Play-based workshop using storytelling, drama exercises, games, bee equipment, videos and visual aids to convey information about bees in our ecosystem. The aim is to create a fun experience so students develop a curiosity and fascination for all things bees and pollinators. The workshop explores the bee life cycle, social structures and diversity of bees (social honeybee, solitary bees, natives bees), habitat destruction and regeneration. In addition, the facilitator will talk about bees as a keystone species, review their importance in our ecosystem, and the interdependence among bees, plants pollination and animals, the reasons for their decline and how we can help.

This program offers students specialized visual arts workshops on the history of local Toronto artists alongside artist educators. The program uses the inspiration of local Toronto artists to engage students. Art workshop offerings include: painting portraits, painting landscapes, collage, sculpture, environmentally-focused projects, up-cycling projects, urban graffiti art, Black history art, arctic animals, and multicultural mixed media projects. Students are led through an art workshop inspired by the technique of the artists culminating in students creating their own unique art pieces

CultureLink works with TDSB schools to offer educational activities and resources that enable students, teachers, staff, and families to discover the personal, social, and ecological benefits of cycling for transportation. Activities include assemblies, classroom workshops, seminars, and on-bike training in the school yard. Many activities align with Bike to School Week, celebrated annually, beginning on the last Monday in May

Down to Earth Education is the longest serving Black History presenter in Ontario schools! They offer a variety of interactive presentations and unique artefact displays on topics related to the environment. Presentations promote empathy and respect for nature and people, through enhancing cultural and environmental awareness. Using engaging visuals and diverse displays, students learn about interdependence and threats to ecosystems by travelling through rainforests, exploring oceans, or deepening their understanding of endangered species

The Earth Rangers assembly offers an engaging and interactive presentation bringing concepts of science and biodiversity from the real world into the classroom (both virtually and in-person). Using live animal ambassadors, including reptiles, mammals and birds, to connect with students, the hour-long assembly teachers students to develop empathy for wildlife and to support protecting animals and their habitats. Earth Rangers provides curriculum resources and supplementary environmental information on how to make a difference through tangible activities and conservation projects for students to complete at home.

Industry professionals speak to students in Grades 4-12 on ways to successfully implement sustainability projects in their local community while meeting United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. With extensive business experience in Nigeria and North America, staff provides insight into sustainable actions and development; designing, developing and/or implementing sustainability projects; and meeting United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These sessions enhance the learning for those students who are currently working on a sustainability action project or are looking to hear from professionals in the industry. Sessions may also touch on careers in green/environment industries, advice on how to succeed in the field and women in science. Suitable: Grades 4-12

EcoSpark offers integrated teacher training and student sessions to actively engage in citizen science practices to understand and address issues such as climate change, water quality, pollination, and land use planning. EcoSpark facilitators, in-person or online, lead hypothesis-driven research and data collection workshops for students and teachers on their school grounds.

Through FTA’s workshops, students learn about the lifecycle and supply chain of the apparel industry, environmental impacts, positive and negative impacts on human interactions and their communities while learning to debate and create sustainable solutions to problems. Students will also engage in practical, hands-on exercises to deconstruct something old and upcycle it into something new

FoodShare’s award winning Community Food Programs work with TDSB staff, parents/caregivers and students in all grades, to provide good food education in schools with hands on activities, growing projects, workshops, professional learning sessions, presentations and events. Participants learn about composting, innovative food gardens, nutrition, cooking, local and global food systems, food skills, budgeting, food justice and more. FoodShare’s philosophy on food literacy education is that every interaction with food should be a positive one. We strive to excite, equip & educate students and teachers on food topics that are interesting, curriculum linked and relevant.

Food Sharks is committed to helping kids understand the importance of good nutrition and why it is essential for a healthy mind and body. Their ‘Food-Mind Connection’ nutrition workshop helps students to understand how food plays a significant role in their mood and overall mental and physical health. Facilitator discusses the fundamentals of a healthy diet, foods that support well-being, and how media and marketing industries influence nutritional choices. Students learn to read and understand food labels and nutritional facts to ultimately gain knowledge to make informed, healthy food choices. Because the health and wellness industry is booming, growth trends and careers are also highlighted and a SHSM certification is available

Online or in-person “Forest in the Classroom” presentations connect students with their environment and potential futures in forestry. Student inquiry is the main focus of the presentations, in which facilitators bring the outdoors into the classroom through Powerpoint presentations, samples, and images. Additionally, career presentations can provide an opportunity for students to learn about the education options and diverse career pathways in the forestry world

The Future Design School programs offer a variety of experiential learning opportunities for students from K-12 that leverages their knowledge supporting them to apply it in meaningful and relevant real-world settings. These sessions are hands-on and practical, inspiring students to engage deeply through choice and voice. Programs are available in-person and online in the areas of Entrepreneurship, Design Thinking, App Design, STEM, Leadership, Career Exploration, Project Management, Environmental Science and Equity & Inclusion. I.C.E. and SHSM certifications are available.

