This testimonial is thanks to Steph Miller, SCDSB Secondary School Teacher,
“Alysha, helped us start the school year off right by coming to our Environmental Science class to run a Wildlife on Roads workshop. Throughout the entire day Alysha ignited sparks of curiosity with her inquiry-based approach and expertise in identification- the perfect way to start a course!
To start, she ran an in-class presentation where she intuitively seemed to gauge student interest and knowledge level on the spot, tailoring her presentation to be ‘just right’ for our group. Her gentle approach was the perfect match for our class. She posed thoughtful questions, and engaged students by inviting them to problem-solve real-life, relevant wildlife concerns close to home. We ended the in-class component with a hands-on approach to learning about animals through their skeletal remains- with careful attention to skull and teeth structure.
We then headed outside together to walk near the wetland and identify species on the road. Alysha led us through a safety briefing and then thoughtfully found ways to engage everyone in the search for species. This is where we connected the dots of all that had been taught in class, with what we were seeing unfold on the land around us. There was so much to see that some students wondered aloud if Alysha had ‘planted’ species on the road for us to find! It was amazing to watch Alysha expertly identify species on the spot and provide interesting insights for each one. On the way home, students reflected on how much they had learned simply by walking a sideroad close to their community. It was an excellent entry point for considering mitigation strategies to protect species at risk.
We are so grateful.”
Thank you to Steph and the great students at 7th Fire!
If you would like to book a workshop with us please email alysha{at}couchconservancy.ca