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School Programs: Grades 9 – 12

Highschool-Age School Programs

Our Secondary programs combine an inquiry-based approach with authentic learning opportunities situated in RBG’s gardens and natural spaces. RBG is an active research site, and students are challenged to learn through hands-on investigation and observation, analyze relevant data, and discuss environmental concerns that have a real impact on their lives. They have the opportunity to build scientific literacy skills while deepening their connection to the natural world.

About Our Programs

  • Two-hour outdoor programs
  • Up to 30 students per group
  • 1 free adult per 5 students

2023/2024 School Programs (by Grade)

Grade 9

Students will learn about the challenges and successes that our local wetlands experience due to climate change and human interactions. Hands-on components will include identifying aquatic invertebrates and assessing water quality while exploring Cootes Paradise Marsh. Students will consider Indigenous ways of thinking about environmental sustainability. 

Curriculum Connections: Science B1, B2.4, 2.5, 2.6 

Designed in collaboration with Anishinaabe Elders, this program takes students on an interpretive hike that highlights the traditional and current uses of a variety of native plants. This cross-curricular experience will help you see the forest in a completely new way! 

Curriculum Connections: Science Strand B 

What better way to learn about animal survival than to become one? With the Arboretum as their playing field, students are challenged to think strategically as they take on the role of an animal seeking the necessities for survival. Students will apply social emotional skills to collaborate with teammates and learn first-hand about the natural and human obstacles animals face every day. This program pairs well with any other program. 

Curriculum Connections: Health and Physical Education 

Students will discover this sophisticated conservation tool in action with an up-close look at the fish that pass through the Fishway between Hamilton Harbour and Cootes Paradise. Our ecologists explain the function of the Fishway, and our interpreters take the students through the complex history and current restoration of Cootes Paradise Marsh. This program takes place at our Princess Point location. 

Curriculum Connections: Science Strand B, Canadian World Studies  

Collaborating together as a class or in small groups, students will apply social emotional learning skills to achieve a common goal. Teambuilding activities are designed to break the ice, build communication, and develop initiative while also challenging the group to think as a unit. This is a fun and exciting way to bring a group together at any point during the year. 

Curriculum Connections: Health and Physical Education 

Whether taking in the fall colours, tracking deer through the snow, or discovering spring flowers, this program will allow students to connect with the forests, fields, and fauna in RBG’s forests and gardens. This half-day program can be tailored to complement desired curricula upon request. 

Curriculum Connections: Science Strand B 

Come explore RBG’s gardens or trails with your class. The Arboretum offers trails through the forest down to the shoreline of Coote’s Paradise Marsh with great opportunities for birdwatching. 

Come explore the gardens with your class. Hendrie Park’s collections include a garden of healing plants, a spectacular rose garden, a wild plant garden, and plants from around the world. 

Through a self-guided experience, discover how animal and plant adaptations provide them with superpowers to survive in their natural environment. Classes will also be able to visit the Mediterranean Garden. 

Grade 10

RBG is home to many different types of plants, including native, cultivated and invasive species. We’ll look at specific plants and their adaptations, discuss how plants are used medicinally, and learn about the important roles of wetland plants. Students will also learn why we consider some species “invasive” (rather than introduced), their effects on the ecosystems around RBG, and our efforts to restore diversity to marshes and forests. 

Curriculum Connections: Science Strand B and D 

Ecosystems function thanks to a fine balance of living and non-living factors. Using identification keys and other field tools, students gather data and compare sites to assess the impact of human activities on local diversity. 

Curriculum Connections: Science Strand B and D 

Designed in collaboration with Anishinaabe Elders, this program takes students on an interpretive hike that highlights the traditional and current uses of a variety of native plants. This cross-curricular experience will help you see the forest in a completely new way! 

Curriculum Connections: Science Strand B, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in Canada Strand C 

What better way to learn about animal survival than to become one? With the Arboretum as their playing field, students are challenged to think strategically as they take on the role of an animal seeking the necessities for survival. Students will apply social emotional skills to collaborate with teammates and learn first-hand about the natural and human obstacles animals face every day. This program pairs well with any other program. 

Curriculum Connections: Health and Physical Education 

Collaborating together as a class or in small groups, students will apply social emotional learning skills to achieve a common goal. Teambuilding activities are designed to break the ice, build communication, and develop initiative while also challenging the group to think as a unit. This is a fun and exciting way to bring a group together at any point during the year. 

Curriculum Connections: Health and Physical Education 

Whether taking in the fall colours, tracking deer through the snow, or discovering spring flowers, this program will allow students to connect with the forests, fields, and fauna in RBG’s forests and gardens. This half-day program can be tailored to complement desired curricula upon request. 

Curriculum Connections: Science Strand B and D 

Come explore RBG’s gardens or trails with your class. The Arboretum offers trails through the forest down to the shoreline of Coote’s Paradise Marsh with great opportunities for birdwatching. 

Come explore the gardens with your class. Hendrie Park’s collections include a garden of healing plants, a spectacular rose garden, a wild plant garden, and plants from around the world. 

Through a self-guided experience, discover how animal and plant adaptations provide them with superpowers to survive in their natural environment. Classes will also be able to visit the Mediterranean Garden. 

