“Rocking on” at the Canadian Museum of Nature with new virtual school workshops

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OTTAWA, Oct. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – As the pandemic has ended school trips, the Canadian Museum of Nature is now reaching schools across the country with bilingual virtual workshops.

Curricula are tailored to the needs of each class, with a museum educator providing teachers with an engaging alternative to teaching in school.

A workshop based on the Rocks and Minerals Curriculum, a subject in great demand, leads the way. Following the success of the pilot program earlier this year, reservations are now open for workshops starting October 5th. The museum has also developed an ocean-themed workshop which will start in January.

“Teachers want innovative virtual learning opportunities for their students with a high level of interactivity and engagement,” says Dana Albright Murchison, program manager at the museum. “Before the pandemic, our most requested school workshop was our hands-on mineral discovery lab. Feedback from teachers indicated that it was addressing a key need in supporting their delivery of this curriculum content. It made perfect sense for us to pivot and create an equally dynamic and interactive virtual workshop that would allow us to support teachers in their own classrooms.

From the comfort of their classroom, teachers and their students can learn about the rock cycle, rock types, mineral formation, and mineral uses while connecting with knowledgeable museum interpreters. The workshop is aimed at students in grades 3 to 7 (Quebec: cycles 2 and 3 of elementary school and cycle 1 of secondary school).

The 45-minute introduction to geology includes dynamic demonstrations by a scientific interpreter in the museum’s laboratory (now refitted as a studio with multi-camera presentations), high-definition video clips, close-ups of real specimens, possibilities for questions and answers, and a virtual tour of the museum’s Earth Gallery.

“Many teachers seek help with STEM subjects from trusted sources,” says Albright Murchison. “We provide the ability to connect with real museum science through an authentic educational program that students can access directly from the classroom.” Museum educators benefit from access to the museum’s national collections and the contribution of its scientific experts.

During the very successful pilot project of these virtual workshops last spring, the museum mobilized nearly 1,000 students, in urban centers and remote regions, from the Prairies to Quebec.

“This virtual offering has allowed our school programs to go beyond the museum and across the country,” says Albright Murchison. “It’s really exciting to expand our national reach.

Feedback from teachers has been very positive.

“As an educator, I enjoyed the organization of the material,” commented Morgan Rose, grade 3 teacher at Buckingham Elementary School in Quebec. “The performer was very engaging and the students were extremely invested in the content. They had tons of questions and worked extremely hard to manage their excitement and energy so that they could pay close attention! “

The museum’s educational team has developed a new workshop for Kindergarten to Grade 2 students on life in a Pacific pond. Coming up in January will be “Coastal Adventure” where kids will learn about the characteristics and basic needs of living starfish and other pond creatures.

The virtual school workshops are available in both official languages.

To book a workshop, go to nature.ca/zone-professeur.

For questions about school programs, email [email protected] or call 1-800-263-4433.

The Canadian Museum of Nature thanks the Turnbull Family Community Building Foundation and the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation for their generous contribution to the Canadian Museum of Nature’s school programs.

About the Canadian Museum of NatureSave the world with evidence, knowledge and inspiration! The Canadian Museum of Nature provides evidence-based ideas, inspiring experiences and meaningful engagement with nature’s past, present and future. It does this through scientific research, a collection of 14.6 million specimens and artifacts, education programs, exclusive and traveling exhibitions and a vibrant website, nature.ca.

Media contacts:
Dan Smythe Manager, Media Relations Canadian Museum of Nature [email protected] Laura SutinMedia RelationsCanadian Museum of [email protected]

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Source: Canadian Museum of Nature


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Virtual interactive discussion on managing grief and loss during the pandemic – The Indian Panorama

Clockwise: Dr. Sujatha Reddy, Director of Ayurveda, Certified Mental Health Counselor, Dr. Renee Mehrra, Facilitator, Civic Leader, Board of Directors of the American Association of Ayurveda Professionals, Ms. Farrah Mozzawala, Executive Director of Asian American Affairs Office, Nassau County, Indu Jaiswal RDN CDN President IAF, Beena Kothari Executive Member IAF

LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): On the evening of September 24, IAF members and community leaders joined the ZOOM call for a special interactive discussion on an important topic that affects most of us at some point in time. our life. Distinguished panelists, moderators and elite members of the American Indian community filled the screens, all gathered for one purpose: to be a part of, to understand and to accept the different ways of dealing with grief and grief, especially during the pandemic.

The program was hosted by eminent broadcaster, civic leader, community activist and board member of the American Association of Ayurvedic Professionals, Dr. Renee Mehrra, and Beena Kothari, President of GOPIO, NY. Beena Kothari delivered the welcoming speech. The IAF (Indian American Forum) led by its dynamic president, Ms. Indu Jaiswal spoke about the importance of holding such important sessions to raise awareness of mental health issues.

Farrah Mozzawala, Executive Director of the Nassau County Office of Asian-American Affairs, spoke about the social and mental health services and counseling offered by the county in different languages ​​to families affected during the pandemic and encouraged participants to contact her. office for any help needed by the community. She also said that there were services and resources available for the elderly in the centers for the elderly.

The second presenter was Dr Sujatha Reddy of the Humanely Lakewood Wellness Center, Doctor of Ayurveda, Certified Mental Health Counselor, Yoga and Meditation Coach. Dr. Reddy discussed various holistic techniques and strategies for dealing with grief and loss. Dr Renee Mehrra was the coordinator of this special program for the IAF.

It was a great interactive session followed by questions and answers and comments from community leaders. Indu Jaiswal thanked the distinguished panelist for his valuable contributions in the field of mental health, helping the community and responding to the social and mental needs of the community. Thanks also to Dr Renee Mehrra and Ms Beena Kothari for organizing such an important session.

(From a press release)


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