Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre Education Program Descriptions

2011-2012 Education Opportunities in Fish Creek Provincial Park Brochure

Maps to the Bow Valley Ranch Visitor Centre | Glennfield Area | Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre

Kindergarten (Half-day program fee: $1.50 per student)

FABULOUS FALL (Sept. and Oct.) - This program is a sensory awareness approach to the exploration of the natural world in autumn. Signs of fall and seed dispersal methods are two of the activities included in this program.

WINTER WONDER (Dec. to Feb.) - Using four senses (excludes taste) as tools, the students go on an "S" hunt to discover sounds, sights, and the snacks, steps, and shelters of squirrels and snowshoe hares.

SPRING FEVER (Apr.) - This program, using a sensory focus, explores signs of spring and the concept of change.

HIDDEN WORLDS (May to Aug.) - Students discover where insects can be found, the three basic characteristics of all insects and why spiders are not insects. 

Grade 1 (Full-day program fee: $3.00 per student)

SIGNS OF FALL (Sept. and Oct.) - Topic B: Seasonal Changes, Topic D: Senses
After completing 4 sensory awareness activities, students focus on buds, the functions of living and dead leaves, seed dispersal methods and animal changes.

ANIMALS AND WINTER (Dec. to Feb.) - Topic B: Seasonal Changes, Topic D: Senses
Using an exploratory approach, students discover that animals have unique adaptations that enable them to meet their basic needs during winter.

ENCHANTED SPRING (April) - Topic B: Seasonal Changes, Topic D: Senses
Students explore the forest, grasslands, marsh and creek to discover the full extent of seasonal changes.

THRIVING TOGETHER (May to Aug.) - Topic E: Needs of Animals and Plants
Students observe, describe and compare living things, discover how animals and plants meet their basic needs and how they depend on each other.

Grade 2 (Full-day program fee: $3.00 per student)

INSECT INTRIGUE (May to mid-Oct.) - Topic E: Small Crawling and Flying Animals
This full-day program focuses on small crawling and flying invertebrates. Students will complete a general exploration activity and specific invertebrate studies in the grasslands and the forest. Students will check for a correlation between air temperature and invertebrate activity. Program activities will enable the students to compare the invertebrates and describe the animals: habitat and relationships with living and non-living things.

Grade 3

WILD LIFE CYCLES (Apr. to Oct.) - Topic E: Animal Life Cycles

PARK STAFF DIRECTED: $5.00 per student (full-day field study, half is lead by Park staff)
TEACHER-DIRECTED: $3.00 per student
Students will develop positive attitudes, knowledge and observation skills concerning wild animals and the habitat they depend upon that is preserved by Parks and Protected Areas. Activities focus on observable characteristics, how basic needs are met within the habitat, levels of parental care, changes in environmental conditions, and how students can assist in habitat preservation.

Grade 4 (Full-day program fee: $3.00 per student)

PLANT COMMUNITIES (May and June) - Topic E: Plant Growth and Changes
Students describe and classify common plants, investigate variations in growing conditions and explore the importance of plants to the natural environment.

Grade 5 (Full-day program fee: $5.00 per student)

WETLANDS (Apr. to Oct.) - Topic E: Wetland Ecosystems
This partnership program between Ducks Unlimited Canada, the City of Calgary Parks and Alberta Parks offers wetlands programs in your class in addition to your Fish Creek Provincial Park trip at no extra cost. Your full-day field study includes the riparian and upland habitats and a half-day at the pond. Your pond study is guided by a Wetland Education Specialist.

Grade 6 (Full-day program fee: $3.00 per student)

TREE TALES (Apr. to Oct.) - Topic E: Trees and Forests
Students observe the characteristics of trees and use classification keys to identify them. "Tree Cookies" encourage students to investigate and interpret tree growth. A comparison study of organisms in a coniferous forest plot and in a deciduous forest plot completes the field study day.

WINTER DETECTIVES (Dec. to Feb.) - Topic D: Evidence and Investigation
Students record details of tracks and winter activity signs, both animal and human. Classification keys enable the students to identify the track-makers. Students practise extrapolating from known facts to inferences.

Grade 7

THE “NATURE” OF SCIENCE (Mid-Apr. to mid-Oct.) - Unit A: Interactions and Ecosystems
Full-day program fee: $5.00 per student
During this full day field study, students work in “scientific teams” to examine interactions, abiotic, and biotic features of three distinct ecosystems – grassland, aspen parkland and boreal forest.  Students also explore how human impacts have influenced these ecosystems.

SHRUBS, TREES, AND DICHOTOMOUS KEYS (All Year) - Unit B: Plants for Food and Fibre
Half-day program fee: $3.00 per student
This half-day field study introduces students to plant identification and the use of dichotomous keys. Historic plant uses will be explored while searching for and identifying native trees and shrubs along the trails.

Grade 9 (Full-day program fee: $5.00 per student)

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (Mid-Apr. to mid-Oct.) - Unit A: Biological Diversity
Students examine a variety of ecosystems and study the biodiversity within and between species as part of this full day field study. 

Grade 11 (Full-day program fee: $5.00 per student)

ECOSYSTEMS AND IMPACTS: A FIELD STUDY FOR BIOLOGY AND SCIENCE 20 STUDENTS - Biology 20: Unit B: Ecosystems and Population Change
This field study will provide students with an authentic, hands-on study experience exploring and gathering real-world information on ecosystems and human impacts in Fish Creek Provincial Park.

Grade 3 to High School ($3.00 per student)

ORIENTEERING (All Year)
An excellent hands-on program to develop map reading and orienteering skills in conjunction with math, social studies, physical education and outdoor education. Additional activities enhance student learning about the cultural and natural environment, human impact and safety outdoors. Students should have basic map reading skills.

There are two routes in the Park: The Shannon Terrace route has twelve stations and the Bow Valley Ranch route has eight stations.

Drop-in Groups (DROP-IN FEE: $1.50 per student)
All Orienteering route use must be booked to avoid scheduling conflicts (no space booked in the Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre or Bow Valley Ranch Visitor Centre, just route use).

Your Day, Your Way!

Grades K - 12
Plan your own unique half-day, full day, or multiple day field study with Fish Creek Environmental Educators. Staff are available to assist you in creating your own teacher-directed study or to lead specially developed programs. Fees vary.

Kindergarten to Grade 6: Contact (403) 297-7229 or email: Fishcreek.Education@gov.ab.ca for further information or to make a booking.

Junior and Senior High ONLY: Contact (403) 297-7927 for further information or to make a booking.

We are accepting bookings for field studies through to August 31, 2011.

Environmental Education Links: Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre | 
Bow Valley Ranch Visitor Centre | Public Programs | Self-Guided Field Studies |
Youth Groups | Families