education through explorationtrca.on.ca/dotasset/89805.pdf · using a short slide show and...

Education Through Exploration with TRCA

Look for these symbols beside each course description for easy reference to curriculum strand links.

With over 50 years of experience, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) helps people understand, enjoy and look after the natural environment. Our vision is for The Living City® - a cleaner, greener and healthier place to live, for you today and your children tomorrow.

Toronto and Region Conservation provides out-of-classroom learning experiences in the areas of nature, ecology and cultural heritage that encourage students in the Greater Toronto Area to understand, look after and enjoy their own community. With numerous facilities, TRCA can continue to offer exceptional programming focused on the local environment and taught by trusted environmental professionals. All of these great programs link directly to the curriculum at every level. Let TRCA be your one-stop-shop for all your outdoor environmental education and cultural heritage needs!

All TRCA programs support the National Healthy Living Strategy and the Province of Ontario’s Active 2010 initiative by engaging students in safe, physical outdoor activities.

This guide contains samples of our education programs.

Table of ContentsDay Programs ...............................................................1

Black Creek Pioneer Village ............................................... 2

Kortright Centre for Conservation ...................................... 4

Lake St. George Field Centre ............................................ 7

Overnight Programs .....................................................9

Albion Hills Field Centre .................................................. 10

Claremont Field Centre............................................12

Lake St. George Field Centre......................................14

In-Class Programs ............................................... 17

Watershed on Wheels..............................................18

High School Credit Courses ........................................21

Claremont Field Centre............................................22

Lake St. George Field Centre......................................22

Science & Technology

Geography

The Arts

Physical Education

History

Mathematics

Social Studies

Science, Gr. 9, 10Biology, Gr. 11Chemistry, Gr. 11

Earth & SpaceScience, Gr. 12

Healthy Active Living, Gr. 9 - 12

The Environment &Resource Management,Gr. 12

Geography, Gr. 9Physical Geography, Gr. 11Geographer’s Toolkit, Gr. 11Geomatics, Gr. 12

Environmental Science, Gr. 11

High School CreditCourse

Elementary Programming

Secondary Programming

For more information:www.trca-education.caor 416-667-6295(Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

1

DayPrograms

Day programs are available at:

Black Creek Pioneer Village

Kortright Centre for Conservation

Lake St. George Field Centre

Toronto and Region Conservation provides unique, curriculum-linked programs for students from all grade levels, including junior, intermediate and secondary. Located at Black Creek Pioneer Village, the Kortright Centre for Conservation and Lake St. George Field Centre, these programs are designed to get students out of the classroom, into the environment and immersed in their learning.

Programs are led by professional teachers and interpreters. They vary in length from one hour to a full day and are available throughout the year.

CHARLIE NEEDS A NEW CLOAKPre-school to Grade 2May, June, September to mid-NovemberDuration: 1¾ hoursFollow the steps of a young shepherd named Charlie who takes us through the process of making a new cloak, from shearing the sheep, to washing, dyeing and spinning the wool. This interactive tour is based on a book by the same name. Students experience a variety of hands-on activities that illustrate how nature can provide for us all.

CHRISTMAS PASTAll Grade LevelsMid-November to December 23Duration: 1¾ hoursExperience the spirit of the season when the Village is decorated for a pioneer Christmas. Tour the Village and immerse in the traditions and celebrations of the different cultures present at the time for a special holiday treat.

STEP INTO THE PASTAll Grade Levels, Student/Adult ESLMay to mid-NovemberDuration: 1¾ hoursStep back in time and explore the world as it was for pioneers in the mid-1800s. Groups will experience the sights and sounds of the Village while receiving a broad interpretation from knowledgeable staff. This program can be tailored to a group’s level and specific interests.

A STITCH IN TIMEGrades 2 and upMay, June, September to mid-NovemberDuration: 1¾ hoursStudents return to a simpler time when neighbours worked together to complete a common task. Working in a log cabin, participants complete chores associated with life in the 19th century, gaining an appreciation for all the conveniences of today.

