Workshops allow students to learn the critical role trees have in maintaining the balance of Earth's atmosphere and biodiversity using nearby nature. They will explore the natural world in their school yards and build their connection to nature. These hands-on workshops support TDSB's Climate Action Plan by engaging students in outdoor, nature-based learning that connects them with newly planted and established trees in their school yards. Sessions include tree identification, measuring, mulching, mapping, recording tree characteristics, and other aspects of Measuring our Resources (MOR) program. Students will also be introduced to careers in the field of forestry, ecology and environmental sciences. Workshops are customized to enhance curriculum for grade level and audience and provide experiential learning opportunities. Professional learning is also available to teachers. ACER’s program is suitable from Gr. K-12.

Through various virtual or in-person interactive STEM-focused activities, grade 4-12 students learn about the importance of agriculture and food systems, while developing a 21st century mindset in these free workshops. Certified facilitators, in both teaching and agriculture, deliver a choice of fifteen (27) topics, offered in English or French: healthy eating, agriculture and food: past, present and future, food processing, local food, food security, food safety, business and marketing of food, climate change, environmental initiatives, agriculture in Canada, conventional and organic agriculture, animal health and welfare, biotechnology, technology and innovation, and career in agriculture and food sectors. Offers available in English and French.

Outdoor and virtual experiences involving ceremony and reconciliation, connecting to land, water and plants across the seasons as seen from an Anishinaabe perspective. Traditional knowledge and language passed down from generations of Anishinaabe living on the land forms the basis of the program designed for all students. Indigenous youth peer leaders guide the program’s half-day workshops to be relevant and interesting for all ages. Each workshop is customized to the school’s location within Tkaronto and the grade of students participating. Workshop titles: Taking Nibi's Temperature, Ojibwe Wood Cookies, Orange Flower Memorial, Seed Paper Making, Building a Bee House; Bee Education; Indigenous Learning for School Staff. Suitable: Kindergarten, Grades 1-12; Staff

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.

In these assemblies/classroom sessions, students will learn about pollinators from facilitators who have spent decades educating and advocating for pollinators and the environment overall. Students will learn how pollinators fit into the world around them, learn the differences between pollinators, and deepen their understanding around relationships in nature, biodiversity, and ecosystems. Facilitators will also highlight the impacts of pollinators on food systems utilised by humans and animals. Suitable: K-6.

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

Based on the scientific reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, participants will engage in a discovery game that moves beyond understanding climate change towards tangible actions to help mitigate this crisis. During the session, students will organise 42 visuals to outline the causes and consequences of climate change and the impacts to planetary life. Together, participants will respond with urgent systemic and personal actions, many that already exist, leading to sustainability, mitigation, and adaptation. Students leave the workshop equipped to implement the climate actions that they have identified. Suitable: Gr 7-12.

Workshop blends Indigenous and western concepts of ecology. It is guided by the Ohén:ten Karihwatéhkwen (Words Before All Others), a Haudenosaunee address that ‘gives thanks’ to all living elements. Workshops introduces one of the elements found in the Ohén:ten Karihwatéhkwen (ex. water, soil, plants, food, birds, animals, insects, trees) by introducing the element and its importance to all living things. A group activity is performed to demonstrate interconnectedness, followed by a discussion on local ecological challenges. A final activity allows learners to use creative and critical thinking to offer local based solutions to the challenges discussed.

The program offers educational activities and resources that enable the entire school community to discover the personal, social and ecological benefits of cycling for transportation. Activities include assemblies, classroom workshops, seminars, and on-bike training in the schoolyard. Topics include helmet fit, safety checks on bicycles, the Highway Traffic Act, awareness of other road users, the City of Toronto Cycling Map, and the basic physical skills of bicycling. Many activities align with Bike to School Week, beginning the last Monday of May annually. Sessions for elementary audiences: Ready to Ride: Fun and Safe Cycling; “ABC” Bike Safety Check; Bike Rodeo; Walk and Roll Rodeo. Sessions for secondary school audiences: Ready to Ride: Fun and Safe Cycling; “ABC” Bike Safety Check; Riding Skills I & II. Serving: Kindergarten - Grade 12

The program educates and engages students in grades K - 12 to explore and analyze the impacts of invasive species, climate change, pollution, and biodiversity on the environment. Presentations include assessing invasive species and native plants in Toronto and examining the impacts of plastic pollution and trash on the city’s green spaces and communities. Classroom activities include: Investigating the impacts of litter at school and in the community. Making a waste timeline by analyzing how long it takes for garbage to break down and demonstrate the importance of correctly disposing of waste. Collecting litter data in the community and mapping it on printed maps. Students may also use digital tools such as a Global Information System (GIS), a litter tracking app, or Google Maps. Schools may choose to participate in clean-up days at the Don River. If so, they must follow TDSB’s requirements for off-site excursions.

