Grade 6 students from Holy Rosary Catholic Elementary School in Guelph visited the Grand River Conservation Authority’s Guelph Lake Nature Centre for an educational field trip to explore and learn in nature.
The trip was made possible through the Wellington Catholic District School Board’s longstanding partnership with the GRCA to provide grade 1 – 8 classes the opportunity to visit the GLNC each year. For grade 6 students, since they are exploring biodiversity in their science curriculum in class, during their visit to the GLNC GRCA staff lead students through various biodiversity stations inside the centre before heading outside to explore in the afternoon.
“The grade 6’s, in their curriculum, are looking at biodiversity so we have been working on just exploring biodiversity and where we find it,” shared Ann Schletz, environmental educator with the GRCA. “So at this time of year, bugs are everywhere. And this is how we sort of show biodiversity as something that they can hold and catch through a bug scavenger hunt.”
The GLNC programming allows for students to really reach beyond a textbook to gain experiential learning. This form of learning is especially important for students who don’t thrive stationary at a desk in a classroom setting.
“They get so much hands on experience and opportunities that you don't always get in a classroom,” shared Brittany Fraser, teacher at Holy Rosary CS. “And since it's such a safe place for them, they've grown up coming here because they get to come every year, it becomes like a second school to them. It's a community that they feel comfortable and safe exploring.”
Since the partnership has been in existence for over 25 years, Wellington Catholic DSB staff members like Fraser have had the opportunity to experience the program as a student and now as an educator.
“This is a fieldtrip I look forward to each year. It’s especially special to have new students experience the nature center for the first time,” said Fraser. “Programming wise, I love the creature teachers and seeing who's going to visit and seeing how some of the kids react. Even today, we had one student that said she was just going to take notes about the bugs, and she ended up having the praying mantis on her. So I really enjoy seeing the growth of my students through this program, for sure.”
For students like Rylee McMichan, the creature teachers are a highlight of visiting the GLNC for her.
“My favourite part of the day was Mrs. Ann finding the praying mantis and seeing it on her. I really want to find one. It's really cool. It was so neat,” said McMichan.
The GNLC provides students with the opportunity to learn more about the environment around them, going beyond what the classroom can provide.
“We are so grateful to the Catholic board for all the support that they give us,” shared Schletz. “It's been over 25 years that the school board and the GRCA has worked together to provide opportunities for classes, from grade one to grade eight every year. So, it's really nice to see those kids coming back and then coming back as adults. It's really special.”