education

Education

Through our unique education programs, we seek to create a community of knowledgeable, empowered citizens who engage in stewardship and positive environmental action to conserve ecosystems, wilderness and protected areas.

CPAWS Environmental Education Programs from Tracy Jacobson on Vimeo.

Education Programs

Species at Risk Investigation

Grades 2-5

CPAWS will come to you and guide your students on a unique, hands-on, curriculum linked journey to becoming Environmental Detectives. Get ready to investigate the complex case of local species at risk!

Alberta Learning Curriculum Covered:

  • Grade 2: Science - Small Crawling and Flying Animals
  • Grade 3: Science - Animal Life Cycles; Social Studies - Local and Current Affairs
  • Grade 4: Science - Waste in Our World; Social Studies - A Sense of the Land
  • Grade 5: Science - Wetland Ecosystems; Social Studies - Physical Geography of Canada

Water Rangers Program

Grades 4 & 5

Your students will discover a wave of knowledge as CPAWS takes your class on an interactive journey down the Bow River. Learn about the importance of water in our lives and how you can become a Water Ranger!

Alberta Learning Curriculum Covered

  • Grade 4: Science - Waste and Our World
  • Grade 5: Science - Wetland Ecosystems

Grizzly Bears Forever Program
 

Grades 7-12

Explore the biology of the threatened Alberta Grizzly bear and their habitat. Through curriculum based stories, biofacts and engaging activities CPAWS will help your students learn about biological research, human impacts, staying safe in bear country and the role they can play in Grizzly bear recovery.

Alberta Learning Curriculum Covered

  • Grade 7: Science - Interactions and Ecosystems
  • Grade 9: Science - Biological Diversity
  • Biology 20: Ecosystems and Population Change
  • Biology 30: Population and Community Dynamics

Guided and Interpretive Hikes

Grades 3 - 12

Take learning outdoors and celebrate nature! Offer your students an inspirational break from the classroom with a full day hike to learn about topics such as, grizzly bears, endangered species, First Nations facts and folklore, wetlands and ecosystem dynamics.

  • CPAWS is a CBE service provider.
  • Hikes are available from September – October and from May – June.
  • Programs are located at Mount Yamnuska, Ribbon Creek, and Fish Creek Provincial Park.
  • Three different hikes to choose from (see below)

SPECIES AT RISK: Grade 2-4
Explore the complex case of local Alberta species at risk while hiking in their natural habitats. A CPAWS hiking guide will bring curriculum to life through outdoor games, activities and stories.
Alberta Learning Curriculum Covered:
Grade 2: Science - Small Crawling and Flying Animals
Grade 3: Science - Animal Life Cycles
Grade 4: Science - Waste and Our World

WILD FOR WETLANDS: Grade 5
Discover the wonderful world of wetlands at a wetland! Students will collect samples and learn about the different organisms that live in these unique habitats and also explore the surrounding forest ecosystem.
Alberta Learning Curriculum Covered:
Grade 5: Science - Wetland Ecosystems

TREES AND FORESTS: Grade 6
Walk among the giants and discover the important role of various plants in the forest ecosystem. Students will participate in hands-on identification as well as other topical activities and games.
Alberta Learning Curriculum Covered:
Grade 6: Science - Trees & Forests

GRIZZLY BEARS FOREVER: Grade 7-12
Explore the habitat of Alberta’s threatened grizzly bear. Learn about current research and human impacts on these incredible animals through stories, bio-facts and activities.
Alberta Learning Curriculum Covered:
Grade 7: Science - Interactions and Ecosystems;  Biology 20: Ecosystems and Population Change
Grade 9: Science - Biological Diversity;  Biology 30: Population and Community Dynamics

FRESH WATER ECOSYSTEMS DISCOVERY: Grade 8
What are the characteristics of fresh water ecosystems? Discover the answer to this question and many more through site observation, sample collection, testing and exploring the surrounding forest.
Alberta Learning Curriculum Covered:
Grade 8: Science - Fresh Water Ecosystems

AQUATIC FIELD STUDY: Biology 20 & 30
CPAWS will take you and your class on a detailed exploration and analysis of ecosystem health through a comparative wetland study at Fish Creek Provincial Park or Mt. Yamnuska.
Alberta Learning Curriculum Covered:
Biology 20: Ecosystems and Population Change Biology 30: Population and Community Dynamics

Download a PDF verson of our ELEMENTARY HIKING BROCHURE and SECONDARY HIKING BROCHURE

To learn more about our previous programs please see our latest Year End Report.

