Education

Our curriculum-based programs allow students of all needs and ages to explore and discuss North Vancouver through hands-on learning and activities. Scroll down to see the wide ranging selection of programs you can take part in. 

Museum Field Trips

All Museum programs run for 90 minutes unless otherwise specified. Programs are available Wednesday to Friday, October to June, with morning and afternoon time slots available each day. Please fill out an online booking form or email programs@monova.ca  

COAST SALISH WOOL WEAVING AND GUIDED GALLERY EXPERIENCE

Grade 3 and up | This two-part program features an interactive workshop on Coast Salish wool weaving led by one of MONOVA’s Indigenous Cultural Programmers. Students will learn about the cultural importance of weaving, some of the teachings around weaving, and they will complete a wool bracelet to take home. They will also go on an interactive scavenger hunt and tour of our permanent gallery highlighting stories, objects, belongings, and photographs from communities on the North Shore.

All Aboard Streetcar 153!

Preschool-Grade 2 | Time travel is possible onboard Streetcar 153! Discover how streetcars worked, built our municipalities, and how modes of transportation helped residents meet their day-to-day needs. Explore the concept of change through storytime and puppet-play, go for an imaginary ride aboard a real, historic streetcar, and complete transportation themed activities.

NEIGHBOURHOOD EXPLORATIONS

Grades 4-7 | Explore the history of a North Vancouver neighbourhood from time immemorial to the present through a place-based perspective. Each program includes the Tree Talks Science Show, a focused, interactive gallery tour, and a hands-on photo and document analysis activity. Upon booking please select one of the following four neighbourhoods: Moodyville, Lower Lonsdale and Eslhá7an, Grand Boulevard or Lynn Valley.

INDIGENOUS STUDIES EXPERIENCE

Grades 10-12 | Enrich your Indigenous Studies course with a unique cultural immersion program. One of MONOVA’s Indigenous Cultural Programmers will lead participants through an interactive workshop about Coast Salish wool weaving. Students will learn about the cultural importance of weaving prior to European contact and its contemporary resurgence. Some teachings around the art will be shared and they will complete a wool bracelet to take home. The program also includes an Indigenous-focused guided gallery experience exploring the history of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations from time immemorial to present. Unguided time in the gallery can be added for teacher-led projects.

OUTDOOR PROGRAM | SHIPYARD STORIES

Grades 2-12, 60 minutes, runs rain or shine, bookable for fall and spring | From Coast Salish canoes and victory ships to Seaspan, North Vancouver has always been a maritime community. Shipbuilding remains the largest industry on the North Shore today. Through this interactive, outdoor tour, including historical photographs, discover the importance of canoe culture for ̓̓ the S ḵ w x̱̱ w ú 7 m e s h (Squamish), and Səlílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations, the significant role Burrard Dry Dock Shipyard and the people who worked there played during World War II, and the continuing importance of shipbuilding today.

VIRTUAL PROGRAM | COAST SALISH WOOL WEAVING

Grade 3 and up | 60 minutes, Mondays only | One of MONOVA’s Indigenous Cultural Programmers will lead participants through an interactive workshop about Coast Salish wool weaving. Students will learn about the cultural importance of weaving, some of the teachings around weaving, and they will complete a wool bracelet to take home. Wool weaving kits to be picked up prior to virtual workshop.

SCIENCE SHOWS AND GUIDED GALLERY EXPERIENCE

Take an interdisciplinary look at North Shore history! Select one of the following science shows combined with an interactive scavenger hunt and tour of our permanent gallery highlighting stories, objects, belongings, and photographs from communities on the North Shore. All shows include scientific perspectives, information from historical documents, photographs and Coast Salish stories.

Making Mountains

Grades 3-7 | The North Shore Mountains are the result of forces happening deep under the ground. This landscape was once covered in glaciers which created many of the shapes we see in the mountains today. Come along to see science in action and discover how the landscape is changing.

Tree Talks

Grades 3-7 | This 30 minute show will give you a whole new perspective on the trees in your neighbourhood. Tree Talks covers tree identification, the history of logging on the North Shore and its technology, how trees are linked to the city’s water supply, and the importance of protecting our old growth forests.

Amazing Animals

Grades 2-7 | Experience firsthand how animals have adapted to the local environment and how a changing climate impacts these incredible creatures. Get to know the diverse wildlife found in North Vancouver with identification tips and even a poop matching game!

