Nature on Wheels - Eco Outreach Programs

2013 Winter Special

Schools will be able to take advantage of an introductory offer to experience outdoor environmental education in specially developed classroom outreach sessions.

The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) Nature on Wheels – Eco Outreach program is now rolling out to area schools.

All Nature on Wheels programs are curriculum-based, inter-active programs led by HCA's professional staff of educators, says Beth Stormont, Education Program Manager.

"We arrive at your school with all the display materials and equipment needed for an in-class presentation," she says.

Each classroom presentation is approximately 1.5 hours in length and includes a variety of hands-on, interactive programs. Typically, HCA provides two in-class programs at each school; the first session from 9 am – 10:30 am and the second session from 10:30 – noon. Each school is a little different and times can be adjusted to school schedules.

For a limited time February through April, the cost of having Nature on Wheels visit your school is $300 for one class presentation and $500 for two classroom presentations. The cost for two programs is regularly $600. This offer ends April 2013.

Teachers can choose one of the following Nature on Wheels ~ Eco Outreach programs:

Grow Green ~ the Living Classroom.
Plants are amazing. They can live almost anywhere and they come in all different shapes, sizes and colours! Students will participate in a variety of hands-on, multi-sensory activities to help them discover the characteristics, needs and adaptations of plants. A small plant experiment is conducted in the classroom. Resource materials are included for teachers to chart the growth of the seedlings. Curriculum Links: Science & Technology Understanding Life Systems – Growth and Changes in Plants Recommended for grades 2-3.

Who Goes There?
Explore wildlife in the classroom! Find out what animals need in order to survive. Students will investigate miniature habitats; study the clues that animals leave behind and conduct an in class examination of owl pellets. These and other activities will help students to expand their understanding of our local wildlife and the amazing ways they have to survive. Curriculum Links: Science & Technology Understanding Life Systems – Habitats and Communities; Growth & Changes in Animals; Recommended for grades 2-4.

Birds of Prey
Discover what makes these birds such fascinating and effective predators! This in-class program includes a PowerPoint presentation highlighting their characteristics, behaviours and adaptations. Students will dissect owl pellets, observe mounted birds of prey specimens and participate in hands-on, multi sensory activities to discover more about these amazing birds. Curriculum Links: Science & Technology Understanding Life Systems – Habitats and Communities; Biodiversity. Recommended for grades 4-6

Habitats & Communities
There are so many different habitats right in your own community! Some are as big as a forest, others as small as a leaf! Find out what makes each habitat so unique. Nature on Wheels brings mini habitats into the classroom for students to investigate and explore. Curriculum Links: Science & Technology Understanding Life Systems – Habitats and Communities; Recommended for grade 4.

Diversity of Living Things
A healthy ecosystem is one that has a wide variety of living things. One of the most important functions of conservation authorities is the protection of natural areas and the species of wildlife that inhabit them. But how do we know what plants and animals need protection? Explore biodiversity in the classroom, learn about classification, adaptation, local species at risk and what is being done to protect them. Curriculum Links: Science & Technology Understanding Life Systems - Biodiversity Recommended for grade 6.

To Book:

If you are interested in booking the Nature on Wheels ~ Eco Outreach program to come into your school, please contact:

Beth Stormont B.A., B. Ed., Education Program Manager
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
905-627-1233