EDUCATION
PROGRAMS
YOUR HIGH FLYING ADVENTURE AWAITS
Let us take your learning to new heights!
The NAFMC Education Department offers hands-on, STEM-focused programming for students of all ages. Our expert facilitators utilize the Museum’s extensive collection and their own real-world experience to engage students in the science of flight and the history of Canadian military aviation.
On 1 April 2025 the cost per student for education programs will increase.
ALL NAFMC EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE A TOUR OF THE CC-130 HERCULES!
Getting Off the Ground
JK to SK
How do things move through the air?
Explore how natural and everyday objects move through the air in this introduction to flight. Get up close to the Silver Dart – the first powered aircraft to fly in Canada – and step inside our CC-130 Hercules – today’s military workhorse – in this hands-on program.
Curriculum Links: Science & Technology, Language
Length: 120 Minutes
Cost: $7 + HST per student
Materials Mania
Grade 3
What were the first airplanes made out of?
Discover the materials that were used to build the first airplanes and more in this engaging program. Learn about the different parts of an airplane and how they affect flight, and step inside our CC-130 Hercules to compare today’s modern aircraft to those of the past.
Curriculum Links: Science & Technology, Language
Length: 120 Minutes
Cost: $7 + HST per student
Body Building for Aircraft
Grade 5
How can you strengthen materials used in aircraft design?
Explore our collection of aircraft and visit our Restoration Shop to learn about the changes in aviation technology and the materials used to build modern aircraft. Discover how different materials are used and strengthened, and experience the inside of our CC-130 Hercules.
Curriculum Links: Science & Technology, Language
Length: 120 Minutes
Cost: $7 + HST per student
Prepare for Take-Off
Grade 6
POPULAR
ADAPTABLE FOR OTHER GRADES
How do aircraft fly and how do we survive up high?
Discover the science of flight through interactive demonstrations and hands-on experiments! Learn about Bernoulli’s principle and the four key forces that get and airplane into the air and help keep it there. Explore the evolution of aircrew safety and experience the inside our CC-130 Hercules aircraft.
Curriculum Links: Science & Technology, Language
Length: 120 Minutes
Cost: $7 + HST per student
Prepare for Take-Off
Grade 7-8
POPULAR
ADAPTABLE FOR OTHER GRADES
How do aircraft fly and how do we survive up high?
Discover the science of flight through interactive demonstrations and hands-on experiments in this program that is adapted for intermediate grades! Learn about Bernoulli’s principle and the four key forces that get and airplane into the air and help keep it there. Explore the evolution of aircrew safety and experience the inside our CC-130 Hercules aircraft.
Curriculum Links: Science & Technology, Language
Length: 120 Minutes
Cost: $7 + HST per student
Discover Our Past
Grade 10
POPULAR
ADAPTABLE FOR OTHER GRADES
How has Canada’s air force evolved?
Discover the role of Canada’s air force in the First and Second World Wars in this hands-on program that explores the objects and exhibits that tell our air force history. Explore our collection of aircraft to learn about the evolution of flight in Canada, changes in aviation technology, and the aircraft flown by the RCAF. Experience and compare the interior of two military transport aircraft from different eras in this immersive program.
Curriculum Links: History, Language
Length: 120 Minutes
Cost: $7 + HST per student
Remembrance Program
Operation Boxtop: Service & Sacrifice in Peacetime
POPULAR
SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER
ADAPTABLE FOR ALL GRADES
Discover the story of Boxtop 22 in this Remembrance themed program that celebrates the service and sacrifice of Canadian air personnel. Explore our collection of Arctic survival gear to learn about Northern operations and participate in hands-on activities that explore our cold weather operations. This program can be customized for different grades.
Curriculum Links: History, Language, Social Studies, Geography
Length: 120 Minutes
Cost: $7 + HST per student
Bernoulli's Magic
Ages 10+
POPULAR
ADAPTABLE FOR ELEMENTARY GRADES
A single activity to add to any program
Discover Bernoulli’s Principle through interactive demonstrations and hands-on experiments to learn how it applies to the science of flight.
Field Trip Information
The Museum’s Education Department offers a variety of engaging programs that meet curriculum goals for STEM, history, language arts, and more. Reservations are required for all Education Programs and group bookings.
To request a program, please submit this form and a member of the Education Department will follow up with you. Note that your request is not finalized until you receive confirmation from our team.
All requests must be submitted at least four (4) weeks in advance of your requested program date.
YOUR VISIT
We ask that all groups arrive on time for their visit. If the schedule changes please let the Museum know so that schedules can be adjusted accordingly.
