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
The mud may be flat, but its far from boring! Ms. Tuckers class spent a morning at the mudflats behind Hotel Zed investigating the migrating shore birds. 🐦
We spent some time trying to spot birds with our binoculars and spoting scopes - lots of western sandpipers! 🔭
🪽Later we discussed how different birds have different beaks which help them eat different types of food, and the students got a chance to draw their own shorebird drawing in the beak, feet, and wings of their choice. ✍️ 🌸Finally, we discussed the reason for these birds` migration - a search for food!After some time listening quitely and keenly we stopped to smell the flowers as we made our way back to the bus and off to school.
Field School Lesson: Shorebirds
#tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
![The mud may be flat, but its far from boring! Ms. Tuckers class spent a morning at the mudflats behind Hotel Zed investigating the migrating shore birds. 🐦 We spent some time trying to spot birds with our binoculars and spoting scopes - lots of western sandpipers! 🔭 🪽Later we discussed how different birds have different beaks which help them eat different types of food, and the students got a chance to draw their own shorebird drawing in the beak, feet, and wings of their choice. ✍️ 🌸Finally, we discussed the reason for these birds' migration - a search for food!After some time listening quitely and keenly we stopped to smell the flowers as we made our way back to the bus and off to school. Field School Lesson: Shorebirds #tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc](https://raincoasteducation.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
The RES welcomed a visit from some happy campers of the Girl Guides of Canada. We spent a full day at Cox Bay exploring the intertidal zone as the tides shifted. 🌊
Our first group met us at low tide, where we were able to get close to the water and observe some of the deeper critters.🦐 While working on identifying some local species, we gathered a few specimens to share with the later groups. 🐚
The next group experienced the swift changes of the tides, pushing us higher and higher as we searched the mid-tide range. 🌊 Eventually, we focused on the collected specimens for some identification work.
Lastly, the final group of the day explored the high-tide zone with all its crusty critters and compared them to some of the softer-bodied specimens from the low tide. 🦀🦪
As a final farewell, the group helped us carefully return our specimens to the ocean, ensuring they had a suitable habitat. 🙏🏽
Focus: Low Tide Ecology, Mid-Tide Ecology, High-Tide Ecology
#girlguides #girlguidesofcanada #guides #canada #friendship #beprepared #fun #community #nature #tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
![The RES welcomed a visit from some happy campers of the Girl Guides of Canada. We spent a full day at Cox Bay exploring the intertidal zone as the tides shifted. 🌊 Our first group met us at low tide, where we were able to get close to the water and observe some of the deeper critters.🦐 While working on identifying some local species, we gathered a few specimens to share with the later groups. 🐚 The next group experienced the swift changes of the tides, pushing us higher and higher as we searched the mid-tide range. 🌊 Eventually, we focused on the collected specimens for some identification work. Lastly, the final group of the day explored the high-tide zone with all its crusty critters and compared them to some of the softer-bodied specimens from the low tide. 🦀🦪 As a final farewell, the group helped us carefully return our specimens to the ocean, ensuring they had a suitable habitat. 🙏🏽 Focus: Low Tide Ecology, Mid-Tide Ecology, High-Tide Ecology #girlguides #girlguidesofcanada #guides #canada #friendship #beprepared #fun #community #nature #tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc](https://raincoasteducation.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
In just a 20 minute walk around Tofino Ms. Baas` class found nearly 40 images of salmon, our town really seems to love salmon! 🍣
We explored Tofino looking for signs of salmon, discussing the role they play in our own lives. 🐟 From fishing, restaurants, and meals at home to the salmon in their classroom and the salmon that keep their favorite rivers, oceans, and forests healthy—salmon were everywhere. Where are the salmon in your life? 🌊
