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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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Grade 2 - Exploring Liquids

Grade 4 - Waste and Our World

Grade 5 - Wetland Ecosystems

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Through our inclusive experiences, Albertans of all ages and abilities can explore regional ecological issues, develop an ethic of environmentalism, and gain the hands-on tools to protect our province's wild spaces and species.

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 (3-12), Animal Detectives (Gr. 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), Grizzly Bears Forever (Gr. 7-12), and Aquatic Field Studies (Gr. 8-12).

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Students also discuss how household hazardous products can be harmful outside the home and learn safer choices for their families and the environment.

Available to schools in SD35 and SD36.

Schools outside of Langley will be charged mileage. Teachers outside of these districts may enquire about workshop availability.

Duration 60 minutes. Cost $95

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Worms Love Leftovers gives children a peek into the amazing world of worms and how they help recycle organic waste, turning it into healthy living soil. This is an inquiry-based opportunity that fully engages participants in hands-on learning and incorporates several cross-curricular competencies.

Available for schools in Calgary. Subsidies are available so cost is not a barrier to participation.

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Whether participants are passionate about climate change, conservation, eco-justice, or advocacy, YCC provides the knowledge, skills, and connections they need to turn that passion into action. Students work alongside a community of eco-action youth and mentors to launch projects that matter, build leadership and teamwork skills, and gain hands-on experience tackling real-world environmental challenges.

YCC is more than just a program, it’s a community of young changemakers ready to take action for a sustainable future in their schools, workplaces, and beyond. Are you ready to join the movement?

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Cost
Subsidized rate of $99 for 90-minute field trips for Grade K-3 classes.

Subsidized rate of $120 for 120-minute field trips for Grade 4-12 classes.

The fees charged help EYA recover part of our costs for staff time and materials needed to host your classroom. If cost is a barrier, please let us know on the request form.

Length
90 minutes for Grade K- 3 field trips
120 minutes for Grade 4-12 field trips

Group Size
We can host up to 30 students per field trip.

Available Dates
Field trips are available from March - June and September - November. When completing the request form, please provide us with 2-3 date options to facilitate scheduling.

Location
Our field trips will take place at the Strathcona Community Gardens (759 Malkin Ave).

Strathcona Community Gardens is a 1.4 hectare community-run greenspace in East Vancouver with a native plant teaching garden, greenhouse and native plant nursery, plant medicine gardens, rewilding areas, and solar-powered eco-classroom.

Eligibility
Elementary and high school classes from VSB public schools, with priority given to alternative schools and schools located in East Vancouver.

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Goldstream Nature House on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from March 26 – May 16 for three unique, one-hour programs: Junior Explorers, Wildlife Detectives, and Eco-Stewards. Students will learn about the vital ecosystems of Goldstream Park. This spring, the Discover Parks Ambassadors will offer the following programs for school groups: 

JUNIOR EXPLORERS - GRADES: K-3

A sensory exploration of the natural environment in Goldstream. 

WILDLIFE DETECTIVES - GRADES 4-7

Investigating ecosystems and species relationships.

ECO-STEWARDS - GRADES 7-12

Learn vital environmental stewardship skills and become an advocate for nature.

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Students use an open inquiry model to investigate processes taking place in aquatic, forest or winter ecosystems. They will be given an opportunity to explore a novel environment and develop and test a scientific question. They will explore local and current research and utilize scientific equipment to conduct an investigation from start to finish. Students will construct a question, conduct background research, revise their question, collect data, synthesize data and ultimately finish with a poster and/or paper outlining their research and conclusions. Our programs take place at the Barrier Lake Field Station, in Kananaskis Country, 80km west of Calgary, AB.

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Current lesson plans include Earth systems, Living systems, Time and place, Wetland ecosystems, Air and aerodynamics, Interactions in ecosystems, Fresh and saltwater ecosystems, Biological diversity, and Environmental stewardship.

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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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The Wormshop uses the indoor, appropriate vermiculture system as a vehicle to teach kids about composting and waste reduction. The students can also take what they learn in the Wormshop and apply it at home, creating their own wormbin composting system, regardless of whether they live in a house or an apartment.

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In this program, students learn about pollution by examining different types of pollutants and where they come from. They will then evaluate how individual actions contribute to the health of the river. A slide presentation introduces students to the Fraser River, then the class breaks into smaller groups to explore pollution sources and the way pollution moves through our ecosystems and communities. Student’s also discuss the difference one individual’s actions can make.

Grades: 2-5                          Length: 1.5 hours               Maximum group size: 30 students

Program Components:

Learn about the sources and causes of pollution in the lower mainland.

