GUELPH – Grade 6 students from Holy Rosary Catholic Elementary School in Guelph visited the Grand River Conservation Authority’s (GRCA) Guelph Lake Nature Centre (GLNC) for an educational field trip on Oct. 24.
The Wellington Catholic District School Board has a long-standing partnership with the GRCA, with the conservation authority welcoming Grade 1 to 8 classes to the nature centre for 25 years.
The Grade 6 students were led through various biodiversity stations inside the nature centre before heading outside to explore and search for “creature teachers.”
GRCA environmental educator Ann Schletz said “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 reach beyond a textbook to gain experiential learning.
“They get so much hands-on experience and opportunities,” said teacher Brittany Fraser.
“And since it’s such a safe place for them … it becomes like a second school to them.”
Some teachers, including Fraser, have experienced the program as both student and educator.
Fraser said, “This is a field trip I look forward to each year. It’s especially special to have new students experience the nature centre for the first time.
“I love the creature teachers and seeing who’s going to visit and seeing how some of the kids react.”
Student Rylee McMichan said, “My favourite part of the day was Mrs. Ann finding the praying mantis and seeing it on her. I really want to find one,” said McMichan. “It was so neat.”