Black CreekPiONEER ViLLAGE

To visit Black Creek Pioneer Village is to journey back in time to discover life in early Ontario. The Village is an example of a typical crossroads community found in the Toronto area in the 1800s.

3

1837 REBELLION REVISITEDGrades 7 and 8May, June, September to mid-NovemberDuration: 1¾ hoursTo arms! Explore the sources of conflict leading to the 1837 Rebellion in Upper Canada. The program culminates in a Town Hall meeting where all the feelings, arguments and opinions come to a head!

PIONEER LIfEGrades 3 and upMarch and April (call for exact dates)Duration: All day (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)Enjoy a combination of the Many Hands program with an interactive guided tour of the historic Village. Students will engage in everyday 1860s household activities, such as baking, woodworking, weaving and spinning.

SOCIETy AND CHANgEGrades 7 and upMay to mid-November Duration: 1¾ hoursA new program that examines the many changes underway around the time of Confederation. This tour looks at the contributions of women, children, religious and ethnic minorities. Issues such as temperance, education, voting rights and social life are explored. An exciting and fun comparison of Canadian society then and now. This program is specifically designed to engage the interests of early teens.

SCHOOL DAySGrades 3 and upOctober and November (call for exact dates) Duration: All day (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.) (Includes a half hour in the 1860s Dickson’s Hill School)A new program focusing on school life in old Ontario. Students will wear aprons and vests, and participate in an 1860s classroom routine. Activities such as spelling bees and working on slate boards will teach children about student life in a farming community.

HANDS-ON HISTORyGrades 2 to 5May, June, September to mid-NovemberDuration: 1¾ hoursTour the Village and visit the hands-on centre where students can build a log house, learn to weave and dress up in the fashions of the 1800s. Students have the perfect opportunity to experience the tasks that were a part of the pioneers’ daily lives.

LIfE IN A NEW LANDGrades 3 to 8 and ESL studentsMay to mid-NovemberDuration: 1¾ hoursTake a journey through the past and explore the challenges facing early settlers in a new land. Get a glimpse of what the pioneers faced and how they worked together to survive the hardships involved in starting a new life in Upper Canada.

MANy HANDSGrades 3 and upMay, June, September to mid-NovemberDuration: 1¾ hoursExperience the lifestyle of the pioneers by using the tools, methods and recipes common on 19th century farms. Activities focus on the home and workshop. Sampling the food you cook is a fantastic reward for all your hard work!

TOyS Of yESTERDAyGrades 2 to 4Mid-November to December 23Duration: 1¾ hoursFeaturing toys and games of the 1800s, this program gives students a chance to play and learn about pioneer toys. Games, stories and the chance to create a simple toy add to the fun.

yESTERDAy’S CHILDGrade 3May to mid-NovemberDuration: 1¾ hours

Experience life as a child did in pioneer times. Tour through the Village and compare childhood today to what was expected of children in the 1800s. There are several opportunities for students to help with chores that children would have been given two centuries earlier.

MAPLE SyRUPKindergarten to Grade 12March and April; please request specific dates when bookingDuration: Half day (2 hrs); 1 hr. version avail. in p.m. onlyEnjoy the sweetness of early Spring! Learn how to identify maple trees and how they are tapped for sap. Compare past and present methods of making maple syrup, and be sure to taste the end result!

NATURE WALKGrades 1 to 12Year-round Duration: Half day (2 hrs)Take a walk through the woods and introduce your students to nature on a general interest hike, or specify a theme for a customized program suited to your needs and your students’ interests.

EARLy ABORIgINAL LIfEGrades 2 to 8Year-roundDuration: Half day (2 hrs) or Full day (4 hrs)

Using a short slide show and authentic artifacts, learn about daily life in a First Nations village, including its social structure and the people’s lives as hunters, gatherers and farmers. While travelling along the woodland trails, identify plants and other natural resources that were used for food, medicine, tools and other household items.