Field School Topic: Salmon and Humans 🌲
#tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
![In just a 20 minute walk around Tofino Ms. Baas' class found nearly 40 images of salmon, our town really seems to love salmon! 🍣 We explored Tofino looking for signs of salmon, discussing the role they play in our own lives. 🐟 From fishing, restaurants, and meals at home to the salmon in their classroom and the salmon that keep their favorite rivers, oceans, and forests healthy—salmon were everywhere. Where are the salmon in your life? 🌊 Field School Topic: Salmon and Humans 🌲 #tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc](https://raincoasteducation.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
Did you know that amphibians can breathe both through their lungs and their skin?! Or that gills are practically inside out lungs? 🐸 There Is no one way to breathe! 🐟
Ms. Aujla`s class explored some of the differences and similarities between our human respiratory system and those of the other animals that surround us. Starting out we discussed the various parts of the human respiratory sytem. Next we realized that not all creatures breathe air and explored how fish, clams, crabs, and more take their own breaths. 🦀
Students began to see the connection between breathing and diffusion, so we went out side to act it all out. Finally, we took some time to explore our world through breath 🫁 - we followed our noses for a smell walk!👃
Field School Lesson: Respiratory system
#tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
![Did you know that amphibians can breathe both through their lungs and their skin?! Or that gills are practically inside out lungs? 🐸 There Is no one way to breathe! 🐟 Ms. Aujla's class explored some of the differences and similarities between our human respiratory system and those of the other animals that surround us. Starting out we discussed the various parts of the human respiratory sytem. Next we realized that not all creatures breathe air and explored how fish, clams, crabs, and more take their own breaths. 🦀 Students began to see the connection between breathing and diffusion, so we went out side to act it all out. Finally, we took some time to explore our world through breath 🫁 - we followed our noses for a smell walk!👃 Field School Lesson: Respiratory system #tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc](https://raincoasteducation.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
Ms. Thompson`s class spent a fine April moring exploring Tofino looking for a various landforms and bodies of water.🌊
In class, the students started off describing some of the types of landforms and bodies of water around us.🏞️ Soon we headed outside to prepare for our scavenger hunt - filling our the blanks to name various features.🏔️
Finally, at 3rd street lookout we came face to face with many of our discussed landforms and bodies of water - the students showed off their ability to name and distinguish between the various types!📝
Field School Lesson: Landforms and Bodies of Water 🗺️
#tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
![Ms. Thompson's class spent a fine April moring exploring Tofino looking for a various landforms and bodies of water.🌊 In class, the students started off describing some of the types of landforms and bodies of water around us.🏞️ Soon we headed outside to prepare for our scavenger hunt - filling our the blanks to name various features.🏔️ Finally, at 3rd street lookout we came face to face with many of our discussed landforms and bodies of water - the students showed off their ability to name and distinguish between the various types!📝 Field School Lesson: Landforms and Bodies of Water 🗺️ #tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc](https://raincoasteducation.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
Lots has changed since Ms. Tucker`s kindergarten class was last on field school. So we spent the morning observing some signs of spring.🐝
We started out with a scavenger hunt looking, listening, and feeling for signs of spring along Tonquin Trail. 🌱 At the beach we tried to spot migrating whales while we snacked. 🐋 We created and shares stories of the changes that frogs, whales, bees, and bears go through.🐸 Later we spend some quiet time creating sound maps.
