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
For Ms. Comtois` last field school, we met up with a few speakers from local Indigenous businesses. 🏩🚤
First, we headed to Tin Wis to meet with people from the Tla-o-qui-aht Development Corporation.
Nick and Alec showed us around Tin Wis and discussed the many business partners in the area, touching on the values and importance of Tla-o-qui-aht businesses.
After a break on the beach, we headed back into town to meet up with Ahous Adventures.
A representative shared information about the tours and services they offer, leaving space for student questions and time to look around the office.
Throughout the day, we began to explore the significance of Indigenous businesses in the region, and how their operation relates to culture and sovereignty — themes the class will continue to explore back in the classroom. 🤔🌿
Field School Topic: indigenous business
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#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
It`s tadpole season! 🐸🎉. Have you heard the chorus? Or witnessed the metamorphosis?
Ms. Avila`s class sure has!
We took the bus out to Chesterman Beach to find Pacific tree frog tadpoles — with great success! 🏖️🐸
But on our way, we got a little distracted by the ultra-low tide…
Touring tidepools toward pools of tadpoles — a tongue teaser for students and teachers alike! 🦀🌊
We took time to discuss the frog species found on Vancouver Island, and how to identify Pacific tree frogs.
Finally, before heading back to school, we reviewed the frog lifecycle — acting out each stage.
The hopping adult frogs were definitely the students’ favourite to mimic! 🐸💚
Field School Topic: Frogs
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#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
For our last trip of the year, Ms. Comtois` class headed to Chesterman Beach for some fun in the sun. ☀️🏖️
We started out with a walk along the rocky edge, scouring the shoreline for intertidal critters. 🦀🌊
For our next activity, we had a scavenger hunt, searching for and collecting common beach finds: shells, flowers, feathers, and more. 🐚🌼🪶
Lastly, we found some inspiration in our beach surroundings and collections, and got to work on some beach art. 🎨🖌️
We had murals, sculptures, drawings — and so much fun!
#tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
We got a little in-seine during our last field school with Ms. Avila`s class! 🐟🌊.
As we got the net and bins ready, students explored the rocks and sand for intertidal critters. 🦀🐚. With a few pulls of the net, we found an incredible diversity:
lots of juvenile rock sole, plenty of sculpins, and various invertebrates!
After getting comfortable identifying these local species, we turned our attention back to the eelgrass and its ecosystem. 🌾
We discussed the uniqueness of eelgrass as a true plant among seaweeds and the important habitat it provides for all the species we encountered — and so many more.
Field School Topic: Beach Seine
#tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
With the shift to spring and summer weather, Ms. Morris’ class ventured down to Crab Dock in search of plankton! 🌞🌊🦠
As the sun brings more energy to the coast this time of year, we see a major influx of plankton — each form taking advantage of the abundance in their own unique way. ⚡️
Back in the classroom, we brought out the microscopes and started examining our samples. 🔬
We found:
🦀 Barnacle nauplius
🌀 Copepods
🦐 Various stages of crab larvae
🌿 And, if you looked closely, a plethora of phytoplankton in the background!
Students then took their newly discovered plankton IDs and applied their drawing skills, creating detailed records to compare spring plankton to what we found in the winter. ✏️📓
We had a plankTON of fun! 😄🦠🦀
Let me know if you’d like a version with a bit more scientific detail or geared to a different tone!
Field School Topic: Plankton Tow
#tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
Take a look around these days and you’ll see a world of green. 🌱🌊🌿
From the forest to the intertidal to the great gyres of the ocean, you’ll find a flourishing of green, brown, and red.
And with this flourishing — of plants, seaweeds, and phytoplankton — comes the flourishing of everything else. 🌳🦠🏝️
Life on this planet is shaped by photosynthesis — the topic of Mr. Reynolds` class’ final field school. ⚡️☀️
We kicked things off with a big brainstorm to connect our ideas and get to the core of the phenomenon. 💭
Then we headed outside to model photosynthesis as a class — but first, we needed a few more key ideas:
Atoms, molecules, and energy. ⚛️🔬
Once we were equipped with knowledge of H₂O, CO₂, and light energy, we were ready to put it all together (literally!).
Step by step, each student helped bring in a new molecule:
💧 Water moved to the leaf via the roots,
☀️ Light split the water,
🌬 CO₂ entered the leaf.
After splitting 6 molecules of water, we combined the Hydrogen with Carbon and Oxygen to build one complex sugar molecule, and released 6 molecules of O₂ — the very stuff we eat and breathe! 🍬🌬
A dynamic day of movement, models, and molecular magic!
Let me know if you`d like a slightly more playful or simplified version!