APPRECIATION Of NATUREPre-school and KindergartenYear-round Duration: Half day (2 hrs)

Young children will have the opportunity to connect with nature through a sensory introduction that stimulates sight, sound, touch and smell. This program will be geared to the season, so come prepared for an adventure of the senses!

The Kortright Centre for Conservation is Ontario’s premier environmental and renewable energy education and demonstration centre. The centre offers over 50 environmental education programs for schools and 30 sustainable technology workshops for the public, trades and professionals.

KortrightCENTRE FOR CONSERVATiON

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gROWTH AND CHANgE IN ANIMALSGrades 2 and 3Year-roundDuration: Half day (2 hrs)

This is a hands-on program designed to introduce young students to the characteristics of animals. They will learn the differences and similarities between mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Children will investigate several habitats and study skins, antlers, feathers and other natural items. Active participation through games and activities makes learning fun.

CHARACTERISTICS AND NEEDS Of LIVINg THINgSGrades 1 and 2April to NovemberDuration: Half day (2 hrs)

Students will learn to identify basic animal groups using sight, sound and touch. Indoor activities will include the examination of mounted specimens to identify physical characteristics, while outside activities may include field collection and identification of small animals and insects.

gROWTH AND CHANgE IN PLANTSGrade 3May to OctoberDuration: Half day (2 hrs)

This indoor-outdoor activity provides students with a chance to observe a wide variety of plant species native to the area. They will learn to identify the major parts of plants and describe their functions, and develop an understanding of plant life cycles. Students will also gain an appreciation for the importance of plants as sources of food and shelter, and as suppliers of much of the world’s oxygen.

SUSTAINABLE ECOSySTEMSGrades 9 and 10April to NovemberDuration: Half day (2 hrs)

The dynamics and balance of an ecosystem are demonstrated by comparing a natural wetland to a man-made biological waste water treatment facility.

HABITATS AND COMMUNITIESGrade 4Year-roundDuration: Half day (2 hrs)

The Kortright Centre has a variety of habitats for students to experience first-hand; there are forests, meadows, streams and wetlands. During this program, students will visit these areas to identify producers, consumers and decomposers, as well as explore the natural environment that these species call home.

ENERgy IN OUR LIVESGrades 1 and 2Year-roundDuration: Half day (2 hrs)

Kortright’s renewable energy demonstrations provide an excellent opportunity to see and understand renewable energy first-hand! Students learn about wind energy, solar-electric, solar-thermal and wood energy through observing working demonstrations and hands-on activities. Discover how energy is available even when there is no wind or sun!

WIND ENERgy AND KITE fLyINgGrades 2 to 4Year-roundDuration: Half day (2 hrs)

Students will experience first-hand the properties of air and investigate the principles of flight through the building of kites. Connections with flight in the natural world will also be examined, as well as the application of renewable energy technology through wind turbines and windmills. Decoration of kites back at school may provide an opportunity to extend this science-based session into a visual arts project.

INSECT STUDyGrades 1 to 5May to OctoberDuration: Half day (2 hrs)

Track down small creatures in several habitats. Learn about life cycles, adaptations and the roles of small animals in nature. While out exploring the property, there will be an opportunity to collect several specimens of small animals and insects.

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INTERACTIONS IN THE ENVIRONMENTGrade 7Year-roundDuration: Half day (2 hrs)

The diverse habitats at Kortright provide settings for exploring the many inter-relationships that exist between elements in the natural landscape. Concepts that will be covered include populations, communities, food chains, food webs, succession dynamics and balances. Students will also discuss how humans have influenced ecosystems through misuse, conservation and management techniques using examples along the trail.

