Science
Pathways
![Birds of a Feather](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/birds-480x200.jpg)
Explore the museum's bird collection. Learn how to help birds through citizen science.
View Pathway![Bats of British Columbia](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/11_bat-anatomy_Hobbs_source-image-2-scaled-e1666813084791-1024x306-1-480x200.jpg)
There are 15 species of bats in BC. Which ones live near you? Find out how important bats are to people and the world we share with them.
View Pathway![Glass Sponges](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/LARGE-GlassSpongeReefMcDaniel-EDIT-Copy-resized-2-480x200.jpg)
Dive into the world of ancient deep-sea biodiversity hotspots called glass sponge reefs.
View Pathway![Mountain Dinosaur of BC](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Leptoceratops_banner-480x200.jpg)
Almost 50 years ago a geologist found dinosaur fossils in northern BC. Today those fossils are in the Royal BC Museum collection. Curator of palaeontology Dr. Victoria Arbour studies those fossils. Find out about her exciting discoveries!
View Pathway![Simple Machines](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/banner-480x200.jpg)
1In 1 playlists
Explore simple machines at the Royal BC Museum! Find examples of simple machines in the museum’s collections and galleries. If you can’t get here in person, you can find Royal BC Museum examples of simple machines here on the Learning Portal.
View Pathway![Great Bear Rainforest](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Item-D-03616-Princess-Royal-Island-White-Kermode-Bear-At-Paradise-Lake-crop-480x200.jpg)
1In 1 playlists
For thousands of years, Indigenous people have shared the Great Bear Rainforest with wolves, eagles, sea otters, salmon and herring, as well as many other animals. It is the only home of BC’s provincial mammal, the Spirit Bear.
View Pathway![Alpine Plants](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/alpinepathway_1170x200-480x200.jpg)
1In 1 playlists
British Columbia has high mountains. Lots of them. In fact, more than 12 per cent of the province is alpine tundra—land above the trees. The alpine tundra is a land of extremes. Trees can’t grow at such high elevations because of cold temperatures. The growing season is brief, and some areas are covered by snow…
View Pathway![Fossil Finds!](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/2018sl0712054-banner-480x200.jpg)
In 2018 the Leahy-Langevin Collection of fossils from the McAbee Fossil Beds near Kamloops was donated to the Royal BC Museum. Explore images and video to learn more about these important fossil finds.
View Pathway![Dominion Astrophysical Observatory](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/doaheader-480x201.jpg)
To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (DAO) partnered with Royal BC Museum. Discover how this place of science helped the world understand astronomy and our place in the universe.
View Pathway![Aliens Among Us](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/aliensamongus_banner_v2-480x200.jpg)
3In 3 playlists
More than 4,000 alien species have made their way to BC with human help, including most of the plants and animals that we eat.
View Pathway![Native Plants on the South Coast](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/header-480x200.jpg)
4In 4 playlists
Learning about native plants can connect us to the places we live. Studying First Peoples’ uses of plants can teach us which native berries are edible and which are not.
View Pathway![Object-Based Learning](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/bannerimage-480x200.jpg)
2In 2 playlists
This pathway is especially for teachers who want to use object-based learning in the classroom. Includes lesson ideas and online support.
View Pathway![Mammoth Proportions](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mammoth-lp-480x360.jpg)
1In 1 playlists
Have you met the infamous Woolly mammoth at the Royal BC Museum? He greets visitors inside the entrance to the Natural History gallery. Woolly, as he is affectionately called by visitors and museum staff, is a replica of the largest animal to ever walk on this continent. Not everyone likes him. He has been known to frighten small children.…
View Pathway![Fathom the Deep](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/opalescent-squid-480x360.jpg)
1In 1 playlists
Marine invertebrates are animals without backbones that live in the ocean. These creatures make up most of ocean animal life. Learn about the incredible diversity beneath the waves.
View Pathway![What Has Six Legs?](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/bugs-pathway-banner-480x200.jpg)
The study of insects (entomology) is alive and well at the Royal BC Museum. Go behind the scenes to discover how we learn about the diversity of insect life in this province.
View Pathway![Not So Scary](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/OpenSpiderDrawer-480x360.jpg)
1In 1 playlists
Many people fear spiders but they are rarely harmful to humans and are important natural predators of insects. The spider collection at the Royal BC Museum strives to reflect the diversity of spiders in this province.
View Pathway![Something Fishy](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/fish-480x360.jpg)
1In 1 playlists
The Royal BC Museum fish collection is varied and wonderful. Explore the astounding diversity of British Columbia fishes through the collection and scientific illustration.
View Pathway![Species at Risk](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/cropped-2015sl0527015p1-480x200.jpg)
5In 5 playlists
We're all in this together. An ecosystem is a natural community. When species disappear it can throw an entire system off balance, with far-reaching consequences for ecosytems, for the planet, and for us. What can we do about it?
