Field Trips and In-Class Presentations


Nature Near to You!

Nearby Nature – Kindergarten and Grade 1 program

Field Trip
- Students explore the ecology of Willow Park. Activities will vary for fall, winter and spring visits to reflect seasonal changes in the environment. Students may catch and compare pond insects in fall, follow animal tracks in winter, and plant seeds in our garden in spring.

In-class
- Explore the environment around your schoolyard or neighbourhood park. Students participate in a variety of nature-based learning activities, including setting up experiments. Activities will vary for fall, winter, and spring - to reflect seasonal changes.


Waterworks – Grade 2 program

Field Trip
- Investigate how animals adapt to life in an aquatic environment. Students visit the pond and
creek environments around Willow Park. Students determine how their own actions (and the actions of their families and communities) affect local water quality. (Option A)

- A more detailed study of Willow Park’s pond and Silver Creek. Students will test the physical and chemical characteristics of the water, and examine some of the inhabitants.(Option B)

In-class - Students investigate how animals adapt to life in an aquatic environment. A slide presentation
introduces students to the pond and creek at Willow Park. Students will measure their water usage at school, and learn some techniques for conserving water both at school and at home.


Earthworks – Grade 3 program

Field Trip
- Introduces students to the components and characteristics of soil. They test soil around
Willow Park. Students set up experiments on soil additives for study in class. In spring, students help plant our gardens. In fall, students help harvest our crops. (Option A)

- Involves students in a more in-depth gardening session. Students will learn about food production (First Nations, pioneers, and local) through hands-on activities. Students will also visit our composting area. (Option B).

In-class
- Introduces students to the components and characteristics of soil, including samples from Willow Park. Students set up experiments on soil additives for study, A slide presentation illustrates plant use by First Nations and pioneers.

Willow Park’s Habitats – Grade 4 program

Field Trip
- Investigate the pond and stream habitats at Willow Park. They will identify plants and animals, and determine why they prefer certain habitats. Food chains will be constructed from data gathered during the study (Option A).

- Investigate the field and forest habitats at Willow Park. Students will identify plants and animals, and determine why they prefer certain habitats. Food chains will be constructed, and local rocks and minerals may also be compared, when time permits. (Option B).


Energyworks – Grade 5 program

Field Trip 
- Experiment with alternative ways of transforming and using renewable energy forms. Weather conditions allowing, we may include solar or wind power experiments. Students also explore the carbon cycle, and ways to conserve energy and resources. (Option A).

- Explore the ways early civilizations used various energy sources. Students experiment with sundials and water clocks. Students role-play a pioneer community debating the need for a water powered mill and its potential environmental impacts. (Option B).

In-class
- Both Option A and Option B may be presented in-class year round.


Diversity / Fur Traders – Grade 6 program

Field Trip
- Compare the diversity of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates which make Willow Park their
home. Then investigate the diversity of our Forest Study plots to see how things are changing
over time. Students will use and develop simple identification keys and skills. (Diversity)

- Investigate Willow Park’s resources, and their uses by First Nations peoples. Then imagine
you are participating in a fur trading session along the banks of the Credit River. Will you be
successful? (Fur Traders).

Details:

Program Length – Willow Park Ecology Centre offers 90 minute program sessions. For Field trips, two sessions may be combined to create a full day (3 hour) learning experience, with a lunch break in between.

Program Costs – Each session costs $8.00 per student. Maximum group size is one class for in-class presentations, and 50 students for field trips. A minimum charge of $150.00 will apply to groups of less than 20 students. There is no charge for teachers, educational assistants or parent volunteers.

For further information, or to book a program, call Teresa at (905) 873-0614.