School Programs 2012/13
We offer a range of environmental education programs focused on the Salish Sea ecosystem. All programs incorporate the school curriculum and are directly linked to grade-specific BC Ministry of Education Prescribed Learning Outcomes.
Click here to download our complete 2012/13 School Program Brochure.
Preschool & Kindergarten Programs
Adventures of a Crab
Meet Hermie the hermit crab, as he looks for a new home. Hermie meets some friends along the way and shares facts about food, protection and shelter through storytelling, games and hands-on, hands-wet learning. Please note this program is delivered entirely in the Ocean’s Heartbeat classroom. Includes live animal ambassadors.
Program Length: 45 min
Case of the Mystery Critter
Meet Nellie, the river otter, as she becomes a detective! She takes us on a journey to investigate the case of the mystery critter. Who will the evidence belong to? Meet some friends along the way to help us solve the case. The mystery story is followed by hands-on, hands-wet learning. Please note this program is delivered entirely in the Ocean’s Heartbeat classroom. Includes live animal ambassadors.
Program Length: 45 min
Primary Programs, Grades 1 – 3
Habitat Detectives
Investigate three ocean habitats —eelgrass/sandy shores, rocky intertidal and pelagic. Students will go on a guided exploration through these habitats. Along the way, students will learn what animals call these habitats home and what adaptations they have to enable them to live there. This is a junior version of Habitat Heroes.
Program Length: 1 hour
Pod Squad
What is a marine mammal? Join us on a journey to explore which marine mammals live in the Salish Sea. Students will go on to investigate local killer whales, what makes our resident killer whales endangered, and how we can protect them. Interactive activities demonstrate echolocation and photo-identification.
Program Length: 1 hour
Feeding Frenzy
It’s lunch time! What do seastars eat? How does an urchin eat? Students will learn the answers to these questions and explore three consumer types—hunters, trappers and grazers. Through hands-on learning and interactive activities, students will identify consumer types of Salish Sea animals. Some microscope work included.
Program Length: 1 hour
Intermediate Programs, Grades 4 – 8
Habitat Heroes
Investigate three ocean habitats —eelgrass/sandy shores, rocky intertidal and pelagic. Students will go on a guided exploration through these habitats and learn about the animals that call them home. Focus is on animal adaptations. Students will learn which of these habitats is most threatened and how they can protect it. Conservation concerns affecting Salish Sea habitats will be discussed.
Program Length: 1 hour 15 min
Marine Mammal Stewards
Discover marine mammal biodiversity in the Salish Sea. Students will learn the difference between mustelids, pinnipeds and cetaceans. An exploration of how biologists study local killer whales will be conducted through hands-on activities involving echolocation and photo-identification. This program will address conservation issues that affect marine mammals.
Program Length: 1 hour 15 min
Fish Forensics
A river otter has been caught eating a fish! Students will become biologists and investigate what species of fish the otter was eating. By learning fish anatomy, examining fish scales and discussing fish habitat types, students will solve this mystery. Conservation concerns and sustainable fishing practices will be discussed. Students will work in teams. Microscopes are used in this program.
Program Length: 1 hour 15 min
Invert-ology
The ocean is a challenging place to live. Discover the spineless wonders of the Salish Sea and how their adaptations allow them to survive. Defense, protection, feeding styles and reproduction will be investigated. This program will also address the effects of human actions on the survival of invertebrates.
Program Length: 1 hour 15 min
Secondary Program, Grades 9 – 12
Marine Invertebrate Zoology
Students will discover the biodiversity of the Salish Sea through taxonomic classifications. A closer look at living and preserved specimens will showcase the characteristics and adaptations of the Phylums Cnidaria, Mollusca, Arthropoda and Echinodermata.
Program Length: 1 hour 30 min
Self Guided Visits
Classes are always welcome to come on their own for a self-guided visit. Group rates are the same. To avoid over-crowding, please book your visit time as you would a regular program.
A variety of scavenger hunts are available. Please request at time of booking to ensure availability. Alternately, teachers may design their own scavenger hunts to meet the needs of the class.
After any of the programs, classes are welcome to spend more time in the gallery exploring on their own.
Booking Information
Program cost
$5 (+ tax) per student, minimum $75 fee.
One teacher is admitted free with every class. For every 5 students (Pre K-8), one chaperone is admitted for free. For every 10 students (9-12), one chaperone is admitted for free. Other adults are admitted at a rate of $10 (+ tax). Adult chaperones may use their annual passes for admission.
Full payment is expected upon arrival. Payment can be made by cash, cheque, debit or credit card.
Bus packages are available for school groups. Packages include transportation and school program admission. Please contact us for details.
Contact
Phone: 250.665.7511
Call Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm to make your group booking.
Email: groups@oceandiscovery.ca
Please have the following information ready
- Choice of a couple dates and times
- Number of students and adults
- School address, postal code, phone, fax and email
Click here to view ‘Tips for a Successful Field Trip’
Newsletters
Want to be included on our e-newsletter to receive updates of special events and new programs? Send an email to oceaneer1@oceandiscovery.ca with your name, school district and grade level. Please include ‘Newsletter’ in the subject line.
