Raincoast Field School
“The goal of the Raincoast Field School is to increase outdoor learning opportunities for students in our local public schools.”
Raincoast Field School is an outdoor education program designed to meet BC curricular outcomes while providing hands-on learning opportunities for students in our local public schools. It is a collaborative program developed by the Raincoast Education Society (RES) and the teachers at the Tofino and Ucluelet elementary schools.
Field trips and activities are led by a qualified full-time instructor with extensive experience as a science educator, and encompass multiple aspects of curricular outcomes including science, numeracy and literacy. The program is constantly evolving, with lessons being built or recycled to best fit with the unique themes of each class as determined by the teacher.
Making Connections
Raincoast Field School is designed to complement classroom lessons taught by each class’s teacher. The program provides education about the environment in a natural setting and incorporates physical education while reviewing mathematics, English language, arts and social studies concepts that students have learned in class.
Ultimately, the material covered in each class is based on specific requests from the teacher which the Field School instructor then incorporates into a unique activity or lesson plan.
Progress
Full programming is provided to the Wickaninnish Community School in Tofino (since 2014) and the Ucluelet Elementary School (since 2018) through Raincoast Field School. Each and every student from K to grade 7 gets to participate in at least one field trip per month during the school year – that’s over 200 Raincoast Field School trips delivered per year!
Follow along
Raincoast Field School programs are currently being run in Tofino and Ucluelet elementary schools (K-7). Follow along with our programs below.
#tofinofieldschool
Did you catch a glimpse of the herring spawn? Spring in the sea sure starts with a bang! 🐋
To welcome the changing seasons, Ms. Bruhwiler’s class took a walk to Tonquin to set their senses on the signs of spring. We found salmonberry flowers, breaking buds, and birds! 🌸
On the beach, we turned back to the sea and discussed how the colour of the water changes during the herring spawn. Later, we discussed the return of the whales. 🐟
And to top it all off, students played a game to explore how our local baleen whales migrate, teach their young, and how they only feed in the north in spring and summer! 🌱
Field School Lesson: Signs of Spring
#tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
Everything that lives has an impact on its ecosystem. Each organism takes some and gives some—the balance is different for each. Humans are no exception! 🌲
Ms. Thompson’s class investigated some of the negative and positive human impacts on our local ecosystems. Walking the Tonquin Connector, we recapped some of our food web terminology from last lesson before taking a look at the examples of human impacts on the trail. 🚮 From the kids` very own bat boxes and planted trees to the trail itself, impacts were everywhere. We also played the “estuary game” to explore the possible effects of human decisions on fish living in estuaries.🐟
On our way back to school, we brainstormed some more positive actions we could make as a class—discussing our plans for a beach clean after spring break!
Field School Lesson: Human Impacts
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#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
Sound is all around. We can create it, play with it, and pay close attention to it. Ms. Avila`s class spent a morning on Mackenzie Beach exploring all we can do with sound. 🔊
We started out by making some musical instruments with household items and found objects. 🥁
Bringing them all together, each student got to share their creation before we put them to work in our very own song. 🪇
We also spent some time exploring volume and pitch through our instruments and voices. After our snack break, we sat still to pay close attention to the sounds of the beach and recorded our experience through our own sound maps. 📝
Finally, we played a few rounds of echolocation tag to glimpse into the sound worlds of bats and orcas. 🦇
Field School Topic: Sound
#tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #sound #raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
The mudflats are a dynamic place. Their extreme tidal changes make them an ideal place to study the movement of water in daily tides.
Mr. Reynolds’ class took a walk along the Yellow Gate Trail to see the impact of the tides up close and personal. 🌊 The tide was high, and our beach was as small as the waves. But if we came back six hours later, the reverse would be true—all beach!