🐻Toping it all of with a game of bears and berries tag. Were getting right back into the spring of things.🫐
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
![Lots has changed since Ms. Tucker's kindergarten class was last on field school. So we spent the morning observing some signs of spring.🐝 We started out with a scavenger hunt looking, listening, and feeling for signs of spring along Tonquin Trail. 🌱 At the beach we tried to spot migrating whales while we snacked. 🐋 We created and shares stories of the changes that frogs, whales, bees, and bears go through.🐸 Later we spend some quiet time creating sound maps. 🐻Toping it all of with a game of bears and berries tag. Were getting right back into the spring of things.🫐 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](https://raincoasteducation.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
🌊 Ms. Bruhwilers class had a whale of a day on their field school day. 🐋 We enjoyed a slushy morning at Tonquin talking about adaptations. We started out with an experiment, exploring how a whales blubber works to keep them warm with the use of out home-made `blubber glove`. 🧤
Later we played a feeding adaptations game, using various objects to `feed` on sand and thought about what made certain tools more useful than others. 🍴 All througout the morning we also focused on some of our own human adaptations, think like our senses and our teeth! 🦷
#tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
![🌊 Ms. Bruhwilers class had a whale of a day on their field school day. 🐋 We enjoyed a slushy morning at Tonquin talking about adaptations. We started out with an experiment, exploring how a whales blubber works to keep them warm with the use of out home-made 'blubber glove'. 🧤 Later we played a feeding adaptations game, using various objects to 'feed' on sand and thought about what made certain tools more useful than others. 🍴 All througout the morning we also focused on some of our own human adaptations, think like our senses and our teeth! 🦷 #tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc](https://raincoasteducation.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
We all know space is big... but do we really?🪐 How can we get an idea of just how massive these sizes and distances really are? 🔭 To help us out on this front Mr. Redican`s class constructed scale models of a few aspects of our solar system. We started class discussing the various parts and forces making up our solar system, before focussing in and calcuating the relative sizes of the planets, and modeling their relative diameters. 📏 We then headed outside to get a sense of the distances between planets.☄️ On the school field we measured it out - with earth roughly the size of a grain of sand and the sun a golf ball, the distance to neptune stretched beyond the field - 150 meters!. Finally, via rope analogy, we explored the orbital motion of the planets, the role that gravity plays, and the relationship between orbital distance and time to go around the sun.☀️ To top it all off, students showed of their own forces in a few games of tug-o-war.🌎
Field School Lesson: Solar System
#tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc
![We all know space is big... but do we really?🪐 How can we get an idea of just how massive these sizes and distances really are? 🔭 To help us out on this front Mr. Redican's class constructed scale models of a few aspects of our solar system. We started class discussing the various parts and forces making up our solar system, before focussing in and calcuating the relative sizes of the planets, and modeling their relative diameters. 📏 We then headed outside to get a sense of the distances between planets.☄️ On the school field we measured it out - with earth roughly the size of a grain of sand and the sun a golf ball, the distance to neptune stretched beyond the field - 150 meters!. Finally, via rope analogy, we explored the orbital motion of the planets, the role that gravity plays, and the relationship between orbital distance and time to go around the sun.☀️ To top it all off, students showed of their own forces in a few games of tug-o-war.🌎 Field School Lesson: Solar System #tofinofieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #outdooreducation #stem #steam #learning #learnoutside #outdoored #experientiallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #placebasededucation #natureschool #tofino #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc](https://raincoasteducation.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
#ukeefieldschool
Ms. Sigmund`s grade 1/2 class visited @thorntoncreek with Sophia and Savannah. The group was so appreciative that Dave Hurwitz shared the space with us and even managed to have some live male Salmon for the students to admire! 🐟 -
🎡 The grade 1/2`s demonstrated their knowledge by taking a turn at the Spinning Wheel of Life and Death of a Salmon. Students were not surprised that only 2 of our Salmon made it to the smolt stage, this lead to an informative discussion highlighting some key facts about the life cycle and habitat of our 5 local Salmon species.
🪱 Students not only got a chance to observe a live Salmon swimming around, they also investigated the tiny invertebrates that Salmon snack on and even recognized the final stage of the life cycle when a Salmon skull was seen on the edge of the creek. 🙏🏽 again to Dave & all the Thornton Creek Hatchery staff and to the grade 1/2`s for a great field school!
#ukeefieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #streamecology #outdoored #experientallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #learningoutside #natureschool #ucluelet #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc #outdooreducation #learning #learnoutside
![Ms. Sigmund's grade 1/2 class visited @thorntoncreek with Sophia and Savannah. The group was so appreciative that Dave Hurwitz shared the space with us and even managed to have some live male Salmon for the students to admire! 🐟 - 🎡 The grade 1/2's demonstrated their knowledge by taking a turn at the Spinning Wheel of Life and Death of a Salmon. Students were not surprised that only 2 of our Salmon made it to the smolt stage, this lead to an informative discussion highlighting some key facts about the life cycle and habitat of our 5 local Salmon species. 🪱 Students not only got a chance to observe a live Salmon swimming around, they also investigated the tiny invertebrates that Salmon snack on and even recognized the final stage of the life cycle when a Salmon skull was seen on the edge of the creek. 🙏🏽 again to Dave & all the Thornton Creek Hatchery staff and to the grade 1/2's for a great field school! #ukeefieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #streamecology #outdoored #experientallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #learningoutside #natureschool #ucluelet #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc #outdooreducation #learning #learnoutside ](https://raincoasteducation.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
Mr. Floucault`s grade 5/6 students executed a simple machine challenge with Ms. Brinkman guided by Savannah at Big Beach. 🌊
📐 To kickoff the field school, the class played a matching game to classify examples of simple machines. Students quickly matched slide with inclined plane but took time to examine how totem poles are raised before classifying it as a pulley.
