Ecosystem Explorers

Grab your magnifying glasses and get ready to explore some ecosystems! This field-study style program explores a spectrum of ecosystems found in Elk Island National Park. Your class will spend the day exploring two unique sites: one site with a forest and bog and one pond site. At each location, students will participate in hands-on and inquiry-driven activities to explore the fauna that inhabit each ecosystem, unique flora that are specially adapted to live there, as well as abiotic properties such as temperature and pH.

Learning Objectives

Students will understand:

• Interactions exist among living and nonliving things in different ecosystems;
• Interactions among organisms and the role of each organism as part of a food web;
• Human’s relationship to the land is shaped by hundreds of years of history;
• The environmental significance of national parks and protected areas in Canada.

This program is designed for students in grade 6 in Alberta and addresses the Living Systems science unit.

Teacher information

• To book: Email interp.elkisland@pc.gc.ca
• View cost on fee page
• Capacity: Two groups maximum per day; 30 students per group
• Offered: Monday to Friday, each program is 4 hours. Generally, 10 am to 2 pm (can be adjusted slightly if needed)
• Language: Available in English or French
• Please ensure that all schools have a fair chance to participate in our programs: give us at least two weeks' notice of any cancellations, so that we may offer the time slot to another class.
• Supervisor to student ratios:
  • A minimum of 1 supervisor for every 10 elementary students is required

How the program works

• The booking contact will be informed of your program meeting location about a week prior to your scheduled program
• Your class(es) will take part in a series of field-study activities at two field sites including:
  • Pond/marsh study:
    • Pond food web activity
    • Pond dipping
    • pH and water tests
  • Forest/bog study:
    • Observation stations including modules on: water, flora, pH and temperature
• This program is a total of 4 hours in duration with approximately 3 hours dedicated to program time with a lunch break midway
• This program is run entirely outside, so dress for the weather!
• Please note: a school bus will be required for the entire day to bus students between the two field sites.