With fewer coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and high vaccination rates in B.C., Vancouver's Science World has announced a host of new activities and changes planned for this summer.
In compliance with the province entering phase three of its restart plan, Science World is now taking bookings of up to 10 people at the dome. As well, weddings of up to 50 people at The Green Roof Terrace will be allowed.
Tracy Redies, President and CEO of Science World, said that while the prospect of opening the dome up again is an exciting one, pandemic-era safety measures will still be in effect.
“We will proceed with caution, ensuring that we protect our staff and vulnerable populations as we adapt our plan for phase 3 of B.C.’s Restart Plan,” Redies said. “Our focus will remain on expanding STEAM learning across the province, both at the dome and virtually to those in communities that are typically underserved or more difficult to reach.”
Other details on what’s happening at the dome this summer:
- Science World will remain open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Timed entry is still strongly recommended, walk-ins are subject to availability.
- Its feature exhibition, Arctic Voices, will stay on until Sept. 6, with regular family online events including the Arctic Voices Speaker Series. The next Speakers event is July 15 at 4 p.m. called Birds of the North with Parks Canada, a co-production with Parks Canada highlighting some of the unique birds of the Arctic.
- Preschool Curiosity Club is a four-week exploration into light, colour, reflections and shadows program for children ages 3 to 5 and their grown-ups.
- Girls and STEAM will be continuing its monthly mentor café giving female-identifying youth a chance to learn more about career opportunities. The next Girls and STEAM event on July 24 will showcase video game careers; registration is free.
Science World recently expanded its fundraising campaign, The World Needs More Nerds with a revitalized campaign called The Future Needs More Nerds. The updated goal is to raise $10 million through community partnerships, private businesses and individual donors.
Of the total goal, $5 million will be used to invest in immersive experiences and vital capital projects and the other $5 million will help to scale its program digitization to reach +3.44 million in the coming year. This digitization will focus on reaching barriered groups: those living in rural and remote communities, women and girls, Indigenous peoples and low-income families.
Currently, the fundraising campaign has reached about 25 per cent of its target and is aiming to complete the raise by the end of the year.