📿For the challenge the 5/6`s got into teams and had to create something to move a small plushy 1 meter in the water using only 2 large recycled items and some other building supplies. Simple machines were incorporated into the creations like pulleys with string to return the vessel to shore and inclined planes for the small plushy to get inside.
Savannah was impressed with the students creativity and had lots of fun playing in the snow with the class! 🙏🏽
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#ukeefieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #streamecology #outdoored #experientallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #learningoutside #natureschool #ucluelet #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc #outdooreducation #learning #learnoutside
![Mr. Floucault's grade 5/6 students executed a simple machine challenge with Ms. Brinkman guided by Savannah at Big Beach. 🌊 📐 To kickoff the field school, the class played a matching game to classify examples of simple machines. Students quickly matched slide with inclined plane but took time to examine how totem poles are raised before classifying it as a pulley. 📿For the challenge the 5/6's got into teams and had to create something to move a small plushy 1 meter in the water using only 2 large recycled items and some other building supplies. Simple machines were incorporated into the creations like pulleys with string to return the vessel to shore and inclined planes for the small plushy to get inside. Savannah was impressed with the students creativity and had lots of fun playing in the snow with the class! 🙏🏽 . . . #ukeefieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #streamecology #outdoored #experientallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #learningoutside #natureschool #ucluelet #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc #outdooreducation #learning #learnoutside](https://raincoasteducation.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
Ms. Tremblay’s grade 2/3 class explored the diverse algae that grows along Big Beach. This was the first field school for the students and the first in the series: The Intertidal zone shore is interesting! 🌊
🎭 While Savannah narrated, the students acted out a tidepool story to foster discussion on being “Tidepool Destructos” or “Tidepool Protectors.”
🔎 The students collected, sorted and categorized the seaweed and algae they found along the shore. Some of the student created categories included long or short, weird/unidentifiable, and bumpy vs smooth.
💡 During the reflection back in the classroom the students shared how they enjoyed using the ID pamphlets and how they would never forget the feeling of the various seaweeds.
The grade 2/3s were so engaged and creative, Savannah shore was impressed! 🙏🏽
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#ukeefieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #streamecology #outdoored #experientallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #learningoutside #natureschool #ucluelet #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc #outdooreducation #learning #learnoutside
![Ms. Tremblay’s grade 2/3 class explored the diverse algae that grows along Big Beach. This was the first field school for the students and the first in the series: The Intertidal zone shore is interesting! 🌊 🎭 While Savannah narrated, the students acted out a tidepool story to foster discussion on being “Tidepool Destructos” or “Tidepool Protectors.” 🔎 The students collected, sorted and categorized the seaweed and algae they found along the shore. Some of the student created categories included long or short, weird/unidentifiable, and bumpy vs smooth. 💡 During the reflection back in the classroom the students shared how they enjoyed using the ID pamphlets and how they would never forget the feeling of the various seaweeds. The grade 2/3s were so engaged and creative, Savannah shore was impressed! 🙏🏽 . . . #ukeefieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #streamecology #outdoored #experientallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #learningoutside #natureschool #ucluelet #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc #outdooreducation #learning #learnoutside](https://raincoasteducation.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
Intro to Sustainability with Kira, Reddfish Restoration and The Den.