View Pathway![Oldest and Oddest](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Miettiasalientensis-banner-480x200.jpg)
3In 3 playlists
Some of the oldest fossils in the Royal BC Museum collection are some of the oddest looking too. Learn about the strange forms of early life on Earth.
View Pathway![Mary Henry’s Journey to a Tropical Valley](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/MGHwithHorse-banner-480x200.jpeg)
5In 5 playlists
American botanist Mary Gibson Henry collected plants in northeastern BC in 1931. Her pioneering journey was recorded on film. Lucky for us, BC Archives has a copy.
View Pathway![Drawing Nature](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Pagurus-samuelis-banner-480x200.jpg)
2In 2 playlists
With all the choices for recording images these days, the art of illustration is still valued by scientific researchers. Explore the work of gifted biologist and illustrator Dr Hart.
View Pathway![Listening for Birds](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/listening-for-bids-header-480x200.jpg)
2In 2 playlists
Listening for birds is a skill that takes patience and perseverance. Grace Bell used her skill and love of birds to record British Columbia bird calls and songs.
View Pathway![Can You Dig It?](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2012c0316001-480x200.jpg)
2In 2 playlists
Archaeology tells us that Indigenous people have been here a very long time. Evidence such as artifacts, house remains and animal bones are held in the Royal BC Museum collection.
View Pathway![Wolves to Whales](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mammal-panorama-480x360.jpg)
2In 2 playlists
The mammal collection is as diverse as the mammals of BC. Mammal specimens at the museum are preserved, stored and made available for research.
View PathwayMedia
![Bird Citizen Science Lesson](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
Bird Citizen Science Lesson
Read![Citizen Science Card](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1985-BOGU-observation2-480x360.jpg)
Citizen Science Card
Look![Pesticide Use](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023MG0314028-480x360.jpg)
Pesticide Use
Look![Completed Study Skin](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023MG0314011-480x360.jpg)
Completed Study Skin
Look![Final Stitch](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0126130-480x360.jpg)
Final Stitch
Look![Tissue Collection](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0126076-480x360.jpg)
Tissue Collection
Look![Skinning](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0126067-480x360.jpg)
Skinning
Look![First incision](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0126035-480x360.jpg)
First incision
Look![Data Collection](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0126001-480x360.jpg)
Data Collection
Look![Study Skin](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0126026-480x360.jpg)
Study Skin
Look![Invasive species](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0120222-480x360.jpg)
Invasive species
Look![Taxonomy](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0120124-480x360.jpg)
Taxonomy
Look![Catalogue](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0120312-480x360.jpg)
Catalogue
Look![Climate Change](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Gavin-Hanke_Clarks-nutcracker-480x360.jpg)
Climate Change
Look![Overhunting](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0120229-480x360.jpg)
Overhunting
Look![Competition](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0120197-480x360.jpg)
Competition
Look![Land development](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0120187-480x360.jpg)
Land development
Look![Cat kills and Window Strikes](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0120092-480x360.jpg)
Cat kills and Window Strikes
Look![Crossbill](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0120170-480x360.jpg)
Crossbill
Look![Shorebirds](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0120162-480x360.jpg)
Shorebirds
Look![Tubenose](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0120143-480x360.jpg)
Tubenose
Look![Smallest Bird](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0120035-480x360.jpg)
Smallest Bird
Look![Largest Bird](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0120059-480x360.jpg)
Largest Bird
Look![Melanin on Wingtips](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0120134-480x360.jpg)
Melanin on Wingtips
Look![Melanin in Feathers](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0120102-480x360.jpg)
Melanin in Feathers
Look![Blue Colour](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0120020-480x360.jpg)
Blue Colour
Look![Colour Pattern](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023MG0120011-480x360.jpg)
Colour Pattern
Look![Yuma Myotis](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Yuma-myotis-480x360.jpg)
Yuma Myotis
Look![Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Townsends-big-eared-bat-480x360.jpg)
Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat
Look![Pallid Bat](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Pallid-bat-480x360.jpg)
Pallid Bat
Look![Long-Legged Myotis](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Long-legged-myotis-480x360.jpg)
Long-Legged Myotis
Look![Little Brown Myotis](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Little-brown-myotis-480x360.jpg)
Little Brown Myotis
Look![Hoary Bat](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Hoary-bat-480x360.jpg)
Hoary Bat
Look![Dark-Nosed Small-Footed Myotis](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Dark-nosed-small-footed-myotis-480x360.jpg)
Dark-Nosed Small-Footed Myotis
Look![Californian Myotis](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/California-myotis-480x360.jpg)
Californian Myotis
