Prairie Learning Centre
The Prairie Learning Centre (PLC) is an educational centre that hosts curriculum linked workshops on the native prairie landscape. With the support of Grasslands National Park, Chinook School Division and the Village of Val Marie, the Prairie Learning Centre is able to provide innovative learning opportunities for secondary school students. The PLC aims to promote stewardship of the Mixed-Grass Prairie Ecosystem - one of Canada's most endangered spaces.
Workshops linked to the grade 9-12 curriculum are available throughout the year. Program topics range from Prairie Ecology to First Nations Storytelling. All programs take place on the native prairie of Grasslands National Park. Biologists, Wildlife Specialists, First Nations Storytellers are all key facilitators that enhance these workshops. Students have the opportunity to monitor the threatened Burrowing Owl, watch a herd of Plains Bison on the horizon or discover a dinosaur fossil. Students also have the opportunity to learn about Astronomy at the Grasslands National Park Dark Sky Preserve.
Grasslands National Park is one of the last remaining sections of mixed-grass prairie in Canada. It is home to the Greater Short-horned Lizard (Saskatchewan's only lizard species), the Black Footed Ferret (the most endangered mammal in North America) and Pronghorn Antelope (the second fastest land mammal in the world). The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada have listed over 15 species found in the park as at risk. The Prairie Learning Centre aims to promote awareness about Canada's endangered wildlife.
History
2004: Many rural communities in south western Saskatchewan expressed concern regarding a declining school population and the reduction of educational experiences available for rural youth. A working group was created to explore educational opportunities for secondary school students.
2005: Grasslands National Park of Canada (GNP) and Shaunavon School Division No. 71 (SSD No. 71) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that described the commitment and principles of this new educational partnership. The Prairie Learning Centre was created!
Present Day: The PLC now represents a partnership between Grasslands National Park of Canada and Chinook School Division. A full time Program Manager oversees the delivery of the workshops, teaches Biology 20 course through 4 outdoor excursions and delivers in-classroom presentations.
What is a "Learning Centre?"
A Learning Centre can be considered an outdoor classroom. Students can learn through first-hand experiences about the environment. Learning centres offer programs or workshops on a regular basis. Program topics range from Astronomy to Art to Ecology. Learning Centres such as the Prairie Learning Centre also focus on creating awareness or appreciation for environmental issues. Other learning centres such as the Boreal Forest Learning Centre focus on developing new trails or landuse mapping and planning.
Typically learning centres are not for profit organizations. They may be the result of partnerships between national parks or school divisions.
References
- Chinook School Division
- Grasslands National Park of Canada
- The Prairie Learning Centre Website
- The Village of Val Marie Website
- The Boreal Forest Learning Centre Website
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