Produced by the Canadian Museum of Nature, this unforgettable exhibition explores the power of ice and cold in shaping the world we live in today.
Engaging exhibits, multimedia, and interactive experiences allow visitors to journey across more than 80 000 years of Earth’s history!
This full-size exhibition has modular configurations that can be adapted to many spaces.
Consult its specifications and requirements.
0:00
[Music]
0:48
[Applause]
0:49
[Music]
Discover Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Ages
We are still living in an ice age, but the planet is changing.
Visitors will meet animals adapted for cold, explore lands lost long ago under the world’s oceans, and much more!
Lexine Menard © Canadian Museum of NatureEducator’s Guide
Downloadable PDF
Engage students with:
- Questions and answers that are covered in the exhibition
- Zone-by-zone descriptions of what students can do during their visit
- Science and social studies curriculum links by grade.
Sinking Ship Entertainment 
© Banff World Media Festival Augmented Reality App
Bring ice-age animals to life through a smartphone!
Use the free Planet Ice augmented reality app to promote the exhibition and engage visitors.
Science Moments
How did mammals, minerals, past cultures, and Arctic plants adapt to cold and ice?
Watch these videos to learn more.
Plant adaptations to cold: from the ice age to the Arctic tundra
During the last ice age, plants, lichens and mosses were restricted to ice-free areas called refugia. After the ice sheets retreated, these organisms spread out to new habitats, such as eskers, drumlins and kettle lakes. Learn more about their adaptations to cold areas, such as the Arctic tundra.
This is one of four Science Moment videos relating to content in the exhibition, Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Ages.
Science Moments playlist –
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcOriFlZ5k0VrLIeAVLlcI5iOtqRmRL0F
Still haven't subscribed to the Canadian Museum of Nature on YouTube? ►► https://bit.ly/3LBjIgw
Want to stay in the know? Follow the Canadian Museum of Nature on social media!
Facebook ►► https://bit.ly/2uIL53w
Instagram ►► https://bit.ly/3yItSZP
Twitter ►► https://bit.ly/3wpqhhI
LinkedIn ►► https://bit.ly/3wsOCmF
The National Herbarium of Canada – https://nature.ca/en/research-collections/collections/plants-algae
Humans and the Ice Age
The entire history of humanity has been shaped by changing patterns of glacial advances and retreats.
Get a glimpse into past human populations and their relationship to their cold environment. Discover some adaptations of Neanderthals. See artifacts of past Arctic societies.
This is one of four Science Moment videos relating to content in the exhibition, Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Ages.
Science Moments playlist –
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcOriFlZ5k0VrLIeAVLlcI5iOtqRmRL0F
Still haven't subscribed to the Canadian Museum of Nature on YouTube? ►► https://bit.ly/3LBjIgw
Want to stay in the know? Follow the Canadian Museum of Nature on social media!
Facebook ►► https://bit.ly/2uIL53w
Instagram ►► https://bit.ly/3yItSZP
Twitter ►► https://bit.ly/3wpqhhI
LinkedIn ►► https://bit.ly/3wsOCmF
Our research and collections facility – https://nature.ca/en/about-us/history-buildings/our-research-facility
Ice Is a Mineral … and Other Cool Facts
Discover many cool facts about ice, such as why it’s a mineral, but water isn’t. And did you know there is an infinite number of possible snowflake shapes, but each snowflake has the same underlying crystal structure?
This is one of four Science Moment videos relating to content in the exhibition, Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Ages.
Science Moments playlist –
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcOriFlZ5k0VrLIeAVLlcI5iOtqRmRL0F
Still haven't subscribed to the Canadian Museum of Nature on YouTube? ►► https://bit.ly/3LBjIgw
Want to stay in the know? Follow the Canadian Museum of Nature on social media!
Facebook ►► https://bit.ly/2uIL53w
Instagram ►► https://bit.ly/3yItSZP
Twitter ►► https://bit.ly/3wpqhhI
LinkedIn ►► https://bit.ly/3wsOCmF
Our geological collections – https://nature.ca/en/research-collections/collections/minerals
Survivors and victims of the last Ice Age
Which animals survived the last Ice Age and which ones went extinct? What contributed to the extinctions? How do scientists study the lives of Ice Age animals? Learn more in this special Science Moment with palaeobiologist, Danielle Fraser, Ph.D.
This is the first of four Science Moment videos relating to content in the exhibition, Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Ages.
Science Moments playlist—
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcOriFlZ5k0VrLIeAVLlcI5iOtqRmRL0F
Still haven't subscribed to the Canadian Museum of Nature on YouTube? ►► https://bit.ly/3LBjIgw
Want to stay in the know? Follow the Canadian Museum of Nature on social media!
Facebook ►► https://bit.ly/2uIL53w
Instagram ►► https://bit.ly/3yItSZP
Twitter ►► https://bit.ly/3wpqhhI
LinkedIn ►► https://bit.ly/3wsOCmF
Our palaeobiology collections—
https://nature.ca/en/research-collections/collections/fossils
Exhibition Specifications
Components
- more than 120 specimens and artefacts, including a full-sized cast of a mastodon, a sabre-toothed tiger and other megafauna species that are now extinct
- digital and mechanical interactives
- current scientific research and accessible interpretation
- inspiring/inventive design—flexible modular configurations
- engaging and relevant themes and content
- surprising mysteries and thought-provoking questions
- curriculum-linked activities for schools and the general public
Space Requirements
- exhibition: 697 square metres (7500 sq. ft.)
- the size of the exhibition can be reduced or expanded
- ceiling height: 3.7 m – 4.3 m (12 ft. – 14 ft.)
- storage for 100 shipping crates and blankets; 30 specimen crates require climate-controlled storage
- the exhibition travels in six 53 ft. trailers
Special Requirements
- regular condition checks of display elements and specimens will be required
- special lighting, environmental, and security conditions will be required for certain specimens
- some special permits may apply
- approximately 20 days are needed for set-up and seven days to take it down
- climate-controlled storage is required for 30 specimen crates
Cost
- loan fee starts at CAD $266 450 (including insurance)
- shipping costs are extra
- costs for technical staff (for installation and dismantling) and one conservator are extra
- loan period: three months or more
Presenting Partner
