During Alberta’s province-wide teachers’ strike, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, TELUS Spark science centre, and Contemporary Calgary are offering special programs for students. TELUS Spark is providing first-come, first-served camps for grades 1-6, with registration opening weekly, while the zoo highlights new animal additions. Contemporary Calgary is offering a $20-per-child art field trip on color theory and painting for students aged 5-13, with a maximum of 30 children per session.
This matters because it shows how cultural and educational institutions can step in to support families during labor disruptions, providing alternative learning experiences. The collaboration underscores the role of museums, science centres, and zoos in filling educational gaps, while also promoting their own programming and community engagement.