Learn about the Port
Port Metro Vancouver offers free, interactive presentations to groups from a Grade 3 level through to post secondary and business groups. Our dynamic presentations are on the history, business, environment or future of the Port . We can also work to tailor a presentation to best suit the needs of your group.
For school groups, we concentrate on four main educational outcomes/types of presentations:
Community (General Overview)
Our early education programming focuses on the community of the Port, B.C. and Canada. We talk about the natural resources we export to countries around the world, the province they come from, and the use of the resources. We take students on a journey across Canada by truck and rail that ends at Port Metro Vancouver.
Environment
For intermediate classes we focus on the Port's environmental efforts. Students get to learn about the many species of sea life that live in our waters, and gather a greater understanding of what the Port does to ensure that we maintain a healthy eco-system.
History
These presentations are geared towards geography and history classes, interested in learning about how the Port and our bordering communities have changed since 1792, when the first European explored determined Vancouver to be an ideal trading region.
Trade (Business Overview)
For classes interested in learning about the Port's general trade, this presentation educates students on the cargo we export (natural resources) and import (automobiles, clothing, electronics etc.). the countries we trade with how importing and exporting together constitute trade.
Book a Presentation
To book a presentation in our Discovery Centre at Canada Place or request for our team to visit your classroom (both options are free), contact us at: community.relations@portmetrovancouver.com or 604.665.9179 or complete our booking form.
Education & Presentations
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We offer presentations on the history, business and environment efforts of Port Metro Vancouver. We also offer a general overview of the Port for younger audiences.
- History: covers the history of the Port, beginning in 1792 when Captain George Vancouver first sailed into Burrard Inlet, the changes made to trade over the years and the way we move cargo today.
- Business: provides an overview of Port Metro Vancouver as a company, our trading economies, the cargo we trade and our environmental initiatives and community investments.
- Environment: focuses on the three areas of air, land and water. We discuss our environmental initiatives in detail and provide an overview of our trading economies and five business sectors.
- General: includes the cargo we export (natural resources from Canada) and import (household goods), the countries we trade with, the communities we border and how we use ships, trains and trucks to move cargo.
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Presentations can be booked Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm. Each presentation lasts approximately 40 minutes to an hour. We will need at least one week of advance notice to book a presentation.
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An interactive presentation with either a video or follow up game - time permitting.
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Contact our Community Relations team to book a complimentary presentation by email or by phone at 604.665.9179. Please include the following information in your request:
- Contact information
- Grade or age of the students attending the presentation
- Number of people attending the presentation
- Type of presentation the group would be interested in (business, history, environment or general overview of the Port)
- Date and time you would like the presentation to take place
You can also completed our presentation booking form.
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Presentations are approximately 40 minutes to an hour.
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Our presentation theatre is in our Discovery Centre located at the north end of Canada Place in Vancouver.
- By transit: exit off waterfront station and walk towards and enter Canada Place. Once inside, walk towards your left and down the East Concourse (long hallway). Walk all the way to the end, past the sliding glass doors and you will enter our Discovery Centre.
- Parking at Canada Place: Park at the north end of the parking lot. Take the elevators on your left up to level G (ground level) and take a right after the elevators. You will walk into our Discovery Centre.
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Our presentation theatre can accommodate up to 35 people, including students and adults.
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Yes, there is parking available underground at Canada Place or street parking may be available at the front of Canada Place.
We are also available by transit, across from Waterfront Station.
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From May to August, drop in presentations are available on Wednesdays and Fridays at 2pm. For the remainder of the year, we recommend contacting us at 604.665.9179 or
by email to schedule a date and time that would best suit your group.
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Yes, our presentations are catered to grades 3 and up.
Interested in learning more about the Fraser River or our maritime history?
Book a presentation with the Fraser River Discovery Centre, an interpretive centre connecting communities in discovery and celebration of the past, present and future of the living, working Fraser River.
Discover the rich maritime history and traditions of the Pacific Coast by visiting the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Step back in time to board Canada’s famous RCMP St Roch and explore the Children’s Maritime Discovery Centre, family activities, and the boats in Heritage Harbour.