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. Presentations include the following: Oceans Alive! ; Swamps Alive! ; Coral Reefs & Tide Pools ; Forests Alive! ; The Buzz on Bees ; Water is Life! Serving: Grades 1 - 8

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

In-classroom educational workshops on sustainable urban farming practices and technology, are developed in accordance with the Green Industries curriculum. Workshops include: 1) Introduction to Urban Agricultural Systems with a virtual tour of etobiGrow’s vertical farming facility to explore a ‘day in the life’ of a hydroponics operator and learning about the life cycle of common horticultural species and modern urban farming practices; 2) Application of Green Industry Skills which includes an exploration of deep water culture hydroponics and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) which integrates various technologies and practices to cultivate crops in indoor settings; and 3) Harvesting, Marketing/Sales, and Careers in Urban Agriculture, providing an overview of marketing and careers in urban farming in Canada. Suitable Gr 9-12.

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

Presentations connect students with their environment and potential futures in forestry. Student enquiry is at the focus of the presentations that cover the following themes: tree identification and urban forests, tree biology, invasive species, forest management and forest careers. Facilitators bring the outdoors into the classroom through powerpoint presentations, samples and images to illustrate important concepts. Natural resource professionals lead career presentations to share education and diverse career pathways from seek forecasting and management to research on the long-term effects of climate change. Suitable: Grades 4-12 Presentation may be offered in French.

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.

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

Post-secondary volunteers and staff lead a variety of sessions that enhance the STEM curriculum and help students develop scientific inquiry, problem solving and critical thinking skills. Students see direct application of STEM concepts to real-life environments. Let’s Talk Science Outreach volunteers act as role models to provide information on post-secondary education and future careers in STEM. Let’s Talk Science is partnered with over 50 universities and colleges across Canada, each with their own local outreach program offerings. Examples of workshops include Feast for the Senses, Super Science Challenges, DNA Biotechnology, and action project activities such as Tomatosphere Seed Planting. In addition, Let’s Talk Science Professional Learning staff can model activities and learning in the classroom in real time through co-learning opportunities. Delivered in person or virtually. Serving: Kindergarten, Grades 1-12

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

Workshops and mural projects deliver eco-art education through the learning of experiential, experimental, and hands-on techniques. Students learn the process of recycling materials to be repurposed and used to complete theme-based art projects. Tasked to create both 2D and 3D works of art, students will further enhance their problem-solving, experimenting, perseverance, and critical thinking skills, and also learn and improve their understanding of concepts like social and environmental responsibility, sustainability, as well as environmental awareness through their engagement in a creative approach to social change. Creating eco-friendly projects in the classroom by using recycled materials. Suitable: All students

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

‘Grow to Learn (GTL) School Gardening’ workshops are designed by PACT Urban Peace Program to teach school communities about food, gardening, urban agriculture, and STEM-related topics. They create safe, experiential and positive learning environments to raise awareness of healthy eating, nutrition, food security, environmental sustainability, and the issue of hunger is local communities. Over 20 workshops are available for all grades, with topics and activities updated annually

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.

Relay delivers renewable energy and environmental education programs in classrooms and communities. Relay is creating systemic change for a greener future and fostering the next generation of green energy leaders. We engaged more than 12,700 students and adults last school year during the pandemic.

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.

In this simulated climate action game, participants will take on various decision-making roles to determine possible responses to climate change. Serving as one of 6 groups (e.g. clean tech, government, conventional energy), students will be tasked with reducing the temperature. Using 2-page briefs identifying their main concerns and preferred measures, each team will propose their ways forward before making a decision as a whole. Together, students will enact their hope through practical strategies, problem-solving, and decision-making for sustainability and global benefit. Suitable: Gr: 9-12.

‘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.

This children's environmental education program offers interactive workshops that tie academic concepts to real-world environmental and food security challenges, while leveraging outdoor natural settings for practical experiences. Through gardening, children will learn about urban agriculture, environmental stewardship, food systems, biodiversity conservation, and community building through direct engagement in nature. Students will engage in experiential learning while learning about sustainability and conservation. Suitable: K-8.

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.

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