Amazing Air!

Teachers spoke and we listened! Not only have we updated the experiments in this program to accommodate changes in the Ontario Curriculum, but we’ve also lengthened the program to include a tour of the collection. In addition, we’ve incorporated time for a snack break, so that students will be better able to maintain their focus throughout the program.

Grade
Grade 2
Subject
Science and Technology
Cost
$6.00 per student (minimum fee of $120)
Group size
Max. 25 students
Chaperones
Minimum of 6 adult chaperones per group (free)
Capacity
Two groups concurrently
Duration
130 minutes (includes snack time)

Program Description

The first half of this program introduces students to some of the basic characteristics of air, with hands-on experiments including: “Does Air Take Up Space?” and “What Does Air Weigh?”. To see the effect of wind on flying objects, each student will build a simple kite and “jet” engine and test these for themselves!

Time for a short snack break is included in the schedule. You can either have students bring their own snacks, or order from our catering service at an additional cost.

During the second half of the program, students take a discovery tour with one of our friendly educators. Along the way we’ll play the “What Does This Plane Do?” game, and talk about the effects of various aircraft on the environment (including improvements over time and into the future).

Curriculum Links

Science and Technology

Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Air and Water in the Environment

1. Relating Science and Technology to Society and the Environment

1.1
Assess the impact of human activities on air and water in the environment, taking different points of view into consideration, and plan a course of action to help keep the air and water in the local community clean.

2. Developing Investigation and Communication Skills

2.2
Investigate, through experimentation, the characteristics of air (e.g., air takes up space, has mass) and its uses (e.g., living things breathe air to stay alive; air makes certain activities possible; helps keep a kite flying and a sailboat moving).

3. Understanding Basic Concepts

3.1
Identify air as a gaseous substance that surrounds us and whose movement we feel as wind.
3.3
Describe ways in which living things, including humans, depend on air and water.

Source Document: The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1–8: Science and Technology, 2007

Teacher Tips

Remember: to help plan your trip, teachers are entitled to a free pass. Please call our reservation office to request yours today!

To get the most out of your experience, we recommend that you arrange your bus schedule so that you can spend 2 ½ – 3 hours at the Museum. This will give you an opportunity to visit more of the collection on your own, take health breaks, enjoy snacks or lunches, visit the boutique, etc.

Remember to bring a large bag or bags to carry home your class’s creations, and a camera to document the fun!

Staying for lunch? Please ask our reservation office about table/lunchroom availability, as well as our catering service.

Pre-Visit Activity Suggestions

Ask your class to collect pictures of things that need or use air. Let them be as broad in their thinking as they can be – e.g., people and plants need air to live; airplanes and helicopters use air to remain aloft; birds use air to fly; windmills use the power of moving air to generate electricity, etc.

Once you’ve gathered the images, use these and other materials to make colourful collages for display in the classroom.

Fees and Reservations

Make a Reservation

Please make your reservation at least three weeks in advance by calling 613-993-4264 or click on the Reserve button to fill out an online reservation request. Please allow a minimum of 48 hours for our response.

Program fees are per person and include taxes. All accompanying adults per group are admitted free. Payment may be made in advance or on arrival by cash, credit card, debit, or cheque made payable to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.

Fees
Program Per student* Minimum Fee

*Please note that all prices are subject to change without notice.
Amazing Air! $6.00 $120

Cancellation Fees

A cancellation fee of $80 per school program will be charged for cancellations made less than 48 hours before the scheduled date of the program. For a program cancelled with more than 48 hours notice, a $20 administration fee will apply, unless the program is rescheduled within the same school year. In the case of school bus cancellation due to inclement weather, this fee will not apply if a school reschedules the cancelled program within the same school year.