Ms. Wilson’s class is diving into a field school unit that will explore the nature of sustainable practices around BC’s resources. 🏞
To start off the morning the group and Kira met in the classroom to broadly define the idea of sustainability. The students in Ms. Wilson’s class shared some great connections and examples of sustainable practices in their own life. For example so many kiddos bike or bus to school! 🚲🚌
The first stop on their community leaders in sustainable practices tour was @reddfishrestoration. Mara and Jadyn of Reddfish welcomed the group and introduced part of Reddfishes mission: restore salmon habitat and community involvement through employment, volunteering, etc.! The students split into three groups and rotated through a stream table, art and outdoor activity stations that all explored salmon as an essential resource to our west coast community. The stream table at Reddfish is open to the public and an awesome resource to up your learning on watersheds, salmon and human habitat and natural or anthropogenic impacts effecting the above. 💦
After Reddfish, the group marched down to The Den, a sustainable goods shop and refill store. Diane Rudge, the owner, introduced key points of the stores mission: zero waste products, refillable products and selling/ promoting local products. ♻️ The students loved touring through the store and checking out the living wall. A lot of them recognized products that they had in their own homes. 🏠
🙏🏽Thank you everyone for making this intro to sustainability field school a great success! Ms. Wilson’s class can not wait to check out more sustainable practice examples in the community and grow their understanding of what it means to be sustainable.
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#ukeefieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #streamecology #outdoored #experientallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #learningoutside #natureschool #ucluelet #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc #outdooreducation #learning #learnoutside
![Intro to Sustainability with Kira, Reddfish Restoration and The Den. Ms. Wilson’s class is diving into a field school unit that will explore the nature of sustainable practices around BC’s resources. 🏞 To start off the morning the group and Kira met in the classroom to broadly define the idea of sustainability. The students in Ms. Wilson’s class shared some great connections and examples of sustainable practices in their own life. For example so many kiddos bike or bus to school! 🚲🚌 The first stop on their community leaders in sustainable practices tour was @reddfishrestoration. Mara and Jadyn of Reddfish welcomed the group and introduced part of Reddfishes mission: restore salmon habitat and community involvement through employment, volunteering, etc.! The students split into three groups and rotated through a stream table, art and outdoor activity stations that all explored salmon as an essential resource to our west coast community. The stream table at Reddfish is open to the public and an awesome resource to up your learning on watersheds, salmon and human habitat and natural or anthropogenic impacts effecting the above. 💦 After Reddfish, the group marched down to The Den, a sustainable goods shop and refill store. Diane Rudge, the owner, introduced key points of the stores mission: zero waste products, refillable products and selling/ promoting local products. ♻️ The students loved touring through the store and checking out the living wall. A lot of them recognized products that they had in their own homes. 🏠 🙏🏽Thank you everyone for making this intro to sustainability field school a great success! Ms. Wilson’s class can not wait to check out more sustainable practice examples in the community and grow their understanding of what it means to be sustainable. . . . #ukeefieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #streamecology #outdoored #experientallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #learningoutside #natureschool #ucluelet #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc #outdooreducation #learning #learnoutside](https://raincoasteducation.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
Spring Cove and Terrace Beach: Then and Now with Kira
Kira and Mr. Foucault’s Grade 5 & 6 class headed down to Spring Cove and then over to Terrace Beach for field school. The class is starting a unit on global community, which connected well with the global presence involved in the fishing community and BC packers camp at Spring Cove. 🌏 The group started learning about the time immemorial presence of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ and the pre and post World War II history of Japanese immigrants, which provoked a lot of thoughtful questions and discussion points. 🈁
At Terrace Beach the group made their way to the midden (ancient refuse pile) along the Terrace Beach Trail. At the midden they learned about the different traditional tools used by the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ and the group had a great discussion on the differences and similarities between a midden and our modern-day landfill practices. 🐚 To finish off the field school the students tried their hand at making their own tools out of loose natural materials. ⚒️ They quickly realized how much time, practice, knowledge and skill it takes to create working tools out of natural materials. Furthermore, how we sometimes take for granted the materials we have at hand today. 🗻
