DIRECT FROM

Blazing Trails

With Banff National and Parks Canada

WHEN

2024-2025 dates coming soon

GRADES

Grades 5-7

PARTNER

Parks Canada

PRICE

Per class online (up to 35 students): $85
Individual student/household: $5

What do fire, fences, bridges and tunnels have in common in Banff National Park?

Join Parks Canada staff live from a wildlife corridor in Banff National Park to find out how healthy habitats for animals are created and protected throughout the park. Students will learn about different habitat types and how animals use them, understand how wildlife corridors connect habitat areas and see how prescribed fire is an important part of restoring and improving these spaces for wildlife.

Alberta curriculum connections:

Science

4 Earth Systems: Students Investigate the systems of Earth and reflect on how their interconnections sustain life.
6 Living Sytems: Students investigate the characteristics and components of and interactions within ecosystems.
7A: Interactions and Ecosystems. Students investigate how humans affect ecosystems.

Social:

5.1 Physical Geography of Canada.
5 Social (new): Students investigate ways of studying people, places, and events

Topics explored:

Habitats and ecosystems.
Trees and forests.
Wildlife corridors.
Fire management and conservation in Canada’s national parks.
Collaboration with Parks Canada to protect Canada’s natural heritages.

For more information or to book, please contact [email protected] or call 403.817.6800.

FAQ

- What tech is required for Direct From sessions?
  Participants require a laptop or tablet to view the session, as well as access to Zoom (app or web version). A camera and microphone are optional.
- How long is a Direct From session?
  Each session is 60 minutes long. While the format varies for each session, each one includes an opportunity for students to ask experts questions in real time.
- How many classes will be in the session?
  Multiple classes, as well as online or at-home learners, can attend each session. At least two classes (or 30 participants) are needed to run each Direct From session, so they may be cancelled due to low registration.
- When is the deadline for registration?
  Registration closes two days before each Direct From session.
- What happens if I can’t attend the session I registered for?
  Please contact [email protected] at least one week prior to the session to receive a refund. For cancellations within one week of the session, refunds are not guaranteed.
- Why are the sessions being recorded?
  These are used for Spark internal purposes (e.g. training, evaluation) and to share with relevant external partners. Recordings cannot be shared with participants after the session.
- What time should I join the session?
  Participants will be admitted to the call approximately five minutes before the session to ensure that their video and audio is working. All those joining the call earlier will be in the waiting room until the session starts.
- Can I ask questions during the session?
  Yes! Questions may be entered in the Zoom chat any time during the session. The host will try to get through as many as possible during the designated Q&A period. There may even be an opportunity to turn on microphones and ask questions directly!
- I’m an educator and would like a personalized virtual program from Spark. What are my options?
  Due to the nature of Direct From sessions, only the Spark host and external guest speakers will be allowed hosting and co-hosting privileges. Spark hosts cannot accommodate special teaching requests. For any specific support requests, start by emailing [email protected] with the details!

TELUS Spark Science Centre gratefully acknowledges Repsol Oil & Gas Canada for their generous support of the award-winning Direct From series.

Educators, there are virtual programs for you too!

Students are not the only ones who get to learn with Spark. Check out sessions with world-class speakers and academics.

Learn More