We are excited to offer a range of tours and experiences during CUPC2026. Our campus has much to offer! Tours will take place on Friday morning, Oct. 16. Delegates will be given an opportunity to sign up for their preference of tour group in advance of the conference. Reserve your preferred tour group on Showpass: https://www.showpass.com/cupc-free-tours/. Watch for an email (coming soon) with the sign-up password. You must be registered to sign up for a tour. Please only select one tour group package – all tours will be running in parallel from 10:00-12:30.
The following packages are on offer:
Group 1: Nuclear Reactor Tour and Celestial Bear Planetarium show
Group 2: Nuclear Reactor Tour and standard Planetarium show
Group 3: Superconductivity workshop, McMaster Museum of Art, standard Planetarium show. Group 3B has an option of a Nature Walk instead of the Superconductivity workshop.
Group 4: Superconductivity workshop and visits to MacSANS and Toxic Allure labs and NEW: Origins of Life lab
Group 5: Nuclear Reactor Tour and visits to McMaster Greenhouse, MacSANS and Toxic Allure labs
Group 6: McMaster Greenhouse, MacSANS and Toxic Allure labs and NEW: Origins of Life lab
W. J. McCallion Planetarium
Learn about planets, stars, galaxies, and other fascinating objects in our universe, while stargazing in the planetarium’s night sky.
Some groups will enjoy a themed show called The Celestial Bear:
“That is how I heard the story, so I thought that is how you would hear it as well…” Join us for a fascinating show that blends local culture, history, and modern-day astronomy that shares the Six Nation’s sky lore and language through traditional Indigenous night-sky stories. With narration and visuals by a live presentation and pre-recorded excerpts (in English, Mohawk, and Cayuga), learn about the story of the bear and the brothers and how it is retold every year with the rotating patterns in the night sky. See the same stars with a completely different understanding and appreciation! This show was collaboratively produced by members of the Six Nations, McMaster’s Indigenous Studies Department, and the McCallion Planetarium.
McMaster Nuclear Reactor
A 5 MW multi-purpose reactor that provides neutrons for research and medical isotope production. It is Canada’s most powerful research reactor and the nation’s only major neutron source. Visitors will walk right into the reactor space and see the characteristic blue glow from the reactor pool. Please read this important information for tour participants. Participants will need to print, fill out and sign the visitor information card. We will have forms available, but they must be completed prior to the tour.
Workshop on Superconductivity
PhD students in the McMaster condensed matter group will walk visitors through a one-hour workshop on superconductors, including a demonstration of superconductor levitation.
Just Added: Origins of Life Lab
Visit Dr. Maikel Rheinstadter’s Biophysics lab and see a demonstration of acoustic levitation as well as a planet simulator.
Toxic Allure Lab
Visit Dr. Fiona MacNeil’s unique lab where researchers study the uptake of lead in skin to answer questions about the toxicity of white lead make-up to 18th century women.
MacSANS Lab
MacSANS is a 24-metre-long instrument that extends into a subterranean guide hall outside of the reactor building. This feature allows a highly collimated beam for measurements at very small scattering angles.
SANS is a technique to probe the properties of materials on length scales extending up to 100 nm. Materials such as biomaterials, nanoparticles, and polymers have nanoscale structures that are uniquely probed by SANS. This instrument is a first-of-its-kind in Canada.
McMaster Greenhouse
A bright beautiful space on campus, this new greenhouse opened in 2024.
McMaster Museum of Art
McMaster Museum of Art is a public gallery in the heart of the McMaster University campus. The museum aims to create inclusive, dynamic and experiential relationships between peoples and artistic practices.
Hike
Our beautiful campus backs onto Coote’s Paradise, a beautiful nature preserve. Hike the trails and enjoy the Fall colours.