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Continue ShoppingFamily Friendly Earth Science Programming at Britannia Mine Museum: Spring Break and Easter
Spring Break Weeks: March 18 – 29, from 1:30 p.m. to p.m.
Easter Weekend: March 29 to April 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Britannia Beach, B.C. (February 23, 2024) – The Britannia Mine Museum is offering fun, family-friendly “Live in the Lab” earth science programming inside their Terra Lab STEAM learning space during Spring Break and Easter weekend.
For Spring Break from Monday, March 18 to Friday, March 29 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., the museum has “Live in the Lab: Mini Mud Monsters” interactive educational sessions where visitors can learn about the important environmental impact lessons of the Britannia Mine due to acid rock drainage, which occurs naturally when rainwater reacts with oxygen and exposed minerals. Participants will interact with live microorganisms from nearby Britannia Creek and learn how they help us understand the impacts of mining on local ecosystems.
Photo: Britannia Mine Museum’s “Live in the Lab: Mini Mud Monsters” science programming for Spring Break.
Located up the mountain from the Museum, Britannia Creek is a freshwater body that empties into Howe Sound/Átl'ka7tsem, Canada’s 19th UNESCO Biosphere Region. Dissolved metals from the mine due to acid rock drainage were once a significant source of pollution and Britannia Creek was heavily impacted. Skimming the creek for insect life and looking for pollution-intolerant species can help demonstrate the positive impacts of the Epcor Britannia Mine Water Treatment Plant, which has significantly improved water quality since 2005.
During the Easter long weekend from Friday, March 29 to Monday, April 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Museum is offering “Live in the Lab: The Colours of Copper” sessions that examine special properties of copper and why copper oxidizes and turns ‘blue’ in wet environments. Other Easter activities including an on site mineral scavenger hunt and special Easter-themed underground tours will also be available.
The Museum’s Terra Lab is an exhibit and STEAM educational programming space that allows for public and student engagement on the innovative exploration of sustainable mining, environmental remediation and our move towards sustainable resource exploration.
“The Britannia Mine Museum is a place where visitors of all ages come to explore, experience fun and immersive adventures as well as learn about important issues such as environmental impact stories due to mineral exploration,” says Derek Jang, Manager of Interpretive Delivery at the Britannia Mine Museum. “Our Terra Lab is a great educational venue where we keep inquisitive minds engaged with hands-on science experiments and connect with our natural environment.”
Located 45 minutes north of Vancouver on the picturesque Sea-to-Sky highway, the Britannia Mine Museum provides unique and memorable experiences that engage visitors of all ages. Visitors can enjoy fun exhibits and crowd favourites like the underground mine train, gold panning, the historic 20-storey concentrator Mill building and its BOOM! special effects show, the minerals and gem gallery, the gift shop and the Beaty Lundin Visitor Centre.
The Museum gratefully acknowledges the following financial supporters and educational partners in the development of the Terra Lab: Government of Canada, Province of British Columbia, Finning International, Teck Resources Inc., CIM Underground Mining Society, Canadian Mineral Processors (National), Jerome Renwick III Endowment Fund (Canadian Geological Foundation), EPCOR Utilities Inc., Prof. Neil Banerjee and Dr Lisa Van Loon /Western University.
General admission tickets and annual memberships are available online at www.britanniaminemuseum.ca.
About Britannia Mine Museum:
The Britannia Mine Museum is a mining legacy site and a vibrant, internationally recognized education and tourist destination located between Vancouver and Whistler on the Sea-to-Sky highway. It is a National Historic Site and a non-profit organization encouraging mining awareness through entertaining, experiential education programs and exhibits, important historic collection preservation and insightful public engagement that allows guests to leave with a better understanding of mining in BC; past, present and future.
Facebook: @BritanniaMineMuseum Instagram: @BritanniaMineMuseum
Media contact: Yvonne Chiang, 604-880-5090, ychiang@bcmm.ca