School Programs & Resources

The Oil Sands Discovery Centre offers a full range of curriculum-based field trip experiences for Kindergarten through Grade 7. These programs are led by the Centre's knowledgeable staff and feature cool science experiments and engaging hands-on activities.

  • Programs are available Tuesday to Thursday at the Oil Sands Discovery Centre. Mondays and Fridays are available for booking after May 15.
  • Programs may be scheduled from 9:30 a.m. onwards.
  • All programs have a maximum of 30 students. This is to ensure the best quality educational experience.
  • Adult to student ratios for each program must be met in order for the program to run.
  • Programs must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance. All bookings are subject to availability.
  • Bookings for multiple classes may be available. These must be booked at least 1 month in advance and are subject to space and staff availability.

Cost: All onsite programs cost $3 per student with a minimum charge for 10 students.

For more information, or to make a booking, please call or email the Discovery Centre.

 

We are currently looking for classes to pilot new programs that complement the updated Science curriculum. Pilot programs are free of charge and we ask teachers to provide a comprehensive review of the program so we can continue to improve them. Please let us know if your class would like to participate in a pilot program!

Kindergarten - Grade 3

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Science Explorers (Kindergarten)

Students will discover what scientists do and use their senses to explore the Exhibit Hall using our Discovery Hunt! Students will also make a craft to take home.

  • Total time: 60 minutes
  • Dates available: All year
  • Adult to student ratio: 1 adult to 5 students, minimum of 3 adults required

Curriculum Connections

  • Kindergarten Science

    • Matter

Bug World (Kindergarten)

What is it like to be an insect? Students will explore what it's like to be an insect by doing a bug hunt, looking at insect homes, and lots more "buggy" fun! This program has an outdoor component, so please ensure students are dressed appropriately.

  • Total time: 75 minutes
  • Dates available: May and June
  • Adult to student ratio: 1 adult to 5 students, minimum of 3 adults required

Curriculum Connections

  • Kindergarten Science

    • Energy
    • Earth Systems

Frenetic Kinetics (Grade 1) - PILOT PROGRAM

Push, pull, fast, slow! How do objects move? Students will investigate how different items move and record their findings. They will also build a "vehicle of the future" using simple instructions and their own creativity.

  • Total time: 75 minutes
  • Dates available: All year
  • Adult to student ratio: 1 adult to 5 students, minimum of 3 adults required

Curriculum Connections

  • Grade 1 Science

    • Energy
    • Scientific Method

Matter Mysteries (Grade 2)

How do we use different materials? Students will learn about natural and processed materials as they sort objects, investigate which materials work best for certain jobs, and construct circuits with playdough.

PLEASE NOTE: This program uses materials that contain gluten. If a student has a gluten sensitivity, please let us know when booking so we can make an accommodation.

  • Total time: 90 minutes
  • Dates available: All year
  • Adult to student ratio: 1 adult to 5 students, minimum of 3 adults required

Curriculum Connections

  • Grade 2 Science

    • Matter
    • Scientific Method

Mighty Machines (Grade 3)

Through hands-on activities and building with K'Nex, students will discover how important simple machines are in their lives.

  • Total time: 90 minutes
  • Dates available: All year
  • Adult to student ratio: 1 adult to 5 students, minimum of 3 adults required

Curriculum Connections

  • Grade 3 Science

    • Energy
    • Computer Science
    • Scientific Method

Grades 4-7

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Seashells to Sneakers (Grade 4)

Students experience the story of the Athabasca oil sands through discussions, games, and hands-on experiments.

  • Total time: 90 minutes
  • Dates available: All year
  • Adult to student ratio: 1 adult to 5 students, minimum of 3 adults required

Curriculum Connections

  • Grade 4 Social Studies

    • Topic 4.1: Alberta: A Sense of the Land

Mighty Machines (Grade 4)

Through demonstrations, discussion, and hands-on building with K'nex, students will discover how important simple machines are in their lives.

  • Total time: 90 minutes
  • Dates available: All year
  • Adult to student ratio: 1 adult to 5 students, minimum of 3 adults required

Curriculum Connections

  • Grade 4 Science

    • Topic B: Wheels and Levers
    • Topic C: Building Devices and Vehicles that Move

Laws of Attraction (Grade 4) - PILOT PROGRAM

Students will explore the forces of magnetism and gravity through a variety of hands-on activities. They will examine magnetic fields and even use magnets to move objects.

  • Total time: 90 minutes
  • Dates available: All year
  • Adult to student ratio: 1 adult to 5 students, minimum of 3 adults required

Curriculum Connections

  • Grade 4 Science

    • Energy
    • Computer Science
    • Scientific Method

Kids' Chemistry (Grade 5)

Through discussion and fun experiments, students will discover the chemistry of everyday life. Students will create fountains of foam, non-Newtonian fluid (slime), and see a liquid change colour before their eyes.

  • Total time: 90 minutes
  • Dates available: All year
  • Adult to student ratio: 1 adult to 5 students, minimum of 3 adults required

Curriculum Connections

  • Grade 5 Science

    • Topic C: Classroom Chemistry

Up, Up, and Away (Grade 5) - PILOT PROGRAM

Students will explore the concepts of air and aerodynamics through hands-on activities and discussions. Activities include building parachutes, straw gliders, and helicopter wings.