To explain this, we turned to tide graphs and learned how to read the highs and lows. 📉 Back at school, we compared tide changes to waves and the steepness of beaches. Through nautical charts, we were able to piece together how the peninsula protects the inlet, leaving it with no waves! 🗺️
Field School Topic: Tides & Waves
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#raincoasteducationsociety #tides #waves
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Have you been watching the salmonberry plants lately? Spring is springing here on the Raincoast! 🌸
Each day, new flowers and new buds are emerging. To take a closer look, Ms. Hirst`s class took a walk to Tonquin Beach. We had a scavenger hunt for various signs of spring as we walked the trail. 🌱
Students noted the different flowers, buds, and animals, being sure to keep track of where we noticed these early signs most. On the beach, we took a look at a few signs of spring in the ocean. First, we talked about the herring spawn and demonstrated how the characteristic light blue color comes to be. 🐟
Afterward, we discussed the return of the whales, focusing on how baleen whales eat. Students filtered out `food` with dip nets to simulate humpback whale gulp feeding. It was a whale of a time! 🐋
Field School Topic: Signs of Spring
#tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #spring
#raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
Continuing with baking and energy, Ms. Comtois` class made some brownies! 🤖
We recapped the science of baking and used our math skills to adjust measurements as needed. 🧪
Later, we spent some time thinking about humans as machines, transforming stored potential energy to move and act in the world.
Taking our ideas of transforming potential energy, we spent the rest of class making some simple machines—paper airplane launchers, balloon cars, and parachutes! 🎈
Field School Topic: Baking & Building
#tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
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#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
With Earthlings of the Raincoast Pt. 2, Ms. Aujla’s class headed out to Tonquin Beach. 📝
We studied various plants, invertebrates, and seaweeds, seeking out their identities and adding our observations to our field notes. 📕
Back in class, we transferred our observations to our field guides and added color to our sketches. 🎨
Bit by bit, we will assemble our very own field guides to the Earthlings of the Raincoast. 🌲
Field School Topic: Earthlings of the Raincoast pt. 2
#tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
Ms. Morris’ class explored the depths of ocean currents in our last field school. 🌊 The majority of the water`s motion is motivated by different densities of water—differences between hot and cold, and fresh and salty.
Students investigated density through a few experiments, combining various substances and observing which rise or sink in water. 🪨 Bit by bit, we pieced together the rising of warm water at the equator and the sinking of cold, salty water at the poles as the pump that circulates the ocean’s water—thermohaline circulation. 🎈
With a final demonstration, we saw these currents at work! 🔄
Field School Topic: Thermohaline Circulation
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#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
#ukeefieldschool
n this field school, Ms. Tremblay`s class headed to Little Beach to look for the signs on the beach and in the ocean. 🐋
We played a game of spring bingo and found emerging buds, new plants poking out, herring eggs, whale blows, chirping birds, sunshine, and more! ☀️
We talked about all the various ways our plants and animals are adjusting their behaviour now that spring is near. We did a demo on the herring spawn, used binoculars to search for the blows of migrating whales, and found budding leaves and flowers all around the beach. 🌸 We acted out the life cycle of a budding flower—from a seed to a leaf, to a flower, to a berry, and back to a seed. We finished up this wonderful sunny morning with a game of capture the flag, then headed back to school to paint rocks collected at the beach. 🐟
Even though this was the last day before spring break, Ms. Tremblay`s grade 2-3s were as wonderful as ever, and I can`t wait to see them again soon! 🌱
Field School Topic: Signs of spring at the beach
#uclueletfieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
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#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #ukee #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
Did you hear? The herring have spawned! 🐟
In this field school, Ms. Diehl`s class headed down to the beach to hunt for signs of the herring spawn and other signs of spring. ☀️
We played a spring-themed beach bingo game and explored the beach for herring eggs. We did a demonstration on why the herring spawn turns our water cloudy and beautiful, and we finished up with a fun game of camouflage. 🌱
This was a wonderful and sunny afternoon at the beach! 🌸
Field School Lesson: Herring spawn/signs of spring
#uclueletfieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #ukee #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
Do you know what salmon and octopi have in common? They can both change colours to camouflage with their surroundings! 🐟
In this field school, Ms. Sigmund`s class loaded up the bus and headed to the Thornton Creek Salmon Hatchery to meet with Dave Hurwitz, the man who makes it all happen. We learned how the baby salmon are raised to give them the best chance of survival once they`re released into their native habitat. Hemlock branches are hung down into the raceways and troughs to give the developing salmon a taste of home and to teach them where to hide from predators. The hatchery staff even has a false bird that dips into the troughs once a week to simulate a predator they will face in the wild. 🏞
We were allowed into the nursery, where the salmon are transitioning from alevin to fry in trays of approximately 5,000 individual salmon. We learned about the importance of crowding the trays, timing the feeding carefully, and how the baby fish are sedated and weighed weekly to cater their feeding regimen exactly to their development—giving them the best chance to thrive. 🌊
We finished the trip with a demonstration of how salmon can change colour to camouflage with their surroundings, something almost none of us had ever heard of! We braved rain, hail, wind, and chill for this trip, and we`re so glad we did!