Play a fun board game where students can watch how one person can make a difference against the pollution problem.

See how plastic pollution effects birds who live in the Fraser River Basin.

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Journey 2050 encourages students to explore environmental, social and economic sustainability while managing virtual farms in 3 different countries. Students spend the day learning about different topics in sustainability through a virtual farming simulation game, scavenger hunts, discussions on careers in agriculture, and more!

This one-day program takes place in the Nutrien Western Event Centre on Stampede Park in Calgary, Alberta. In-school guest speaker sessions are offered for Calgary and surrounding area.

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Students follow each step of the scientific method to conduct a water quality investigation. During this 1.5 hour workshop students observe and become curious about the Fraser River, do background research, construct hypotheses, test their hypotheses by doing experiments, analyze their data, draw a conclusion, and report their results.

Grades: 6-9                          Length: 1.5 hours                   Maximum group size: 30 students

Program Components:

Take a sample of the Fraser River and make observations.

Conduct background research, using the exhibits as sources, and share with the other groups.

Construct a hypothesis about salmon survivability in the Fraser based on turbidity and pH levels.

Follow scientific protocol and test the turbidity and the pH level of the Fraser River sample.

Compare results to the hypothesis.

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Did you know that many amphibians call Langley home? Students learn all about their lifecycles, adaptations, habitats, and which species are at risk. Discover frog friendly behaviour through interactive discussions and fun games.

Cost:

Grades K-3 $95

Grade 4 $105

Available to schools in SD35 and SD36

Schools outside of Langley will be charged mileage. Teachers outside of these districts may enquire about workshop availability.

Duration 60 minutes

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Zero Waste Place is an interactive program that includes 4 in-person or virtual workshops, teacher resources, and student-led projects to drive sustainable behaviour change in the classroom. Available across grades K-12, in French or English, this program engages students in Core and Curricular Competencies.

Supported and delivered within the City of Vancouver, this program is delivered in schools, community groups and other education settings.

This program is designed to inspire and prepare students to take action in their school, neighbourhoods and broader communities.

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Wildsight Invermere is a local branch of Wildsight regional, a not for profit organisation working on conservation efforts around the Kootenays in British Columbia. We undertake a range of programs from our Junior Ambassador outdoor education and stewardship program coming in 2026, to our annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival that has been running for 12 years. We facilitate community outreach opportunities to engage community members in current conservation monitoring, lake clean up events, home retrofit fairs, get outside kids programs, as well as our new Bike Valet program running all summer at the Invermere Farmers Market. Wildsight Invermere offer a range of volunteer opportunities and education workshops for kids of all ages, parents, First Nations peoples, young professionals, adults of any age and demographics and backgrounds, and retirees. Everyone is welcome at Wildsight Invermere, together, our mission is to inspire community action and lead the way in ensuring the integrity and ecological values of our surrounding wetlands, forests, grasslands and mountains through our programs, campaigns, and grassroots initiatives.

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This program will show students how to predict and prepare for extreme events using a stream table, a tool that can simulate river processes. Students will also have a chance to conduct their own research about how their communities may be at potential risk and to propose solutions. Students will be able to share those ideas with guest scientists through a follow-up online workshop.  

*NOTE: This program is currently only being held as an in-person field-trip.

Grades 3-5  

Students explore the basics of climate science and river processes. Using a stream table model, students model different climate change scenarios and design infrastructure that could mitigate the damage caused by climate change. 

Grades 6-12  

Students discuss connections between climate change and land management practices, both traditional Indigenous and current industrial. Using a stream table model, students model different climate change scenarios and design infrastructure that could mitigate the damage caused by climate change. For the optional action project, students research how their communities may be susceptible to extreme weather events and climate change and present their findings using ArcGIS Story Maps. A follow-up online workshop connects students to knowledge holders. 

Grades: 3-12                Length: 1.5 hours                      Maximum group size: 30 students 

Program Components: 

Basic river landscape geomorphology as well as traditional and industrial methods of flood risk management 

How climate change will impact infrastructure planning across the Fraser River Basin 

Analytical and design thinking to create action plans towards mitigating future natural disaster incidents that will be available to local community leadership 

Students will receive 3D printed models and Climate Action Science Spotlight briefs relevant to their research 

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UBC Farm field trips immerse children in a working certified organic farm through dynamic, themed experiences. Students engage their senses while planting, harvesting, and cooking with fresh produce (Food & Farming); learning about pollinators, food webs, and ecological connections (Nature & Ecosystems); or building forts and practicing wilderness skills (Exploration & Skills). These two-hour guided visits involve walking across varied farm features, with tailored programming by age group and flexible timing.