Fraser River Discovery Centre
Our Trips
On your last walk through nature, what did you notice? What did you wonder? In this program students will explore the connections between living things within their local environment (Kingdom Plantae). They will learn the connection between science and our communities and how they can begin to identify plants in their everyday lives. Students will learn some of the key identifiers of each sub-category in the Kingdom Plantae and use these skills on a nature walk. This information can then be used in the classroom to further investigate plants and find connections between plants, and between people and nature.
Grades: 2-7 Length: 1.5 – 2 hours Maximum group size: 30 students
Program Components:
- Introduction to Kingdom Plantae
- Explore and observe nature by going on a nature walk
- Practice observation skills through different activities
- Make connections between science and our communities
- This program starts with a 20-minute presentation inside, then takes place mostly outside.
Click here to see how this program supports BC’s curriculum for Grades 2-7.
Click here for the pre-visit activity for River Champions Grades 2-7.
The River Champions outreach program is available for students in grades 3-12, located in schools within the Fraser River Basin boundary. Note* This is offered ONLY 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.
We’re a proud partner of GenAction; a national initiative designed to inspire youth to become innovative leaders in climate action now, and into the future. Visit GenAction for details.
Hosted through video conference software, an FRDC educator will lead your students through a fully interactive program, engaging them with the material by utilizing the latest tools in online and remote education.
Learn about all sturgeon from both an Indigenous and Western Science Perspective.
Did you know there’s a 6-meter-long, 100-year-old fish living in the Fraser River? Learn all about the endangered white sturgeon through interactive activities, with both Indigenous and Western science perspectives. Students will listen to a First Nation’s story about sturgeon, construct theories from available research, and communicate their learning through art.
To participate in this program, you will need:
- A stable internet connection.
- The ability to join the video conference with the FRDC educator.
Curricular connections:
This program incorporates the First Peoples Principles of Learning, specifically that learning is relational; recognizes the role of indigenous knowledge; is embedded in story; and requires recognizing the consequences of one’s actions. This program supports science competencies through analyzing data and constructing theories, and applying First people’s perspectives. This program supports the ELA Big Idea that stories help us make connections with others and the world. And this program supports the Arts Education competency of expressing feelings, ideas, stories, observations, and experiences through the arts.
For more information, visit our website or email us.
Hosted through video conference software, an FRDC educator will lead your students through a fully interactive program, engaging them with the material by utilizing the latest tools in online and remote education.
Join us as we journey down the river of stories from the headwaters to the mouth of the Fraser. Travelling along an interactive map, students will learn all about the Fraser River Basin through stories from the near and distant past. The program ends with a reflection on our place in this landscape, as students add their own story to the map.
Curricular connections:
This program supports curricular competencies in English Language Arts as students engage actively as listeners, viewers and readers; create stories to deepen their awareness of self; and use oral storytelling processes. This program also supports competencies in Social Studies as students learn about cultural characteristics and ways of life of local First Peoples, and understand the significance of the Fraser River Basin to individuals and groups. This program incorporates the First Peoples Principles of Learning, specifically that learning is relational; recognizes the role of indigenous knowledge; is embedded in story; and requires exploration of one’s own identity. Further, this program supports students in the process of developing a positive personal and cultural identity.
To participate in these programs, you will need:
- A stable internet connection.
- A device for each student (laptop, tablet, or chromebook, etc) with a stable internet connection. They will use this throughout the program for the interactive activities.
- The ability to join the video conference with the FRDC educator. This can be done one of two ways: the teacher can join the video conference and project it with sound for the whole class to view; or each student can join on their device with headphones.
Can’t come to the Fraser River Discovery Centre? No problem! We can come to you! Two FRDC staff will bring all the materials necessary to run some of our most popular River School Programs right in your own classroom!
All materials will be fully sanitized between use, and the staff will wear masks. If there are additional safety protocols we need to follow, please contact us. Please note, small group work is part of each program, with frequent sanitation of touched objects.
Cost: $9 per student, plus $0.90 per kilometer between FRDC and your school.
Programs:
- Nature Walk (Grades 2-7)
- On your last walk through nature, what did you notice? What did you wonder? In this program students will explore the connections between living things within their local environment (Kingdom Plantae). They will learn the connection between science and our communities and how they can begin to identify plants in their everyday lives. Students will learn some of the key identifiers of each sub-category in the Kingdom Plantae and use these skills on a nature walk. This information can then be used in the classroom to further investigate plants and find connections between plants, and between people and nature.
- Our Bones are Made of Salmon (Grades 4-7)
- Indigenous people have relied on salmon since the fish became abundant in the Fraser River about 5000-6000 years ago. This program explores the connection between Indigenous people and salmon on the Fraser River. Students get hands-on experience with fishing technology, learn about wind-drying salmon, and discover that salmon is in the hearts of Indigenous people living along the Fraser River today.
- Living Dinosaurs (Grades K-7)
- Sturgeon are amazing fish that have been around since the time of the dinosaurs. Human influences over the past 150 years have threatened their existence. In this program, students will learn about the sturgeon lifecycle, survival needs, and what we can do to protect this remarkable species.
- Trading Trail (Grades 2-5)
- The Fraser River is one of the world’s great rivers not only in its contribution to the environmental, cultural, and historical wealth of British Columbia, but because of its current pivotal role in the economy of BC. We are going to explore how people have used and shared the resources of the Fraser River, focusing on the tumultuous time when First Nations and Fur traders shared the river.
- Welcomed by the Water (K-3)
- Prior to European colonization, Indigenous peoples got what they needed from the land and water around them. Indigenous peoples have relied on salmon since the fish became abundant in the Fraser River about 5000-6000 years ago. They used native plants for food, medicine, building materials and more. This program explores the connection between Indigenous peoples, salmon, and the broader Fraser River Basin. Students experience the movement of salmon, storytelling and oral histories, and the many uses of native plants through an Indigenous perspective.
- PLEASE NOTE: This program requires a large open space, like a covered play area or gymnasium.
- River of Stories (Grades K-2)
- Join us as we journey down the river of stories from the headwaters to the mouth of the Fraser. Travelling along an interactive map, students will learn all about the Fraser River Basin through stories from the near and distant past. The program ends with a reflection on our place in this landscape, as students add their own story to the map.
- Complexities and Compromises (Grades 8-12)
- Many of the big decisions we face as individuals, communities, or nations don't have a correct answer. Making these decisions can be extremely challenging, as we grapple with information and misinformation, our own conscience, and strong opposing opinions. In the face of climate change, many of these decisions become even more challenging. In this program, students are asked with deciding whether or not to approve a project that would have impacts on a global scale. We go step by step through the process, conducting research, mapping out consequences, and ultimately: deciding.
For more information, visit our website or email us.
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