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The Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo's programs serve students in-person from Calgary and surrounding areas. Our programs are curriculum connected based on the current Learn Alberta Program of Studies for Kindergarten - Grade 12. We also offer custom programming by request. Virtual programs are available seasonally, December - February, and are great for students from anywhere across the country.

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THE RIVERWATCH MISSION: The RiverWatch Institute of Alberta delivers science education and environmental awareness experiences along Alberta’s rivers and watershed systems. Through our professional river guides, school science float trips, stewardship activities, and water monitoring equipment, participants learn about the science and health of our waterways. By becoming watershed knowledgeable, Albertans of all walks of life will better understand, enjoy and care for our environment.

YOUR RIVERWATCH SCHOOL SCIENCE FLOAT EXPERIENCE

We believe the best way to study a river is by taking your science classes on a float trip aboard our professionally guided large rafts, fully equipped as floating laboratories! Our science education programs align DIRECTLY with the Alberta provincial curriculum and have been a go-to resource for Alberta secondary science classes since 1995. Our hands-on and experiential science float programming is offered in the fall from early September to the end of October and again in the spring (late April to mid-June) once the ice is off the river.

With a laser focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), students explore their local river ecosystem aboard rafts equipped as mobile water quality laboratories. A day of guided rafting takes the student classroom into the real natural world to experience an interesting mix of ecology, wildlife, history, geology, engineering, technology, industry, water quality monitoring and data collection. Our programs showcase science in ways students have never seen before, creating an experience they’ll never forget, INCLUDING A TOUR OF LOCAL WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS! Over the years, close to 200,000 students have adventured out with us to become young scientists for the day.

YOUR RIVERWATCH GUIDES

All RiverWatch guides are highly trained and possess a minimum Class 1 PROAOA certification to meet Transport Canada Commercial Rafting Standards. All our river guides complete an intense week of training involving rafting, emergency response, health and safety, bus driving, equipment maintenance, water quality monitoring, and local/natural history interpretation. To work for RiverWatch Guides must possess Standard First Aid certification and/or may also have Wilderness First Aid, National Lifeguard Society, Swift Water Rescue or Emergency Medical Responder training. The result is an experienced group of certified and professional river guides ready to provide a safe, engaging and fully immersive rafting experience. Your RiverWatch raft guide will help students gain new insights and appreciation for our rivers’ history, culture, bio-diversity and stewardship. Everyone will finish the day more connected to nature and the river!

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Join us for an interactive experience that will motivate students to take impactful steps towards reducing waste. The tours include a classroom workshop and a guided bus tour through the landfill.

Grades: 4 - 7
Program length: 3 hours total (90-minute landfill bus tour/ 90-minute classroom).
Class size: Up to 2 classes (30 students per class) per day.

Cost: No cost for tours, but schools must provide and arrange bus transportation.
Location: The Composting Facility at the Shepard Waste Management Facility (11920 68 St SE).

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EcoCooks Elementary consists of two modules and EcoCooks Secondary consists of four modules. Classes can take any number of modules, in any order.

Each EcoCooks module has four sessions and each session is about 60-70 min long. These four sessions are typically taken over the space of 1 to 4 weeks. The first three sessions tackle the environmental component with fun hands-on activities designed for a classroom space, while the last session is a cooking class where students learn how to apply their new knowledge while preparing food. This cooking session can be done in a traditional classroom space or in a specialized foods room.

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With Aquatic Species at Risk, educators will have the tools to guide students in their learning about incredible ocean creatures. This online, self-paced course will teach students about Basking Sharks, Steller Sea Lions, and more. Students will participate in hands-on activities and meaningful discussions that will encourage curiosity about the ocean. Students will create Action Projects in groups, brainstorming inspiring and creative ways to spread awareness about threats to ocean life. By the end of this course, students will feel empowered to create meaningful change in their communities to protect aquatic species at risk.

Included in this course are guided slides and video content, additional student resources, and educator grading rubrics for Action Projects. Educators will also gain access to a Teacher Information Package, which includes information on how to best guide students through the course and Action Project design.

Best suited for students Grade 3-8, Aquatic Species at Risk connects with Core and Curricular competencies. This course can be taught in schools, community/ youth groups, and other educational settings.

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Our aim is to help teachers get students outside, make scientific observations in the natural world, and submit these observations to projects that assist the work of professional scientists! Help your students connect with nature and protect it using technology.

"Birds," "Pollinators," and "Urban Wildlife” are the three Edu-Kits currently offered.

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These no-cost classroom resources are aligned with the Alberta program of studies, but could be used to support natural resource and climate change lessons nationwide.

