The Sherbrooke Museum of Nature and Science inspires, amazes and makes the discovery of nature, science and the richness of its natural heritage collections accessible to all. Majestically overlooking downtown Sherbrooke, the Museum, a non-profit organization, is teeming with activities of all kinds: exhibitions, multisensory shows, educational activities, conferences and one-off events.
MNS2 Activities:
Science Picnic
Date: September 26, 2026
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Jacques-Cartier Park, near the Armand-Nadeau Pavilion
Rain location: Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke
On Saturday, September 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., come experience science with the whole family at Jacques-Cartier Park in Sherbrooke, near the Armand-Nadeau Pavilion.
Schedule for the Day
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Grab a bite to eat by Lac-des-Nations. Food truck on site!
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Meet research students from the Université de Sherbrooke and learn more about their fascinating projects! Plus, Expo Sciences and Parlons Sciences booths!
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Science-themed board games inside the Armand-Nadeau Pavilion. Come play a variety of science-inspired board games — we’ll even explain the rules!
- 12:30 p.m.
- “Atomically Yours!” — A presentation-show by Stéphanie Jolicoeur, science communicator and educator (Moteur de recherche, Pénélope, Ça promet, etc.)
- 4 p.m.
- Chouette à voir — Discover the fascinating world of birds of prey and see these magnificent birds up close!
- Giant inflatable brain, upside-down bicycle (yes, really!) and much more!
In case of bad weather, the event will take place at the Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke.
Presented by Neurosciences Sherbrooke, Technoscience, Curieux Quantiques and the Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke.
Launch of the “Nuns, Teachers AND… Scientists!” Exhibition
Date: September 18, 2026
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke
The general public is invited to attend the free official opening of the “Nuns, Teachers AND… Scientists!” exhibition.
Produced by the Site historique Marguerite-Bourgeoys and the Musée des Ursulines de Trois-Rivières, this exhibition highlights the crucial role played by religious communities in providing science education to Canadian girls as early as the 1830s.
As part of the launch, we will have the privilege of welcoming three guests who will speak about the impact of these communities on girls’ education.
Louise Bienvenue, Professor in the Department of History at the Université de Sherbrooke
She will highlight the essential role played by women’s religious communities, particularly the Ursulines, in the development of girls’ education in Quebec. Her presentation will also challenge certain stereotypes by portraying these nuns as competent educators who helped provide girls with an ambitious education despite often having fewer resources than institutions intended for boys.
Bernard Héraud, Retired Professor of Mathematics Education at the Université de Sherbrooke
He will discuss the central role played by the Filles de la Charité du Sacré-Cœur de Jésus in education in Sherbrooke, as well as the place they continue to hold today in collective memory and local history.
Nicole Nantais, Retired Professor of Mathematics Education at the Université de Sherbrooke
She will share her experience as both a student and a teacher, having received her secondary education and teacher training at a normal school taught by nuns. She will illustrate how these women contributed to the science education of girls in Quebec.
This will be followed by an exhibition visit, during which you will be able to admire, among other things, approximately fifty scientific objects and instruments from collections of school museums and science cabinets.
Free event, registration recommended
Event Schedule:
- 1:15–1:30 p.m. – Guest arrival and welcome
- 1:30 p.m. – Welcome remarks and address
- 1:40 p.m. – Presentation by Louise Bienvenue
- 1:50 p.m. – Presentation by Nicole Nantais
- 2:00 p.m. – Presentation by Bernard Héraud
- 2:15–3:00 p.m. – Self-guided exhibition visit
BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
“Nuns, Teachers AND… Scientists!” is a travelling exhibition co-produced by the Site historique Marguerite-Bourgeoys and the Musée des Ursulines de Trois-Rivières.
The project is made possible through the support of Canadian Heritage, through the Museums Assistance Program, and through the Québec Ministry of Culture and Communications’ Assistance Program for Permanent and Travelling Exhibitions.
Autumn 2026 Perspective – Nature Photography Workshop
Date: September 26, 2026
Hours: 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Location: Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke
On Saturday, September 26, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., at the Museum, take part in the Autumn 2026 Perspective – Nature Photography Workshop, led by Guy Tremblay.
Autumn is probably the season that offers the greatest number of opportunities for nature photography. The variety of colours in nature and the quality of the light are unparalleled. This workshop will provide practical advice on photography techniques, subjects to photograph, the equipment needed, and basic photography concepts that will help you achieve better results.
🎫 Free activity, advance registration strongly recommended
Primarily intended for people aged 50 and over
Our current exhibitions:
PERMANENT EXHIBITIONS
AlterAnima - Unexpected Encounters
Plunge into a world of fantasy where what you see is mixed with what animals see, in a way that is as unexpected as it is scientific. The AlterAnima exhibit presents the most beautiful taxidermic specimens from the collections of the Museum in an artistic and original setting. Hundreds of animals await your visit, including a polar bear and a cougar. You must be on the lookout and open your eyes; several animals are hidden in unexpected places! A cascade of visual and acoustic surprises awaits you in this fantastic forest!
Sève
Step into an immersive experience where science comes alive through a unique interactive and sensory journey. By completing digital and cognitive challenges, you help grow the Tree of Knowledge while discovering how science can help better understand and address environmental challenges. A playful and technological exhibition that turns learning into a living, accessible, and inspiring experience.
TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS
Nuns, Teachers AND… Scientists!
Dates: September 18, 2026 to January 10, 2027
Location: Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke
Was science in the 19th century an exclusively male domain? Quite the contrary! This exhibition reveals that Canadian girls received a high-quality science education from religious communities as early as the 1830s.
Through a dynamic exhibition design, visitors discover how the Ursulines and the Sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame developed innovative programs to teach a variety of scientific subjects: botany, chemistry, physics, mineralogy and more. This is evidenced by the intriguing objects showcased throughout the exhibition, drawn from specimen collections gathered by teachers and their students, as well as from school museums and science cabinets. In Quebec, these pioneers laid the groundwork for an educational system where every woman can now access scientific knowledge and pursue scientific careers.
In addition to texts, artifacts and archival images, the experience is enriched with interactive games and multimedia content. To bridge the gap between the past and the present and raise awareness about the issue of women’s underrepresentation in certain scientific disciplines even today, four contemporary women in science share their poignant stories. Visitors will be invited to share their own experience in science or to write a message of encouragement to girls dreaming of a career in this field.
A traveling exhibition co-produced by the Site historique Marguerite-Bourgeoys and the Musée des Ursulines de Trois-Rivières.
The exhibition was made possible thanks to contributions from the Government of Canada and the Gouvernement du Québec.
Minéro On Safari
Until October 5, 2026
Between the animal world and the mineral world, this exhibition reveals surprising and often unexpected similarities. Some stone textures resemble animal skin, while certain behaviours in the living world seem linked to the properties of rocks. Across 4 zones and more than 150 specimens, explore these fascinating connections between two worlds that appear opposite, yet are deeply intertwined. An exhibition created by Minéro – Musée de Thetford | KB3 in collaboration with Parc Safari.