Archives Field Trips

All Archives programs run for 90 minutes unless otherwise specified. Programs are available Wednesday to Friday, October to June, with morning and afternoon time slots available each day. Please fill out an online booking form or email programs@monova.ca  

Archives 101

Grades 7-12 | Introduce your students to a world of research beyond the reaches of Google and Wikipedia. Working with archival resources such as photographs, maps, plans and more, students will analyze primary source evidence. This program is perfect for teaching students the tools needed to start their own research project. Program is customizable depending on each class’s needs

Time Travel

Grades 4-6 | North Vancouver has been home to many noteworthy individuals and historic sites. While uncovering the stories behind these people and places, students will learn to use the Archives and work with original documents and photos. They will investigate significant people such as Harry and Valerie Jerome, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Chief Mathias Joe Capilano and local sites such as the Lions Gate Bridge.

HAVE AN IDEA FOR A PROGRAM NOT LISTED HERE? Contact us at programs@monova.ca or 604.990.3700


EDUCATION KITS

Bring MONOVA to your classroom with our bookable Education Kits!
Each kit focuses on a different area of North Vancouver history. Book your kit in advance by contacting programs@monova.ca. Kits will be available for pick up at the Archives in Lynn Valley. MONOVA Education Kits are FREE to book thanks to the generous support of Seaspan. 

North Vancouver: THEN AND NOW

Grades 2-3, 2-week rental | Take the Museum into your classroom! Students work as ‘Photo Detectives’ to analyze historic and modern images and consider the changes that have taken place in their community over time.

Indigenous Peoples in North Vancouver

Grades 4–7 and 8–12, 3-week rental, available in French and English | This book and education kit explore significant aspects of traditional and contemporary səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) histories, traditions, and cultures.

The Chief Dan George Story

Grades 3-4, 2-week rental | Explore the life and legacy of səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Chief Dan George, including the significance of his acting career, activism and efforts to preserve local Indigenous traditions culture.

SKWXWÚ7MESH (Squamish) Community: Our People and Places

Grades 3-5, 2-week rental | Using archival photographs featuring Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) people and places, students explore this Coast Salish community’s history.

Neighbourhood Kit:
Lynn Valley

Grade 2-7, 3-week rental | Through a series of three walking experiences that engage the senses and imagination and integrate the First Peoples Principles of Learning, students will come to a holistic understanding of Lynn Valley as a place. Its history from time immemorial to the present is highlighted, using the underlying concept of respect—for each other, the land that we are on, and the knowledge shared. This is a large kit that can be used as an entire unit. The kit rental includes a 30-minute virtual Coast Salish traditional opening ceremony.

Nikkei In North Vancouver

Grades 5-6, 3-week rental | Nikkei (Japanese Canadians) have a long history in North Vancouver. This kit encourages students to engage with their history of immigration, internment during World War II and the rebuilding of lives up to the present through the exploration of photographs, archival materials, and creative activities.

Pricing

Museum Field Trip $250/class
Adult supervisors incl.

Archives Field Trip $250/class
Adult supervisors incl.

Outdoor Program: $250/class
Shipyard Stories

Virtual Program: $200/class
Coast Salish Wool Weaving

Education Kits
FREE Sponsored by Seaspan in support of students and educators.

See Terms & Conditions for more information on class sizes, cancellation policy, and payment terms.

Educator’s Hub

Program Coordinator and now children's author Carol Ballard showing off her new book inside Streetcar 153. Photo: Alison Boulier
The Museum of North Vancouver’s Sensory Friendly Mornings will run once a month from 9:00am to 11:00am, two hours before our regular opening time. Photo: Alison Boulier
This weekend, Indigenous Cultural Programmer Tsawaysia Spukwus (Alice Guss) will share her knowledge of Coast Salish Wool Weaving and lead guided tours around the Museum gallery. Photo: Alison Boulier
First Lynn Valley School, Church Rd. Opened in 1904. Miss Whiteley, first teacher. NVMA 6648
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Our Kids Give Kidoons Two Thumbs Up!

Children and partners of NVMA staff are often our guinea pigs and voluntolds. Thank you family! During covid you have helped empty the old warehouse, tested experiments for upcoming programs, previewed blog posts for us, and more. Most recently, our staff members kids have checked out our Kidoons cartoons and new online activities.
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Out and About: Wood Patterns in the Shipyard

This past winter, if you took a break from skating at North Vancouver’s new outdoor rink at The Shipyard Commons, and wandered inside, you likely saw wooden objects hanging outside the washrooms. Bright and colourful and unusual shapes, but what are they?

Lynn Valley’s First School: A Difficult Start

In 1902-1903 Lynn Valley was mostly forest, loggers, and a mill. There were no streets -- only a wooden tote road (also called a “skid road”) used to carry logs from the Hastings Shingle & Manufacturing Company (by Mill Street) down to Moodyville. Sawmill workers and their families lived not far from the mill, near the tote road which served as their “main street.” By 1903 there were several school-age children, but no school. So in Fall 1903, it was decided to build one.

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