Pathway Workshops
Parents and educators play a crucial role in mentoring the children in their care. We’re developing a series of workshops to help adults build their skills to help young people explore the wonders in their communities. Register for one of our upcoming events, or learn from pre-recorded workshops that have already taken place.
Some of these workshops are also appropriate for watching directly with children. Look for these in the ‘Student Workshop’ section.
ART OUTDOORS: Seeing and Sharing Stories Beyond Words
Educator/ Parent Workshops
'Snow Much Fun' Educator's Workshop!
Educators! Join Pathway consultants Kim and Nancy for this online workshop which shares ideas, activities, and games to spark fabulous outdoor learning with your class this winter. How can we build resiliency for winter outdoor learning and teaching? This workshop is full of movement, activities, and games for teachers of elementary-aged children. (17 minutes)
Using eBird for Citizen Science
Pathway Project Co-ordinator, Cathy Dueck, explains how a simple walk with your class can open the door to citizen science that has real-world impact. Using the eBird and Merlin apps, Cathy goes on a walk in the neighbourhood and discovers feathered friends. Then she shares exactly how to upload your finding to eBird and make a real contribution. (7 minutes)
Schoolyard Report Cards
Schoolyards are places for playing, socializing, exploring, and sharing the land with other living things. How would your schoolyard score if you gave it a report card?
Visit the Schoolyard Report Card blog to download a report card and go even deeper.
Become a Citizen Scientist
This video and accompanying blog is a comprehensive set of resources that provide excellent support for teachers exploring water quality and aquatic ecosystems with intermediate-level classes. The workshop also introduces Pathway Landmark 22: ‘Become a Citizen Scientist by helping to monitor environmental health,’ which is geared to Grade 7-8 classes. The workshop is a partnership between Otonabee Conservation and the Pathway Project.
Tell A Tale: Sharing Nature through Stories with Young Children
Join local Early Years storytellers for an evening of tips and tools for helping young children develop a love of nature through stories. Whether you’re an educator, parent or grandparent, if there are young children in your life, you’ll find lots of ideas for building your skills and confidence as a storyteller. Some of our most treasured memories of childhood are sharing warmth and wonder with those we love through the magical lens of a story.
Kate Jarrett: Autumn songs and rhymes for tiny tots
Join musician and storyteller, Kate Jarrett, as she leads a workshop for parents on nature-based rhymes and songs for babies and toddlers. Music is a magical tool for sharing the joy of connecting – with each other and our world! This workshop is a collaboration with Peterborough Child and Family Centres and the Ontario Trillium Foundation for The Pathway Project. (32 minutes)
Making Sense of Nature
In this workshop with Camp Kawartha Executive Director Jacob Rodenburg, you’ll be introduced to a whole suite of activities that practice using your sight, hearing, feeling, smell and taste in new ways to help you and your children connect to nature. Best suited for educators and families who have children between the ages of 5 and 12. (53 minutes)
The Hidden Life of Ponds
There are so many amazing critters hidden from view under the surface of a pond. Join Executive Director Jacob Rodenburg of Camp Kawartha as he helps you discover the wonders of the very small. This workshop for educators and parents will help you engage young people between the ages of 4 and 14. (47 minutes)
Wildlife, Wonder and Weeds: Connecting Primary Students to Nearby Nature
This workshop is geared to primary teachers (Grades 1-3) looking for ideas to integrate Pathway Landmarks into their spring programs. ‘Nature Nancy’ brings her wealth of experience and super ideas to help you and your students have fun and memorable experiences outdoors. (54 minutes)
It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighbourwoods
Nancy Thomson of ‘Think Outside’ shares her secrets for exploring natural habitats with classes of junior-level students (Grades 4-6). Whether you’re visiting forests, wetlands, meadows, or the schoolyard, Nancy can help teachers build their skill and comfort in guiding engaging and respectful outdoor discovery. (47 minutes)
Meeting Your Neighbours: Bird Sounds in Spring
A first step in discovering the wonders of spring birds for parents and educators working with very young children (birth to 5 years). Learn some of the sounds of spring in Peterborough, Ontario with Pathway Program Coordinator Cathy Dueck. (50 minutes)
Wake up, World! It's Spring. A Gardening Workshop for Early Years Educators
Explore seasonal changes in Spring and learn the benefits of exploring with the senses in this gardening workshop for Early Years educators. Get great gardening tips and nature activities with Pathway Coordinator, Cathy Dueck, and Pathway Consultant, Nancy Doherty. (1 hour 38 minutes)
Student Workshops
These pre-recorded workshops are suitable for young people to watch at home or at school. Suggested age ranges are included in each workshop description
The Story of Fibre
The Story of Fibre in our Community is a short film about local fibre production filmed on location at several sheep and alpaca farms and the Mariposa Woolen Mill. The film follows the story of fibre production: from the care of animals, to shearing and sorting, to processing and fibre product creation. The farmers explain the environmental benefits of natural fibre in contrast to synthetic fibre and share their passion for contributing to a sustainable, renewable resource. Produced by Farms at Work with funding from Pathway to Stewards. Please contact Katie Jackson (stewardship@farmsatwork.ca) for more information or to book a screening and zoom call for your class.
