An afternoon of fall fun
DiscoverFest at VIU features activities for all ages. From fun science activities to face-painting, there's something for everyone.
Discover possibilities for the future
We're offering full campus tours by student ambassadors, and the recruitment team will be on hand to answer questions about becoming a VIU student.
Fun zone
This zone is for kids and kids-at-heart.
- Channel your inner Spiderman on the Romper Room climbing wall.
- Race your friends in a bouncy castle obstacle course.
- Enjoy our spectacular view from new heights in the BC Hydro bucket truck.
- Indulge in tasty treats at the food trucks.
Events around campus
- pumpkin patch and pumpkin carving
- free hot chocolate and coffee
- check out the library for a different kind of story time and do some crafts
- Master Gardeners from Milner Gardens will answer gardening questions
- Storm the Stairs, a Frontrunners race with incredible prizes
Learn about VIU
- head to the Student Success Zone to meet the VIU teams that support students
- take a kid-friendly campus tour with a current VIU student
- check out a Future Student presentation and learn what to expect when you join us at VIU
Lightning talks
5-minute expert talks with passionate and engaging VIU professors in the Malaspina Theatre (Building 310).
1 to 1:30 pm:
- Leon Potter, Theatre Professor: A behind-the-scenes peak into the world of theatre
- Dr. Tim Goater, Biology Professor Emeritus: Parasites: Nature’s spectacular superstars!
- Julia Hengstler, Education Professor: AI (artificial intelligence) in 5 minutes
- Jenn Houtby-Ferguson, Recreation and Tourism Management Professor: How to stay safe when the earth shakes
2 to 2:30 pm:
- Dr. David Livingstone, Liberal Studies Professor: The assassination of a Canadian founder: Thomas D'Arcy McGee
- Dr. Michael MacKenzie, Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership: What’s up with democracy?
- Dr. Becky Earhart, Psychology Professor: How much can children remember? It depends how you ask
- Dr. Jordan Herbison, Kinesiology Professor: Performing under pressure
- Dr. Kenneth Duggan, History Professor: Policing without a police force in medieval England
Science-themed fun at the Science Mall
- Learn about bird-banding with Professor Eric Demers.
- Skeleton race with Professor Ita McGrogan. Can you put together a human skeleton?
- Learn about the Mobile Mass Spectrometry Lab.
- Watch a demonstration on how to make freezies with liquid nitrogen!
- Learn about amazing field schools on Quadra Island and in the Yukon.
- Use petrographic microscopes to look at fossils, mineral and rock samples.
- Check out models of volcanoes and caves.
- Engineer materials with 3D printers and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines.
- Make bird feeders and play the plant trivia game with the VIU EcoClub.
- Student Research Presentations Join current and past students as they share their research results and experiences.
For time and location of Science Mall activities, see the schedule.
Community Corner
- Kitties & Cream
- CVI Multicultural Society
- Nanaimo Art Gallery
- City of Nanaimo Parks, Recreation and Culture
- Go By Bike
- VIU Sustainability
- Muslim Women’s Club (VIUSU student club)
- Kinesiology Club
- Milner Gardens & Woodland
With all these great options to choose from, you're sure to have a good time – and maybe learn something too!