POND LIfEGrades 1 to 6May and JuneDuration: Half day (2 hrs)

Discover the wildlife that lives beneath the shallow waters of Ontario ponds. Using dip nets to catch and identify organisms, students take on the role of scientist to record what they find. Students then apply what they have learned by examining a food web at one of our many pond communities.

CLIMATE CHANgEGrades 9 to 12Year-roundDuration: Full day (4 hrs)

Discover the impact of lifestyle choices on the environment. This in-depth program includes a tour of the Archetype Sustainable House where students will learn about green technologies. A five-station science-based tour along our “Climate Change” trail will also introduce students to decomposition and recycling in nature. Lifestyle choices that encourage sustainable living are a key concept discussed throughout the day.

Did you know

the Kortright Centre

for Conservation is named

after Frank Kortright, who

founded the Conservation

Council of Ontario

in 1951?

7

Lake St.GeorgeFiELD CENTRE

PLANKTON SURVEyGrades 9 to 11 Spring, Summer and Fall

Students will use plankton nets, sieves, etc. to collect plankton samples from the littoral zone of Lake St. George. After a brief review of slide preparation and microscope use, students will identify the various phytoplankton and zooplankton obtained from the lake. Staff will involve students in the use of a digital microscope, and help them capture images for further study in the classroom.

LAKE ECOLOgy STUDyGrades 9 to 12 Spring, Summer and Fall

Students will tour the kettle lake on the Centre’s solar-powered electric pontoon boat. Water samples and data will be collected, and students will study the health of the lake by analyzing the samples using digital meters and chemical kits.

SHORELINE VEgETATION STUDyGrades 9 to 11 Spring, Summer and Fall

Students will be introduced to some basic wetland plant identification and will then have an opportunity to survey and map the littoral zone of Lake St. George from canoes. The importance of a natural shoreline to the health of the lake and the human impact on shoreline ecosystems will be examined.

Lake St. George Field Centre is the perfect learning environment for your secondary school class. From our floating classroom, a solar-powered electric pontoon boat, or from the dockside classroom, we offer full-day lessons in a range of subject areas, including science, biology, chemistry, geography, geomatics and more.

fISH MANAgEMENT STUDyGrades 9 to 12 Spring, Summer and Fall

This program involves seining fish near shore, examining the catch and collecting data on the health of the fish population. Students will discuss current issues such as invasive species and their effects on fisheries.

INTRODUCTION TO gPSGrades 9 to 12 Year-round

This program introduces GPS technology to students. They will have an opportunity to use GPS units in the field and participate in a geocaching treasure hunt. GPS Certification available.

INTRODUCTION TO CANOEINgGrades 9 to 12 Spring, Summer and Fall

Students will be introduced to safe canoeing skills and will have an opportunity to practice these skills with an ORCA-trained instructor.

Did you know

the name “Etobicoke”

derives from the Algonkian

word “Wah-do-be-kaug”,

meaning “place where

the alders grow”?

8

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OvernightPrograms

Overnight programs are available at:

Albion Hills Field Centre

Claremont Field Centre


immerse your students in a learning experience like no other. Overnight field trips provide an unparalleled opportunity to strengthen class dynamics while meeting Ontario curriculum requirements.

Ranging from two to five days, these field trips include all programs, materials, meals and accommodation in your own dormitory-style residence.

Field Centre teachers are OCT certified and can tailor programs to meet the learning needs of your students.

H.O.P.E. “HELP OUR PRECIOUS EARTH”Grades 5 to 8Year-round

Take a closer look at some of the environmental challenges facing our planet and learn how to be part of the solution as stewards of the Earth. Interactive games and a unique opportunity to assess their own “ecological footprint” are great ways to jump start students’ personal action plan toward sustainable living.

SCORE ORIENTEERINgGrades 4 to 12Year-round

Students learn to find their own way with this advanced orienteering competition. A comprehensive introduction ensures that students are comfortable with the basics of map interpretation and navigation using a compass before they break into smaller groups to seek out markers throughout the Field Centre. Teamwork and communication are required for success!