Thanks for bringing your focus, respect and enthusiasm to the field school Mr. Floucault’s class! 🙏🏽
#ukeefieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #streamecology #outdoored #experientallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #learningoutside #natureschool #ucluelet #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc #outdooreducation #learning #learnoutside
![Spring Cove and Terrace Beach: Then and Now with Kira Kira and Mr. Foucault’s Grade 5 & 6 class headed down to Spring Cove and then over to Terrace Beach for field school. The class is starting a unit on global community, which connected well with the global presence involved in the fishing community and BC packers camp at Spring Cove. 🌏 The group started learning about the time immemorial presence of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ and the pre and post World War II history of Japanese immigrants, which provoked a lot of thoughtful questions and discussion points. 🈁 At Terrace Beach the group made their way to the midden (ancient refuse pile) along the Terrace Beach Trail. At the midden they learned about the different traditional tools used by the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ and the group had a great discussion on the differences and similarities between a midden and our modern-day landfill practices. 🐚 To finish off the field school the students tried their hand at making their own tools out of loose natural materials. ⚒️ They quickly realized how much time, practice, knowledge and skill it takes to create working tools out of natural materials. Furthermore, how we sometimes take for granted the materials we have at hand today. 🗻 Thanks for bringing your focus, respect and enthusiasm to the field school Mr. Floucault’s class! 🙏🏽 #ukeefieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #streamecology #outdoored #experientallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #learningoutside #natureschool #ucluelet #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc #outdooreducation #learning #learnoutside](https://raincoasteducation.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
Fall Detectives! with Kira. 🕵️♀️ Kira was SO excited to meet the new kindergarteners in Ms. Wilson and Ms. Williamson’s class! For both field schools the group put on their detective hats and using all their senses became fall detectives! At Big Beach they started with a nature colour wheel exercise where the kiddos found loose, natural items on the beach that matched almost every color on the wheel. 🎨 Some particularly interesting items were the kelp holdfast, colorful seaweed, leaves, beach glass and feathers. Afterwards they took to the forest for a fall scavenger hunt. With their findings they used magnifying glasses to take an close up look at the intricate patterns and details in nature. 🌊 Using the same gathered materials, they finished off the field school with a fun blindfolded sensory guessing game. 🤸🏿♂️ Thank you for the super fun times Ms. Wilson’s class and Ms. Williamson’s class! 🙏🏽
#ukeefieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety
#raincoast #streamecology #outdoored #experientallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #learningoutside #natureschool #ucluelet #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc #outdooreducation #learning #learnoutside
![Fall Detectives! with Kira. 🕵️♀️ Kira was SO excited to meet the new kindergarteners in Ms. Wilson and Ms. Williamson’s class! For both field schools the group put on their detective hats and using all their senses became fall detectives! At Big Beach they started with a nature colour wheel exercise where the kiddos found loose, natural items on the beach that matched almost every color on the wheel. 🎨 Some particularly interesting items were the kelp holdfast, colorful seaweed, leaves, beach glass and feathers. Afterwards they took to the forest for a fall scavenger hunt. With their findings they used magnifying glasses to take an close up look at the intricate patterns and details in nature. 🌊 Using the same gathered materials, they finished off the field school with a fun blindfolded sensory guessing game. 🤸🏿♂️ Thank you for the super fun times Ms. Wilson’s class and Ms. Williamson’s class! 🙏🏽 #ukeefieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #streamecology #outdoored #experientallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #learningoutside #natureschool #ucluelet #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc #outdooreducation #learning #learnoutside](https://raincoasteducation.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
A Journey Through Time with Kira. ⏳
In this field school, Ms. Lefevre’s Grade 7 class connected to their social’s unit on ancient civilizations. After an introduction in class they headed to Spring Cove and Terrace Beach to learn about the historical use by the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ. 🌊 The class and Kira felt very grateful to learn about the history through the Spring Cove and Terrace Beach interpretive signs provided by the Ucluelet First Nation and the Wild Pacific Trail. 🪧
Some highlights from the morning were visiting the Elder Tree, seeing the pictures of Spring cove in the early 1900’s and spotting CMTs along the trail. The group also enjoyed learning Nuu chah nulth for Spring Cove and Terrace Beach, as well as seeing the history of travel between the two areas along the short cut and in traditional dug out canoes when on the water on the map at He-Tin-Kis park.