Book a Program

To book a program or find out more information please contact Jennifer Casciani at (403) 232-6686 ext. 103 or jcasciani@cpaws.org

Program Fees:

  • $140 + GST for 1 class
  • $130 + GST – 2 classes,
  • $120 + GST – 3 classes
  • $110 + GST – 4 classes
  • $100 + GST – 5 or more classes

Hiking Fees:

  • $225 + GST (1 hike)
  • $200 + GST (when you book 2 or more)

* Students: 35 maximum per class

* Subsidies available for schools in need

* Please add GST to all program prices

Action Challenge

The Education Team here at CPAWS SAB has been heading into classrooms to talk to students about conservation, science and the environment. Sometimes classes ask us, “What can we do to help?” So … because YOU asked for it, we started the Action Challenge program. In 2003, CPAWS launched the Action Challenge program, designed to inspire students just like you to take positive action to help the environment.

CPAWS SAB awards four outstanding schools for their exceptional achievements every year. Our Action Challenge program winners for 2011 - 12 were:

Teachers, if you want to learn more get our A Teacher’s Guide to Community Environmental Action or call our Education Coordinator, Jennifer Casciani, at 232-6686 (ext. 103).

Teacher Training & Adult Education

CPAWS Educators are often called upon to deliver professional development workshops for teachers, environmental educators, corporate groups, and youth workers.

We offer training workshops on various environmental themes, where participants learn about the topic and participate in a demonstration of the activities.To book a program or find out more information please contact Jennifer Casciani at (403) 232-6686 ext. 103 or jcasciani@cpaws.org

Testimonials

What teachers and students are saying about us!

  • Thanks for teaching us about how to understand nature …The hike was wonderful and the views were beautiful. – Morgan, Grade 5, Banff Elementary School
  • It was nice getting out of school and into the mountains. Thanks. – Christina, Grade 8, T.B. Riley Junior High School
  • Great personal details - it is easy for the students to relate as the bears are so close to us. – Ms. Husband, Teacher, Senator Patrick Burns School
  • I enjoyed the variety presented throughout the hour. Good visuals/‘special guest’/ and the ‘Bears of Banff’ activity had students’attention throughout. – Wendy Allsopp, Teacher, Lawrence Grassi Middle School
  • I really enjoyed the stuff we did. The activities I think were great. Also, we learned and had fun. Thanks for everything. – Alex, Student, Calgary Science School
  • I appreciated the connection with the curriculum dealing with ecosystems, endangered species and the factors causing species (decline). – Bob Hodgins, Teacher, Meadowbrook Middle School
  • Fun! (A lot better than school). The game was good. It should have been longer. – Student, Canmore Collegiate High School
  • I know that I learned a lot of new things about grizzly bears that I didn’t know before. Thank you! – Todd, Student, Calgary Science School
  • You were able to cover more in one period than I did in three weeks … I think the best part of the program is the variety of activities/media used. Presentation hit on many different learning styles. – Mark Barber, Teacher, Ecole Airdrie Middle School
  • [Your classroom presentation] met all of my expectations. I wanted a close link to curriculum, I wanted the students involved – and all of these things happened. – Cindy Perrault, Teacher, Bishop Kidd Junior High

Free Resources for Educators

Free Resources for Educators

Whether you are a teacher, a nature interpreter, or a parent, we have some terrific resources that can help you bring science and nature alive for the young people in your lives. CPAWS believes in helping educators, and we don’t mind doing it for free! The following CPAWS education resources are available for free download:

Science, Grade 3-6:

