Expedition Education

As part of Expedition Education 2020, the Westwind Junior High class travelled to Florida, where they learned about marine biology and water management, ecological distribution, agriculture, and explored the coastline. Students visited with scientists tackling issues of global climate, water management and ecosystem change, through the University of Miami. Students had the pleasure of meeting biologists working on research critical to ocean health and management of coastal ecosystems. Another significant emphasis of their trip was learning about the role of the Everglades and mangrove ecology in supporting the rich biodiversity in the Gulf of Mexico and coastal waters of the Gulf Stream south of the Florida Keys. The Everglades, also known as the River of Grass, is a globally unique ecosystem. Throughout their itinerary, they enjoyed various hands-on learning, including water sampling, beach walks on pristine barrier islands, kayaking and paddling and visiting world class Nature/Interpretive Centres at Rookery Bay in Naples, and Pennecamp State Marine Park near Key Largo. Students enjoyed the natural treasures of remarkable yet fragile wilderness regions where humans share a delicate balance with endangered species, timeless landscapes, and a spectacularly yet vulnerable marine environment.

As we approach the wrap-up to Expedition Education #23/Canada’s Maritimes/June 2019… we have experienced many wonderful adventures together on the road.

We explored the spectacular Cabot Trail and Cape Breton Highlands where we enjoyed one of the world’s loveliest coastal drives. While visiting Baddeck on the shores of beautiful Bas d’Or Lake, we toured the fascinating Alexander Graham Bell Museum, commemorating the life of the brilliant inventor, his supportive family and remarkable band of friends and colleagues. Bell loved Cape Breton as it reminded him of his Scottish roots. The great inventor is buried nearby on his estate at Bhein Breagh. During his remarkable lifetime, he also became familiar with the career of Dr. Maria Montessori and was so impressed with her work that he sponsored a series of lectures… helping bring Montessori education to North America! At the museum we also viewed the full-scale replica of the Silver Dart, Bell’s aircraft that ushered in the era of flight in Canada, lifting off the frozen lake in February 1909… the first manned flight in the British Empire.

Back on the mainland of Nova Scotia, we visited Pictou and the landing site of pioneering Scottish immigrants who made landfall there on their ship the Hector in 1773. A re-creation of this 85’ ship is alongside the wharf there. From Pictou, we took the ferry to beautiful Prince Edward Island. Here we enjoyed the red earth, beautiful beaches, pastoral farmland and bountiful history of our smallest island province. Our Fathers of Confederation first met in Charlottetown in 1864, paving the way for the creation of Canada three years later on July 1st, 1867.

Expedition Education 2016-17, began with a flight to Calgary and continued to where we left off the year before on our coast-to-coast adventure. A Rocky Mountaineer train journey from Calgary to Vancouver (one of the world’s top-rated rail excursions) took us to the Pacific coast.

There we explored Vancouver and travelled by motorhome to Vancouver Island, exploring Victoria, the island’s stands of giant old growth forests and endless expanses of spectacular beach near Tofino. Whale watching, visits to first nation interpretive centres, amazing galleries and museums and glorious sunsets along Canada’s Sunshine Coast will mark the culmination of an amazing three-year Trans-Canada adventure.

Like our GL5 journey around the Great Lakes, this opportunity for our Grades 6-8 students allowed a number of them to see the entire country in a comprehensive, inter-disciplinary journey. Truly, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore Canada with their friends, on a level not available to any other students.

We embarked on such an ambitious cross-Canada Expedition Education schedule and we look forward to the approach of our twentieth anniversary of the program. In so doing, we will continue to offer the finest model of experiential education available to elementary students anywhere in Canada!

Expedition Education 2014-15 we visited the Maritime Provinces (Nova Scotia/Cape Breton, New Brunswick and Price Edward Island). This itinerary will include exploring the spectacular Fortress of Louisbourg, The Alexander Graham Bell Museum and estate in Baddeck, the stunning vistas of the Cabot Trail, historic Halifax, the remarkable Bay Of Fundy, home of the world’s highest tides, the beautiful farms and beaches of PEI, home of Anne of Green Gables and Charlottetown, birthplace of Confederation.