"Thank you so much for making our day at the Scratch Patch a success. We had a very enjoyable and educational time!."
Torquay Elementary School

"When Mrs. M--- told the class that we were going on a field trip to Mineral World I was so excited. I really enjoyed the thing when you get to find the rocks."
Gordon Head School

"Thanks again ... the children really enjoyed the field trip, and voted it their best field trip of the year. (It even beat out free pizza!)"
Hans Helgesen School

"Thank you for teaching us about igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. I liked learning that some rocks can float."
Gordon Head School

"The best part I think was when we got to hold the rocks and when ever one came to me I smelled it they didn't smell very good."
Uplands Elementary

".. you .. have a very nice way with children, allowing them movement with guided instruction. We all enjoyed the day, and many of us will be back."
Brentwood Elementary School

 

School Programs

school programs

If you are a teacher or parent looking for a great class outing, and you haven't visited before, you're in for a treat! Welcome to an exciting place where we learn and have fun at the same time!

school group 3Every year since 1992 we have hosted a growing number of classes. Under the direction of our staff archaeologist, your class is assured of an entertaining and educational experience.


Introduction to Earth Science: K-1

kids in school programAn introductory 60 minute program for grades K - 1, this lesson includes a talk by one of our Science Instructors (an introduction to fossils and minerals with plenty of hand specimens to see and touch) and a tour of our interactive and informative Earth Science Centre. The children are then free to collect gemstones and pan for gold with the assistance of a trained staff member.

Cost:

Cost is $5.00 (including taxes) per student. Minimum number of students is 10 and the maximum is 20 for this age group. We have hosted hundreds of classes since 1992. It gets very busy in May/June, so please book well in advance.

Time:

Typically, the program takes 60 minutes.

Intermediate Earth Sciences - Grades 2 - 6

school group 2A 90 minute program for grades 2 - 6, this lesson includes a talk by our Staff Archaeologist about the three types of rocks (igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic), fossils (and the fossilization process), tectonic activity and much more. There are plenty of hand specimens for children to touch and our interactive Earth Science Centre is available for further learning.

school groupOnce this talk is complete, the group moves to the Scratch Patch area where a Science Instructor teaches the children to identify and collect seven minerals of British Columbia. These are polished, semi-precious stones (jade, rhodonite, red jasper, agate, yellow jasper, carnelian and quartz crystal) about 1 cm in size. Students are encouraged to help each other touch, find and identify these seven colourful minerals. Each student gets a card with seven spaces where the gemstones are glued, using low temperature glue guns. Each card has a space for the student's name and grade. On the back are the properties of the gems. These cards go back to school with the students.

Large groups are split into two and the talks are given simultaneously with both groups then switching places. There is free time for collecting gemstones and panning for gold after the talks. At all times, a trained member of staff is present to assist with learning and in gemstone identification.

Cost:

Cost is $6.00 (including taxes) per student, minimum of 15 students and maximum of 30. We have hosted hundreds of classes since 1992. It gets very busy in May/June, so please book well in advance.

Time:

Typically, the full program takes 90-100 minutes.

Home Schooling:

All of our programs can be adapted for home schooling groups and we encourage parents to call us to discuss their individual needs.