The Impact of Climate Change
Many secondary students are interested in (and worried about) climate change, but not sure what it is or what to do about it. This workshop, prepared by local naturalist Drew Monkman for a recent environmental symposium, focuses on the impacts of climate change on wildlife in the Kawartha region. He also discusses why it’s important to get involved, and suggests a number of actions that secondary students can take. This workshop links nicely with Pathway Landmarks 26 and 28, and would be a good follow-up to Landmark 24 (calculate your carbon footprint). (45 minutes)
Kokokoo Onnagosh: An Evening With Owls
The Pathway Project is proud to sponsor Kokokoo Onnagosh: An Evening With Owls brought to you by TRACKS Youth Program. Join the TRACKS Education team for a hoot of a time! In this virtual workshop, you’ll learn about owls’ migratory patterns, their cultural significance, and the methods we can use to learn more about their diets and behaviours. (56 Minutes)
Container Gardening with Jillian Bishop
Dig in with Jillian Bishop from Nourish and learn the basics of container gardening in this mini-workshop. Find the right container, soil mix, and compost for the best growth. Then, learn what seeds are perfect for pots and how to plant them just right. For junior level students. (10 minutes)
The Hidden Life of Ponds with Jacob Rodenburg
There are so many amazing critters hidden from view under the surface of a pond. Join Executive Director Jacob Rodenburg of Camp Kawartha as he helps you discover the wonders of the very small. This excerpt from Jacob’s workshop for educators will engage young people between the ages of 4 and 14. (28 minutes)
Songs and Stories for Primary Grades with Glen Caradus
Can you count how many instruments are in this video with renowned musician and puppeteer, Glen Caradus? Come enjoy some nature-based learning with musical musings, stories, and season songs for children in primary grades. (28 minutes)
Meeting Local Birds Workshop
Pathway coordinator, Cathy Dueck, helps kids age 5-8 ‘Meet Local Birds’ for this Eco Symposium 2021 virtual workshop. (27 minutes)
The Monarch Ultra Workshop
In 2019, a team of ultra runners, filmmakers, and pollinator advocates followed the flight of the monarch butterfly by running the same distance of 4,300km from southern Ontario to central Mexico. In this workshop, Monarch Ultra co-founder, Carlotta James, takes students on this journey and showcases they can get involved and help sustain the Monarch butterfly. For junior and intermediate students.(20 Minutes)
String Stories, Songs and Sea Creatures with Glen Caradus
Let’s sing about getting outdoors. What is Canada to you? Stories made from string? Sea Creatures under the sea. Renowned musician and puppeteer, Glen Caradus, invites you to enjoy some nature-based learning with fun songs and stories for children in Grades 3 and 4. (32 minutes)
Amazing Insects and their Diversity
In this workshop, students explore biodiversity and get introduced to a range of insects with Braden Evans, Fleming College professor in the School of Environmental & Natural Resource Sciences. Perfect for grade six biodiversity classes.(32 minutes)
Ontario Turtle Conservation
Wendy, an Education Coordinator with the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC), introduces students to Ontario’s 8 native turtle species and shares why wetlands are important for turtles. Excellent for primary and junior classes. (12 minutes)