ON-SITE PROGRAMS
All our place-based, interactive, curriculum-connected programs are designed to encourage students of all ages to feel connected to the Fraser River. Our team of fantastic, knowledgeable school program volunteers are ready to make your trip to the Discovery Centre an interactive and memorable experience.
We currently offer eight River School Programs. Click on the arrows to learn more.
COVID-19 Safety Information
Masks are recommended for all participants, students and adults.
LIVING DINOSAURS (GRADE K-7)
Learn about the sturgeon lifecycle, survival needs, and what we can do to protect this remarkable species.
Sturgeon are amazing fish that have been around since the time of the dinosaurs. Human influences over the past 150 years have threatened their existence. In this program, students will learn about the sturgeon life cycle, survival needs, and what we can do to protect this remarkable species.
Grades: K-7 Length: 1.5 hours Maximum group size: 30 students
Program Components:
- Introduction to sturgeon, threats to their survival, and conservation efforts.
- Explore sturgeon anatomy and life cycle, using models and biological specimens.
- Play a board game as a sturgeon attempting to reach adulthood.
- Age-dependant activity
- Felt Board Habitat (K-2): Using a felt board, represent the many stages of a sturgeon’s life.
- Water Testing (2-3): Test the turbidity and pH of the Fraser River, to see if it is acceptable for sturgeon.
- Tagging Lesson (3-7): Perform biological tests on a model sturgeon, such as taking measurements and determining age.
Click here to see how this program supports BC’s curriculum.
Click here for pre- and post-trip activities.
OUR BONES ARE MADE OF SALMON (GRADE 4-7)
Explore the connection between Indigenous people and salmon on the Fraser River.
Indigenous people have relied on salmon since the fish became abundant in the Fraser River about 5000-6000 years ago. This program explores the connection between Indigenous people and salmon on the Fraser River. Students get hands-on experience with fishing technology, learn about wind-drying salmon, and discover that salmon is in the hearts of Indigenous people living along the Fraser River today.
Grade: 4-7 Length: 1.5 hours Maximum group size: 30 students
Program Components:
- Watch and discuss a film, featuring two Indigenous Elders telling stories about how Salmon came to the Fraser River, and their connections to the Fraser River.
- Explore authentic and replica tools to learn about Indigenous fishing techniques, and create a group presentation.
- Learn about wind-drying salmon through the replica drying rack, and practice sharpening a kwetsetel (Indigenous slate knife).
Click here to see how this program supports BC’s curriculum.
Click here for pre- and post-trip activities.
THE TRADING TRAIL (GRADES 4-7)
Explore how people have used and shared the resources of the Fraser River, with a focus on when First Nations and Fur traders first shared the river.
The Fraser River is one of the world’s great rivers not only in its contribution to the environmental, cultural, and historical wealth of British Columbia, but because of its current pivotal role in the economy of BC. We are going to explore how people have used and shared the resources of the Fraser River, focusing on the tumultuous time when Indigenous peoples and fur traders shared the river.
Grades: 4-7 Length: 1.5 hours Maximum group size: 30 students
Program Components:
- Visual presentation introducing the history of trade on the Fraser River.
- Learn proper archaeological protocol, excavate archaeological artifacts, and learn what each represents.
- Keep an archaeologist’s journal, drawing diagrams and answering questions about stone and metal tools.
- Play a fun and competitive game to understand the value of items traded between First Nations and European traders.
Click here to see how this program supports BC’s curriculum.
Click here for pre- and post-trip activities.
TAKING THE PULSE OF THE FRASER (GRADES 6-9)
Follow each step of the scientific method to conduct a water quality investigation. Program is 2 hours long.
Students follow each step of the scientific method to conduct a water quality investigation. During this 2-hour workshop students observe and become curious about the Fraser River, do background research, construct hypotheses, test their hypotheses by doing experiments, analyze their data, draw a conclusion, and report their results.
Grades: 6-9 Length: 2 hours Maximum group size: 30 students
Program Components:
- Take a sample of the Fraser River and make observations.
- Conduct background research, using the exhibits as sources, and share with the other groups.
