Outdoor Learning Conference 2024

Are these outdoor education skills or is this science? It is both! Alberta Education Kindergarten to Grade 8 science is full of opportunities to connect science to outdoor skills–skills that students can use to also learn about personal and group safety, stewardship of the land, and leadership of self and others. Teaching science outcomes through traditional outdoor education skills has been a rewarding teaching and learning journey–one which we are excited to share! Join us for an exciting session of hands-on learning that has you ‘doing science’, the outdoor education way.

Join Canadian Rockies Outdoor Learning Centre teachers for hands-on Science through the teaching of outdoor skills.   While this session is based around the Alberta Program of Studies it can be modified to be used in other locations.  The session will start with a brief lesson on how to use the compass and instructions for completing a compass orienteering course that has been set up around the Banff Centre.  Upon completion of the course we will debrief participants and talk about how to connect an orienteering lesson to Science learning outcomes.   We will then transition to a fire starting challenge. In teams of 3-4, participants will compete in a Leave No Trace fire building challenge. All the materials will be supplied and fires will be built on fire pans to be Leave No Trace.  After this the leader's fire will be built up and participants will use several different methods to cook bannock over the fire as a way to learn about heat transfer. All the dough will be prepared ahead of time and materials including plates and condiments will be provided. Gluten free bannock dough will be provided as well. To wrap up the session we will debrief the fire activities then give participants a chance to break out and brainstorm how they may already be using outdoor education to teach science concepts or reflect on how they have been inspired during the workshop.