Halifax Planetarium, Dalhousie University “That was the best day ever!” “I’m so glad I am here!” The words of excitement from the kids at the Halifax Planetarium didn’t stop all night long! The boys in my family are fascinated by space. So, it all started when I booked us a family trip to the Deep […]
KartSTART presented by Toyota Disclosure: We received a free ticket for this event in exchange for a review. Would you seriously turn down this opportunity for your kid? All opinions are our own. Early adoption of safe driving habits puts future drivers on the right track. That’s the aim of the KartSTART program. “I’m going […]
https://i0.wp.com/valleyfamilyfun.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/KartStart.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1ValleyFamilyFunhttps://valleyfamilyfun.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/vff_logo2-300x69.pngValleyFamilyFun2016-09-01 10:57:422016-09-01 10:57:42KartSTART presented by Toyota
Halifax Planetarium, Dalhousie University “That was the best day ever!” “I’m so glad I am here!” The words of excitement from the kids at the Halifax Planetarium didn’t stop all night long! The boys in my family are fascinated by space. So, it all started when I booked us a family trip to the Deep […]
KartSTART presented by Toyota Disclosure: We received a free ticket for this event in exchange for a review. Would you seriously turn down this opportunity for your kid? All opinions are our own. Early adoption of safe driving habits puts future drivers on the right track. That’s the aim of the KartSTART program. “I’m going […]
https://i0.wp.com/valleyfamilyfun.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/KartStart.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1ValleyFamilyFunhttps://valleyfamilyfun.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/vff_logo2-300x69.pngValleyFamilyFun2016-09-01 10:57:422016-09-01 10:57:42KartSTART presented by Toyota
The heart of the Planetarium, a Spitz Model A-1 projector dating from the 1950s on indefinite loan from the NS Museum of Natural History, has been in its current location for well over 30 years.
Although the Halifax Planetarium is not as big as others in Canada, its size is ideal for small groups (up to 30) and allows for a close interaction between the operator and the audience.
The planetarium is housed at the Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science in the Sir James Dunn Building at Dalhousie University.
Our Experience
You would never know that tucked away inside an office building on campus, you would find this amazing planetarium!
We all sat around the dome. As the guide said, no seat is a bad seat, and it’s true!
The guide gradually dimmed the lights, as it takes about 15 minutes for our eyes to adjust to the darkness. Then, he got us to close our eyes, and imagine we were out in the dark skies of Keji. When we opened our eyes, there was a gasp from the crowd!
The image before our eyes was incredible! It was just like being outside amongst the stars.
For the next hour, the guide walked us through “Signposts in the Sky” pointing out how to find different constellations based on the Big Dipper. He was able to adjust the projection for different times of the night and times of the year.
The guide welcomed questions at any point from the audience, and the kids certainly took advantage of it. Because it was completely dark in the dome, the kids felt like they were having their own personal guided tour of the heavens!
It was an amazing experience for everyone there!
Tips
In the summer, it gets warm in the planetarium because of the enclosed space. Dress is layers.
Consider bringing a travel neck pillow or a sweatshirt you can roll up under your neck to make viewing the dome a bit more comfortable.
Observe the ages. This show is definitely meant for older children who can sit still for the hour-long presentation and can understand and follow the discussion.
Going to a Show
Shows currently run about every two weeks on Thursday evenings. Public shows will be posted as events on the home page of Astronomy Nova Scotia as they are announced.
Please note that shows are most suitable for ages 8 and up.
The planetarium offers group shows to school classes and organized groups.
When I contacted the planetarium to book tickets for our large family group, organizers instead suggested that we book a private group show!
The planetarium holds about 35 people, so I put the call out to friends and family and we were able to fill the planetarium! This was definitely the best way to go about seeing a show! Because there were so many kids (8+) in the audience, they were able to gear the show towards them.
Tickets
Tickets are only $5 each for adults, and $3 or less for children (subject to change), with different pay scales depending on the number in your family. This makes and extremely affordable evening for the family!
To book your seat at a regular show or to inquire about a private group tour, contact the planetarium at planetarium@dal.ca.
How to Get There
The Halifax Planetarium is located in Rm. 120 at the south end of the Sir James Dunn Building.
Head to 6310 Coburg Road in Halifax and turn onto Lord Dalhousie Drive, which will take you onto campus.