  • Measuring the Success of Environmental Education Programs: This report reviews the basic tenets of environmental education, provides ten principles of excellent environmental education, and includes a glossary and other resources about outcomes-based evaluation.
  • Teacher’s Guide to Community; Environmental Action: This resource guides teachers through integrating action projects in the class.
  • An Uncertain Future: Students compare the historical and present distribution maps of several large carnivores in North America.
  • Animal Game: In this experiential outdoor game students assume the role of producers, consumers, or decomposers, to learn about food webs and chains.
  • Bat and Moth: A classic environmental education activity, where students discover what it’s like to be the hunter and the hunted.
  • Bio-What?: What exactly is biodiversity? Why is it important? Use these overheads to generate discussion.
  • Deer Ears: Students learn about the importance of stealth and good listening skills in this enjoyable outdoor activity.
  • Five Minute Field Trips: This resource is for teachers wishing to do simple and enjoyable outdoor environmental activities on their school campus. This is a “greatest hits” compilation of our favourite activities.
  • How do species become extinct?: Students will learn that loss of homes, or “habitat loss,” is the main factor that puts species in danger of extinction.
  • How we’re connected: In this activity, students take a close look at their lifestyle choices, and the impacts of those choices.
  • If the Earth were Small: This evocative poem by Joe Miller prompts listeners to wonder if we’d treat the Earth any different if it were only a few feet in diameter.
  • Mouse Roulette: In this active game students (owls) learn about food chains, factors affecting feeding, and the random poisoning of the mouse food supply.
  • We’re all Passengers: The Passenger Pigeon was once the most numerous bird in North America - yet it is now extinct. Students learn how this happened and examine their own thoughts and feeling about extinction.
  • Weird Webs: What happens when you remove a grizzly bear or a flower from an ecosystem or food web? Play this game to find out!
  • What does Endangered Mean?: This activity explains why species need their “special places” and what happens to them when these places are destroyed.
  • Who am I?: A fun-filled activity where students learn about the plants and animals found in a natural ecosystem.
  • A Perfect Pond Study: Use this lesson plan to help you lead your students through an exciting pond study
  • Pond Study Gear: Find out what you need for a pond study – and how to make it!
  • Plastic Bag Pond: This activity allows students to examine pond water up close, and will excite their curiosity and imagination about wetlands.
  • Water & Land Ecosystems: in this activity students make comparisons between aquatic and terrestrial species.
  • Wetland Pictionary: Pick a card, any card…and then draw it! This activity reviews wetland terminology in a creative way.

Social Science, Grade 3-6

  • Inventing the Future: This guide helps teachers and students think about the future and sustainability, through many inspiring, motivational and thought-provoking activities.
  • Take a Stand: Students think critically about some difficult questions and examine their own values as they “take a stand” on a difficult issue.
  • What about Shady Acres?: In this activity, students work through the process of municipal government to decide on the future of Shady Acres: will they preserve it, develop it, or learn to compromise?

Language Arts, Grade 3-6

  • Quote Poker: Students are given a “hand” of cards with environmental quotes written on them, to trade with their peers until they find the quote that they like best.
  • Why the Y2Y?: Students represent various stakeholders on the issue of conserving habitat for bears, illustrating the complexities.

Science, Grade 7-9

  • Bears of Banff: In this simulation game students assume the role of grizzlies as they try to meet their basic needs in a compromised ecosystem.
  • Disperse or Decease: Students play the role of focal species trying to disperse into new habitats, or deal with the consequences!
  • Ecosystem Enigmas: Students learn about the enigmas that occur when we try to manage a complex ecosystem. Find out why trees need bears and wolves!
  • Where is Sophie?: Using real GPS data points, students analyze a map to determine if Sophie, a real bear, is behaving the way a normal bear should.

Science, High School

  • Keys and Webs: Students use dichotomous keys and build food webs in the Rocky Mountain Ecosystem.

Environmental Education Web Links

Web links to our favourite environmental education sites, organization webpages, research, adopt-an-animal websites, and more!

Grizzly Bears

Species At Risk

Action Challenges

Activities, Resources, and Presentations

Adopt a…

If you are interested in raising money to support conservation efforts of a specific endangered species, check out these sites:

Water

CPAWS Southern Alberta Education Reports

 

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