Grade 11

RBG is home to many different types of plants, including native, cultivated and invasive species. We’ll look at specific plants and their adaptations, discuss how plants are used medicinally, and learn about the important roles of wetland plants. Students will also learn why we consider some species “invasive” (rather than introduced), their effects on the ecosystems around RBG, and our efforts to restore diversity to marshes and forests. 

Curriculum Connections: Science SBI3U (B, F) SBI3C (F) SVN3M (B, D) SVN3E (B, E) English 

Ecosystems function thanks to a fine balance of living and non-living factors. Using identification keys and other field tools, students gather data and compare sites to assess the impact of human activities on local diversity. 

Curriculum Connections: Science SBI3U (B, C1, F) SBI3C (F) SVN3M (B, D) SVN3E (B, E) 

Designed in collaboration with Anishinaabe Elders, this program takes students on an interpretive hike that highlights the traditional and current uses of a variety of native plants. This cross-curricular experience will help you see the forest in a completely new way! 

Curriculum Connections: Science SBI3U (B, F) SBI3C (F) SVN3M (B, D) SVN3E (B, E), English: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices Strand A and B  

What better way to learn about animal survival than to become one? With the Arboretum as their playing field, students are challenged to think strategically as they take on the role of an animal seeking the necessities for survival. Students will apply social emotional skills to collaborate with teammates and learn first-hand about the natural and human obstacles animals face every day. This program pairs well with any other program. 

Curriculum Connections: Health and Physical Education 

Students will discover this sophisticated conservation tool in action with an up-close look at the fish that pass through the Fishway between Hamilton Harbour and Cootes Paradise. Our ecologists explain the function of the Fishway, and our interpreters take the students through the complex history and current restoration of Cootes Paradise Marsh. This program takes place at our Princess Point location. 

Curriculum Connections: Science SBI3U (B, C1) SVN3M (B) SVN3E (B, E), Canadian World Studies  

Collaborating together as a class or in small groups, students will apply social emotional learning skills to achieve a common goal. Teambuilding activities are designed to break the ice, build communication, and develop initiative while also challenging the group to think as a unit. This is a fun and exciting way to bring a group together at any point during the year. 

Curriculum Connections: Health and Physical Education 

Whether taking in the fall colours, tracking deer through the snow, or discovering spring flowers, this program will allow students to connect with the forests, fields, and fauna in RBG’s forests and gardens. This half-day program can be tailored to complement desired curricula upon request. 

Curriculum Connections: Science

Come explore RBG’s gardens or trails with your class. The Arboretum offers trails through the forest down to the shoreline of Coote’s Paradise Marsh with great opportunities for birdwatching. 

Come explore the gardens with your class. Hendrie Park’s collections include a garden of healing plants, a spectacular rose garden, a wild plant garden, and plants from around the world. 

Through a self-guided experience, discover how animal and plant adaptations provide them with superpowers to survive in their natural environment. Classes will also be able to visit the Mediterranean Garden. 

Grade 12

RBG is home to many different types of plants, including native, cultivated and invasive species. We’ll look at specific plants and their adaptations, discuss how plants are used medicinally, and learn about the important roles of wetland plants. Students will also learn why we consider some species “invasive” (rather than introduced), their effects on the ecosystems around RBG, and our efforts to restore diversity to marshes and forests. 

Curriculum Connections: Science SNC4M (D) SNC4E (F) 

Ecosystems function thanks to a fine balance of living and non-living factors. Using identification keys and other field tools, students gather data and compare sites to assess the impact of human activities on local diversity. 

Curriculum Connections: Science SNC4M (D) SNC4E (F) 

What better way to learn about animal survival than to become one? With the Arboretum as their playing field, students are challenged to think strategically as they take on the role of an animal seeking the necessities for survival. Students will apply social emotional skills to collaborate with teammates and learn first-hand about the natural and human obstacles animals face every day. This program pairs well with any other program. 

Curriculum Connections: Health and Physical Education 

Students will discover this sophisticated conservation tool in action with an up-close look at the fish that pass through the Fishway between Hamilton Harbour and Cootes Paradise. Our ecologists explain the function of the Fishway, and our interpreters take the students through the complex history and current restoration of Cootes Paradise Marsh. This program takes place at our Princess Point location. 

Curriculum Connections: Science SBI4U (F), Canadian World Studies  

Collaborating together as a class or in small groups, students will apply social emotional learning skills to achieve a common goal. Teambuilding activities are designed to break the ice, build communication, and develop initiative while also challenging the group to think as a unit. This is a fun and exciting way to bring a group together at any point during the year. 

Curriculum Connections: Health and Physical Education 

Whether taking in the fall colours, tracking deer through the snow, or discovering spring flowers, this program will allow students to connect with the forests, fields, and fauna in RBG’s forests and gardens. This half-day program can be tailored to complement desired curricula upon request. 

Curriculum Connections: Science Strand B and D 

Come explore RBG’s gardens or trails with your class. The Arboretum offers trails through the forest down to the shoreline of Coote’s Paradise Marsh with great opportunities for birdwatching. 

Come explore the gardens with your class. Hendrie Park’s collections include a garden of healing plants, a spectacular rose garden, a wild plant garden, and plants from around the world. 

Through a self-guided experience, discover how animal and plant adaptations provide them with superpowers to survive in their natural environment. Classes will also be able to visit the Mediterranean Garden. 

School Program Fees

RBG accepts cash, cheque, debit, VISA, MasterCard, and American Express. Invoicing is available upon request.