Wildsight Teaching Science Through Fun
January 18, 2008
Winter Wonder Outdoor Education Program Begins
A lot has been said lately about kids’ obsession with video games, the internet or the TV. Not enough has been said about their passion for the outdoors. Wildsight is aiming to change that.
Now until mid-March, Wildsight will be coordinating its Winter Wonder education program – a fun, experiential-based program design to reconnect kids between kindergarten and grade three with the wonders of the outdoors in winter.
“Our goal is to help make the science curriculum come alive,” says Wildsight Environmental Education Program Manager Monica Nissen. “Kids get a chance to have fun and develop a connection to the winter wilderness. Don’t tell them, but they’ll be learning all sorts of great stuff, too.”
Kids learn science such as basic winter ecology, how plants and animals adapt in winter, and how winter stores water for the rest of the year. But, instead of books and chalkboards, kids get to put on the snowpants and participate in fun activities such as following animal tracks and examine snowflakes up-close.
With the help of the Columbia Basin Trust and Parent Advisory Councils from many of the region’s schools, Wildsight has designed its education programs to support B.C.’s educational curriculum. Winter Wonder will be offered in Arrow Lakes, Castlegar, Elk Valley, Golden, Kaslo, Kimberley/Cranbrook, Nelson, and Revelstoke, Slocan Valley and Trail.
The term, “nature-deficit disorder” was coined by author and researcher Richard Louv in his book “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.” It refers to behavioural problems children exhibit when they are not spending enough time outside, instead spend many hours a day watching TV, playing video games, or using computers.
Louv’s research argued that kids who play outside and foster a connection to nature are more cooperative, creative, and perform better academically all-round.
Teachers throughout the Kootenays can make Winter Wonder part of their curriculum, but space is limited. Contact Wildsight for more information.
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Reporters and photographers are encouraged and welcome to experience the Wildsight Winter Wonder team as it explores the wilderness.
For more information, contact:
Billy Page, Wildsight Outreach Coordinator
Contact 250.427.9325 or visit www.Wildsight.ca.
Monica Nissen, Environmental Education Program Manager
Contact 250.352.6346 or Monica@Wildsight.ca
Visit www.Wildsight.ca/programs.education
About Wildsight
Wildsight works locally, regionally and globally to protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable communities in Canada's Columbia and Southern Rocky Mountain region. This area is internationally recognized as a keystone to conservation in western North America. Wildsight received the 2005 Canadian Environmental Award for Conservation in recognition of its successful work to protect the region's wildlife and wildlands. For more information, please visit www.wildsight.ca .
Winter Wonder Outdoor Education Program Begins
A lot has been said lately about kids’ obsession with video games, the internet or the TV. Not enough has been said about their passion for the outdoors. Wildsight is aiming to change that.
Now until mid-March, Wildsight will be coordinating its Winter Wonder education program – a fun, experiential-based program design to reconnect kids between kindergarten and grade three with the wonders of the outdoors in winter.
“Our goal is to help make the science curriculum come alive,” says Wildsight Environmental Education Program Manager Monica Nissen. “Kids get a chance to have fun and develop a connection to the winter wilderness. Don’t tell them, but they’ll be learning all sorts of great stuff, too.”
Kids learn science such as basic winter ecology, how plants and animals adapt in winter, and how winter stores water for the rest of the year. But, instead of books and chalkboards, kids get to put on the snowpants and participate in fun activities such as following animal tracks and examine snowflakes up-close.
With the help of the Columbia Basin Trust and Parent Advisory Councils from many of the region’s schools, Wildsight has designed its education programs to support B.C.’s educational curriculum. Winter Wonder will be offered in Arrow Lakes, Castlegar, Elk Valley, Golden, Kaslo, Kimberley/Cranbrook, Nelson, and Revelstoke, Slocan Valley and Trail.
The term, “nature-deficit disorder” was coined by author and researcher Richard Louv in his book “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.” It refers to behavioural problems children exhibit when they are not spending enough time outside, instead spend many hours a day watching TV, playing video games, or using computers.
Louv’s research argued that kids who play outside and foster a connection to nature are more cooperative, creative, and perform better academically all-round.
Teachers throughout the Kootenays can make Winter Wonder part of their curriculum, but space is limited. Contact Wildsight for more information.
- XXX -
Reporters and photographers are encouraged and welcome to experience the Wildsight Winter Wonder team as it explores the wilderness.
For more information, contact:
Billy Page, Wildsight Outreach Coordinator
Contact 250.427.9325 or visit www.Wildsight.ca.
Monica Nissen, Environmental Education Program Manager
Contact 250.352.6346 or Monica@Wildsight.ca
Visit www.Wildsight.ca/programs.education
About Wildsight
Wildsight works locally, regionally and globally to protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable communities in Canada's Columbia and Southern Rocky Mountain region. This area is internationally recognized as a keystone to conservation in western North America. Wildsight received the 2005 Canadian Environmental Award for Conservation in recognition of its successful work to protect the region's wildlife and wildlands. For more information, please visit www.wildsight.ca .
