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Updated:
November 12, 2008
Switzer's Outdoor Classroom.
William A. Switzer Provincial Park
is a choice location for hands-on educational activities.
Environmental education programs focus on topics relevant
to the park's natural surroundings. These programs are designed
not only to supplement the school's curriculum set out by
Alberta Learning, but also to enhance any organized group's
park experience.
Environmental Education 2008/2009 (4 pages | 1.4 mb)
Programs 2008 to 2009
 Kinderscience (Preschool to Kindergarten)
Available October 2008- April 2009
Let us bring nature to your classroom. Kinderscience
programs offer young learners the opportunity to
explore science concepts through fun activities. This
school year, we will be discovering the ungulates of
the Northern Rockies…deer, elk, caribou, moose,
sheep, and goats. (1 hour Classroom Session)
Curriculum Connections:
Kindergarten: Environment and Community Awareness
 Lost in the Woods (Kindergarten)
Available September/October and May/June
All children should learn what to do if they are lost in
the forest. Students will practice basic survival skills
that could save their life some day. Each student will
receive a small survival kit. (1 hour fieldtrip)
Curriculum Connections:
Kindergarten: Physical Skills and Well-being
Kindergarten: Personal and Social Responsibility
 Nature Detectives (Grade 1)
Available September/October and May/June
Give your students the opportunity to dive head-first
into nature discovery using their five senses.
Activities will also highlight how animals perceive their
world. (1.5 hour fieldtrip)
Curriculum Connections:
Grade 1: Senses
Grade 1: Needs of Plants and Animals
 Bugology (Grades 2 and 3)
Available June and September
Step into the world of tiny monsters and creepycrawlies.
Learn how to identify bugs and about their
unique life cycles. Discover the important role of
invertebrates in the ecosystem. (2 hour fieldtrip)
Curriculum Connections:
Grade 2: Small Crawling and Flying Animals
Grade 3: Animal Life Cycles
 Big Teeth (Grade 3)
Available November to April
We bring the excitement of the park to your
classroom. Discover the large carnivores of the
Rockies – cougars, wolves, and bears. Learn about
carnivore food needs, classification, research, and
habitat preservation. (1.5 hour fieldtrip)
Curriculum Connections:
Grade 3: Animal Life Cycles
 Wetland Wonder (Grades 3 to 5)
Available May, June and September
Role up your sleeves for some classic pond-dipping
and explore the fascinating realm of wetlands. Learn
about mysterious aquatic creatures and plants. Don’t
forget your boots! (2 hour fieldtrip)
Curriculum Connections:
Grade 3: Animal Life Cycles
Grade 4: Plant Growth and Changes
Grade 4: Waste and Our World
Grade 5: Wetland Ecosystems
 Winter Survival (Grades 4 and 5)
Available December to March
Since the ice age, through the fur trade, and up until
the present day, people have learned to survive
winters in the Rockies. Students will learn to build a
variety of shelters and how to prepare survival kits.
Snowshoes will be provided (if snow conditions
permit). (2 hour fieldtrip)
Curriculum Connections:
Grade 4: Safety and Responsibility – Dangerous Situations
Grade 4: Alberta – The Land, Histories and Stories
Grade 4: Skills in an Alternative Environment - Teamwork
Grade 5: Safety and Responsibility – Recreational Situations
Grade 5: Canada – The Land, Histories and Stories
Grade 5: Skills in an Alternative Environment - Teamwork
 Forest Foresnics (Grade 6)
Available September/October and May/June
Who knew that studying forests could be so fun?
Teams of students will explore a forest trail,
investigating trees, habitats, forest management, and
environmental issues. (2 hour fieldtrip)
Curriculum Connections:
Grade 6: Trees and Forests
Grade 6: Evidence and Investigations
 Environmental Monitoring (Grade 7)
Available September and May/June
How can we monitor changes in ecosystems to
evaluate the impacts of our actions? In this fun and
provocative program, students learn to be field
scientists, using real equipment to gather data on the
health of our provincial park. (2 hour fieldtrip)
Curriculum Connections:
Grade 7: Interactions and Ecosystems
 Booking
Procedure
Choose the program that best suits your needs. Contact Scott Sunderwald at
scott.sunderwald@gov.ab.ca (e-mail preferred), or by phone at (780) 817- 3797 with your request at least two weeks prior to the day you wish to visit. Specify the grade level
and number of students. Bookings will be made on a first come, first served basis.
Payment
Programs cost $2.00 per student (maximum group size 30 per program). After
completing the program, teachers will sign a receipt and each school will receive an
invoice for all fieldtrip fees – payable to Minister of Finance.
Schedule
Programs are offered Tuesdays through Fridays. In general, morning programs will run
from 9:30 am – 11:30 am, and afternoon programs will run from 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm.
However, program length and start times can be flexible depending on transportation
needs. Please communicate these details upon booking.
Note: Programs run in all
weather.
Fieldtrip Preparation
Arrange your own transportation to and from Kelley’s Bathtub.
Supply name tags for participants.
Dress appropriately for the weather (rain or shine); multiple layers work best.
Bring a first aid kit, hat, lunch, and water bottle.
Be responsible for the behaviour and discipline of program participants.
Provide one adult supervisor per five children.
Have some activities planned for students while they are waiting for their formal
education programs.
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Updated:
November 12, 2008