Delivered by a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists, this hands-on workshop explores solar technologies including solar thermal and solar photovoltaic (PV) basics. The discussion starts with how energy is created and then moves to renewable energy sources. Workshop provides information on the science of solar energy, complex methods of solar energy, different energy conversions, tools to measure output and the future of solar technology. Students actively observe and participate in small group experiments. The session culminates with a hands-on demonstration of an off-grid PV set-up. Fundamental concepts such as integrated science, environment, fight against climate change will be covered during the sessions. Speakers also provide information on green careers and industry knowledge. Suitable: Grades 4-12

Youth Education through Environment - students are made aware of real-world issues regarding sustainable development in free assemblies and workshops that blend art, music, dance, drama, and science while creating and achieving sustainability goals. Classroom learning is complemented with local, outdoor activities in order to demonstrate to students how to put ‘words into action’ learning that transcends classroom walls and school yards

Green Thumbs will help selected elementary schools to grow food gardens on their school grounds, providing students hands-on experiential learning opportunities. The fruits and vegetables produced are then used in the schools’ nutrition programs and classroom cooking. Gardens are designed with ecological principles, incorporating trees, shrubs and perennials along with annual food crops. Curriculum links include science, social studies, language, math, and art.

Stop wasting and start composting! Let our Green Venture staff teach your class all about Vermicomposting, and then assemble your own classroom vermicomposter to keep, in this 60 minute workshop

Pathways to Parks program enhances ecological literacy through a park design project for select elementary schools in LC2. Students learn design components of a public space as well as equitable, ecological, and sustainable models to address community needs. Students identify problems in their local park using a design-thinking process and facilitators guide students to take concrete steps to address the issues and work to a solution. To help schools build capacity following project completion, facilitators support teachers to expand or modify the program in the second year and have regular check-ins. Teacher resources and lesson plans are available

Roots & Shoots is a globally-recognized youth leadership program that helps young people become community leaders not just of tomorrow, but of today. Roots & Shoots teaches young people how to design action projects that tackle the intersection of biodiversity loss (animals), environmental inequity (people), and climate change (the environment) in their local community. We offer PD workshops to schools on our 4-step program and how to do a Roots & Shoots project with your students. Contact us for more information

Professional learning sessions are available in transformative, ecological education through inquiry and other strategies in support of a more sustainable future. LSF can help teachers explore all types of sustainability issues and provide guidance for jump-starting classroom environmental action projects. Find out what young people can do to make real, positive change and make our world a greener, happier, and healthier place!

Mad Science Curriculum Based Workshops introduce elementary students to the wonders of science through hands-on and interactive live experiments. These in-class workshops support students and teachers to explore science, technology, engineering and the environment and to make connections between science and the wonders of the world around them. Mad Science offers 26 different, exciting and interactive workshops that enhance the Science and Technology curriculum for elementary student. Their professionally trained presenters are excellent in creating experiences that encourage children to pursue the sciences throughout their secondary and post secondary studies. Serving: Kindergarten, Grades 1-8

Miinikaan means "the seed" in Ojibwe. Led by Indigenous facilitators, this program allows schools to create customized garden spaces that share First Nations/Indigenous culture, local ecology, healthy food, herbs and biodiversity. Designs include perennial and annual native food plants for people and pollinators, herbs and flowers that are healing for communities and the urban ecosystem. Students increase their knowledge and understanding about Indigenous ecological knowledge and practices, plant species and their Indigenous names as well as Indigenous history, culture, perspectives, contributions and ways of knowing. Finally, students learn to be good stewards of the land through the different experiential activities that include preparation, planting and transplanting of native seeds and taking care of the plants.

No. 9’s ‘Imagining my Sustainable Community’ interdisciplinary program enhances literacy through an architecture and urban design project for grade 7 & 8 classes. Students walk through their community to observe, discuss, and document the way the community functions. Students learn about infrastructure and design, and the 9 Pillars that make up a sustainable community. The culminating event is a display and showcase of their 3D sustainable community model, built to scale. In this project are curriculum connections to visual arts, science, math, engineering, geography, language arts, and media studies

Plastic Pollution and Litter Clean-up Education - Presentation on the problem of litter and single use plastics and the effects it has on the environment, and what students can do to make a change. Students learn about the problem of plastics around the world and in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the root causes of these problems, the effects it has on water infrastructure and biodiversity, and their role in being part of the solution. Facilitators discuss local actions and the different ways students can reduce plastics by picking up one piece of trash per day

Professional learning sessions provide supports to the school community to build sustainable outdoor learning programs and practices. Topics include introduction to outdoor learning (benefits, pedagogy), benefits of outdoor learning and unstructured play, learning risky play, and supervising and supporting outdoor learning and play. Linda Naccarato helps staff to meet the school need and develop strategies and action plan to improve outdoor learning with the entire school community. Program is suitable for those schools with existing outdoor learning programs and those that are thinking of getting started with or without green spaces. Suitable: elementary staff; parents/caregivers

An interactive presentation in person or via video-conferencing puts tree preservation, protection and awareness into practice. This presentation uses fun and engaging demonstrations, discussion and role-playing to explain the importance of trees in our day-to-day lives and long-term environmental needs. Students learn how and why trees make us feel better and live healthier lives, five simple ways to assist the survival and preservation of urban trees and the role and career of an arborist. Suitable: Kindergarten - Grade 6.