Field School Topic: Photosynthesis
#tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
As Grade 7s wrapped up their final year at Wickaninnish Elementary School, so too did their time with Raincoast Field School. 💛
To celebrate, we spent a sunny day at Mackenzie Beach! ☀️🏖
We kept things simple and had a blast playing a few rounds of manhunt. Students and field school coordinators alike were exhausted from all the running, ducking, and hopping! 🏃💨😂
To cool off, we took advantage of the low tide and explored the tide pools, discovering a myriad of amazing creatures. 🌊🔍
Some crowd favourites included shore crabs, sea stars, and chitons. 🦀⭐️🟤
Best of luck in high school, Grade 7s — we’ll miss you! 🎓💫
#tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
For our last field school of the year, Ms. Hirst’s class went for a quick walk to Tonquin Beach. 🌲🏖️
Here we took some time to find inspiration in the forest and shore to create some eco-art. 🎨✨
With a few pictures for inspiration and ample time to let their creativity unfold, students went off to find materials and make their own creations. 🖌️🍃
We had drip castles, sand drawings, intricate arrangements — and lots and lots of fun! 🪨🌊😁
#tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #outdooreducation
#raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
#ukeefieldschool
We had 10 amazing Field Schools with the Heartwood kids over the last few months of the school year! 🌿🌊🦀🪸✨
Together, we explored:
🫧 Bogs
🪨 Rocky coast
🌲 Rainforest
🐦 Birds & mudflats
🏖️ Dunes & sandy beaches
🌿 Plants & forest ecology
🌾 Eelgrass meadows
🦀 Rocky intertidal zone
🦴 Geological timescale & fossils
🦠 Microorganisms
So many ecosystems, so much curiosity, and tons of hands-on learning. What a season! 💚
Geological timescale/fossil record
#uclueletfieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #ukee #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
On this rainy afternoon, Ms. Sigmund`s Grade 1–2s headed down to the Ucluelet Harbour to compare natural vs. humanmade features. 🌧️🌳🌉
We started by discussing and brainstorming the difference between a natural and humanmade material — then took our newfound knowledge outside!
At the harbour, students identified all sorts of features in our surroundings:
Lyche Island, the Ucluelet Aquarium, Ucluelet`s natural harbour, Whiskey Dock, Mount Ozzard, the road, and more — and discussed which were natural vs. humanmade. ⛰️🏫🏞️
Students quickly became experts, spotting natural and humanmade features all around us. 👀🔍
We wrapped up this fun field school playing on the humanmade park and among the natural trees, then headed back to school with full minds and happy hearts!
Field School Topic: Natural vs manmade features
#uclueletfieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
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#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #ukee #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
In this field school, Ms. LeFevre`s Grade 5–6s explored the geological timescale and fossil record! 🦴🦖🌍
We learned about fossilization and rock layers using Starburst candies to model how fossils form over time. 🍬⏳
Afterwards, we headed outside and walked along a 100-meter tape measure to visualize Earth’s 4.6-billion-year history, placing major events along the timeline to see just how recent humans are in comparison. 🌋👣
This was such a fun, hands-on, and mind-boggling field school!
Field School Topic: Geological timescale/fossil record
#uclueletfieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #ukee #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
Ms. Tremblay’s Grade 2–3 class had an awesome outdoor adventure at Big Beach, where they explored the intertidal zone and tide pools! 🦀🌊🐚
With the sun shining and the ocean breeze in the air, the students got hands-on with nature, using ID sheets to discover and identify all sorts of cool sea creatures.
It was a day full of learning, laughter, and plenty of seaside fun! 😄📖🌞
#uclueletfieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #ukee #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
Ms. Harling and Mr. Johnson`s Grade 1–2s had a fin-tastic day at the Ucluelet Aquarium! 🐟🪸
We kicked things off with a super fun scavenger hunt inside the aquarium, where students searched high and low for all kinds of ocean critters — from jiggly jellyfish to sneaky crabs. 🦀👀
After that, we headed outside to explore the intertidal zone, flipping rocks and checking out tide pools like true marine scientists. We found all sorts of amazing creatures like sea cucumbers, sea stars, shore crabs, oysters, and more! 🌿🐚🌊
And to top it all off, we hit the play structure for some wild climbing, sliding, and running around! 😄🛝
Field School Topic: Marine Biology
It was a day full of ocean wonders, salty air, and big smiles. 💙
#uclueletfieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #ukee #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
For my last field school with Ms. Tremblay`s incredible Grade 2–3s, we headed down to Big Beach for some intertidaling and fire-building fun! 🦀🌊🔥
We explored the tide pools and searched for all kinds of cool creatures — and had a blast doing it! 🐚😄
After all the adventuring, we wrapped things up with a beach fire and some delicious s’mores. 🍫🔥
Sticky fingers, lots of laughs, and the perfect end to a year of field schools with this amazing group! 💛
#uclueletfieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #ukee #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
Our last field school of the year brought Ms. LeFevre`s Grade 4–5s down to Terrace Beach for a hands-on look at subtidal life! 🌊🐟🦀
We did a beach seine through the eelgrass beds and pulled up all sorts of amazing creatures — including pipefish, Dungeness crabs, sculpins, and more! 🐚🎣
It was an incredible opportunity to see local marine life in action and learn about the ecosystem just below the surface.
Such a fun and memorable way to wrap up this wonderful year of field schools! 💙
#uclueletfieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #ukee #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
On this exciting field school, Ms. Soltysik`s kindergarteners got their turn at the Ucluelet Aquarium! 🐚🐙🦀
Armed with a scavenger hunt, students explored the exhibits and identified all sorts of beautiful and unique marine creatures from our local waters. 🌊🦪
We used our "science pinkies" to gently touch animals in the touch tanks,
⚓️ played pirates in the aquarium’s boat,
🐋 worked on whale puzzles,
and soaked up the sunshine on the play structure!
This was a fascinating and joyful morning with a bunch of wonderfully curious kindergarteners. 💛🐠
#uclueletfieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#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.
Need help?
If you have any questions about our courses, our events, or just us in general – we’re here to help!