H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

Tourism Region: Metro Vancouver

The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre is a non-profit community resource that brings the wonders of space to Earth, while providing a personal sense of ongoing discovery. Through innovative programming, exhibits & activities, our goal is to inspire sustained interest in the fields of Earth science, space science and astronomy from a Canadian perspective.

Opened in 1968, the cornerstone of the H.R. Macmillan Space Centre is the 360° Planetarium theatre. Also on site, GroundStation Canada features live science demonstrations, while the Cosmic Courtyard provides the opportunity for hands-on, interactive learning. The Gordon MacMillan Southam Observatory, located adjacent to the Space Centre, offers visitors the opportunity to view the skies through the 1/2 metre Cassegrain telescope.

About the Collections

The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre has an international collection of space artefacts and models on loan from the Canadian space program, Smithsonian Institute, Canada Science & Technology Museum, NASA, the Russian and European space programs as well as private sector companies.

Approximate number of objects in the collections: 55+

Services & Activities

Canada's premier space science and astronomy facility has four unique components: H.R. MacMillan Planetarium, Groundstation Canada Theatre, Virtual Voyages Motion Simulator and the Cosmic Courtyard exhibit gallery.

Educational Programs

School Programs
The Space Centre has an extensive field trip program for K-12. More than 40,000 students participate annually. Field trips consist of planetarium presentations, science demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and interactive exhibits. We also offer the Canadian National Marsville program for grades 4-7.

Outreach Programs
We offer Starlab, our portable planetarium, for schools and community groups. We also provide community astronomy, a traveling lecture and star gazing program.

Teacher Professional Development
Engaging Science is a science enrichment and learning resource program designed to inspire teachers in Kindergarten to Grade 7. The program is a joint venture with Science World and the Vancouver Aquarium. It offers teachers a choice of twelve hands-on workshops that they can implement in their classrooms.

Customized Professional Development workshops enable adults interested in astronomy to work with Space Centre staff to design a program that works for their particular group.

Lectures
Each year, the Space Centre offers special guest lectures on a variety of topics related to astronomy, space and earth science.

Classes or Workshops • Demonstrations • Discovery Room or Centre • Family Programs • Films • Lectures • School Programs : Age 0-4 (Pre-School) : Age 5-11 (k-6) : Age 12-17 (7-13)(Quebec: Secondary 1-CEGEP) • Professional Development

Visitor Services

A visit to the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre combines self-directed discovery along with interpreter insights. In addition to presenting, interpreters in the Planetarium and GroundStation Canada Theatre are happy to answer questions from the visitors.

Accessible by Public Transportation • Children's Activities or Services : Overnight stays • Meeting Room Rental • Parking Facilities : Charged : Bus • Special Needs Facilities : Parking : Signs : Washrooms : Wheelchair access • Cloakroom • Washrooms

Volunteer Services

Volunteer Services Available • Volunteer Training Offered

Number of Volunteers: 25

Activities: Space Camps
Workshops

Member Privileges

Passes for guests
Annual admissions
Discouts for birthday party rentals
Discounts at other similar attrations

Food Services

Snack Bar or Vending Machines

Local Tourism Links

Local Attractions • Other Services

Other Services

With an 87-seat multi-media theatre, a 230-seat full dome planetarium, plus a 217-seat auditorium, the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre is suitable for lectures, meetings and performances. Located within in minutes from downtown with ample parking, it is a convenient location for rental clients.

Publications and Products

The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre produces original shows, presentations, educational materials and games which are available for purchase to other science centres, museums and educators.

Annual Reports • Brochures • Newsletters • Posters • Videos

Featured Images

Map

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Location

Address:	1100 Chestnut St. Vancouver, British Columbia V6J 3J9 See Map
Telephone:	604-738-7827
Fax:	604-736-5665
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