Burnaby Village Museum is pleased to offer a variety of hands-on curriculum-connected programs in both English and French.
We are now accepting bookings for the 2024/2025 school year. Please contact the School Bookings Clerk at schoolprograms@burnaby.ca or complete the booking form below. Click here for a digital copy of our school program brochure.
The Burnaby Village Museum is proud to host the regional Heritage Fair. Please stay tuned for more info about the 2025 Fair.
Outreach programs
Let us come to you! Our museum instructors will visit you in the comforts of your own classroom to deliver this program. $129.30 (depending on distance). Some technical equipment is required depending on the program.
ta ḵw’íńexw tl’a temíxw: Animals of this land
Grades K-3
Ever wondered how to tell a mountain goat's age or turn fish skin into leather? Curious about why eagles hold a special place in Coast Salish culture? Join an Indigenous educator to uncover fascinating stories about four key animals vital to Coast Salish culture and tradition - Mountain Goats, Coast Salish Woolly Dog, Sockeye Salmon and Bald Eagles. Students leave understanding the respect and honor Coast Salish people continue to show these animals today.
Agents of Change
Grades 4-6
Have you ever considered how big of a change one single person can make? Agents of Change explores six influential people/communities in Burnaby and examines the different ways that they each enacted positive change. Students will take time to analyze the strategies used by these historic figures and apply them to their own social justice causes becoming agents of change in their own communities.
Explorations in Immigration: The Chinese Canadian Experience
Grades 4-6
Think you’ve got what it takes to be a historian? Test your skills as you analyze primary sources focused on the Chinese Canadian immigration experience. Learn how Canada’s past immigration policies negatively impacted Chinese Canadians and the ways this community persevered and prospered despite discrimination.
Suitcase Stories
Grades 4-6
With five different suitcases, students are tasked with uncovering the stories of the individuals who traveled with them. Through this program students will expand their knowledge of the different push and pull factors as they relate to migration. Themes include stories of those fleeing Ireland during the Great Famine to Vietnamese Refugees and their journey to Canada in the 1970s and 80’s and so much more.
Education kits (new)
For a tailored learning experience consider our Education Kits, meticulously developed to align with curriculum goals and incorporate Indigenous cultural objects and teachings into your classroom. Each kit is available for a 3-week loan period and includes a selection of cultural artifacts along with comprehensive teacher resources such as lesson plans, activities and supporting materials. $50/3 week rental + $100 refundable deposit.
Indigenous Games
Grades K-7
Revitalize your P.E. class with a dynamic blend of hands-on traditional games that celebrate the rich cultures of Turtle Island! Dive into an engaging exploration of Indigenous heritage through games that not only build essential gross and fine motor skills but also immerse students in a tapestry of cultural traditions. These activities are crafted to enhance hand-eye coordination, boost stamina, foster teamwork and much more. This kit comes with everything you need—authentic equipment, clear instructions and insightful traditional teachings—to enrich both teachers' and students' understanding.
Cedar: The Coast Salish Tree of Life
Grades 1-7
Uncover the rich significance of the cedar tree and its deep connection to Coast Salish life and culture with this immersive Education Kit. Delve into the world of the "Tree of Life" and discover how this remarkable tree has been a cornerstone of Coast Salish communities, shaping their traditions, crafts and daily life through the ages. This kit equips teachers with engaging, hands-on resources that bring to life the cedar tree's vital role, revealing its historical and contemporary importance. Dive into an enriching journey of cultural discovery and environmental appreciation!
Self-guided programs
Museum interpreters welcome you into many of the site’s exhibits. Plan 3 hours for this self-guided visit. $8.80 per student. Carousel ride and take-home craft included.
Winter Wonder
Grades K-9
Tuesday to Friday, November 26-December 18, 2024
Start times: Available every 15 minutes from 10 am-12 pm
Discover many vibrant winter celebrations while exploring all the Burnaby Village Museum has to offer during Heritage Christmas. This self-guided program showcases diverse cultures and communities—at home and abroad—and the different ways we celebrate the season. Program includes a carousel ride and a take-home craft.
Spring Discovery Days
Grades K-9
Tuesday to Friday, June 2-20
Start times: Available every 15 minutes from 10 am-12 pm
Tour the museum's exhibits and gardens at your own pace while learning about cultural diversity, community and our local environment.
Guided programs
Tuesday to Friday, January 28-May 30
Enjoy 90 minutes onsite with a museum interpreter exploring specific themes related to BC’s curriculum. Please note all programs now include relevant Coast Salish content. $8.80 per student.
Navigating the Neighbourhood (available in English and French)
Grades K-2
Dive into community life with the Navigating the Neighbourhood program. Explore a 1920s neighbourhood and make connections to your own community today. This hands-on program includes visits to the Interurban Tram, General Store and Heritage Home, offering insights into both past and present ways of life. Discover the rich variety within neighbourhoods and reflect on how these connections shape understanding of community today.
Coast Salish Program
Grades 1-4
Join Indigenous educators as they showcase different aspects of Coast Salish culture and material practice. Discover how plants, animals and community intertwine to shape the Coast Salish way of life, both historically and today. This hands-on program makes use of various Indigenous learning sites such as Cedar Grove, the Matriarch’s Garden and the newly renovated Indigenous Learning House.
Village Values (New)
Grades 3-4
Explore math in the village with a hands-on adventure. Visit the Bakery to practice measurements, the Bank to learn about budgeting, Cedar Grove to discover geometry in nature and the Auto Shop to understand distance and mechanical calculations. This interactive experience brings mathematical concepts to life in real-world settings and shows how math is all around us every day.
Back to School: Education Then & Now (New)
Grades 3-5
Curious about what school was like in the 1920s? Step back in time with your students and explore a vintage 1920s classroom! This immersive experience allows students to compare and contrast the education system of the past with their modern-day schooling – exploring topics such as diversity and inclusion, discipline and differing expectations. Discover firsthand how education has evolved, sparking fascinating conversations about what has changed and what has stayed the same throughout the decades.
Tools & Fuels
Grades 3-5
Embark on a thrilling journey through the Industrial Revolution and discover how technology and resources have reshaped the world. Explore the Blacksmith, Tinsmith and Steam shed to uncover the dramatic shift from coal to steam power and its profound impacts. This program reveals how these technological changes transformed lives and industries, bridging the past with the present in an exciting and insightful adventure. Ready to see history in action? Let’s dive in!
Fairground Physics
Grades 4-6
*Program available January to April only
Experience the magic of the carousel as you embark on a journey to uncover its inner workings. Begin by exploring simple machines such as the spindle whorl, level, corkscrew, and more, then take a thrilling ride on our 112-year-old carousel and delve into the science behind this classic attraction. Explore concepts such as measurement, geometry, and force, all while learning how the carousel's intricate design and mechanical elements come together to create its enchanting motion. From understanding the precise measurements that ensure a smooth ride to investigating the geometry of its moving parts and the forces at play, this interactive experience offers a hands-on way to connect fun with fundamental scientific principles.
Let's Talk about the Past (ELL Program)
Grades 8-12 ELL and Adult
Expand your English Language skills with an interactive adventure at the Burnaby Village Museum. Immerse yourself in one of the following exciting themes: transportation, food, or industry. Each tour is a hands-on experience that will boost your vocabulary while exploring the stories and objects that make the exhibits come alive. Ready to grow your language skills and have fun? Let’s get started!
Registration
Please fill out our School Booking Request Form.
If you have any questions, call 604-297-4558 or email schoolprograms@burnaby.ca.