ABOUT SCIENCE NORTH
Science North is Northern Ontario’s most popular tourist attraction and an educational resource for children and adults across the globe.
Science North maintains the second and eighth largest science centres in all of Canada and features an IMAX® with Laser theatre, digital Planetarium, butterfly gallery, special exhibits hall, and so much more!
AN UPDATE ON KASH THE BEAVER
SCIENCE NORTH'S ANIMAL AMBASSADOR, KASH THE BEAVER, TO MOVE TO NEW BEAVER COMMUNITY
Last November, Science North permanently relocated one of their most recognized Animal Ambassadors, Kash (Kashkuanashku-Innu for “it is foggy/cloudy”) the beaver, to a CAZA (Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums) facility to join other beavers under human care.
Kash came to Science North in 2013, born under human care at Le Zoo Sauvage de St. Félicien. The decision to relocate Kash to a new home where he could join a social group of fellow beavers in a more expansive environment was driven by the evolving social needs he experienced while transitioning into his adult life stage.
Click here for full press release. If you would like more information, please email contactus [at] sciencenorth.ca (contactus[at]sciencenorth[dot]ca).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- WHY IS KASH LEAVING?
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- Beavers are naturally sociable animals and Kash’s needs for socialization and interaction with other beavers have increased. Monitoring his behaviours has indicated to Science North a need for Kash to have access to other beavers, and to a larger habitat that includes outdoor components. His new habitat will allow him to socialize with other beavers and have additional space.
- WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH HIS HABITAT AT SCIENCE NORTH?
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- In the immediate future, Science North will house other aquatic animals such as turtles and additional fish in Kash’s habitat on the third floor. We will continue to monitor new opportunities for expansion of the habitat that could potentially facilitate the housing of beavers or other Northern Ontario species.
- WILL YOU GET ANOTHER BEAVER OR ANOTHER ANIMAL?
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- In the immediate future, Science North will not house another solitary beaver but will explore new opportunities for expansion of the habitat that could potentially facilitate the housing of beavers or other Northern Ontario species.
- WHAT IS KASH'S HISTORY?
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- Kash was born at Le Zoo Sauvage de St. Félicien in Saint-Félicien, Québec. Science North adopted him in 2013 when he was four months old. During his initial quarantine period, he was able to integrate into his new home at Science North, in a secure and safe space. Once Kash was confident in his swimming abilities, he was moved into his current habitat, where he’s lived since. Kash also goes out into the science centre for walks, as well as collects browse outdoors with the animal care staff. Like most beavers, he always chooses poplar branches first, with a close second being dandelion and chokeberries as his favourite foods!
- WHERE IS HE GOING?
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- At this time, due to confidentiality, Science North cannot disclose the exact facility where Kash will be moving to. However, the new facility is another CAZA accredited organization ensuring his continued professional care. We will share more information in the near future.
- WHY CAN'T YOU RELEASE KASH INTO THE WILD?
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- Like the other animal ambassadors at Science North, Kash was never a candidate to be released into the wild. Kash was born in human care and has spent his entire life around humans and relies on them for his care.
- HOW CAN I EXPLAIN TO MY CHILD THAT KASH IS NO LONGER AT SCIENCE NORTH?
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- Kash was moved to a new home so that he could have more space and access to the outdoors from his habitat, alongside other beavers to socialize with. We know that Kash’s new home will have everything he needs to live a long healthy life!
SENSORY SUNDAYS
SPECIAL SENSORY FRIENDLY DAYS
Science North is for everyone! If our regular operations are a little too much for your senses to handle, join us for a Sensory Sunday, for a quieter, sensory friendly experience. During this event, sounds will be turned down or off, lighting will be adjusted, the science centre will be less busy, and certain spaces will be set up as sensory break spaces. At noon, catch a special sensory-friendly IMAX® with house lights on, reduced volume, and no trailers or preshow!
DATES
- April 6
- May 4
- June 1
- September 14
- November 2
- November 30
- January 18, 2026
- February 8, 2026
2ND FLOOR
Nature Exchange, F. Jean MacLeod Butterfly Gallery
Head to the second floor of the science centre for some one-of-a-kind visitor experiences.
- Handle exotic invertebrates, and trade some natural artifacts at the Nature Exchange
- Visit tropical butterflies in the F. Jean MacLeod Butterfly Gallery
3RD FLOOR
Northern Ecosystems
Take a voyage through Ontario’s natural landscapes with Northern Ecosystems.
Visit Science North’s animal ambassadors and learn about the wildlife found in our own backyards. Discover what fish live in Ramsey Lake, learn how you can help at-risk species in Ontario, and even come face to face with a snake!
Science North has been an affiliate member of Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) since 2013. CAZA is a nonprofit organization that sets high standards of care and welfare for animals in human care across Canada. Their mission is to connect people to nature through education, conservation and animal welfare. Science North remains committed to providing exemplary care for our the animal ambassadors to ensure they are healthy, comfortable, well nourished, and safe at all times.
NEW FLYING SQUIRRELS ALERT!
The votes are in — our flying squirrels officially have names! Let us introduce you to:
- CHESTNUT — Our curious but cautious male, always the first to investigate—carefully!
- WALNUT — The energetic and adventurous male, always sneaking snacks from the others!