PHOTO ORIENTEERINgGrades 5 to 12Year-round

In this program, students will be introduced to, or have the opportunity to refine their compass navigation skills. Using a booklet of photographs and working with a partner, students will determine the exact location of where each photograph was taken, and be able to check their accuracy by recording the compass bearing of each site.

Albion HillsFiELD CENTRE

Leave the city behind and visit Albion Hills Field Centre, Canada’s first residential environmental education centre.

Albion Hills can accommodate up to 40 students and teachers on two-day to five-day visits.

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COUREURS DE BOISGrades 4 to 8Year-round

Relive an important part of Canadian history. This program introduces participants to the lifestyle of the “Runners of the Woods”, the early French settlers who paddled their canoes through Canadian waterways trading goods for furs. After a brief historical introduction and a discussion on the value of the beaver pelt, students participate in an orienteering and bartering activity that simulates a season as Coureurs de Bois.

NATURE ARTGrades 1 to 12Year-round

Awaken the creativity within by combining different artistic styles and techniques to create impressions of nature. A combination of sketching, imprinting, creative writing, watercolours and other techniques are explored to create a beautiful piece of art.

STREAM STUDyGrades 2 to 12Spring and Fall

An investigation of a local stream provides students with the opportunity to observe, measure, experiment, and collect biological and physical data. After interpreting the results, the young scientists will then determine if the stream ecosystem is healthy and biologically diverse.

CROSS-COUNTRy SKIINgGrades 4 to 12Winter

Explore the trails of Albion Hills with a Nordic twist. Skis, boots and poles are provided, followed by a group lesson on basic techniques and safety considerations. A ski tour of the property will follow to allow time for students to hone their skills.

gROUP DyNAMICSGrades 1 to 12Year-round

Students work in groups to solve a variety of challenges. Team success depends on a combination of cooperation, communication, and physical and mental effort from all individuals. Each activity is designed to instill self-confidence, develop relationships and build respect for others.

INSTINCTS fOR SURVIVALGrades 4 to 12Year-round

Experience life on the wild side! Students will assume the role of an indigenous species while fighting to maintain a place on the food chain. This predator-prey simulation teaches students about relationships within the food web while they play an active, outdoor adventure game.

WILDERNESS SURVIVAL SKILLSGrades 4 to 12Year-round

While hiking in the wilderness, you suddenly realize you don’t know where you are. Darkness is fast approaching and it’s clear you will have to stay the night. Will you survive? Working in groups, students will practice some valuable survival skills, including building a small cooking fire and constructing a shelter using natural materials.

Did you know

Albion Hills Conservation Area

was the first conservation

area to be established in

Ontario in 1954?

INSTINCTS fOR SURVIVAL Grades 1 to 12Year-round




gROUP DyNAMICSGrades 1 to 12Year-round

Students work in groups to solve a variety of challenges. Team success depends on a combination of cooperation, communication, and physical and mental effort from all individuals. Each activity is designed to instill self-confidence, develop relationships and build respect for others.

ClaremontFiELD CENTRE

At Claremont you can explore one of the region’s last remain-ing cold water streams, experience our pioneer heritage in a restored pioneer log cabin from 1811, or ski the myriad of natural trails. Claremont can accommodate up to 60 students and teachers on two-day to five-day visits.

13

ANIMAL DETECTIVEGrades 1 to 8Year-round

Students learn to look for evidence (tracks, scat, homes, etc.) of wildlife as they hike through the property. Using keen observation skills in search of clues, students will apply what they have learned to discover the identity of an animal.

POND STUDyGrades 3 to 12Spring, Summer and Fall

Ever wonder what lurks beneath the surface of local ponds? Students will explore the unknown by becoming acquainted with the characteristics of healthy pond ecosystems. Collecting and identifying pond organisms illustrates how these animals are adapted to their ecological niche.

