What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 5pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm Thursday 8:30am - 5pm Friday 8:30am - 5pm Saturday 12pm - 4pm

Quartermain Earth Science Centre

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Quartermain Earth Science Centre

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The Quartermain Earth Science Centre is a museum showcasing the beauty and excitement of geoscience! The museum was officially opened in June, 2011.

The Quartermain Centre highlights the beauty and excitement of geology in the form of exhibits, displays, programs and events. The Quartermain Centre provides visitors with a geological journey through the planets interior, seismicity, volcanism, structure, economics and evolution of fossilized plants and animals. The University of New Brunswick in Fredericton is home to the Quartermain Earth Science Centre thanks to a $1-million contribution by UNB alumnus and mining executive, Bob Quartermain. Located in UNB’s forestry and geology building, the centre includes dinosaur replicas, a large-scale display showing a journey to the centre of the earth, a working seismograph and a mineral showcase. It also houses a new teaching and computer lab and will serve as a repository for items and information important to New Brunswick and Fredericton geology. The centre, which is the only one of its kind in the province, would not have been possible without the generous support of Dr. Quartermain, whom the space is named after. A native of St. Stephen, Dr. Quartermain graduated in 1977 from the University of New Brunswick with a bachelor of science degree in geology. In 1981, he graduated from Queen’s University with a master of science degree in mineral exploration.

10/16/2026

🔎🪨 How is Geology Like a Murder Mystery?
Today, we welcomed a wonderful group of middle school students to the Quartermain Earth Science Centre to solve some geological mysteries!

🤓 Just like crime scene investigators, geologists search for clues, examine evidence, and piece together the story of what happened in the past!

🤩 Our young detectives learned how to identify the three major rock groups (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic) and how geologists use stratigraphy and relative time to determine the order of geological events.
⭐️ Then came the BIG challenge! Armed with a mystery bag of rocks collected in the field, students put their new detective skills to work to uncover the geological story hidden in their samples! 🪨🔍

😊 They did an AMAZING job! So many thoughtful observations, clever deductions, and great questions!

🎉 Thank you for visiting the QESC! We hope you come back soon!!

10/08/2026

Everyone is welcome!

10/06/2026

🌟 Welcome to the World of Minerals!🤩

🎉 We had a fantastic time welcoming Grade 4 students from New Maryland Elementary School to the Quartermain Earth Science Centre!

🦺 Our young geologists explored the amazing World of Minerals, learning about properties such as colour, lustre, hardness, and streak. Then it was time to put their new skills to the test as they observed, tested, and identified mystery minerals themselves! 🔍

So many great observations, questions, and discoveries! Everyone did amazingly well! A big thank you to our Q-volunteers for their help! And thank you to the students and teachers from NMES for exploring Earth Science with us! 🌎

09/20/2026

What a weekend! 🎈 We had a blast bringing a little Earth Science to the skies at the 2026 Atlantic Balloon Fiesta in Sussex.

From our chocolate chip "rocks" to shimmering minerals and fossils, it was so much fun watching curious minds of all ages dig in, ask questions, and discover how the geosciences connects us all!

A huge thank you to our wonderful volunteers, we truly couldn't have done it without you, and to everyone who stopped by our booth and brought such great energy. Your curiosity made our day! 🌍

Thank you to the Sussex Balloon Fiesta organizers! It was an absolutely amazing event! We look forward to next year 🎈

📍 Quartermain Earth Science Centre, 2 Bailey Dr, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3

09/17/2026

🌋 Rocking the Rock Cycle at Jilly Beans Daycare!

The Quartermain Earth Science Centre had a wonderful time visiting Jilly Beans Daycare in Fredericton last month for some hands-on Earth Science fun!

Our young geologists explored the rock cycle and discovered how rocks can change from one type to another through melting, cooling, weathering, burial, heat, and pressure. We even spent time breaking rocks outside!

There was lots of curiosity, great questions, and enthusiasm for rocks and our amazing planet! 🌎💚

A BIG thank you to the children and staff at Jilly Beans for inviting us. We had a fantastic time learning with you!

09/04/2026

Nature is the ultimate artist, and New Brunswick is its canvas. 🎨🌊
A billion-year puzzle of colliding continents, ancient oceans, and the highest tides on Earth. Swipe through to see the jaw-dropping geological features of Stonehammer GeoPark, including some of the oldest fossils ever found in Canada!

08/31/2026

The Quartermain Earth Science Centre is CLOSED this week (August 31 to September 7). We are open again on Tuesday, September 8.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

We will see you again soon!

08/24/2026

As always, we had an AMAZING time hosting UNB's Worlds UNBound at the Quartermain Earth Science Centre! 🌎⛏️

During their visit, the students learned about critical minerals and how important they are in our everyday lives. Then, they explored how we go about finding and mining these essential resources.

Finally, working in teams, they ran their own gold mines (chocolate chip cookies) to see if they could make a profit. 🍪⛏️💰

They all showed amazing teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, and enthusiasm for Earth Science! 🌍

Great job, everyone, and thanks so much to Worlds UNBound for coming by. We loved having you at the QESC!

08/20/2026

🌋💥 SHAKE, RATTLE & BOOM!

Our FINAL Saturday event of the summer is coming up this Saturday, August 22, and we're going out with a BANG! 💥

Join us at the Quartermain Earth Science Centre for an afternoon exploring some of the most powerful forces on our dynamic planet - EARTHQUAKES, VOLCANOES & LANDSLIDES!

🔴 Build your own seismometer and discover how we detect earthquakes

🟠 Put your engineering skills to the test and save a town from a landslide

🟡 Discover why volcanoes erupt - and why some EXPLODE! 🌋

Explore the amazing science behind Earth's natural hazards through fun, hands-on activities

📅 Saturday, August 22
⏰ 12:00–4:00 pm
📍 Quartermain Earth Science Centre, UNB Fredericton
🎟️ FREE admission
🚗 FREE parking

See you soon!

08/12/2026

This Saturday!

Join us for one of Fredericton's most unique FREE walking tours!
Take a 2-hour stroll through beautiful historic downtown Fredericton with a friendly, professional geologist and museum curator. Discover how our city's iconic buildings tell the story of both our heritage and our GEOheritage!
From ancient oceans and mountain-building to giant prehistoric BUGS, you'll be amazed by the incredible stories hidden in the rocks!

📍 Meet at the Fredericton Region Museum
🕙 Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 10:00 am
💲 FREE!
📧 Register: [email protected]

Every building AND building stone has a story to tell!

Address

2 Bailey Drive
Fredericton, NB
E3B5A3

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm
Saturday	12pm - 4pm

Telephone

(506) 458-7205

Website

http://www.quartermainearthsciencecentre.com/

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