- Construct a hypothesis about salmon survivability in the Fraser based on turbidity and pH levels.
- Follow scientific protocol and test the turbidity and the pH level of the Fraser River sample.
- Compare results to the hypothesis.
Click here to see how this program supports BC’s curriculum.
Click here for pre- and post-trip activities.
FROM POLLUTION TO SOLUTION (GRADES 2-5)
Examine different types of pollutants and where they come from, and evaluate how individual actions contribute to the health of the river.
In this program, students learn about pollution by examining different types of pollutants and where they come from. They will then evaluate how individual actions contribute to the health of the river. A slide presentation introduces students to the Fraser River, then the class breaks into smaller groups to explore pollution sources and the way pollution moves through our ecosystems and communities. Student’s also discuss the difference one individual’s actions can make.
Grades: 2-5 Length: 1.5 hours Maximum group size: 30 students
Program Components:
- Learn about the sources and causes of pollution in the lower mainland.
- Play a fun board game where students can watch how one person can make a difference against the pollution problem.
- See how plastic pollution effects birds who live in the Fraser River Basin.
Click here to see how this program supports BC’s curriculum.
Click here for pre- and post-trip activities.
WELCOMED BY THE WATER (GRADES K-3)
Explore the connection between Indigenous people and life in and around the Fraser River.
Prior to European colonization, Indigenous peoples got what they needed from the land and water around them. Indigenous peoples have relied on salmon since the fish became abundant in the Fraser River about 5000-6000 years ago. They used native plants for food, medicine, building materials and more. This program explores the connection between Indigenous peoples, salmon, and the broader Fraser River Basin. Students experience the movement of salmon, storytelling and oral histories, and the many uses of native plants through an Indigenous perspective.
Grades: K-3 Length: 1.5 hours Maximum group size: 30 students
Program Components:
- Introduction to the First Salmon Ceremony through a storybook and discussion.
- Understand the stages of a salmon’s life cycle and migration by acting out the story of one salmon’s life.
- Learn about some of the edible and medicinal native plants in our region, and then create your own plant, including its uses.
- Hear the story of how sockeye came to the Fraser River from two First Nations elders. View map of the traditional lands of the First Nations people in the Fraser River Basin, and use a visual metaphor to understand how long the First Nations people have lived along the Fraser River.
Click here to see how this program supports BC’s curriculum.
Click here for pre- and post-trip activities.
RIVER CHAMPIONS (GRADES 3-12)
Today, the conditions affecting the Fraser River are rapidly changing because of a changing climate; in recent years, residents of British Columbia have seen unprecedented floods, wildfires, and droughts.
This program will show students how to predict and prepare for extreme events using a stream table, a tool that can simulate river processes. Students will also have a chance to conduct their own research about how their communities may be at potential risk and to propose solutions. Students will be able to share those ideas with guest scientists through a follow-up online workshop.
*NOTE: This program is currently only being held as an in-person field-trip.
Grades 3-5
Students explore the basics of climate science and river processes. Using a stream table model, students model different climate change scenarios and design infrastructure that could mitigate the damage caused by climate change.
Grades 6-12
Students discuss connections between climate change and land management practices, both traditional Indigenous and current industrial. Using a stream table model, students model different climate change scenarios and design infrastructure that could mitigate the damage caused by climate change. For the optional action project, students research how their communities may be susceptible to extreme weather events and climate change and present their findings using ArcGIS Story Maps. A follow-up online workshop connects students to knowledge holders.
Cost: $225 + GST Length: 1.5 hours Maximum group size: 30 students
Program Components:
- Basic river landscape geomorphology as well as traditional and industrial methods of flood risk management
- How climate change will impact infrastructure planning across the Fraser River Basin
- Analytical and design thinking to create action plans towards mitigating future natural disaster incidents that will be available to local community leadership
- Students will receive 3D printed models and Climate Action Science Spotlight briefs relevant to their research
CLICK HERE to see how this program supports grades 3-5 BC’s curriculum.
CLICK HERE to see how this program supports grades 6-12 BC’s curriculum.
Interested in summer programming?
Contact programs@fraserriverdiscovery.org for booking inquiries.