Welcome Teachers and Educators!

Your river school adventure starts here! All our programs are designed to get your students excited about the Fraser River, and each program has been designed to meet provincial IRPs (See below each program description for specific curriculum connections).  In addition to these workshops, we can mix and match activities to meet your class's needs and we offer tours of the gallery exhibits and along the Fraser River boardwalk.  We've got a team of fantastic, knowledgeable docents ready to make your trip to the Discovery Centre an interactive and memorable experience.  See you soon! Fraser River Discovery Centre Education Department Shannon King, Education Coordinator T. 604-521-8401 ext. 105 sking[at]fraserriverdiscovery[dot]org Not only are field trips fun, they are a fantastic learning opportunity for you and your students.  The Lower Mainland Museum Educators have created a great document to help you plan a successful field trip.

2010-2011 River School Workshops

Shadows of the Fraser
Students get up close and personal with a shadow living deep in the Fraser: the white sturgeon. Discover the life of these elusive animals through songs, puppets, real life specimens and a fun, felt storyboard.

Grades: K-3
Program Cost: $125 + HST
Length: 1.5 hours
Group Size: suggested maximum of 30 students
Offered: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

Ways to care for the environment (K - SS)
Natural and human built characteristics of the environment (K - SS)
Cooperative participation in groups (K - SS)
Compare common animals (K - SS)
Identify characteristics of different local environments (K - SS)
Describe basic needs of local plants and animals (Gr. 1 Science)
Classify animals according to similarities and differences (Gr. 2 Science)
Describe ways in which animals are important to other living things and the environment (Gr. 2 Science)
Describe their responsibility to the local environment (Gr. 2 SS)
Locate major bodies of water in BC (Fraser River) (Gr. 3 SS)
Demonstrate a sense of responsibility for the local environment (Gr. 3 SS)

 

Living Dinosaurs
Students explore the anatomy, life cycle, and ecology of the white sturgeon.  Through games and a conservation lab, students find out about the threats and current conservation efforts facing this unique and endangered fish.

Grades: 4-7
Program Cost: $125 + HST
Length: 1.5 hours
Group Size: suggested maximum of 30 students
Offered: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

Plan of action to address a problem or issue (Gr. 5 SS)
Explain why sustainability is important (Gr. 5 SS)
Analyze the environmental effects of early settlement in BC (Gr. 5 SS)
Analyze how different organisms adapt to their environments (Gr. 6 Science)
Assess survival needs and interactions between organisms and the environment (Gr. 7 Science)
Assess requirements for sustaining healthy local ecosystems (Gr. 7 Science)
Evaluate human impacts on local ecosystems (Gr. 7 Science)

 

The Trading Trail
Students become archaeologists as they dig through the sands of the river uncovering artifacts that reflect BC's rich history.  Students visit the FRDC trading post to discover the value of First Nations and European trade goods.

Grades: 4-7
Program Cost: $125 + HST
Length: 1.5 hours
Group Size: suggested maximum of 30 students
Offered: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

Describe technologies used by Aboriginal people in BC (Gr. 4 SS)
Describe economic and technological exchanges between explorers and Aboriginal people (Gr. 4 SS)
Describe the significance of key events in the development of BC (Fur Trade, Gold Rush) (Gr. 5 SS)
Describe the relationship between cultures and their environments (Gr. 6 SS)
Describe various ways ancient people exchanged goods and services (Gr. 7 SS)
Assess ways technological innovations enabled ancient people to satisfy their needs and develop their cultures (Gr. 7 SS)

From Pollution to Solution
Students are introduced to nonpoint source pollution using an interactive model of the Fraser River estuary.  While exploring the experiences and efforts of those who raised awareness for sustainability, students discover the health of the Fraser River is in their hands.

Grades: 2-5
Program Cost: $125 + HST
Length: 1.5 hours
Group Size: suggested maximum of 30 students
Offered: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

Describe their responsibility to the local environment (Gr. 2 ss)
Infer the probable outcome of an event or behaviour based on observations (Gr. 2 Science)
Locate major bodies of water in BC (Fraser River) (Gr. 3 SS)
Identify changes that can occur in communities over time (Gr. 3 SS)
Demonstrate a sense of responsibility for the local environment (Gr. 3 SS)
Determine how personal choices and actions have environmental consequences (Gr. 4 Science)
Explain why sustainability is important (Gr. 5 SS)

 

Plants Alive!
This self-guided visit through the Plants Alive! exhibit includes a giant puzzle, sorting challenge, and an activity booklet to guide students in their botanical investigations. Conclude your visit with a Bill Bye plants video in the Canyon Theatre. Plan 45 minutes for the gallery tour and 30 minutes for the movie.

Grades: K-1 or 2-3 
Program Cost: self-guided $2 + HST per student; adult supervisors free
Length: 1.5 hours
Group Size: suggested maximum of 30 students
Offered: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

How can we help you? We're updating our school field trip options and we'd love to hear from you about your field trip experiences in this short, nine-question survey. As our thanks to you, you can be entered into a draw to win a free field trip to the Fraser River Discovery Centre.