2023-24 School Workshops
Since 1998 we have offered a variety of free environmental education workshops directly in your community – in your classroom, school yard, homeschool neighbourhood, or a local outdoor space. We embrace a place-based model for delivering service to schools and other learning communities.
This year, we will focus our area of delivery in North Island communities (School Districts 72, 85), Mid-Island communities (School Districts 68, 69, 70, 71, 79), the Capital Regional District (School Districts 61, 62, 63, 64) and the Greater Vancouver area (School Districts 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45). In all areas of service, programs will be available for learners K-12. Additionally, programs may be available in a limited capacity to other areas of BC. Our endeavor is to prioritize working outdoors with learners however there may be a short indoor component.
The following workshops are currently available:
Nature and Gathering Places (Kindergarten)*
Invites learners into relationship with the beings just outside their doors. This is done through exploring local gathering places by engaging directly in outdoor, sensory-based opportunities, discovery learning, blended with storytelling that is centred in place-based authentic voice. (anticipated program duration is 1 hour)
*If you are able to meet at a location with ocean access, a “Marine focus” version of this program is available. Please make a note of this in your workshop request form*
Lifecycles and Ecosystems: Reciprocal Relationships (Grades 1-2)*
Invites learners into relationship with the beings just outside their doors. This is done through a place-based approach, looking at all beings across seasons and ecosystems in a way that connects the learner to their responsibilities within stewardship. (anticipated program duration is 1 hour)
*If you are able to meet at a location with ocean access, a “Marine focus” version of this program is available. Please make a note of this in your workshop request form*
Plants & People: Making Connections (Grades 3-5)*
Invites learners into relationship with the beings just outside their doors. This is done through systems thinking, inviting place-based connections into the broader picture. Learners explore how ecosystems offer many connected pathways between plants, humans, and other beings; celebrating sustainability, biodiversity, and storytelling centered in place-based authentic voice. (anticipated program duration is 1 hour)
*If you are able to meet at a location with ocean access, a “Marine focus” version of this program is available. Please make a note of this in your workshop request form*
Climate and Place: Community-based thinking (Grades 6-8)
Invites learners into relationship with the beings just outside their doors. This is done through teambuilding, interconnected thinking, inviting humans towards stewarding abundant ecosystems by building resilient, equitable communities, that are rooted in place, and are moving out towards the global changing climate. This program touches on the four following areas:
- Science of climate change
- Ecosystem/ecology
- Climate justice/youth activism and empowerment
- Self-expression and art in the climate crisis
(anticipated program duration is 1 hour -1.5 hours)
Place-based Learning: Reimagining our relationships with other beings (High School)
Invites learners into relationship with the beings just outside their doors. This is done through teambuilding, design thinking, reimagining our connections through conversation and place-based learning. We are creating a collaborative and generative space to share ideas and help move the dial towards bolder climate action…
This program touches on the two following areas:
- Science and Ecosystems into conversation
- Sustainability Expressions
(anticipated program duration is 1 hour -1.5 hours)
Homeschool Workshops
All of the workshops listed above are available in adapted forms for groups of homeschool learners and their parents/caregivers throughout the school year. For nurturers looking to make further connections, click here!
All programs weave in diverse Indigenous perspectives as well as emphasize our ability to change the systems we live in.
If you would like to request a workshop, please click the button below to fill out our online form. While we do our best to meet the hundreds of requests that we receive each school year, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to reach your school or group.
If you have any questions, please contact us at education@sierraclub.bc.ca.