  • Total time: 90 minutes
  • Dates available: All year
  • Adult to student ratio: 1 adult to 5 students, minimum of 3 adults required

Curriculum Connections

  • Grade 5 Science

    • Energy
    • Computer Science
    • Scientific Method

OSDC Detectives

Students work in groups to examine evidence collected from a crime scene. They will have to use several different investigation methods to solve this mystery!

  • Total time: 90 minutes
  • Dates available: All year
  • Adult to student ratio: 1 adult to 10 students, minimum of 2 adults required

Curriculum Connections

  • Grade 6 Science

    • Topic D: Evidence and Investigation

Up, Up, and Away! (Grade 6)

Students will explore concepts of air and aerodynamics through hands-on activities and discussions. Projects include buildling gliders with simple controls (using Bernoulli's Principle), parachutes, and helicopter wings.

  • Total time: 90 minutes
  • Dates available: All year
  • Adult to student ratio: 1 adult to 10 students, minimum of 2 adults required

Curriculum Connections

  • Grade 6 Science

    • Topic B: Flight

Oil Sands Adventurers (Grade 6) - PILOT PROGRAM

Where does our energy come from? Students will explore the processes used in the oil sands and how oil contributes to our energy needs. They will also reflect on the impact of resource extraction in the environment.

  • Total time: 90 minutes
  • Dates available: All year
  • Adult to student ratio: 1 adult to 10 students, minimum of 2 adults required

Curriculum Connections

  • Grade 6 Science

    • Energy Resources
    • Scientific Method

Planet Earth (Grade 7)

This program introduces students to the natural forces that shape the land and the different rocks and minerals that make up the planet. Through discussion, real samples of fossils and minerals, and hands-on science experiments about rock weathering and soil sampling, students will develop a better understanding of the Earth and its changes.

  • Total time: 90 minutes
  • Dates available: All year
  • Adult to student ratio: 1 adult to 10 students, minimum of 2 adults required

Curriculum Connections

  • Grade 7 Science

    • Topic E: Planet Earth

Videoconference Programs

Can't make it to the Discovery Centre? Sign up for one of our videoconference programs!

All programs are led by one of our knowledgeable interpreters. Classes require a screen, camera/microphone, and internet connection to participate.

Videoconference programs cost $100 per class.

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Lucky's Big Adventure (Grades 1-3)

Follow a friendly ladybug named Lucky as he learns about the food chain, habitats, and more.

  • Total time: 45 minutes

Curriculum Connections

  • Grade 1 Science
    • Topic B: Seasonal Changes
    • Topic E: Needs of Animals and Plants
  • Grade 2 Science
    • Topic E: Small Crawling and Flying Animals
  • Grade 3 Science
    • Topic E: Animal Life Cycles

Digging Deep in the Oil Sands (Grades 4-5)

Students experience the story of the Athabasca Oil Sands through discussion, games, and hands-on activities.

  • Total time: 60 minutes

Curriculum Connections

  • Grade 4 Social Studies
    • Topic 4.1: Alberta: A Sense of the Land
  • Grade 5 Social Studies
    • Topic 5.1: Physical Geography of Canada

Oil Sand and the Boreal Forest (Grades 6-8)

How are the oil sands and the boreal forest connected? Through discussions and activities, students will learn why the boreal forest is important, how it is impacted by oil sands development, and about the process of land reclamation. Students will also see how oil sand is processed.

  • Total time: 60 minutes

Curriculum Connections

  • Grade 6 Science
    • Topic E: Trees and Forests
  • Grade 7 Science
    • Topic A: Interactions and Ecosystems
  • Grade 8 Science
    • Topic A: Mix and Flow of Matter

Oil Sand Sample Kits

Order a sample kit to use in your own classroom!

Shipping quotes are available upon request. There is a $5 handling fee for Canadian orders, and $10 for American orders. We are only able to ship to Canada and the United States.

For more information, or to order a kit, please call the Centre at 780-743-7167, or email us at osdc.education@gov.ab.ca.

Please note that these kits are designed as educational resources. We cannot guarantee their suitability for commercial or industrial use.

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Oil Sand Sample Kit

This kit contains one ounce samples each of oil sand, bitumen, petroleum coke, and tailings sand.

Cost: $15 plus shipping and handling.

Small Oil Sand Resource Kit

The Small Oil Sand Resource Kit contains 6 ounce samples each of oil sand, bitumen, petroleum coke, and tailings sand. It also includes a flash drive with various oil sand resources, including instructions for an extraction demonstration and 2 short videos about the Alberta Oil Sands. The small resource kit includes enough oil sand for 1 extraction demonstration.

Cost: $30 plus shipping and handling.

Large Oil Sand Resource Kit

The Large Oil Sand Resource Kit contains 16 ounce samples each of oil sand, bitumen, petroleum coke, and tailings sand. It also includes a flash drive with various oil sand resources, including instructions for an extraction demonstration and 2 short videos about the Alberta Oil Sands. The large resource kit includes enough oil sand for 2 extraction demonstrations.

Cost: $40 plus shipping and handling.

Contact
Education Programs
  780-743-7167