NATIVE STUDIESGrades 4 to 8Year-round

Students will learn about the history of Canada’s First Nations Peoples through discussions, examination of actual artifacts, the use of fire bows and the baking of bannock - a small taste of their daily life in this country.


Explore the trails of Claremont with a Nordic twist. Skis, boots and poles are provided, followed by a group lesson on basic techniques and safety considerations. A ski tour of the property will follow to allow time for students to hone their skills.

23-POINT ORIENTEERINgGrades 4 to 12Year-round

Upon arrival, participants will have an opportunity to explore the immediate area using this quick exercise. While learning to read and sketch a map, explorers will hunt for 23 markers around the property. Upon finding these markers, students will race against time to unscramble the clues.

PHOTO ORIENTEERINgGrades 4 to 12Year-round In this program, students will be introduced to, or have the opportunity to refine their compass navigation skills. Using a booklet of photographs and working with a partner, students will determine the exact location of where each photograph was taken, and be able to check their accuracy by recording the compass bearing of each site.

TREASURE MAPPINgGrades 1 to 8Year-round

X marks the spot! This activity introduces students to the basics of mapping. Participants are equipped with all of the necessary supplies to create a map and hide a treasure.Paces and bearings are used to develop a route, and clues are left as to the location of the treasure.

STREAM STUDyGrades 3 to 12Spring and Fall

An investigation of a local stream provides students with the opportunity to observe, measure, experiment, and collect biological and physical data. After interpreting the results, the young scientists will then determine if the stream ecosystem is healthy and biologically diverse.

LAKE ECOLOgyGrades 4 to 12Spring, Summer and Fall

Take a ride on our solar-powered pontoon boat! Students have the unique opportunity to learn about glacial kettle lakes while enjoying a boat ride on ours. Participants will record data that allows them to create a profile of the lake. They will also be introduced to water sampling, perform chemical tests on water samples, and graph and interpret the results.

fISH MANAgEMENTGrades 4 to 12Spring, Summer and Fall

What varieties of fish species swim in Lake St. George? Students will answer that question by going fishing with our 80-metre-long seine net. They will identify fish using identification keys and create drawings of the different species. Students will also be encouraged to weigh and measure the length of the fish before employing methods of “gentle release” back into the water.

NATURE PHOTOgRAPHyGrades 6 to 12Year-round

Capture the natural world in a flash! Using state-of-the-art digital cameras, students will develop awareness of six key concepts in photography: lighting, colour, natural framing, rule of thirds, perspective and people in nature. The resulting photos will make great keepsakes.


Enjoy Lake St. George’s unparalleled water-based programming on our private kettle lake. We offer programming that takes place on our solar-powered electric pontoon boat, the largest of its kind in North America, and we have two spacious dorms that can be booked either individually or together.

15


Explore the trails of Lake St. George with a Nordic twist. Skis, boots and poles are provided, followed by a group lesson on basic techniques and safety considerations. A ski tour of the property will follow to allow time for students to hone their skills.

NIgHT HIKEGrades 4 to 12Year-round

Explore the Lake St. George property under the cover of darkness while engaging all the senses to develop an appreciation for the specialization of the nocturnal world. With consideration given to theme, weather and time, possible activities include owl calling, moon mints, chalk sketching, storytelling and astronomy investigations.

LEgENDS Of LAKE ST. gEORgEGrades 4 to 12 Year-round: Evening program

Learn about the rich history of the St. George family, specifically Henri Quetton de St. George, the first resident of the property and after whom the site is named. The program then leads into an outdoor storytelling hike where participants learn of the “strange happenings” that have occurred around the property over the years.

COUREURS DE BOISGrades 4 to 8Year-round

Relive an important part of Canadian history. This program introduces participants to the lifestyle of the “Runners of the Woods”, the early French settlers who paddled their canoes through Canadian waterways trading goods for furs. After a brief historical introduction and a discussion on the value of the beaver pelt, students participate in an orienteering and bartering activity that simulates a season as Coureurs de Bois.

