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At rare, we provide several opportunities for students and teachers to experience curriculum based learning outside the classroom.  It is becoming increasingly important for students of all ages to be involved in a variety of outdoor education experiences. The programs provided at rare are helping to bridge the gap between the classroom and the natural environment through experiential and investigative hands-on learning.  Home to over 24 habitat types, rare is an ideal location for curriculum based outdoor modules, providing students with the opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, values, and motivation necessary to become responsible, environmental citizens.  The “bigger picture” will be a key underlying theme to rare’s programming. Students will understand that the actions of today will greatly affect the outcomes of tomorrow.

Our modules at rare are based on two models of education: Chain of Learning and Every Child Outdoors.  The Chain of Learning is a concept where knowledge, expertise, and ideas are directly transferred from researchers to high school students, elementary students, families and community members.  Every Child Outdoors is a model of experiential learning, inspiring youth to adopt a sense of curiosity in the natural world through hands-on environmental learning in the out of doors.

Our school modules are designed and facilitated by our Education Team, who are experienced in developing and delivering environmental education programs.

Booking Information

  • – Modules are offered from September to June every year
  • – All modules are offered as half day lengths (2.0-2.5 hours in length), most are $9.00 per student
  • – Limited number of spaces available, please book well ahead of time
  • – For groups of less than 15, there is a minimum fee of $135.00
  • – Modules are weather permitting; trips may be rescheduled with impending inclement weather
  • – Full day modules (3+ hours in length) are available at $13.00 per student
 

Interested in booking an education module with us? Look through our program offerings and then fill out our booking form below!

Programs below not quite what you’re looking for? We can tailor any program to your specific needs. We also offer opportunities for Eco Clubs and Green Teams at schools. Email us at education@raresites.org for more info!

Elementary School Modules

Learn about the life cycles of butterflies, dragonflies, frogs, and birds. Participate in hands-on activities including catching butterflies and other insects, and bird watching using binoculars.

Curriculum Connections:

K: Science and Technology 1, 2, 3
1: Understanding Life Systems: Needs and Characteristics of Living Things 2, 3
2: Understanding Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Living Things 2, 3
2: Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Air and Water in the Environment 3

Availability:
Module available in early Fall and Spring, dependent on seasonal weather.

Location:
Lamb’s Inn

Cost: 
$10 / student

Mirrored Research Modules

The objective of rare’s Mirrored Research Program is to engage secondary school students in research and monitoring activities that are consistent with rare’s existing research and monitoring framework.  This research follows an EMAN protocol with regard to Salamander Monitoring, Butterfly Monitoring, and Forest Health Monitoring.  Through field trips to rare, students have the opportunity to take part in hands-on experiential research and monitoring activities as they are performed by rare staff and others around the country.  The results from these programs are recorded and entered into a student database and shared with the scientific community, schools, both regionally and provincially.

Our Mirrored Research Program modules are open to all secondary school grade levels and can also be tailored to some other grade levels. Please inquire for more information.

Hike to the Grand River and/or nearby wetlands to extract samples of benthic invertebrates (small animals living at the bottom of the water column) using dip nets. In groups, sieve and sort through the sample to identify species of benthics and learn how to use this information to determine water quality.

Curriculum Connections:

Across all Secondary Science courses: A1., A1.1-A1.13, A2, A2.1
SCH3U E1, E1.1, E1.2, 2.8
SBI3U A1., A1.1-A1.13, A2, A2.1, B1, B1.2, B2, B2.3

Grade 8 Understanding Earth & Space Systems: 1, 1.3, 3, 3.3

Availability:
Module offered September-October and April-June

Location:
ECO Centre

Cost: 
$9 / student

Secondary School Modules

Hike through undisturbed and disturbed natural landscapes, experiencing the complexity of feedbacks between the biotic and abiotic environments. Discover how plant and animal interactions create stable ecosystems.

Curriculum Connections:

This module connects with the curriculum of the following classes:
SNC1W,
SBI4U

Availability:
Module available in Fall and Spring.

Location:
ECO Centre

Cost: 
$9 / student

Volunteering Field Trips

There are many opportunities for learning through volunteering at rare. Some of the ways you can volunteer with your class include helping out at the Springbank Farm and Community Gardens or with managing invasive species. 

For this special field trip option, there is a cost of $5/student. 

This nominal fee covers our costs to organize and staff the outing, as well as having tools, supplies, and water available. It includes being greeted upon arrival, a brief intro to rare, guided walk to the location of the program (if needed), and instruction and supervision during the volunteer activity. In most cases, groups can have an independent brownbag lunch on site if desired. As always, if the fee is a barrier for your group to participate we offer bus and program subsidies. Please email us at education(at)raresites.org to inquire about subsidies.

Booking Form

Education Program Booking Request

    *Denotes a required field
    Your Name*

    Your Email*

    Your Phone Number

    Your School or Organization's Name*

    I am a*:

    What grade or age group is this booking request for?*

    What module are you interested in booking? (Please look through options above)*

    Approximately how many students is this request for?*

    What is your preferred time and date for this booking?*

    How did you hear about us?*

    Subsidies

    At rare, we strive to provide opportunities to get Every Child Outdoors. Please reach out if program or transportation fees present a barrier for your students to participate in our field trips. Program and transportation subsidies for schools in need were provided by the following organizations for the 2022-2023 school year: 

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