Science World proudly reopened the revitalized Ken Spencer Science Park on March 15, 2025. This beloved 35,000 square foot outdoor gallery will provide Science World guests immersive opportunities to connect with nature in an urban setting. Through interactive exhibits featuring diverse BC ecosystems, we hope guests will discover how their sustainability choices contribute to a healthier, more regenerative community.
The Ken Spencer Science Park opened in 2013 and for over a decade has helped visitors foster a deeper connection to sustainability through interactive exhibits focused on key areas like water, energy, and community, all while promoting outdoor play and experiential learning.
This year, the Ken Spencer Science Park will be open from March 15 to November 3, and entry is included with Science World admission.
Share Your Favourite Lunch With Us!
In celebration of our new “What's In Your Lunchbox?” garden exhibit, we invite you to submit your meal for a chance to have the ingredients grown on a special garden bed!
Check out the park’s gardening robot, a CNC robot (computer numerical control ie. robots that do things incredibly quickly and precisely) programmed to grow and tend to plants. It can plant seeds, water, weed and monitor the health of a garden bed – no longer will we need green thumbs to grow gardens! This innovative tool teaches the use of technology in sustainable agriculture.
Explore local food systems in the new garden-to-table exhibit, where visitors see common lunch ingredients grown and learn innovative ways to cultivate food locally, with harvests donated to Strathcona Community Centre's food programs. In the garden beds right now, we're growing ingredients for pepperoni pizza—minus the pepperoni, of course. Fun fact: produce donations average 400-450 lbs of produce per season, which benefits nearly 800 individuals in our neighbourhood.
Witness the transformation of the park's wetland area, enhancing biodiversity and creating ecosystems and thriving habitats. Explore the new mountain stream and waterfall area while viewing plants native to BC, as well as new accessible pathways along the wetland waterfront. More exciting updates to come throughout the year!
Discover the Reflection Walk, a contemplative path featuring local BC plants and signage developed in collaboration with ethnobotanist Dr. Leigh Joseph of the Squamish First Nation. Learn Indigenous plant names in Squamish and Hul'qum'inum (Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Nation language), admire beautiful illustrations, and reflect on our reciprocal relationship with plants (ie. medicinal plants, wildlife shelter, food source, etc) like Douglas Fir, Oregon Grape, Wild Rose and many more.
The chickens are back—meet animal ambassadors Vanta, Marigold, and Marshmallow, the park’s resident hens. Learn about their care (incl. enrichment, training) and how chicken care can be part of sustainable and ethical farming practices. The park's produce and eggs (134 last year!) are donated to four different Strathcona Community Food programs, including the community educational workshops. Check out "Chicken Hour" daily from 3 – 4pm.
Explore 400 square feet of thriving food gardens and discover the benefits of companion planting. Buzz through pollinator-friendly gardens and learn practical tips for balcony gardening. Witness on-site landscaping and vermicomposting, managed circularly (meaning all materials are regenerated!), and learn about the park’s commitment to minimizing waste.
The Outdoor Stage, featuring regularly programmed weather-permitting science demonstrations, has been renovated with new siding and more accessible seating (benches with backs and handrails!), thanks to the 2024 Cultural Spaces – Cultural Infrastructure Grant from the City of Vancouver.
Science Park Daily Programming
Time
Event
Location
1:20 – 1:40pm
Live Stage Show*
Outdoor Stage
3:00 – 4:00pm
Chicken Hour
Food Gardens
Please check the digital displays at Admissions for any special programming! *weather permitting
There’s Something for Everyone
There’s something for everyone at the Ken Spencer Science Park! Community members can watch daily live stage shows from the Observation Deck outside on our Environmental Trail, take in the natural beauty of the revitalized wetlands, or watch the bike counter count the hundreds of cyclists that pass by each day.
The Ken Spencer Science Park would not be possible without the generous support of:
About the sticker
Survivors
Artist: Jeff Kulak
Jeff is a senior graphic designer at Science World. His illustration work has been published in the Walrus, The National Post, Reader’s Digest and Chickadee Magazine. He loves to make music, ride bikes, and spend time in the forest.
About the sticker
Egg BB
Artist: Jeff Kulak
Jeff is a senior graphic designer at Science World. His illustration work has been published in the Walrus, The National Post, Reader’s Digest and Chickadee Magazine. He loves to make music, ride bikes, and spend time in the forest.
About the sticker
Comet Crisp
Artist: Jeff Kulak
Jeff is a senior graphic designer at Science World. His illustration work has been published in the Walrus, The National Post, Reader’s Digest and Chickadee Magazine. He loves to make music, ride bikes, and spend time in the forest.
About the sticker
T-Rex and Baby
Artist: Michelle Yong
Michelle is a designer with a focus on creating joyful digital experiences! She enjoys exploring the potential forms that an idea can express itself in and helping then take shape.
About the sticker
Buddy the T-Rex
Artist: Michelle Yong
Michelle is a designer with a focus on creating joyful digital experiences! She enjoys exploring the potential forms that an idea can express itself in and helping then take shape.
About the sticker
Geodessy
Artist: Michelle Yong
Michelle is a designer with a focus on creating joyful digital experiences! She enjoys exploring the potential forms that an idea can express itself in and helping then take shape.
About the sticker
Science Buddies
Artist: Ty Dale
From Canada, Ty was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993. From his chaotic workspace he draws in several different illustrative styles with thick outlines, bold colours and quirky-child like drawings. Ty distils the world around him into its basic geometry, prompting us to look at the mundane in a different way.
About the sticker
Western Dinosaur
Artist: Ty Dale
From Canada, Ty was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993. From his chaotic workspace he draws in several different illustrative styles with thick outlines, bold colours and quirky-child like drawings. Ty distils the world around him into its basic geometry, prompting us to look at the mundane in a different way.
About the sticker
Time-Travel T-Rex
Artist: Ty Dale
From Canada, Ty was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993. From his chaotic workspace he draws in several different illustrative styles with thick outlines, bold colours and quirky-child like drawings. Ty distils the world around him into its basic geometry, prompting us to look at the mundane in a different way.
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