- PINE NUT — A timid male, slowly coming out of his shell, often hiding on the ground!
- HAZELNUT — Our independent female who loves her alone time and is always the last to eat!
Thank you to everyone who voted and helped us give these little adventurers their perfect nutty names! 🗳️🐿️ Come visit the scurry on the third floor in the Nocturnal Room to meet Chestnut, Walnut, Pine Nut, and Hazelnut! 🦇✨
4TH FLOOR
Discover. Learn. Play.
Tinker, play, and have fun in our Tech Lab. Build racecars, learn about space exploration, and take a walk on the moon. Or discover the latest breakthroughs in biology in our Bio Lab.
FUNDED BY
MOONWALK
You will literally get to walk in an astronaut's shoes!
Feel what it's like to move on the Moon with a special harness simulating the Moon's gravity and VR for an immersive experience. It's one small step for you, one giant leap in space exploration!
Note: Time slot reservations must be made on the day of your visit on the 4th floor.
CLIMATE ACTION SHOW
Sheepy is back with a brand-new climate action mission! Building on Science North’s past award-winning multimedia object theatres on climate change, the Climate Action Show empowers visitors of all ages to become change agents.
TD ABINOOJIIHNS MITIGO GAMIK TODDLER TREEHOUSE
KIDS ZONE
Toddlers and preschoolers have a special place at Science North! This great educational play area is dedicated to young children from newborn to age five.
DISCOVERY THEATRE
Science Demonstrations
This amphitheatre is the setting for wacky and wonderful science demonstrations, hosted live each day by Science North’s talented staff! Each show features plenty of audience participation and plenty of surprises! The Discovery Theatre is accessible from both the 3rd and 4th floors.
WILLIAM RAMSEY BOAT CRUISE
2024 update
Please note, that Science North's floating dock linking visitors to the Jim Gordon Boardwalk is currently decommissioned. Regrettably, this circumstance also means that at this time the William Ramsey Boat Cruise will not be able to dock at this location this year.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
A FUN PARTY AT A GREAT VALUE
Give your child an amazing birthday party that is one of a kind with the help of our Bluecoats! Enjoy a fun-filled day with affordable prices and flexible party options. We can help make it a birthday to remember!
GIFT CARDS
Give a Gift
For the person who has everything – a valued employee or a special client you may be trying to impress – our gift cards make for a fantastic gift! Redeem them and discover all of the wonderfully unique experiences our science centres have to offer!
SHOP & EAT
Whizards
Shopping has never been so much fun! Whizards is filled with hundreds of fun science-based and educational gift ideas that will stimulate the brains of children young and old. The best part? The kids will be having so much fun that they won’t know that the gift you’ve given is educational!
Featuring original souvenirs of Sudbury, Science North "Bluecoat approved" educational toys, clothing, novelties, and gifts for all ages.
Members save 10%
elements
Revive yourself with healthier choices in our new food court. Pick up something hot from the grill, try one of our daily specials or grab a quick snack. Enjoy your meal while overlooking Ramsey Lake from our indoor seating area or out on the new patio.
Members save 10%
COCA-COLA CORNER
Whether you prefer your snacks salty or sweet, enjoy a delicious treat from Coca-Cola Corner during your IMAX® film adventure!
Members save 10%
UNIQUE ARCHITECTURE
- A snowflake perched atop a rock crater — this is the architectural metaphor that is Science North. The snowflake is symbolic of the glaciation that sculpted Canada's northern landscape. A snowflake is also a crystal, the basic component of so many natural minerals. The rock crater is symbolic of the Sudbury Basin.
- The Sudbury Basin is a unique geological phenomenon. One hundred kilometres wide and 15 kilometres deep, the edge of the basin is the source of nickel, copper and 15 other minerals that have made Sudbury one of Canada's largest mining centres.
- The architects created two snowflakes — the smaller hexagonal building houses administration offices, a restaurant and a cafeteria. The larger hexagon, the exhibit building, rests atop a rock outcrop some 60 metres away at an elevation some 15 metres higher. The elevation difference allowed the architects to link the buildings by an underground rock tunnel beneath the exhibit building. At the end of this rock tunnel is an underground cavern, used as a theatre, an exhibit area for special displays and as an auditorium for guest presentations.
- From the Vale Cavern, visitors proceed to the exhibit floors by way of a glass-enclosed ramp or by elevator. The view is dominated by a panorama of Ramsey Lake, a huge Fin Whale skeleton, and the Creighton Fault, a unique geological feature.
- The exterior of Science North's glittering snowflakes are clad in stainless steel, the key ingredient of which is Sudbury's nickel. The architectural blend of snowflake and rock crater is the work of the same two teams of architects that were co-leaders of the original conceptual study and feasibility analysis for Science North.
- Raymond Moriyama, who designed Science North, was also the architect for the Ontario Science Centre, the Metropolitan Toronto Library and the Scarborough Town Centre, and has achieved international acclaim for his work. Yallowega Bélanger Architecture of Sudbury are the architects for the Science North IMAX® Theatre, the F. Jean MacLeod Butterfly Gallery, the Science North Special Exhibits Hall and Science North’s former Virtual Voyages motion simulator, which now houses the digital dome Planetarium.
