Education Programs

Virtual Education Programs

Spring 2021

With field trips cancelled due to COVID19, the Education Team has developed virtual interactive programs. Below is a description of our offer right now. We can join your class (or group) on whatever platform you use (i.e., Google Meets, Zoom) to present programs live from the Palisades Centre in Jasper National Park.

As spring and summer progress we will expand our offer. Our goal is to have more new material for the autumn to help support your learning objectives.

Contact paul.langevin@canada.ca to sign up for a time and date that works for you.

We have also developed a free, virtual Pro-D series for teachers to help you get your class outside. These are short clinics to help those that are wondering how to get comfortable with outdoor learning. These are offered through the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium. They will be offered in June, August 24th, and again in the autumn. See below for clinic descriptions.

PALISADES VIRTUAL PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS:
(grades 7 – 12, except where noted)

These interactive, virtual 45-minute presentations aim to inspire a stewardship ethic for Canada’s protected heritage areas. They are modified from programs normally delivered at the Marmot Learning Centre at Marmot Basin ski hill or at the Palisades Centre. These presentations are part of our curriculum-linked programming.

Avalanche!
Learn the basics of avalanche awareness. Identify dangers related to mountain recreation in winter and understand how to be prepared.
Winter Work
Investigate winter career pathways and participate in an activity related to your own future path.
Emergency Situations
Identify the hazards involved in winter travel and find out how to manage the risks and help yourself and others if things go wrong.
Sharing the Valley
Understand the challenges of managing visitor activities in natural spaces and find out how Parks Canada protects species-at-risk from the mountain top to the valley floor.
Find it Outside
Discover the benefits of getting out into nature through strategies like adventuring, mindfulness, and storytelling.
Stewardship & Project Planning Grades 10+
Students define stewardship and learn various approaches to effective project planning, including SMART goals, the W’s, and steps to success. This interactive presentation includes examples of environmental stewardship projects that Palisades students have participated in.
Stewardship Dilemmas Grades 9+
Discover how the mandate of Parks Canada guides activities that may and may not be done in Jasper National Park. If you were asked to provide advice to Parks Canada on the park management plan, what would you tell us?
Frankie Thunderbowl: The Mystery of the Missing Caribou Grades 5 - 7 Students will join a detective and uncover the reasons why caribou are disappearing in Jasper National Park. Is it wolves? Avalanches? Loneliness? They will discover what makes this species vulnerable, and the answer is… it’s complicated. We will explore what is being done in Jasper National Park to help the caribou herds survive and thrive.
Wildlife Mystery: Who’s Been Here? Grades K - 2 (30 minutes)
Put on your wildlife detective hats and decipher the evidence that wildlife came by. Students will decide who left their mark on the wintery landscape.
(W)interactive Wildlife Safari in Jasper National Park Grades 3 - 5
Fasten your seat belts and let’s fly into some remote areas in Jasper National Park to discover what animals are home there.

PRO-D FOR TEACHERS:

Parks Canada – Get Your Kids Outside (AKA Outdoor Learning Series)

Parks Canada – Get Your Kids Outside 1:
What’s Stopping You?
If you are new to the idea of taking your class outside, here is the place to start. Explore ways to overcome hurdles like weather, time, and group management. Learn how outdoor activities can be used to support indoor learning.
Parks Canada – Get Your Kids Outside 2:
How do I Manage the Risks?
If it seems too risky to go outside, let’s take a second look. Learn about risks and how to best prepare for them. Access support you have from your school administration and school board. Become aware of the tools and safety standards that will help everyone stay safe.
Parks Canada – Get Your Kids Outside 3:
Hands-on Activities for the Schoolyard
Vitamin N for Nature! There are many ways to help your students bond with the natural world. Explore nature awareness and discovery activities, simulation games, and nature art.
Parks Canada – Get Your Kids Outside 4:
Integrating Subjects in Outdoor Settings
Getting outside is not just a frill. Use outdoor learning as an integral part of achieving curriculum objectives. Discover approaches that allow you to enrich classroom learning with outdoor experiences.