School Yard Program
Let us come to you!
We offer a variety of environmental education programs that can be delivered in your classroom, gymnasium, school yard or any natural area!
Outreach programs are approximately one-and-a-half hours in duration (adjusted to school programming blocks) and are geared to accommodate one class at a time.
Programs
This dynamic role-playing exercise introduces students to some of Ontario’s ‘Species at Risk’ and the reasons for their decline. Students will learn firsthand the devastating impact of habitat loss, climate change, pollution, etc. on these animals. Students discuss how they can minimize their impact on wildlife and will be introduced to a variety of monitoring programs in Ontario.
Natural Area Nearby?
Do you have permission to access a nearby naturalized area or green space? If so, have your students participated in the same outdoor curriculum-based programs offered at the Tiffin Centre while saving bus transportation costs.
Programs might include:
- Nature’s Art Room – JK/SK to Grade 2
- Nature Photography – Grades 4 to 8
- Living Landscape – JK/SK to Grade 8
- Lost in the Woods – Grades 1 to 3
- Habitats and Communities: You choose the focus — forest, wetland and/or pond ecosystem – JK/SK to Grade 5
- Interactions in the Environment: You choose the focus — forest, wetland and/or pond ecosystem – Grades 6 to 8
Take your Program to the Next Level
Four-Day “Habitats in Your Community” Workshops
NVCA educators will work with your students from Grade 3 to 8 to develop a customized workshop focused on learning about and then enhancing the habitats in your school neighbourhood. Hands-on learning at its best!
Contact us to learn more!
Enviroscape
Sponsored by Georgian Bay Forever, the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority is providing this free program to schools for students to learn how to prevent pollution. This interactive model provides a hands-on, interactive demonstration of natural water systems at work, and how we can affect it in a positive or negative way.
Curriculum Connections
Grade 1 – Needs and Characteristics of Living Things B1.1 describe changes or problems that could result from the loss of living and non-living things that are part of everyday life, while taking different perspectives into consideration.
Grade 2 – Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World B1.2 assess impacts of various human activities on animals and the places where they live, and describe practices that can minimize negative impacts.
Grade 3 – Growth and Changes in Plants B1.2 assess ways in which human activities have an impact on plants and plant habitats, and identify personal actions that they could take to minimize harmful effects and enhance positive ones.
Grade 3 – Earth and Space Systems: Soils in the Environment E1.2 assess the impact of human activity on soils, and describe ways in which humans can improve the quality of soils and/or lessen or prevent harmful effects on soils.
Grade 4 – Life Systems – Habitats and Communities B1. Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World assess impacts of human activities on habitats and communities, and analyse actions for minimizing negative impacts and enhancing positive ones.
Grade 4 – Exploring and Understanding Concepts Habitats and Communities B.2 Describe a community as a group of interacting species sharing a common habitat, and identify factors that affect the ability of a community of plants and animals to survive in a local habitat.
Grade 5 – Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World- Human Health and Body Systems B1.1 assess effects of a variety of social and environmental factors on human health, and describe ways in which individuals can reduce the harmful effects of these factors and take advantage of those that are beneficial.
Grade 6-8 teachers – Enviroscape can be delivered up to grade 8, however, the micro-plastics program better targets the same grades 6-8 curriculum goals as Enviroscape.
Microplastics Investigation Workshop
Sponsored by Georgian Bay Forever, the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority is offering this free program to schools for students to learn about the impact of microplastics. This opportunity to explore solutions and innovative ideas through collaboration with their peers, will provide them with the tools to tackle real-world problems.
As plastics break down into smaller ‘microplastics’, they end up in water and aquatic lifeforms. Not only does this impact ecosystems, but it also affects human health.
Curriculum Connections
All grades: A1.1 Use a scientific research process and associated skills to conduct investigations.
Grade 6 Science – Biodiversity: B2.5 describe interrelationships within species and explain how these interrelationships sustain biodiversity.
Students will consider how plastic is affecting the survival of species.
Grade 7 – Interactions in the Environment: B2.2 identify biotic and abiotic components in an ecosystem, and describe the interactions between them.
Effects of plastic in ecological food chains, changes in the ecosystem caused by human intervention.
Grade 8 – Water Systems: E2.6 describe various indicators of water quality, and explain the impact of human activity on those indicators.
Impact of plastic production and disposal on health of a watershed.
Yellow Fish Road
Trout Unlimited Canada’s Yellow Fish Road™ Program is a national conservation education initiative.
This hands-on environmental program teaches students how to protect their local watershed and make a difference in their community’s water quality.
Through the use of interactive models and displays, students will better realize the sources and pathways of contamination and the importance of clean water to all living things.
Students will then paint yellow fish next to storm drains in their neighbourhood to signify that only rainwater should flow down them.
Contact us to book a program, or receive a free self-directed teacher’s kit for your classroom!
Booking a Visit
Step 1: Email us at outdoored@nvca.on.ca or call 705-424-1479 ext. 280 to speak with our environmental education staff and select a date and discuss program availability.
Step 2: Once your date has been selected and confirmed, you will receive a booking form.
Step 3: Complete, save and return the booking form to outdoored@nvca.on.ca.
Step 4: You will be sent an email confirming your booking!
Program Fees
- One 100 minute program: 10.60 per student + mileage.
- One 120 minute program: $13.00 per student + mileage.
- Two 100 minute programs: 14.60 per student + mileage. Both programs must be booked for the same day.
- Two 120 programs: $17.80 per student + mileage. Both programs must be booked for the same day.
Mileage: Round trip at current rate + HST
Minimum: 20 students or a fee of $260 for one program or $356 for two programs. Whole school rates available.
Cancellation Policy
There is no charge for cancellation if notice is given at least two weeks before your schedules visit. If a cancellation is received with less than two weeks’ notice, the following fees apply:
- One 100 minute program: $106
- One 120 minute program: $130
- Two 100 minute programs: $146
- Two 120 programs: $178
Education Team
Environmental Education