Both Pre-Visit and Post-Visit Packages

In this guided school program, students will learn about the history and cultural life of Vancouver’s Chinatown through our interactive exhibits and touchable teaching collection. Delving into the lived experiences and mementos of Chinatown’s diverse residents, students will gain an appreciation for the community’s resilient spirit and rich cultural heritage.

Total length: 1 hour

Grade levels: adaptable to all grade levels

Cost per student: $8 (1 adult chaperone per 5 students may visit for free)

Since early migration until now, Chinese Canadians have had and continue to have diverse and complex relationships with Canada. Racial discrimination against Chinese Canadians was prevalent during the creation of the nation, yet their individual voices and experiences are often left out of the historical narrative. In this three-part field trip consisting of a visit to the Chinese Canadian Museum, the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden, as well as a mini Chinatown walking tour, students will explore the endurance of Vancouver Chinatown and the resilience of the Chinese Canadian community through stories of food, community, and activism.

This field trip for Gr 9 and 10 is hosted collaboratively in partnership by the Chinese Canadian Museum and Dr Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden, and features research and content development by the UBC Initiative for Student Teaching and Research in Chinese Canadian Studies (UBC INSTRCC)

Please see chinatownexisting.wordpress.com for more details.

Discover Richmond’s diverse cultures by exploring multicultural winter celebrations, from Indigenous to European and Asian traditions.

Play games and unwrap mystery presents that reflect cultural winter celebration, then make a unique Christmas craft.

Big Ideas:

• Diverse communities, stories and traditions about ourselves and our families (Kindergarten)
• Diversity of individuals (Grade 1)
• Diverse regions and communities (Grade 2)
• Diverse cultures and societies (Grade 3)

For more information and to register, please visit our website

Uncover the social science of archaeology by investigating artifacts from the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia, Indus Valley, Egypt, China, Greece and Rome. Students work in teams to do a simulated field dig and analyze artifacts to formulate and test their hypothesis. Learn about three prominent Northwest Coast archaeological sites and related archaeological findings. Using traditional First Nations belongings, examine the role and limitations of archeology when studying the cultures and traditions of the First Nations.

Explore c̓əsnaʔəm: the city before the city through a scavenger hunt activity based on the Big Six Historical Thinking Concepts. Learn about the impacts of colonization on the Musqueam First Nation and their resilience in the face of assimilation. Through Object-Based Learning, examine the impacts of colonial practices and policies on various aspects of First Nations traditions, languages, and cultures, and examples of reconciliation today.  

These art activities are inspired by the symbolism and architecture of a Chinese garden and allow students to explore CHinese symolism and our beautiful leak windows to create artwors of their own. 

This activity can be adapted easily to the age of the students and the time available in class.

Options: 

• Framing Views: https://vancouverchinesegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/FramingViews.pdf
• Exploring Chinese Symbols: Bats https://vancouverchinesegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/Exploring-Chinese-Symbols-1.pdf

September 15, 2025-June 25, 2026

Join us in exploring the complexity of the BC coastline. Students are immersed in ideas of interconnection, ecosystems, water cycles, and shoreline wildlife, inspired by works from the City of Burnaby's Permanent Collection. Using watercolour, drawing, and collage, students develop individual mixed-media works.

Curriculum Tie-ins: Art Education, Earth Science, Indigenous Art