Inquisitive minds will enjoy checking out Big Nickel and Dynamic Earth in Sudbury, Ontario.
I have to admit that I have lived in Northern Ontario for twelve years, and this was my first time checking out Dynamic Earth. It’s been on my travel bucket list for a while now, and I can now say that I’m checking it off the list. I’ve been to Science North countless times, and though Dynamic Earth is part of Science North, I haven’t had the chance (until now) to visit the latter.
When planning your trip to Dynamic Earth, give yourself a few hours to check out the exhibits. We arrived around 2pm and stayed until closing (6pm).
We often find ourselves passing the iconic Big Nickel on our trips to and from (and through) Sudbury. Since we finally got to visit the Big Nickel, Big Nickel selfies and pictures of our heads sticking out Canadian currency were a must.
A Few Big Nickel Facts:
The Big Nickel is a replica of the 1951 Canadian five-cent coin, built in 1964 by local Sudburian Ted Szilva. Open to the public at no cost, visitors are invited to walk around the Big Nickel and explore the site of the Centennial Numismatic Park.
Little One was interested to learn that the Big Nickel is the largest coin in the world. Another interesting tid bit: The Big Nickel is an exact replica of the 1951 Canadian nickel. It was built in 1964 and symbolizes the wealth that Sudbury has contributed to the Canadian economy through nickel production.
Dynamic Earth offers lots of learning opportunities for everyone in the family
Our seven year-old daughter could have spent even more time at Dynamic Earth. She was in awe of all the information to soak in!
The Megalodon Exhibition
When Little One saw the signs for the Megalodon exhibition, she immediately said, “The Megalodon! That’s the world’s largest predator!”
She loves all things science, animal, marine biology, and nature-related. For some reason, Little One already knew a great deal of information about the Megalodon. Perhaps she learned about it at school, or perhaps she found out about it on one of her science shows on TV. I didn’t have any prior knowledge about the largest shark that ever lived!
At 18 metres long, megalodon was the largest shark that ever lived and a dominant marine predator.
There was a sign in the exhibition that caught my attention:
In the end we will conserve only what we love. We love only what we understand. We understand only what we are taught.” – Baba Dioum, Environmentalist, Senegal
As Little One pointed out, sharks are at risk today (some of the recent population declines attributed to humans). The Megalodon vanished 2 million years ago, butits fascinating story inspires lessons for science and shark conservation. At Dynamic Earth, visitors can learn all about this ancient creature (its size, diet, lifespan, relatives, neighbours, evolution, extinction and the science that continues to reveal megalodon’s tale) in a very engaging and interactive way.
The Megalodon exhibition is a special exhibition that runs until September 5th, 2016.
A rock and mineral lover’s haven
Our seven year-old is obsessed with rock collecting and all things mineral related. She spends much of her time looking for rocks and fossils. Fortunately for us, we live on Manitoulin Island and have found lots of fossils on our shores.
Little One really enjoyed all the stations and displays at Dynamic Earth, where she got to explore hands on and interactively. The Mineral Wall was one of her favourite spots at Dynamic Earth.
Being able to explore, identify and learn all about the specimens with Dynamic Earth’s interactive touchscreens is so much fun. Little One was thrilled to touch and inspect rocks and minerals from around the world and see how they tell the Earth’s geologic story.
Our family’s favourite part of our Dynamic Earth experience was the ‘In the Footsteps of Sudbury’s Miners’ Underground Tour. Little One was excited to be able to go underground. She was amazed and loved “going back in time”. She thought the elevator ride down was really cool too!
On the guided tour, visitors are able to descend seven storeys to walk in the footsteps of Sudbury’s miners. The guided tour takes visitors through Dynamic Earth’s demonstration mine to discover the evolution of mining in the region, from the turn of the century to modern mining. It is very interesting!
Underground tours are 1 hour and 15 minutes in length. Little One and I were wearing sandals, but I would recommend wearing sturdy (and closed-toe) shoes!
There’s so much to see and do. If you’re looking for a fun place to take the family, we highly recommend Dynamic Earth. Little One really enjoyed learning through fun and play. It’s a very hands on place.
Next time we go, we’ll plan on spending a few more hours at Dynamic Earth! We didn’t get to see all the Dynamic Earth exhibits, and we will definitely be back!
Connect with Dynamic Earth on Social!
Big Nickel on Facebook
@Big_Nickel on Twitter
Disclosure – This is a sponsored post written in collaboration with Sudbury Tourism. All thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and my own.
Oh awesome my boys would love this place!
I would definitely be the tourist posing with my face in the nickel, too. And I would need a photo in those big jaws, lol!
We were driving by Sudbury this past weekend and wish we had time to check this out! Next tiem!
This looks like stuff my kids would LOVE!! They are big fans of the ROM and love to look at the mineral collection there, so I can only imagine how much they’d geek out if they got to experience THIS!!
We need to plan a trip to check it out. 🙂
Looks like you had a great time! I took some grade six students up to Sudbury. Our hike in the woods looking at the rocks in their natural habitat was pretty incredible!
Oh fun! I see a lot of classes/groups coming to the Island and Sudbury area to look at rocks and natural habitat.
Looks like so much fun – we have never been! I know that hubby would love this kind of trip!
There’s a really cool interactive play area for the little ones to practice/train to be miners 🙂 I think the kids would love it too, Amy!
We just cam back from there ourselves. We had a great time. The mine was neat to see. Also
Science North was great as we spent many hours looking and learning.
Londia: I know what you mean! For us, Science North is like an ALL DAY trip. There’s so much to see. My little one spends HOURS there. Did you get to see the “flying squirrel”?
Wow! Will need to put this on our travel list. The boys love rocks and anything to do nature so this would be perfect. Love your photos and story of your experience.
I really think your boys will love it, Kerrie! If you do take them there, let me know! We’ll meet up with you guys! xo
I know the Big Nickel well, as my cousin’s grandfather was one of the welders. But I haven’t heard of Dynamic Earth and it looks so cool! Will have to make a trip to Sudbury to check it out.
Andrea, that is so cool! Yes, if you ever get a chance, Dynamic Earth is a pretty fun and interesting place to take the family!