Education Program
We offer education programs for various grades that are designed to meet specific curriculum outcomes aligned with the Nova Scotia Department of Education. We offer both on-site (Education at the Park) and off-site (Education in Your Classroom) programming. See what Education Programs we offer below!
Education at the Park
Education at the Park programs are approximately 2 hours in length. If you have a split class or a grade that we do not offer a program for, you may choose what program will best fit your class.
Bookings must begin between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Education at the Park programs are $4.00 per participant, or a $40.00 minimum payment should your group be less than 10 participants.
Each Education at the Park booking grants up to 30 participants (all ages included in number of participants) access to the program, with up to three program bookings available each day. You can see our availability and book online here.
Grade Primary - Using Your Senses in Nature
Life Science: Living Things
- Learners will compare living things through the senses
Learners will explore the Shubenacadie Wildlife Parks human-made and natural habitats, using their own senses to investigate and compare living things. Learners will observe the appearance, behaviours, similarities, and differences of living things, and how these observations may change throughout various seasons.
Start your visit greeted by a Nature Interpreter at the Wetland Centre. Have a snack break and begin with a 30-minute interactive classroom lesson, followed by a 1-hour guided park tour highlighting specific curriculum links!
Grade One - Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
Life Science: Needs of Living Things
- Learners will analyse interconnectiveness of living things and the environment
Learners will investigate the characteristics of living things, and observe their similarities and differences, allowing them to classify living things together. Learners will also explore the needs of living things and gain knowledge of how living things are interconnected.
Start your visit greeted by a Nature Interpreter at the Wetland Centre. Have a snack break and begin with a 30-minute interactive classroom lesson, followed by a 1-hour guided park tour highlighting specific curriculum links!
Grade Two – Growth and Changes
Life Science: Animal Growth and Changes
- Learners will analyse the relationship between animal growth and the environment
Learners will observe the life cycles of living things throughout the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park and compare different patterns of growth in living things. Learners will also investigate what conditions living things need for healthy growth.
Start your visit greeted by a Nature Interpreter at the Wetland Centre. Have a snack break and begin with a 30-minute interactive classroom lesson, followed by a 1-hour guided park tour highlighting specific curriculum links!
Grade Four - Habitats
Life Science: Habitat
- Learners will investigate a variety of local natural habitats
Learners will explore the combination of natural and human created habitats in the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park, discovering how to identify the components of a habitat, as well as how a variety of animals satisfy their needs in the habitat they are commonly found.
Start your visit greeted by a Nature Interpreter at the Wetland Centre. Have a snack break and begin with a 30-minute interactive classroom lesson, followed by a 1-hour guided park tour highlighting specific curriculum links!
Grade Six - Adaptations
Life Science: Diversity of Life
- Learners will analyse diversity of life in nature and significant relationships within the natural world
Learners will identify similarities and differences of living things while exploring the Wildlife Park and will be able to distinguish specific features and adaptations. Learners will also identify how adaptations help survival in specific environments.
Start your visit greeted by a Nature Interpreter at the Wetland Centre. Have a snack break and begin with a 30-minute interactive classroom lesson, followed by a 1-hour guided park tour highlighting specific curriculum links!
Junior High (7-9) - Species at Risk
Science 7
- Learners will investigate factors that affect species adaptation and evolution
Science 8
- Learners will evaluate oceanographic and other evidence of climate change inclusive of a Mi’kmaw perspective
Science 9: Reproduction
- Identify major shifts in scientific understanding of genetics
Learners will explore various species at risk, both globally and locally, focusing on native species of Nova Scotia. They will discuss topics such as adaptation, climate change, as well as genetic and environmental aspects that affect species at risk.
Start your visit greeted by a Nature Interpreter at the Wetland Centre. Have a snack break and begin with a 30-minute interactive classroom lesson, followed by a 1-hour guided park tour highlighting specific curriculum links!
High School (10) – Wetland Ecosystems COMING SOON! SPRING 2025
Science 10: Sustainability of Ecosystems
- distinguish between biotic and abiotic factors, determining the impact on the consumers at all trophic levels due to bioaccumulation, variability, and diversity
Learners will identify biotic and abiotic factors in the wetlands of the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park. They will also collect data and investigate the biodiversity of the wetlands. Learners will then explore some of the Wildlife Trails and discuss factors that may impact consumers.
Start your visit greeted by a Nature Interpreter at the Wetland Centre. Have a snack break and begin with a 15-minute classroom lesson, followed by a 45-minute hands-on activity at the wetland dock, and a 45-minute guided park tour, highlighting specific curriculum links!
High School (10-12) – Careers
Career Development 10: Exploring Career and Education Goals
- Learners will evaluate factors that can influence education and career goals
Community Based Learning 11: Career and Life Planning
- Learners will reflect on community based learning experiences in relation to selected career pathways
Co-operative Education 10-12
- Learners will evaluate potential education options and career pathways
Learners will evaluate career options within the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (DNRR), focusing on the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park. Education pathways for various DNRR jobs will be explored, as well as how to apply to NS Government jobs, NS Government Unions, and other benefits. Learners will then explore the Wildlife Trails to discuss how jobs at the park are implemented.
Start your visit greeted by a Nature Interpreter at the Wetland Centre. Have a snack break and begin with a 45-minute classroom lesson, followed by a 1-hour guided park tour highlighting specific curriculum links!
High School (11-12) - Species at Risk
Biology 11: Maintaining Dynamic Equilibrium I
- identify and predict the impact of viruses, diseases, and environmental factors on the homeostasis of an organism and propose alternate solutions
Biology 12: Maintaining Dynamic Equilibrium II
- evaluate the impact of viral, bacterial, genetic, and environmental diseases on an organism’s homeostasis
Learners will investigate various environmental factors and diseases affecting the homeostasis of plants and animals. Focusing on species in Nova Scotia that became at-risk due to environmental impacts.
Start your visit greeted by a Nature Interpreter at the Wetland Centre. Have a snack break and begin with a 30-minute interactive classroom lesson, followed by a 1 hour guided park tour highlighting specific curriculum links!
Post-Secondary - Species at Risk
Learn about species at risk in Nova Scotia and throughout the world and explore what factors impact species populations such as invasive species and disease. Investigate the classification of species at risk Federally and Provincially, then explore the Wildlife Trails discussing species in the park!
Start your visit greeted by a Nature Interpreter at the Wetland Centre. Begin with a 45-minute interactive classroom lesson, followed by a 1.25 hour guided park tour!