This was a fantastic and extremely educational trip to the hatchery. 🙏🏽
Field School: Salmon Hatchery
#uclueletfieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
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#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #ukee #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
Spring has sprung in Ukee—what a treat! We enjoyed the sun (and cloud and rain) during this morning`s field school on the signs of spring in the forest. 🌳 We played a fun game of spring bingo (aptly named "Springo") on the Wild Pacific Trail, in which students identified emerging skunk cabbage, buds on trees, flowers poking out, birds chirping, and more.
We spent the rest of our time exploring Big Beach, and students created their own little town, complete with driftwood shelters and a trade system based on seaglass and skipping rocks in the sunshine. ☀️
We finished up the field school with a stop by the park and yummy popsicles provided by Ms. Kinvig.
What a wonderful way to spend a warm, sunny spring morning! 🌊
Field School Lesson: Signs of spring in the forest
#uclueletfieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
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#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #ukee #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
On our third field school of the year, Ms. Soltysik`s kindergarteners geared up and headed to Big Beach to learn about the herring spawn and the Nuu-chah-nulth seasonal round! 🐟
We learned about all sorts of food sources we have and at what time of year we have them, then we focused on the upcoming event—the herring spawn! 🎣
We learned why our coastal waters turn bright, beautiful blue during the herring spawn, and how the new herring are born. 🌊
We finished up this field school with a craft in class, where students decorated herring eggs and made them into a poster! 🔄
Field School Topic: Herring Spawn/Nuu-chah-nulth Seasonal Round
#uclueletfieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #ukee #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
Ever heard of tarpology? Neither had Ms. Brinkman`s grade 6-7s class—until today, that is! 🏕️
In this field school, we learned that tarpology is the art of making tarp shelters with basic materials. We learned some knots in class, including the bowline, two half hitches, and figure 8 knot, then headed out to the forest behind the schoolyard to put our knot-ledge to the test! 🪢
In groups, students created survival shelters using tarps and a few ropes and were judged on 1) structure and construction, 2) comfort, 3) knot skills, and 4) creativity! 🌲
Every group came up with a unique shelter, which was presented to the group at the end of the lesson. We wrapped up this field school by talking briefly about bear safety while camping. 🌱
The grade 6-7s are one step closer to becoming survival experts prepared for any wilderness scenario! 🐻
Field School Topic: Knots/Shelter Building
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#raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #ukee #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
🦪 Building on our last field school, in which we learned about the respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems of intertidal invertebrates, in this field school we headed down to Big Beach at low tide to explore in the intertidal zone! 🐚
Students practiced their scientific drawing skills and thought about how these animals survive in such a changing and diverse ecosystem. 🦀
Students had a great time finding all sorts of fun creatures, and we were able to find every single organism we studied in our last field school! What a successful trip! 🌊
Field School Topic: Intertidal Invertebrates pt2
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In their next field school of the year, Ms. Kinvig`s amazing grade 4s learned survival skills. 🏕️
We started off by learning some knots in class, like the bowline, the figure 8, and the two half hitches, then headed to Big Beach to craft tarp shelters with our new knowledge. 🪢
Students divided into groups and built beautiful shelters with oceanfront views and even set up camping areas surrounding their shelters, creating sites fit for royalty!
We finished off the day with a quick lesson on how to be bear-safe while camping in the backcountry. We learned about the bear-muda triangle and how to tie a bear cache up in a tree. 🐻
Field School Topic: Knots/Shelter Building/Survival
#uclueletfieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety #survivalskills #raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #ukee #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
Support
Raincoast Field School is made possible with the support of the administration and teaching staff at local schools, and the generosity of organizations, businesses, and individuals within the community. The curriculum is designed to build upon itself each year, representing a long-term commitment to the students. Our instructors are highly skilled educators in a full-time position with the RES, committed to the program, and the community they teach in.
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