Planning Your Field Trip

Bring your students to the Science Centre for a fun-filled day of discovery and learning

Book your On-Site field trip at a special school group rate, available for visits Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Wednesday to Friday until March 31.)

Please Note: Due to required maintenance, all visitors to the Science Centre will need to use our rear entrance to access exhibit halls. School groups will need some extra time to check in at our front entrance before travelling to our rear entrance. 

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Prices 

All visit types include admission to all of our exhibitions and daily demonstrations.

*Payment is required for a minimum of 10 students for exhibit hall only visits. Payment is required for a minimum of 15 students for each School Program or IMAX® film scheduled for your group, except for DNA Fingerprinting which requires payment for a minimum of 20 students.

*Supervisor prices listed above are valid up to a maximum ratio of 1:2 (supervisors to students). Additional adults will need to purchase their own admission and IMAX tickets at the general admission rate.

Prices are subject to change. All prices include HST. School group rates are already discounted. No additional coupons, passes or membership discounts apply. Please note: Admission waived for a Support Person accompanying a person with a disability.

We’ve outlined the steps to booking and preparing for your field trip to the Ontario Science Centre below. If you’re ready to book your school visit, get started with the online application form.

Step 1: Review Eligibility

To qualify for a Canadian School Group admission rate, you must meet two criteria:

• Represent a full-time Canadian elementary or secondary educational institution that is registered with a provincial Ministry of Education or represent a child care centre licensed by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
• Book your visit for a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday until March 31, 2023 or for a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday until June 23, 2023.

Step 2: Select Your Date

We recommend that you book your field trip several weeks in advance. However, bookings will be accepted one week prior to your requested date of visit, subject to availability.

Step 3: Select Your School Program or Film

Skip this step if you’re planning on an exhibit hall-only visit. Choose a School Program or film that’s suited for your schedule, grade and subject area. Films run daily and School Program schedules vary by program. Please note that School Programs are not available on Mondays. For a complete list of options, including schedules and curriculum connections, visit the On-Site School Programs page or IMAX Films page.

Step 4: Determine Your Arrival Time

Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your first program or film. You will need this time to check in/pay and take the free shuttle to the rear entrance (if required).

Step 5: Confirm Who’s Visiting and Fill Out the Online Booking Form

Determine the number of students and supervisors attending the field trip. The required ratio of supervisors-to-students is at least:

• 3-12 years of age: 1 supervisor for every 10 students
• 13-17 years of age: 1 supervisor for every 15 students

Step 6: Confirm Your Visit

Your visit is not confirmed until you have received a confirmation email. If you have not received this email within one week of sending in your booking or modification request, please contact us using the information provided below.

Cancellations + Modifications

Please notify us of any cancellations, changes, increases or decreases in numbers by 4 p.m. on Wednesday one week before your visit date.

Step 7: Prepare for Your Field Trip

• Review all details provided in your confirmation email, including the final cost and how to pay and prepare for your visit.
• Visit the What to Expect page for the latest updates including maintenance notices and public health guidelines.
• Students may purchase lunch at the Valley Restaurant on Level 6, or they may bring a packed lunch to one of our many designated Eating Areas. Lockers are also available. Please see the Map. Check out these pages for more information to help plan your day:
  • Exhibitions
  • Schedule + Planner
  • Map of the Centre
• Review the Code of Conduct (below) with your students.

Code of Conduct

The Provincial Code of Conduct applies to schools on field trips to the Ontario Science Centre and OMNIMAX® Theatre. Please ensure that your students and supervisors are aware that the following conduct is not acceptable:

• Unprofessional or disruptive behaviour
• Loud, profane or inappropriate language
• Sexual harassment
• Racism or discrimination of any kind
• Disrespectful or physically aggressive behaviour

The Ontario Science Centre and OMNIMAX^® Theatre must also be free from:

• Conduct which is harmful to the exhibits and displays
• Food or drink outside the designated eating areas

Checking In and Paying for Your Visit

Your group will need some extra time to check-in at our front entrance before travelling to our rear entrance. During check-in, all school buses should park in our south parking lot. When check in is complete, school buses can drop students and teachers off before parking in the south lot. 

After completing check-in and providing payment, your group’s teacher/leader will receive School ID Badges (admission tickets). Our staff will then direct your bus driver to the rear entrance at the foot of the Gateway Blvd. hill, where students can be dropped off and picked up at the end of your visit. 

Please bring payment for the full amount to the Ontario Science Centre on the day of your visit. Accepted methods of payment include credit card, P-card or cash.

Questions?

Contact Us | 416-696-3140 or toll-free at 1-888-696-1110

Please note: Due to the volume of calls and the amount of information required, we are unable to process booking requests over the phone.