INTRODUCTION TO gPSGrades 7 to 12Year-round

Students will learn how this technology works and relates to topographic maps. They will gain experience with the UTM system using handheld GPS units and will navigate to checkpoints in an orienteering challenge.

INSTINCTS fOR SURVIVALGrades 1 to 12Year-round




PHOTO ORIENTEERINgGrades 4 to 12Year-round

In this program, students will be introduced to, or have the opportunity to refine their compass navigation skills. Using a booklet of photographs and working with a partner, students will determine the exact location of where each photograph was taken, and be able to check their accuracy by recording the compass bearing of each site.

17

There is no better way to bring environmental learning right into your school than by booking a Watershed on Wheels in-class visit. Programs actively engage students through hands-on learning and are connected to the provincial curriculum.

And if you are booking a trip to one of TRCA’s Field Centres, consider Watershed on Wheels as a perfect complement to your visit.

In-ClassPrograms

Did you know

the biggest threat facing

water quality is stormwater

runoff that collects

pollutants and then deposits

them directly into creeks

and rivers?

AQUATIC PLANTS PROgRAMGrades 3, 4, 6 to 12Year-round Duration: Half day (2 hrs)

Watch plants as they grow in your classroom. When they are ready, your class will take a field trip to a nearby wetland to plant them. Students will learn about the importance of these valuable ecosystems through engaging outdoor activities and games.

A SEASON Of CHANgEGrades 1 and 2Year-round Duration: Half day (2 hrs)

By participating in a frog calling symphony, writing poems and playing interactive games, students experience the many changes that take place in the natural world, and explore the reasons behind why these changes occur every season in Ontario.

CHANgINg CREATURESGrade 2Year-round Duration: Half day (2 hrs)

Puppets, furs and interactive activities help students learn about animal adaptations and growth cycles using a fun, hands-on approach.

NEEDS Of LIVINg THINgSGrade 1Year-round Duration: Half day (2 hrs)

How do they do that? Sensory games, furs, skulls and hands-on activities will expand students’ understanding of the senses, and the many amazing ways the animal kingdom uses theirs to survive.

WETLAND ECOSySTEMSGrades 3, 4 and 7Year-round Duration: Half day (2 hrs)

Wetlands are diverse and critical ecosystems that are vital to the survival of many different life forms. Through

PROGRAM

The Watershed on Wheels Program (WOW) brings exciting and unique outdoor conservation programs into the classroom.

Watershed on Wheels

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OAK RIDgES MORAINE PROgRAMGrades 4, 6, 7 to 9Year-round Duration: Half day (2 hrs)

Students learn about the importance of the Oak Ridges Moraine as a critical habitat, a diverse ecosystem and a valuable resource used for a number of human activities.

STREAM OR POND STUDyGrades 6 to 8Spring, Summer and Fall Duration: Half day (2 hrs)

An investigation of a local stream or pond provides students with the opportunity to observe, measure, experiment, and collect biological and physical data. After interpreting the results, the young scientists will then determine if the stream or pond ecosystem is healthy and biologically diverse.

WATER CENTSGrade 5Year-round Duration: Half day (2 hrs)

An interactive model, a water cycle game and a role-playing advertisement activity teach students about the importance of protecting our precious water resources.

CLEAN WATER, CLEAR CHOICESGrades 7 and 8Year-round Duration: Half day (2 hrs)

Through a variety of activities and a classroom experiment, students learn about the value of clean water, and the costs and difficulties associated with keeping it that way.

fun, engaging activities and real-life examples, students explore Ontario wetlands and their importance to the health of the planet.

yELLOW fISH ROADGrades 2 to 4, 6 to 12 Spring, Summer and Fall Duration: Half day (2 hrs)

An indoor presentation and an interactive model help participants learn how storm drains are linked to local water bodies. An outdoor component involves marking storm drains in the community and distributing flyers to increase residents’ awareness.