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Active For Life (AFL) is a non-profit national organization funded by B2ten, a registered Canadian charity. AFL allocates 100% of its resources to engaging key decision-makers—educators and parents—to encourage Active Play in children. We achieve this by offering free, customized resources proven to overcome barriers to children’s physical activity.

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The CREDtalks, Columbia Region Ecological Discussions, include speakers addressing a diversity of topics such as science communication, active ecological management, citizen science, research skills and techniques, applied ecological research projects, and more. These talks are unique because they feature leading scientists and practitioners right from the Columbia Mountains region. You can find details and talk recordings here: https://cmiae.org/event/cred-talks-columbia-region-ecological-discussions/

There are full seasons where we delve deeply into what climate disruption means for the Columbia Basin from various perspectives, or what is being done to safeguard or bolster ecological connectivity in fractured landscapes, and much more.

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This program is designed for grades 7-12 and explores the complex relationship between violence directed at pets and people. The goal of this program is to foster empathy and instill a sense of responsibility towards all living beings, while also addressing the importance of animal welfare.

The program is a total of 1 hour and 30 minutes, which includes a 30-minute debrief and Q&A session to encourage discussion and reflection. Content is customized to the age group you select during registration.

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Our experiences grow skills in Problem Solving, Cultural and Global Citizenship, Critical Thinking, Personal Growth and Well-being, Collaboration, Creativity, and Innovation.

Available topics include Wild Wellness (K-12), Animal Detectives (K-3), Community Science (Gr. 3-9), Water Rangers (Gr. 4-5), Why Grasslands? (Gr. 4-9), Climate Game Changers (Gr. 4-12), Fabulous Forests (Gr. 6), and Grizzly Bears Forever (Gr. 7-12).

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Our outdoor programs take place at the Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, at Shannon Terrace, 15931 Woodpath Rd SW, Calgary AB.

K-6 programs are teacher-led. Alberta Parks staff will provide the group with an in-depth orientation, and support the group throughout the day. Teachers are required to attend a 1.5 hour on-site orientation before the date of their program. Available for 2 classes per day, based on availability.

Grade 7-12 programs are led by an Alberta Parks staff member, who will be with your group for the entire day. Available for one class per day (max 35 students).

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A three-lesson unit designed for Grades 4-6 (Ages 9-12) and Grades 7-8 (Ages 12-14), complete with a culminating 7Rs Action Project Guide featuring 20 project options. 

Solving Fashion’s Waste Problem invites students to examine the social and environmental effects of clothing waste, from the hidden consequences of clothing donations to the fashion industry's relationship to climate change. Learners will explore different perspectives on sustainability, reflect on environmental stewardship, and become familiar with positive climate action happening today. Through the lens of The 7Rs—strategies to reduce waste and rethink fashion consumption—a wide range of culminating Action Projects support students to envision and create their own hope inspiring actions that promote responsible citizenship and a more sustainable future.

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Do you want to start a gardening club or class in your junior high? Then this is the resource for you! The guide goes through several lesson ideas and activities for junior high students, co-developed with a CTF horticulture class at St. John Henry Newman School.

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Get inspired by a list of wetland projects that you could do. Check the planning guide for students and the supporting guide for adults to get off to a good start.

Taking action is about being proud of where you live, respecting your environment and taking ownership of its health. This resource booklet gives you inspiring examples and step-by-step ideas on activities, from beginner to advanced, to take action.

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Participants will learn how to recognize key signs of canine body language, understand common reasons for bites and practice respectful approaches to dogs. These skills will help build confidence and foster positive relationships.

The goals of this program are to:

Gain a better understanding of commonly misunderstood animal behaviours and challenge misconceptions that lead to injuries or fatalities.

Mitigate unnecessary risks to both animal companions and the community through greater education and awareness of animal welfare.

Empower youth and children to become more compassionate companions and better advocates for the animals in their homes and communities.

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The Energy Revealed program offers a flexible range of activities for junior and senior learners, with lessons that can be completed in as little as one hour, up to 1 week. Shorter lessons include classroom energy audits and tracking energy use, while activities like building and testing solar ovens, or generating energy through physical activities may span 3-5 days or up to a week. This flexible timing allows educators to choose lessons that best fit their schedule while still offering meaningful, real-world learning experiences.

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The imaginED website describes the theory and practice of IEE--an imagination-focused approach to teaching that engages the body, emotion and imagination with Place to cultivate a sense of belonging and long-lasting connections with the natural world.

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The Climate Policy Quest program is designed to be flexible, with each activity taking approximately 1-2 hours to complete. The program begins with foundational activities and lessons on climate science, current impacts of climate change, and how these issues shape our world. Learners then progress to three key lessons introducing climate policy, exploring the need for policies, and Canada’s specific role in climate policy, before culminating in a hands-on activity where students design their own policies.