Spark to Go

Spark to Go

Get a Spark field trip delivered to your class

Available from October-March. Stay tuned for 2022/2023 school year.

Reverse field trip anyone? Spark to Go is now available for delivery!

Want to order some Spark science directly to your classroom? Look no further, Spark to Go is here and open for bookings! We are taking the science centre on a field trip to your school bringing all the bells and whistles from our magic science trunk of gadgets, gizmos, and even beakers to create a unique educational experience that closely mirrors what we offer at the Science Centre.

How it works:

  • Teachers and educators can call 403.817.6802, to book their reverse field trip.
  • Programs available for grades K-9 (see recommended grades below) and available on all school days.
  • Each program is delivered as an interactive workshop.
  • Once a program is booked, Spark's science guides will be en-route to the school for the desired day and time.

The Spark to Go Menu

  • Grades 1-3

Architecture Adventure

If there is something missing in your community – a skate park for beginners, a reinvented school dance hall, a four-season outdoor swimming pool – now is the time to imagine and build it. For this workshop,Spark brings the materials to create a prototype space for budding architects. The workshops starts with an inspiring “anything is possible” story of a young architect, and then students use materials to create a nearly life-size structure they would want in their community.

Curriculum Connections:
Gr 1 - Building Things
Gr 3 - Building with a Variety of Materials

  • Grades 5 & 9

Can You Light It

This is like a tv game show in the classroom, with all of the positive tension and excitement! Students will encounter a ‘series’ of electrical challenges that they need to figure out in order to light up a bulb. Watch the lights go on for them as young engineers as they acquire the fundamentals of circuitry and applied electronic engineering.

Curriculum Connections:
Gr 5 - Electricity and Magnetism
Gr 5 - Mechanisms Using Electricity

Gr 9 - Electrical Principles and Technologies

  • Grade 8

Under Pressure

Yes, it is strange that we use air to break concrete, and your students will understand why after this high-pressure contest. Jackhammers, car crushers and bicycle pumps are all very cool tools that compress air to do work. Working in small groups, students will design, build and test their own cool pneumatic systems.This workshop is a blast, literally!

Curriculum Connections:
Gr 8 - Structures and Forces
Gr 8 - Mechanical Systems

  • Grade 8

The Best Water Test

What makes water safe for humans and animals? Help the science centre staff by being a water engineer for the day. We will bring Spark’s laboratory to you, with samples from water sources – a river exhibit, the bathroom tap, the outdoor pond– to be tested, analyzed, and even compared to water samples collected from around your school! Students will learn about water quality and control, and explore careers in science and technology.

Gr 8 - Freshwater and Saltwater Systems

  • Grades 3-6

This is Your Brain on Emotions

In this interactive workshop, created with the support of Alberta Health Services, doctors and researchers, students will explore the physical effects of stress and develop simple techniques to help their brains and bodies be the best they can be.

Curriculum Connections:
Gr 3-6 Health (Wellness, Relationship Choices)

FAQ

    • What are these programs?

      Since the pandemic makes it hard for schools to take in their favourite programs at the science centre, we are bringing some favourites to you! These programs are modified slightly from their Spark versions, but are largely the same.

    • Can we make the program shorter or longer to fit into time blocks?

      We can modify the programs to be shorter to fit within time blocks or certain time periods.This can be arranged with our call centre, but please note that the price will remain the same regardless of the program’s length.

      Unfortunately we are unable to lengthen the programs at this time.

    • How many programs can be done in a day?

      We have a maximum of four programs available per day per staff. Booking more programs than this may be possible, but would require additional staffing. Multiple bookings are the way to go since each booking past the first saves almost $50 per.

      We are flexible on the program times, but do require at least 45 minutes to unload and set-up before the first program. We also require at least 15 minutes between programs that are the same to set them back up and disinfect them so as not to break any cohorting.

      Additionally we do require our staff to have at least a 30-minute break for lunch in the middle of the day as well.

    • What are the room requirements for these programs?

      Schools are required to provide a dedicated, unshared space for the day (classroom, library, learning commons, etc) with power access. Projection system/SMART Board would be optimal.

    • If our school is outside of Calgary can we participate in these programs?

      Unfortunately for this initial pilot of the offsite programming will be restricted to the city of Calgary.

      If your school is outside of city limits and interested, we’d like to hear from you though! We may broaden our reach if there is enough demand. In the meantime please check out some of our virtual school programs.

    • Can we choose other programs that are offered at Spark to come into the school?

      Right now we are just piloting these five programs, but with enough demand we will look to see what other Spark favourites we might be able to bring offsite.

    • Is it safe to have Spark staff come to your school?

      At Spark we always support the science (of course), and are keen to work within the bounds of what is safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. All of our staff are vaccinated and have up to date police checks as our commitment to the best and safest programs.

    • What if we have to cancel our programs?

      Cancellations and program transfers are free up to two weeks prior to the scheduled program date. Following that two-week deadline, we are still happy to provide cancellations or moves less a $50 administration fee. That fee may be waived at Spark’s discretion in the event of forces beyond the control of the booking (eg. Major snowstorms, COVID-19).

Discover more school programs at Spark

Field Trips Virtual Programs