

PDF

GUIDELINES FOR SCIENCE NORTH

RESPECT AND CONDUCT

• Treat all staff and volunteers with respect. Always follow their directions.
• Respect others in your group and other visitors. The centre is open to the public.
• Treat the animals, exhibits, and equipment with care so everyone may enjoy their experience.
• Use indoor voices and refrain from running.
• There is zero tolerance for racism, discrimination, or abusive behaviour. Misconduct, including threats or insults, will result in removal from the facility without a refund.

SUPERVISION AND GROUP RESPONSIBILITY

• Children under 12 must be always supervised by an adult.
• Teachers and supervisors are responsible for the conduct of their students and themselves in all areas of the science centre, including program spaces, exhibits, eating spaces, bathrooms, and other common spaces.
• Always stay with your group.

FOOD AND DRINK

• Food and drink are not permitted inside the science centre past the tunnel.
• Enjoy food and drink in designated eating spaces. Please keep these areas clean.
• Smoking and vaping are prohibited in all areas.

SCIENCE NORTH VISITOR GUIDE

PDF

GUIDELINES FOR DYNAMIC EARTH

RESPECT AND CONDUCT

• Treat all staff and volunteers with respect. Always follow their directions.
• Respect others in your group and other visitors. The centre is open to the public.
• Treat the animals, exhibits, and equipment with care so everyone may enjoy their experience.
• Use indoor voices and refrain from running.
• There is zero tolerance for racism, discrimination, or abusive behaviour. Misconduct, including threats or insults, will result in removal from the facility without a refund.

UNDERGROUND TOURS

• Students are encouraged to have coats or sweaters as the underground temperature is between 10 to 14 degrees.
• Students should wear running shoes (avoid sandals and flip-flops as it is wet underground).
• Everyone going underground needs to wear a hard hat and follow all safety protocols. The Bluecoat reserves the right to bring the group back up to surface at any point in the tour if they are not following safety protocols.

OUTDOOR SCIENCE PARK

• Please respect the safety signs. Some equipment is meant for climbing while others are not.

SUPERVISION AND GROUP RESPONSIBILITY

• Children under 12 must be always supervised by an adult.
• Teachers and supervisors are responsible for the conduct of their students and themselves in all areas of the science centre, including program spaces, exhibits, eating spaces, bathrooms, and other common spaces.
• Always stay with your group.

FOOD AND DRINK

• Food and drink are not permitted inside the science centre past the tunnel.
• Enjoy food and drink in designated eating spaces. Please keep these areas clean.
• Smoking and vaping are prohibited in all areas.

DYNAMIC EARTH VISITOR GUIDE

PDF

ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL MEMBERSHIPS

School memberships can be purchased for $5.75 per student.

Memberships provide schools with unlimited free regular field trips to Science North or Dynamic Earth weekdays from September to the end of May.  

• QUESTIONS? Contact us at education [at] sciencenorth.ca (education[at]sciencenorth[dot]ca)

CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS

More than one change in date or itinerary will result in a $25 + HST administrative fee per change.

Schedules are considered final two weeks prior to your visit.

Cancelling your visit, including failing to attend a confirmed visit, will result in a $25 + HST administrative fee, except in the case of severe weather.

• To change or cancel your school visit to Science North or Dynamic Earth, please contact schoolvisit [at] sciencenorth.ca (schoolvisit[at]sciencenorth[dot]ca)