If your group should arrive late, we cannot reduce the programming fees nor can we guarantee that your group will receive the full scheduled program. We will do our best to accommodate schedule changes but programming hours cannot be extended to accommodate late arrival.
Programs
Programs are available for students in grades K through 10 with learning opportunities related to science, technology, engineering, and math, as well as history and other social studies fields.
School programs are available Monday to Friday. Programs are a half-day long (4 hours), and generally begin at 10:00am. Please include any special timing requests with your program inquiry.
Programming for special youth organizations, including cadet groups, is flexible. Please contact the Education Department with your request at least two (2) weeks prior to your planned visit.
All program requests must be submitted in writing to the Education Department.
Special Needs & Accessibility
If an individual in your group requires extra assistance, please let us know in advance of your visit and we will do our best to make accommodations.
Lunch Policy
There is no food for sale on site. Students may bring their own packed lunch to be eaten in the classroom. Time for lunch is included in all programs.
Food is not permitted in the Museum’s gallery space. All food must remain inside the classroom during your visit.
Supervision & Supervising Adults
Grades K-3 – 1:5 Grades 4 -8 – 1:8 Grades 9+ – 1:10
For the safety of your group, the Museum requires the ratios above for all Education Programs.
Responsibility for the supervision of students / youth remains with the group leader and their volunteer supervisors. We request that educators take an active part in ensuring that youth are respectful towards the Museum, its artefacts, and staff and volunteers. Should student behaviour be deemed inappropriate, dangerous, or destructive by Museum staff, programming will be terminated.
Supervising adults participate in programming free of charge. Any adults over the recommended ratio will be charged the Museum’s standard admission rate.
GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOLS AND YOUTH GROUPS
Museum Etiquette
In all cases, teachers and supervising adults are responsible for the conduct of their groups. Please make sure your group understands the rules below before your visit.
- Be kind and courteous to our staff and volunteers. Your program facilitators are volunteers who are dedicating their time to make sure you have a positive learning experience. Please be respectful and follow the direction they provide;
- Be mindful of other visitors to the museum – no running, shouting, loud, abusive, or disruptive behaviour is permitted;
- Do not reach over or cross barriers; stanchions may be an obvious barrier but it also means that your entire body stays in front of it (no reaching), and while some exhibits do not have stanchions it does not always mean it is okay to touch – look for signage to indicate which exhibits are interactive;
- Youth under the age of 16 must remain in groups with an adult;
- No food or drink in the Museum gallery – water is the only exception
- Gift Shop:
- No bags, and no more than five (5) youth at a time accompanied by an adult
- Airpark:
- Do not climb on aircraft, monuments, or other structures in the Airpark;
- Do not step on Ad Astra Stones (memorial stones that line the pathways)
Interactive Exhibits
The NAFMC has a number of interactive exhibits for visitors to enjoy. We ask that you please be mindful and treat our interactives gently so that others can enjoy them.
Simulators: Historic RCAF aircraft simulators provide visitors the opportunity to step into the cockpits of these original training tools.
Dress-Up Station: Our dress-up station located in the back of the Museum gives visitors the opportunity to try on different pieces of historic uniforms and take their photo in from of our “Hero Shot” mural. All uniforms must remain in this section of the Museum and are not to be working throughout the gallery or outside.
Groups or students who violate Museum policies or disregard staff / volunteer instructions may be asked to leave. Noncompliance could affect future access to the Museum.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellation must be communicated in writing a minimum of 14 business days in advance of the booking date. Any cancellations made past this time will be subject to full program fees.
Rescheduling
The Museum requires a minimum of 14 business days’ notice to reschedule programs. An administration fee of $40.00 applies to programs that are rescheduled with less than 14 business days’ notice.
Request Your Field Trip
ONSITE SERVICES
Discover everything the NAFMC has to offer! With over 75,000 sq. ft. of indoor exhibit space and a 16-acre Airpark, there’s a lot to explore – from enticing exhibits that tell the story of Canada’s air force personnel, to our extensive collection military aircraft. Museum guides are available every day to answer visitor questions, and our gift shop has a selection of aviation themed merchandise, including historic models and used books, that you won’t find anywhere else.
FREE PARKING
ACCESSIBLE
GIFT SHOP
FEATURED ExhibitS
DISCOVER YOUR AIR FORCE
Did you know the RCAF had K9s? Or that there was a Tim Horton’s opened in Kandahar? Have you heard of the SWINTER Trials? Discover the people, places, and events that have shaped Canada’s air force history. Featuring unique artefacts from our collection, interactive displays, and multimedia presentations, our exhibits bring the rich history of Canadian aviation to life.