🙏🏽Thank you Ms. Lefevre’s class for the engaging morning!
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#ukeefieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast
#streamecology #outdoored #experientallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #learningoutside #natureschool #ucluelet #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc #outdooreducation #learning #learnoutside
![A Journey Through Time with Kira. ⏳ In this field school, Ms. Lefevre’s Grade 7 class connected to their social’s unit on ancient civilizations. After an introduction in class they headed to Spring Cove and Terrace Beach to learn about the historical use by the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ. 🌊 The class and Kira felt very grateful to learn about the history through the Spring Cove and Terrace Beach interpretive signs provided by the Ucluelet First Nation and the Wild Pacific Trail. 🪧 Some highlights from the morning were visiting the Elder Tree, seeing the pictures of Spring cove in the early 1900’s and spotting CMTs along the trail. The group also enjoyed learning Nuu chah nulth for Spring Cove and Terrace Beach, as well as seeing the history of travel between the two areas along the short cut and in traditional dug out canoes when on the water on the map at He-Tin-Kis park. 🙏🏽Thank you Ms. Lefevre’s class for the engaging morning! . . . #ukeefieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety #raincoast #streamecology #outdoored #experientallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #learningoutside #natureschool #ucluelet #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc #outdooreducation #learning #learnoutside](https://raincoasteducation.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
National Forest Week. 🌲 Mr. Garand’s Grade 4/5 class and Kira joined an awesome team of Foresters, Educators and Archeologists for a field school celebrating National Forest Week.
They made their way to the new Macoah Trail between Macoah and Secret Beach. Upon arriving they were introduced to Dennis Hetu, an archeologist and cultural educator from the Toquaht Nation. Dennis acknowledged the sacred Toquaht land the trail ran through and then walked them along the trail showing everyone the vast amount of Culturally Modified Trees (CMTs) in the surrounding old-growth forest. 🌱
It was unbelievably cool! They found evidence of pre-contact harvesting as well as post contact euro logging. At the half way point, they were led through a fascinating activity in the surrounding second growth forest by Erik Holbeck, Tracy Andrews and Mike Davis- all local foresters. Each forester took a group of kids and picked a tree sample a core from using an increment borer. The kids loved using the increment borer and observing the trees life through the sample. 📏
Huge shout out to Tracy, Erik and Dennis for everything you did to make this happen! Including actually planning and building the new trail! 🙏🏽 @toquahtnation
#ukeefieldschool #raincoastfieldschool
#raincoasteducationsociety#raincoast#streamecology #outdoored #experientallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #learningoutside #natureschool #ucluelet #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc #outdooreducation #learning #learnoutside #toquahtnation
![National Forest Week. 🌲 Mr. Garand’s Grade 4/5 class and Kira joined an awesome team of Foresters, Educators and Archeologists for a field school celebrating National Forest Week. They made their way to the new Macoah Trail between Macoah and Secret Beach. Upon arriving they were introduced to Dennis Hetu, an archeologist and cultural educator from the Toquaht Nation. Dennis acknowledged the sacred Toquaht land the trail ran through and then walked them along the trail showing everyone the vast amount of Culturally Modified Trees (CMTs) in the surrounding old-growth forest. 🌱 It was unbelievably cool! They found evidence of pre-contact harvesting as well as post contact euro logging. At the half way point, they were led through a fascinating activity in the surrounding second growth forest by Erik Holbeck, Tracy Andrews and Mike Davis- all local foresters. Each forester took a group of kids and picked a tree sample a core from using an increment borer. The kids loved using the increment borer and observing the trees life through the sample. 📏 Huge shout out to Tracy, Erik and Dennis for everything you did to make this happen! Including actually planning and building the new trail! 🙏🏽 @toquahtnation #ukeefieldschool #raincoastfieldschool #raincoasteducationsociety#raincoast#streamecology #outdoored #experientallearning #naturebasedlearning #nature #forestschools #learningoutside #natureschool #ucluelet #explorebc #explorecanada #britishcolumbia #beautifulbc #outdooreducation #learning #learnoutside #toquahtnation](https://raincoasteducation.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
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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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