Look![Big Brown Bat](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Big-brown-bat-480x360.jpg)
Big Brown Bat
Look![Fringed Myotis](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/251_mMYTH-2014-3861_Hobbs-fringed-myotis-480x360.jpg)
Fringed Myotis
Look![Wing Structure](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/RBCM-Labelled-Bat-20220912-JW-pg12-480x360.jpg)
Wing Structure
Look![Radio Transmitter](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/mEUMA-2014-5655Hobbs-480x360.jpg)
Radio Transmitter
Look![Mark and Recapture](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/278_mMYYU-2019-3354_Hobbs-480x360.jpg)
Mark and Recapture
Look![Diseases](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/35_mLANO-JFace-2015-8762_Hobbs-480x360.jpg)
Diseases
Look![Roosting and Hibernation](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/24.5_mMYSE-2018-4895_Hobbs-480x360.jpg)
Roosting and Hibernation
Look![Baby Bat](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/24_mMYLU-2012-5221_Hobbs-480x360.jpg)
Baby Bat
Look![Drinking Water](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/23_mANPA-2013-5688-Edit_Hobbs-480x360.jpg)
Drinking Water
Look![Bat Ears](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/19_mEUMA-2014-5537Hobbs-480x360.jpg)
Bat Ears
Look![Pallid Bat in Flight](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/12_MG_9867_Hobbs-480x360.jpg)
Pallid Bat in Flight
Look![Mountain Dinosaur of BC](https://img.youtube.com/vi/gvcOT6nMBd8/hqdefault.jpg)
Mountain Dinosaur of BC
Watch![Oligocene Whale Rib](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Timeline_Rib-480x360.jpeg)
Oligocene Whale Rib
Look![Whale Vertebrae](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Look3-480x360.jpeg)
Whale Vertebrae
Look![Fossil Thoracic Vertebra](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Look2-480x360.png)
Fossil Thoracic Vertebra
Look![Student Fossil Photography](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Look1-480x360.jpg)
Student Fossil Photography
Look![Whale Evolution](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
Whale Evolution
Read![Birds of a Feather](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
Birds of a Feather
Read![This Week in History – Season 8 Episode 11: The Fascinating World of Sponges](https://img.youtube.com/vi/8EvCTU5H3Bc/hqdefault.jpg)
This Week in History – Season 8 Episode 11: The Fascinating World of Sponges
Watch![Q and A with H Reiswig](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
Q and A with H Reiswig
Read![Glass Sponge Reef Communities](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
Glass Sponge Reef Communities
Read![Q and A with Sarah Cook](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
Q and A with Sarah Cook
Read![Biology of glass spongesFINAL](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
Biology of glass spongesFINAL
Read![Dinosaur Curriculum Connections](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
Dinosaur Curriculum Connections
Read![This Week in History: Season 7, Episode 20: Marine Protected Areas on BC’s West Coast](https://img.youtube.com/vi/iv0hNuacsys/hqdefault.jpg)
This Week in History: Season 7, Episode 20: Marine Protected Areas on BC’s West Coast
Watch![FINAL_RBCM_Simple_Machines_Flatsheet](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
FINAL_RBCM_Simple_Machines_Flatsheet
Read![Simple Machines Lesson Plan](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
Simple Machines Lesson Plan
Read![The Journey of a Fossil](https://img.youtube.com/vi/YOFE1k6Qbso/hqdefault.jpg)
The Journey of a Fossil
Watch![Collecting](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/IMG_0101-480x360.jpg)
Collecting
Look![Plant Extractor](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/IMG_0092-480x360.jpg)
Plant Extractor
Look![Scenic Workspace](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/IMG_0099-480x360.jpg)
Scenic Workspace
Look![Tiny Botanist](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/IMG_0186-480x360.jpg)
Tiny Botanist
Look![Beringia](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Beringia-Using-DNA-to-trace-northern-hemisphere-alpine-plant-movements-480x360.jpg)
Beringia
Look![Growing close to the ground](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Image-16-Growing-close-to-ground-KMarr-RBCM-480x360.jpg)
Growing close to the ground
Look![Something Fishy](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
Something Fishy
Read![Lesson Plan Native Plants](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
Lesson Plan Native Plants
Read![Edible Plants](https://img.youtube.com/vi/BeyCpbNz7kA/hqdefault.jpg)
Edible Plants
Watch![Physa des Chaud](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
Physa des Chaud
Read![2017caleopteryx a taches apicales](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
2017caleopteryx a taches apicales
Read![Gentiane Delicate](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
Gentiane Delicate
Read![2017 caribou de bois](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
2017 caribou de bois
Read![Woodland Caribou Mini Museum 2017](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
Woodland Caribou Mini Museum 2017
Read![Slender Gentian Mini Museum 2017](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
Slender Gentian Mini Museum 2017
Read![River Jewelwing Mini Museum 2017](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
River Jewelwing Mini Museum 2017
Read![Hotwater Physa Mini-Museum](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)
Hotwater Physa Mini-Museum
Read![Species at Risk Trailer Visits Fort St. John](https://img.youtube.com/vi/xLXXASxTI8E/hqdefault.jpg)
Species at Risk Trailer Visits Fort St. John
Watch![Mammoths and Mastodons Titans of the Ice Age Educator Guide](https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/wp-content/themes/learning-portal/img/link-placeholder.jpg)