CLIMATE CALAMITyGrades 5, 7 and 10Year-round Duration: Half day (2 hrs)

When it comes to climate change, there’s little time to waste. Drama activities, an interactive model and a greenhouse gas game help students separate fact from fiction and become solution-oriented in dealing with this environmental reality.

DIVERSITy Of LIVINg THINgSGrade 6Year-round Duration: Half day (2 hrs)

Explore biodiversity in the classroom! Learn about classification, adaptation and invertebrates in this exciting program. Students will use their artistic talent, see and touch real animal furs, and engage in a game of trivia.

INSTINCTS fOR SURVIVALGrades 4, 7 and 9Year-round Duration: Half day (2 hrs)


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High school credit courses are available at:

Claremont Field Centre


These high school credit courses offer an exceptional opportunity to develop specialized skills in an entirely unique setting. Courses are sponsored by local school boards and delivered by teachers and industry professionals to prepare students for college, university or the workforce.

High SchoolCredit Courses

Did you know

the Oak Ridges Moraine

provides a natural habitat for

sensitive and threatened plant

and animal species not found

elsewhere in the Greater

Toronto Area?

ClaremontFiELD CENTRE

BOyD ARCHAEOLOgICAL fIELD SCHOOL(Located at Claremont Field Centre)

Grade 12 University Prep Credit in Interdisciplinary StudiesJuly and August: Three weeks

Dig your way to the past! Under the supervision of certified teachers and archaeologists, students have a unique opportunity to explore Aboriginal and Euro- Canadian histories through lectures and hands-on work at an archaeological site. The Boyd Archaeological Field School was the recipient of the 2005 Peggy Armstrong Public Archaeology Award and has been operating for more than 30 years.


ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CREDITGrade 11 COMING SUMMER 2011

An intensive, hands-on experience featuring many outdoor learning opportunities while using state-of-the-art research equipment, Lake St. George’s Environmental Science Course will connect students to scientists and experts from a wide range of fields. This is a comprehensive course covering contemporary environmental issues, including ecological sustainability, waste reduction, energy conservation, habitat creation and watershed management. While the experience is enhanced by off-site visits, the host setting is the beautiful Lake St. George Field Centre, a property surrounded by a kettle lake and located on some of the most sensitive lands of the Oak Ridges Moraine. As the surrounding area is experiencing rapid development, Lake St. George is a unique site to study the interaction of science, the environment and society.

THE ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE MANAgEMENT CREDITGrade 12COMING SOON

Using a variety of current technologies, including geotechnology, students will examine ecological processes, principles of sustainability and strategies for resource management while earning a secondary school credit in The Environment and Resource Management. Students will learn about the importance and fragility of the Oak Ridges Moraine ecosystems, and the pressures that have been placed upon them by surrounding development. The inclusion of hands-on field studies on Lake St. George and surrounding protected lands will make this an exciting way for students to learn the skills and knowledge necessary to understand and appreciate the sustainable relationships between people and the environment.

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Our Conservation Areas

Albion Hills Conservation AreaCaledon, ON

Boyd Conservation AreaVaughan, ON

Bruce’s Mill Conservation AreaStouffville, ON

Glen Haffy Conservation AreaCaledon, ON

Heart Lake Conservation AreaBrampton, ON

Indian Line CampgroundBrampton, ON

Petticoat Creek Conservation AreaPickering, ON

Albion Hills Field CentreBolton, ON

Black Creek Pioneer VillageToronto, ON

Claremont Field CentreClaremont, ON

Kortright Centre for ConservationVaughan, ON

Lake St. George Field CentreRichmond Hill, ON

Our Education Centres

For more information:www.trca-education.caor 416-667-6295(Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

education through explorationtrca.on.ca/dotasset/89805.pdf · using a short slide show and...

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