The Sir James Dunn building is immediately on your left.
Free parking is available behind this building, starting at 4:30pm.
Disclosure: We received a free ticket for this event in exchange for a review. Would you seriously turn down this opportunity for your kid? All opinions are our own.
Early adoption of safe driving habits puts future drivers on the right track. That’s the aim of the KartSTART program.
“I’m going to get half my license today!” Daniel, 10, was so excited to go Go-Kart driving today, he was nearly jumping out of his skin! He even wore his Mario KART shirt to get ready.
KartSTART presented by Toyota is a unique family driving education program that is designed to give teenagers and their families a true – real-world – understanding of the physics behind driving a motorized vehicle.
Our half-day course gives youngsters – 10 years and older – a driving experience in vehicles that fit them… go-karts.
Our driving experience includes: Professional Racing Kart, Qualified Instructors, Use of Snell approved Helmet, Use of CIK Racing Suit, Safety Driving exercise for the whole Family and a Catered Lunch. That’s a $250 value for only &79 + HST.
About our Day
Upon arrival we were treated to a pizza buffet. Friends who went the day before told us to go a few minutes early so there would be time to eat before suiting up.
Then, each of the drivers were given a suit
and a helmet before they were walked through the basics of how to drive the go-karts.
The entire session was completely safety orientated. Drivers learned hand signals from the coaches, they learned what to do in they “spin out”, and how to drive responsibly. It was VERY impressive.
“Now I know how a Storm Trooper Feels!”
From there, the drivers were taken out in groups to the racetrack. For us, we were at the Scotia Speedworld across from the airport in Halifax. We’ve been here lots of times for Monster Jam, but this was Daniel’s first time to be on the track!
One-by-one, each of the drivers were individually coached, and they were given a chance to test the brakes, and gain confidence.
Then, the drivers were divided into groups, by what appeared to be by age and ability. There were a few adults grouped together, and Daniel was with the youngest set of youth.
An instructor leads the group around the track, while other instructors are going by on ATVs to give advice and to make sure everyone is safe.
Each group stayed within their ability and comfort level, each going a different speed. Daniel was so nervous, he said at first, because he didn’t know what to expect.
To calm himself down, he reminded himself of a Spongebob episode where apparently, one of the characters is taking a driving test and says,
“Keep your eyes on the road. There is only the road.”
He also wrote a haiku to prevent him from getting nervous:
Driving a go-kart
at Toyota’s fun KartSTART
I am driving well.
Drivers get 2 15-minute sessions on the go-karts. The second time round, Daniel was a pro! He knew what to expect, they could go much faster, and he was so confident.
“I loved that so much!”
Other Fun Things
Also on site was a Virtual Reality program in one of the Toyota cars so you could learn about some other safety features.
And of course, he loved getting a certificate, printed photos and a swag bag for the day! I think it was the perfect recipe for a perfect day!
The Fun isn’t Just for Adults
To make it a full family affair, the adults got to cash in on the fun, too. I know my husband was feeling a bit jealous that he didn’t get to drive a go-kart!
The families that attend our kartSTART program are mentored in the latest safety developments in road cars. We exclusively use Toyota – well known for their commitment to safety – vehicles to demonstrate the safety systems contained within the vehicles. This gives the entire family a better understanding of how to make the most out of the STAR safety systems available to them in Toyota passenger vehicles.
Our goal at kartSTART is two things. Firstly, to give young drivers their first experience behind the wheel. Secondly, to give the entire family a better understanding of current STAR safety systems available from Toyota. Find out more about the Toyota Star Safety systems at www.toyota.ca
There were several Toyota cars on site for us to test. Being a boring family, we decided to test the Toyota Sienna. I’m really glad we did. What a great car! Video system, heated bum seats, and not too many buttons. Everything I like!
We even got to try the brake system with their professional drivers. As Daniel says, WOW!
The cost for the $250 value is $79 (subject to change).
The KartSTART program by Toyota is a wonderfully fun day worth checking out. You might not get half your driver’s license, but you do get a great experience and a chance to have a whole lot of fun!
Save
Save
https://i0.wp.com/valleyfamilyfun.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/KartStart.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1ValleyFamilyFunhttps://valleyfamilyfun.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/vff_logo2-300x69.pngValleyFamilyFun2016-09-01 10:57:422016-09-01 10:57:42KartSTART presented by Toyota
