Outreach

Experiential Programs

Extended learning experiences featuring a variety of engaging hands-on activities.

Aquatic Environmental Assessment

Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12
Length: 80 minutes
Seasons: Fall and Spring

Explore the benthic aquatic organisms that we find in local streams, ponds or the lake. Samples of these amazing creatures will be placed in observation buckets for viewing and identification. Water quality will also be assessed by conducting and analyzing water chemistry tests. Ideas of human impact through storm water runoff will be explored.

Dip, Dip, Hooray!

Grades: 1, 2, 3, 4
Length: 80 minutes
Seasons: Fall and Spring

Discover the diversity of life found in local streams, ponds and the lake. Samples of these amazing creatures will be placed in observation buckets for viewing, interacting with and identifying. A discussion of animal characteristics, adaptations and life cycles will give a greater understanding of these fascinating critters as well as what they can tell us about the quality of the water as a habitat.

Diversity of Life

Grades: 6
Length: 80 minutes
Seasons: All

Through inquiry-based learning, the diversity that exists between and amongst groups of animals will be more closely examined. These explorations will look at the common links and interesting adaptations that animals have based on form and function through the variety of artifacts and materials set up into self-discovery learning stations.

Feathered Friends

Grades: K
Length: 80 minutes
Seasons: all

Explore a local habitat space and discover what lives there. A deeper investigation will look at local birds and what they need to survive. Further understanding about caring for and respecting birds will be developed through a hands-on activity of making a small bird feeder to take home.

Goodbye Butterflies?

Grades: K
Length: 80 minutes
Seasons: Fall and Spring

Learn about monarch butterflies and why they are a species-at-risk. Through a story and a role-playing game, their fascinating lifecycle and annual migration will be explored. Further understanding about caring for and respecting butterflies will be developed through a hands-on activity of making a mini wildflower garden to take home.

Harnessing the Sun

Grades: 5
Length: 80 minutes
Seasons: All

Get “energized” with a variety of interactive games and experiments related to solar energy. Further investigations into renewable and non-renewable resources as well as a hands-on activity of building a small solar oven will provide a greater appreciation for the importance of energy conservation and greener energy solutions.

Investigating Invasives

Grades: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Length: 80 minutes
Seasons: Fall and Spring

Learn about invasive species and how they affect local ecosystems through engaging role-playing simulation games and activities. Further exploration will include looking for invasive species in the schoolyard using identifications keys and other resources.

Plankton Lab

Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Length: 80 minutes
Seasons: Fall and Spring

Discover, through hands-on microscopy, the amazing world of plankton. Structures of both plant and animal cells will be explored through investigating live samples of phytoplankton and zooplankton that are pulled from a local tributary or pond. Identification keys and resources will be used to determine what types of plankton are being observed and sketched using scientific drawing techniques.

Rock Hounds

Grade: 4
Length: 80 minutes
Seasons: All

Become a “rockhound” through examining different types of rocks and minerals through a series of lab experiments. Discover that rocks and minerals are useful for many things and that their characteristics help determine their use. Further learning about the changing landscape and the ways wind, water and ice can reshape it through the processes of erosion, transportation and deposition will be explored.

Wonderful Water Systems

Grades: 8
Length: 80 minutes
Seasons: All

Become a water droplet in the hydrologic cycle in an interactive game to learn more about water movement throughout a watershed. Further examination of the human impacts on water will be determined by conducting chemical testing and analysis of a local water sample and discussing the actions we can take to minimize these impacts to our watersheds.

Looking for something different?

Don’t see a theme or topic you are looking for? Email education@LSRCA.on.ca and let us know your program idea – we may be able to accommodate your needs!

School Subjects:

Find the best program for your needs by subject or by grade! Subjects are identified on the program list with the following icons:

Science and Technology

Health & Physical Education

$math icon$ Math

Social Studies

The Arts

Kindergarten Program

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Find out more about the Connect Campaign