Virtual Space Missions from the Cosmodome

OPTICA centre d'art contemporain presents:Activity inspired by the artistic practice of Sandra Brewster Mediation: Digital Educational Toolkit  Due to the health crisis that is significantly reducing youth’ access to art and culture, OPTICA has developed a digital educational toolkit for school groups and families. The kit provides an opportunity to discover the practice of the artist Sandra Brewster whose work is currently confined at OPTICA. It also allows for students to be introduced to contemporary art and to learn more about artist-run centres in general. The kit contains a virtual tour that can be facilitated by a teacher and an accompanying guided visit scenario is made available to help guide the visit. If preferred the tour can be conducted by a mediator from the center via a video conference platform. A downloadable and printable student booklet is also made available for use; it contains a lexicon of the themes addressed in the exhibition, a short biography of the artist and 5 educational activities that can be carried out both in class and at home. The kit also includes a creative workshop that introduces students to the image transfer technique Brewster uses in her work. To obtain a kit and/or plan a virtual visit with a mediator, please contact Sandrine at mediation@optica.ca.

Gather your supplies and set out your confetti, sequins, and glitter! Make a buffet of fun mix-ins! Usually we mix in these things as we go along, but this time we set it up to do at the end instead. Grab some plastic containers and friends and make slime for everyone to take home. YOU WILL NEED: Clear Washable PVA School Glue {3 bottles, one for each color} 1.5 Ounce Bottles of Glitter Glue {this is optional and the slime can be made without it, but we love it!} Water Liquid Starch Food Coloring Glitter Sequins Heart Confetti HOW TO MAKE VALENTINES DAY SLIME STEP 1. Empty a small {around 1.5 ounce} bottle of cheap glitter glue into a 1/2 cup measure. Fill the remaining space in the measuring cup with the clear glue for a total of a 1/2 cup of glue. If you don’t have the glitter glue, just use a full 1/2 cup of clear glue. Empty into a bowl. STEP 2. Add 1/2 cup of water to the glue and mix well. STEP 3. Color with food coloring for a deep shade of red, purple, or pink. You can add more glitter now if you want too. STEP 4. Measure and add 1/2 cup of liquid starch to your mixture and stir. The slime will begin to form immediately. Once you have mixed as much as you can, remove your slime and knead until smooth. STEP 5. Set your slime on trays and toss confetti, glitter, and sequins all over it! Have fun mixing it all up and playing! Make several batches and swirl them all together. Super stretchy and super fun! Once you learn how to make Valentines Day slime, you won’t be able to stop. It’s easy to make homemade slime, and even easier to dress it up with fun holiday and seasonal themes.

Colouring Sheets Check out these great colouring sheets of some of the City's most iconic landmarks, all part of our 114 Stories X 114 Storeys photo exhibit in special collaboration with the Toronto Public Library. Just download, print, colour and share them with us! 114 Stories X 114 StoreysCN TowerCanadian National ExhibitionFort YorkKensington MarketOntario PlacePrince Edward ViaductRoyal York HotelSkyDomeToronto IslandsUnion StationYonge Street #mycntower Building Challenge We want to see your Towers. Using materials you have around your home, build your ownCN Tower. Here are some that we've seen.     CN Tower Scavenger Hunt CN Tower Webcam Scavenger Hunt! How many can you see? Use the EarthCam feeds on our website or the CN Tower Viewfinder App, free to download!   CN Tower Trivia How much do you know about the CN Tower? Test your knowledge using our trivia pages.Trivia Challenge Page 1    Triva Challenge Page 2          Education Programs While the best way to complete these curriculum based materials is onsite during a field trip, we’ve adjusted our worksheets so you can now do them from home. Have fun! Strong and Stable Structures – recommended for Grade 3 to 5 studentsStrong and Stable Structures WorksheetForm and Function – recommended for Grade 7 studentsForm and Function Worksheet - Complete as an ArchitectForm and Function Worksheet - Complete as a BuilderForm and Function Worksheet - Complete as an EngineerForm and Function Worksheet - Complete as an Industrial DesignerForm and Function Worksheet - Complete as a Scientist   Engineering Activities Each year the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers join us for March Break, and bring with them awesome activities. We're sharing with you some of our favourites, that you can do at home. We hope you enjoy them. Marble Maze:1…2…3…Go! Have lots of fun with your family and friends with our marble maze. Use trial and error and your problem-solving skills to control how fast or slow your marble travels on its way to the finish line! Source - First Lego League Tutorials   Paper Columns: A Triangle, a Square or a Circle? Which one is stronger? We’ll test the strength of a piece of paper by folding it into different shaped columns and balancing objects on top. Source - Creekside Learning   Balloon Rocket:Test out how forces, mass and motion are connected. Make your very own rocket using string, a straw, tape and a balloon and watch it fly!  Source - Discover Learn Explore Build a Hurricane-Resistant Tower:Use everyday materials to build a tower that can hold up a tennis ball while resisting the force of wind from a fan. (If you want a real challenge, add a spray bottle to represent rain!) Make it a contest – who can build the tallest, strongest tower!