Hands On Activities

This article describes easy-to-use tools and methods for finding and identifying different types of rocks and minerals in your backyard!

Ever Active Schools uses the Comprehensive School Health framework to support schools, providing professional development opportunities, lesson plans and other resources, and an EAS in residence program to help schools develop a custom plan for improving school health.

The Into Nature guide from Back to Nature Network contains helpful tips on how to start an outdoor education program in your teaching. The second half features dozens of activities (beginning on page 24). More detailed lesson plans begin on page 51.

This guide to nature journaling from Project Learning Tree introduces ways you can integrate journaling to your teaching in a variety of subject areas. 

How to Germinate Beans in your Kitchen (Gr. K-6)

Upcycled Flower Pot (Gr. 7-12)

Biodegradable Paper Planter (Gr. 4-12)

How to make a Mud Kitchen (Pre-K-Gr.1)

Tailpipe Pollution Challenge (Gr. 5)

Birding 101 (K-12)

Teaching the 4 Elements by Shelagh Pyper from Fuse Consulting says, "Children lead with their hands, not their minds. In order for them to develop a relationship with the natural elements of Wind, Water, Earth and Fire (i.e. a connection to Nature) they need to explore the magic and wonder of these things with all their senses." 

Enhancing Student Voice through Climate Change Education is a DRAFT resource for high school teachers to help them teach environmental and energy topics such as climate change. The Alberta Council for Environmental Education (ACEE) and the Environmental Law Centre worked on this together in 2017/18 and although funding did not permit us to complete this work, we do believe it is of high value and that it represents some of our favourite activities (which are denoted by an asterisk in the table of contents). In this spirit, and with that caveat, we offer it to the community for use.

The Learn at Home resources topics include oceans, biodiversity, mapping, citizen science, extreme weather, energy efficiency, agriculture, and more!

Green Calgary has created lesson plans and activities in a variety of subject areas and topics, including waste, recycling, biodiversity, citizen science, energy, stormwater, climate change, and vermicomposting. Activities explore science, math and language arts in nature, as well as art. 

Switch to Renewable was developed to help Canadians assess their renewable energy options and understand the importance of renewable energy in Canada. Explore the website by selecting your province and learn about the energy sources in the province and percentage of electricity generated by renewables. You can also explore renewable energy with regards to homes, business, or municipalities. Learn how to reduce your energy consumption through energy efficiency, explore solar providers, and discover how viable solar is for you.