Clean Water Champions school program
Looking for ways to foster environmental stewardship in your students?
Program Summary
Learn about our freshwater systems and how they connect to the ocean. Understand how our habits impact our waterways, and feel empowered to take action against plastic pollution.
Three 1-hour workshops, virtual or in-person
BC Curriculum connections for Grades K-12
$200 for up to 30 students* (bursaries available!)
In partnership with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), we are excited to deliver a hands-on program about freshwater pollution and how it connects to our ocean.
Sea Smart’s highly trained staff of marine biologists and environmental educators will visit your classroom to deliver a series of three inquiry-based workshops (see ‘Outline of Workshops’ below). Your students will work in groups to create stewardship projects (i.e. projects to raise awareness and care for our environment) to engage their schools and communities in diverting pollution from freshwater systems and our oceans.
Program details
This program includes three 1-hour workshop sessions
This program is design to align with BC Curriculum for K-12
We recommend at least 1 week between Workshop 1 and 2, and 2-4 weeks between Workshop 2 and 3
We recommend no more than 30 students so all can engage in class discussions
Students work on a project to raise awareness and take action on freshwater pollution
Pricing: $200 for the series. This price includes up to 30 students, *each additional student is $10 each. If this cost is prohibitive, please apply for our bursary program here
Outline of program
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Students will be provided with an introduction to freshwater pollution and its harmful environmental effects. Students will be engaged in discussions, and be introduced to action projects.
Before Workshop 2:
Classes will be split into groups, and can start brainstorming their action project if they wish to.
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We will introduce students to solutions that reduce freshwater pollution. The Sea Smart Educator will help students start to develop their projects.
Before Workshop 3:
Students will develop and implement their action projects, while collecting data on their projects' impact and creating a short presentation for the final workshop.
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Students will deliver their presentations to Sea Smart staff, their teacher and classmates. This will be a celebration of the accomplishments of their action projects and the impact students have had in reducing freshwater pollution.
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Before Workshop 1:
Confirm dates and classroom information with Sea Smart
Ensure you have the technology needed for the presentation
Before Workshop 2:
Divide your students into about 6 groups
Students can start brainstorming their action projects if they wish
Before Workshop 3:
Provide students with the time needed to work on their projects, implement them, and create a presentation to communicate the impact results of their project
Have students complete a student survey during the workshop and complete our feedback form
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Actively participate in group and class discussions and activities during each workshop
Research, plan, and implement their action projects, while tracking data to show the impact of their projects
Develop a presentation to communicate the results of their project
Present to their classmates, teachers, and Sea Smart staff.
Depending on the nature of their project, students may just show their project as part of their presentation (e.g. skit, art display, poster, etc)
Complete worksheets and surveys
Virtual or in-person delivery
Educators will connect with classrooms with live workshops delivered via video conference, or through in-person workshops in your class. These sessions are fun and engaging, designed to encourage critical thinking, personal awareness and social responsibility.
Apply for a program!
We also offer school programs on many other ocean-related topics and issues!
Want to take learning to the next level?
Your students can go beyond the classroom to participate in a shoreline cleanup near the Salish Sea with Sea Smart*
*Shoreline cleanups delivered by Sea Smart are only available to schools in the Lower Mainland. There are limited spots available offered on a first come first served basis.