Recreate Place provides strategic planning, facilitation, and program design services for school communities who want to engage students in creating more equitable, inclusive and sustainable spaces. They create age-appropriate experiences for students to impact the designs, plans, and decisions affecting their community through public art installations.

Chef Johl Whiteduck Ringuette of NishDish shares his journey to reclaim the traditional Anishnawbe diet and the interconnected aspects of Indigenous food. He shares his knowledge on the following topics: nutrition, food preparation and health, food demonstrations, food and ceremony, Anishinawbe botanical teachings, career paths in the culinary arts, impacts of the residential school legacy, land access, and cultivation of Indigenous gardenings. In addition, Chef Johl gives an up-close look at being a successful Indigenous entrepreneur and shares his passion for re-learning and re-establishing Indigenous food lines.

‘Hands in the Garden’ food and garden program allows students to get their hands dirty while gardening, growing food, and learning about the natural environment and sustainability. Students learn and explore plant life cycles, biodiversity, composting, garden creatures, measuring and mapping garden beds, people involved in the food system, harvesting and creating simple snacks, and writing poems and creating skits about the garden. Through this hands-on program, students apply concepts they have learned in class in practical and direct ways/ With a variety of workshops to choose from, this program is suitable for early years and elementary students and is offered in both French and English. Many of the workshops offered do not require schools to have a garden and are available throughout the school year. Curriculum resources are available to support teachers.

Each of The Starfish Canada’s workshops, which can be offered virtually and in-person, unique activities that inspire students to think on a global scale while keeping local issues in mind. They aim to help youth become solutions-oriented thinkers and interdisciplinary communicators. The Starfish Canada works closely to educate and empower youth and young adults, helping them be conscious leaders of tomorrow. It's important to expose students to different environmental issues and how each story is a thread in the tapestry of our social, economic and political world.

Through discussions and activities designed to encourage critical thinking and broaden student learning, Toronto Wildlife Centre’s grade-based programs explore a variety of curriculum connections. Facilitators discuss myths and truths surrounding urban wildlife, raise awareness of the urban ecosystem, and promote understanding and compassion towards wildlife. The hour-long program examines environmental issues that affect wildlife and provides action-based solutions to empower students to take action.

The U of T Trash Team’s school program increases science and waste literacy in Grade 5 classrooms while fostering curiosity in our natural world through STEM-based activities. Our team of university students visit classrooms to deliver interactive lessons that explore our relationship with plastics and their impact on aquatic ecosystems. Delivery in-person or virtually, students participate in inquiry-based learning while working on activities and focus on tangible solutions in waste reduction. Lessons are offered at no charge, and topics include: 1) life-cycle of plastic 2) watersheds and their relationship to litter 3) impacts of plastic on the ecosystems 4) solutions to plastic pollution. Students also have an opportunity to engage with scientists in the field, learn about current research in plastic pollution and career options available in STEM.

Interactive workshops led by certified instructors bring nature programming to all students. Using hands-on exploration, activities and games, sessions enhance students’ understanding of natural environments and ecosystems and students' own roles in conservation efforts. Three programs are offered with a variety of workshops to choose from for all ages. 1. Watershed on Wheels (WOW) workshops examine the importance of our waterways, rivers and aquatic ecosystems as well as how climate change issues are affecting these important resources and explore ways on how students can minimize their environmental footprint; available free of charge. 2. Native Plants Program (NPP) offers native plant seeds to grow in the classroom and students learn all about wildlife-supporting plants that reflect our natural heritage and environment; available free of charge. 3. Beyond the Park workshops offer environmental and nature-themed topics such as bird species, wetland habitats, local urban wildlife, and aquatic ecosystems, to teach students how to be good stewards.

Led by professional women in science and engineering, these workshops use STEM for social impact through human-centred design. Students use a hands-on, Design Thinking process to imagine and prototype solutions to real-world issues in their communities while enhancing their appreciation of how STEM supports social outcomes. Schools can choose from a panel discussion, half-day session or a workshop series where facilitators work with students, while providing professional learning to teachers, to develop a solution to a community-based problem. By focusing on diversity, creativity, and experiential learning with community organizations/community members, the program enables youth to design more innovative and sustainable solutions to complex challenges. Professional learning opportunities available. Serving: Grades 7-12, Staff

The program fosters student engagement and skill-building in the areas of environment and climate action. Facilitators take students through a series of workshops including, climate science and social equity, anti-oppressive human-centered design, project management, team-building and leadership skills, community engagement using empathy tools, and impact measurement and reporting. In addition, students undertake research about the climate and social equity issues that are most relevant to their community, co-design a climate action project and launch their project to demonstrate a youth-led climate solution. Schools may co-plan program to meet curriculum needs. Suitable: Grades 6-12; staff