The Spark Field Trip Guide Book

Booking

• Booking must be done at least 2 weeks in advance of the requested date.
• Booking Here

Onsite Program Cost

• Program up to 60 minutes: $285
• Program up to 90 minutes: $295 
• Self-explore rate: $13 per student (adults included at 1:4 ratio)
• Prices and programs are subject to change without notice. School rates are significantly discounted. Memberships, promotions, discounts, or coupons cannot be redeemed for school bookings.  
   

The cost of each program at Spark includes admission to the science centre for:

• Up to 30 students   
• One educator   
• Up to eight chaperones - please ensure you meet the chaperone ratio required by your school board.  
• All special education aides.  

Additional students and chaperones may be possible for some programs but will incur a fee:

• Additional student (maximum three additional students): $11 each 
• Additional chaperones (over the eight included): $11 each  
• If the program cannot accommodate more than 30 students, a second program will need to be booked.  

Payment

• Payment must be made before or upon arrival at Spark. Failure to do so may result in delay or cancellation of your program.
• Upon arrival, one teacher from the group must check in at the front desk to confirm numbers, make payment, and pick up chaperone identification stickers. This is best done before students leave the bus. 
• To make a payment in advance, please call the program bookings team at 403-817-6800. Payment by Credit Card is strongly recommended.

Equity-deserving schools

• Please contact your school board representatives to see if you qualify for Spark Learning Connections pricing. 

Free Teacher Visit!

• Come visit Spark for free before your program to check the place out! Just show your booking confirmation email to admissions.

The Welcome Orientation

• A Spark Science Educator will greet groups at the door and guide you to a space for the welcome orientation.
• This includes an introduction to the science centre spaces and activities, behaviour expectations, storage cabinet locations and program meeting locations.

Teacher and Chaperone Roles 

• Help students have a safe and respectful visit by following the Spark Social Contract. 
• Be present in school programs and workshops as you may be asked to help. 
• Learning at Spark is student-centred, so please act as a guide rather than doing the activity for them. 
• Teachers and chaperones are always in charge of classroom management and welcome to share strategies that may help your students find their successes. 

Storage Cubbies

Space in our storage cubbies is limited. We do our best to provide each school group with some space.

Please follow these guidelines to ensure all groups can fit:

• Bring only the essentials (jacket and lunch).
• Each cubby is designed to hold jackets and lunch bags for 10 students.
• Cubbies will be assigned based on the number of students in your group (i.e. 40 students will get 4 cubbies, 120 students will get 12 cubbies).
• If you bring more than can fit in the space assigned, please be prepared to carry it.
• The cubbies do not lock, so no valuables. Spark is not responsible for stolen items.
• On days when we also host camps, there may be no cubbies available to school groups.

Program Locations

• Most school programs are hosted in the Learning Centre (second floor).
• Each group will have a designated program meeting place in the Learning Centre (marked by scientific symbols like a microscope), where a Spark Science Educator will meet you when it’s time for your program.
• Teachers and chaperones must be present to assist with classroom management and may be asked to run stations.

Lunch and Snacks

• Please eat in the Atrium and Brainasium Outdoor Park (weather permitting).
• Spark is unable to assign lunch spaces and space is limited, so groups may have to split up.
• Please do not eat on the floor in the Learning Centre or in the Spark Eatery (unless you are purchasing food).

Elevators

• Unless an elevator is required, students must use the stairs only.
• If students are deemed responsible for elevator misuse, the cost of repair or rescue may become the school's responsibility.

Creative Kids Museum

• This space (entrance past the orange wall behind the information desk) is for students 8 years old and younger. It is a safe space for small kids only.
• Older students are welcome to enjoy the rest of the science centre. 

Infinity Dome Theatre

• School groups are welcome to attend public viewings of shows in the Infinity Dome theatre.
• Seating is first-come-first-served, so arrive early.
• View the Infinity Dome showtime schedule.
• Infinity Dome theatre bookings are possible for groups larger than 100 students.

Commitment to Diversity

• Spark is committed to honouring diverse ways of knowing and ways of being.
• Visits to the Spark may include educators introducing themselves with their pronouns, reproductive sciences in the store and Being Human gallery, and Indigenous Science and acknowledgement of the land throughout the visit. 
• As per Spark’s Social Contract, all guests must respect diversity too. 

Assistance Throughout the Visit

• Spark Science Educators and staff are happy to help you at anytime.
• Look for those with a silver jacket or vest, a Spark name-tag or at the information desk.
• For any safety, first aid or lost student concerns, please notify a staff member right away.

Stay Up to Date

• Visit What's On to see what's new at Spark
• Sign up for the Educator Newsletter for important school programming updates.