Ontario Science Centre Community Weekend
Raise your beakers! The Science Centre turned 50, and we’re inviting you to celebrate with us.
Featuring the all-new MindWorks—an innovative Science Centre original exhibition exploring memory, creativity, emotions and the mind’s inner workings with virtual reality, a large scale obstacle course and a mega multiplayer decision-making competition.
And Life of the Earth | Death of the Sun—a stunning new large-scale art installation about the Earth’s changing climate and the next mass extinction by Canadian contemporary artist Director X.
And so much more!
Remember to visit the Science Centre classics—like the hair-raising Van de Graaff generator—and check out our retro reel of iconic Science Centre moments and memories that have helped shaped who we are today.
Don’t miss out on other special programs, activities and demonstrations throughout the Centre.
Open from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
Plan your visit!
LEVEL 1
DEMOS & SHOWS
A Hair-Raising Experience
Don’t miss this Science Centre classic! Get charged up at our Van de Graaff generator and see your hair stand on end. Don’t forget to snap a picture to capture the moment.
11:30am, 2:00pm and 3:30pm
Auditorium Mezzanine
The Energy Show
Discover the world’s ultimate source of power in this family-friendly presentation. Get ready to encounter a seven-foot Tesla coil, a hair-raising Van de Graaff generator, burning bubbles and more—all in the name of science! Learn more.
10:30am, 1:00pm and 3:00pm
Imperial Oil Auditorium
BIRTHDAY PROGRAMMING
Imagination Playground
Blocks blocks blocks! Get your build on. Experiment, play and create to design and build the playscape of your dreams. Recommended for ages 4–7.
Saturday: All day | Sunday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Mezzanine
Long & McQuade Instrument Zone
Get your hands on all types of instruments. Tamper and tinker and spark your musical interests, young and old alike.
All day
The Loft
Nintendo GamerZone
Get your game on! Try your hand at some of the latest products from Nintendo at individual gaming stations.
All day
Mezzanine
LEVEL 2
FEATURED EXHIBITION
MindWorks
Explore how you think in MindWorks, our newest family-friendly exhibition. Take an unforgettable journey through your own mind and question how you think, feel and react to the world around you. Learn more.
All day
Procter & Gamble Great Hall
Knowledge Partner: Ontario Brain Institute
BIRTHDAY PROGRAMMING
Retro Reel: 50 Years of the Ontario Science Centre
From iconic exhibitions to famous visitors, take a trip down memory lane with this video reel showcasing archival photography of memorable and momentous historical moments of the Science Centre’s last 50 years.
Video loops all day
Studio 2
Archives of Ontario Pop-up
View archival images from the earliest days of the Ontario Science Centre and learn more about the important role animals have played in Ontario’s history through Animalia: an informative short film inspired by the Archive of Ontario’s latest exhibition. Suitable for all ages.
All day
Studio Lobby
GIFT SHOP
The Gorilla Store
The Gorilla Store, now with two locations within the Centre, will be featuring the Science Centre’s brand new children’s book, Why Don’t Cars Run on Apple Juice?: Real Science Questions from Real Kids, published by Annick Press. Now available for purchase.
All day
Lobby (new location!) | Procter & Gamble Great Hall
IMAX® Films
Take your pick from four films screening this weekend: Great Bear Rainforest, Apollo 11, Oceans: Our Blue Planet and Superpower Dogs.
Tickets are $9 (not included with general admission).
Find your showtime here
Shoppers Drug Mart® OMNIMAX® Theatre
LEVEL 3: OUTDOOR TERRACE
Solar Observing
Safely observe the Sun* with specially filtered telescopes. Learn about our nearest star and try your eye at spotting exotic surface features. This program is offered by members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
All day
The Terrace |* Weather permitting
LEVEL 4
Planetarium Show: The Sky Tonight (ages 5+)
Sit back in Toronto’s only public planetarium as a presenter takes you on a fantastic voyage through the universe to learn more about our cosmic neighbours. Please note that space is limited.
Saturday and Sunday, 10:15am and hourly from 11:00am to 4:00pm
The Planetarium
LEVEL 6
FEATURED EXHIBITION
Life of the Earth | Death of the Sun
Immerse yourself in this massive multimedia work by Canadian contemporary artist Director X. Reflect on humanity, environmental destruction and the planet’s sixth and current mass extinction of plant and animal life. Learn more.
All day
Hot Zone
LIVE DEMONSTRATION
Papermaking
Transform plants and scrap paper into new paper. Watch the papermaking demo and get all the tips and tricks to make your own at home.
11:00am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm
Rock Paper Science Hall
BIRTHDAY ACTIVITIES
Nature Activities
Drop-in to various educational nature presentations throughout the day. Ask questions and come face-to-face with local natural wonders.
Pop-ups throughout the day
At the bottom of the Level 6 escalators
Honey Harvest
From honeycomb to honey jar, watch the Toronto Beekeepers Collective harvest and extract “liquid gold” from our beehives. Get to see our buzzing little friends up close and personal.
12:00pm – 4:00pm
Challenge Zone
Innovation in Mas’ Caribbean Carnival Winning Costume
Admire this custom-designed feat of engineering and art by designer Nicholas Guy, Heartbeat of the Last Conflict, this year’s winner of the Innovation in Mas’ (masquerade) Award.
On display all day | Award Ceremony: Sunday at 12:000pm
Rock Paper Science Hall
MAS’k making
Put the masquerade in mas’k making! Design your own carnival mask. Get inspired by the award-winning costume from this year’s Caribbean Carnival.
11:00am – 3:00pm
Rock Paper Science Hall
Airbrush Temporary Tattoos
Express yourself and get inked! Get a piece of science-inspired wearable art you can take with you for the rest of the day.
All day
Rock Paper Science Hall
Research Live! Spit for Science Study with SickKids
Here’s your chance to spit in a tube and participate in a live study by SickKids to help them understand how our genes are connected to physical and mental health. Learn more.
All day
Weston Family Innovation Centre
Generously brought to you by TELUS.
Who can attend: Everyone
Fee: *General admission is free! IMAX® Films are $9. Parking is $10 (limited space available; if possible, transit is recommended).
Registration: Not required
Organized by: Ontario Science Centre (solar observing by RASC, Toronto Centre)
Location: Ontario Science Centre