Join Ontario Power Generation and our community partners this Summer for some fun, FREE educational programs.
Whether you are interested in science and technology, art or environmental research, the Saunders Hydro Dam Visitor Centre has something for you.
Some events require pre-registration. Others you can simply stop by and enjoy. Individual registration links are available in the schedule of events below, or you can check out our registration calendar.
Schedule of events
All programs are family-friendly and FREE.
Event | Description |
|---|---|
Aquatic Invertebrates and Water QualitySaturday, June 14, 202510 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Session #1 at 10 a.m.: REGISTER NOWSession #2 at 12 p.m.: REGISTER NOW | Get ready to roll up your sleeves and explore the wild, wonderful world of invertebrates beneath the surface of the St. Lawrence River. Join us for a hands-on aquatic adventure where you will become river scientists for the day! Scoop up samples then head to our field lab to get a closer look through real microscopes! Use fun tools to discover who’s living in our river and why these creatures are so important for the health of our river. We’ll test the water quality looking into things like temperature, turbidity, conductivity, and pH. Recommended for all ages. |
Pollinator WorkshopSaturday, June 28, 202510 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Session #1 at 10 a.m.: REGISTER NOWSession #2 at 12 p.m.: REGISTER NOW | Bring your family and join us for a buzzing good time as we explore the amazing world of pollinators and insects right here at the OPG Visitors Centre! Step into our beautiful pollinator gardens and get ready for a hands-on adventure where you’ll discover why bees, butterflies, and even beetles are some of nature’s hardest workers. Learn why these tiny creatures are so important for plants, and how you can help them thrive right in your own backyard. Grab a net and see if you can catch a butterfly or a busy bee, then take a closer look under a microscope to see the fascinating details up close! Recommended for all ages. |
Things with WingsTuesday, July 8, 202510:30 – 11:30 a.m.
REGISTER NOW | Have you ever wished you could fly like a bird or hover like a dragonfly? Let’s explore all the extraordinary animals that fly. Learn about birds by identifying their unique calls. Analyze the characteristics of different insect wings. Mimic how animals soar by experimenting with a glider. Create a butterfly and discover how they move their bodies. Join us as we investigate the many wonderful creatures with wings. Recommended for all ages. |
Bat Ecology and ResearchThursday, July 17, 20258 to 9:30 p.m.
REGISTER NOW | Join the River Institute for a fascinating exploration into the world of bats! As a leader in bat research in eastern Ontario, Dr. Brian Hickey and his team have been studying Big Brown and Little Brown bats through fieldwork and data collection. In this engaging workshop, you’ll learn all about local bat species, their biology, and the River Institute’s ongoing research through a fun mix of presentations and hands-on activities. Discover how to monitor bats using detectors and mist nets, and learn how bat houses support conservation efforts. If possible, you might even get to see a live bat up close! Recommended for all ages. |
Discovery ZoneTuesday, July 22, 202510:30 – 11:30 a.m.
REGISTER NOW | Join us for an action-packed adventure through the discovery zone, where you’ll explore, how 3D printing works and properties of infinite loops, investigate why trees are important to engineers, and create an elastic-powered car. Recommended for all ages. |
Fish EcologySaturday, August 9, 202510 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Session #1 10 a.m.: REGISTER NOWSession #2 12 p.m.: REGISTER NOW | Join the River Institute for an exciting, hands-on journey into the fascinating world of fish ecology. Get ready to discover the amazing fish that live in our local waters. waters We’ll kick things off with a fun and interactive discussion about our local fish species, learning how to spot the difference between native fish and invasive ones. Then, head outside to become a fish scientist for the day! Learn how to measure and weigh a fish, record your discoveries, and use an ID guide to figure out what you’ve caught. Don’t worry—our friendly team will show you all the steps! Don’t miss out on this fin-tastic adventure! Recommended for all ages. |
Sticky ScienceTuesday, August 12, 202510:30 – 11:30 a.m.
REGISTER NOW | Get sticky with it! Discover the science of sticky. Make your own glue from food products and test them to see how they hold. Create your own sticky art. And of course, there will be silly putty! Recommended for all ages. |
Wampum Belts and Loom Beading WorkshopWednesday, August 13, 20251 to 3 p.m.
REGISTER NOW | The Native North American Travelling College (NNATC) Travel Troup will be presenting a special workshop providing education about the history, significance and different types of Wampum Belts. Participants will have the opportunity to make their very own loom beading bracelet through loom beading. This cultural event will help you learn more about Mohawk culture and art. Recommended for ages 12 and up. |
Candy ChemistryTuesday, August 26, 202510:30 – 11:30 a.m.
REGISTER NOW | Discover the surprising science hiding in a bag of Skittles. Explore solubility, buoyancy, reactivity and investigate the odds of finding your favourite colour. How sweet is this?! Recommended for all ages. |
