Welcome to our blog! This blog represents the Cowichan Secondary School's land-based learning program's work in the Somenos Marsh. Our program consists of forty-three Gr. 10-12 students who use place-based, experiential learning to meet curriculum objectives. We spend approximately half of our time working and learning outside of the classroom alongside local organizations and community experts. Students are getting credits for courses such as English First Peoples, Environmental Science, Social Studies - BC First Peoples, Aboriginal Cultural Connections, Independent Directed Studies and Physical Education.
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| Our land-based learning team at Cowichan Secondary School. Back row (L to R): Kim Lagimodiere (teacher) and Venessa MacDowell (Vice-Principal), front row (L to R): Kelly Dougan (teacher) and Joann Champoux (Educational Assitant). |
We received a SET-BC Synergy Project place-based grant to explore Somenos Marsh and create a virtual tour of this important ecosystem. The project objectives are to enhance the existing signage, that include facts about plants and birds, as well as the Hul'q'umi'num words that go with them. The enhancements which could include QR codes and an interactive map or a virtual tour would feature links to audio recordings of the Hul'q'umi'num words, local oral-traditional stories and more about the biology of the ecosystem. Ultimately, there could be tours given by the students to local elementary schools and school trustees. Ideally, the final product will help to bring greater public awareness to the marsh and enhance visitor experiences there.
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| Example of signage in Somenos Marsh featuring a description, map of geographical distribution and Hul'q'umi'num word for the organism featured |
We have visited the Somenos Marsh with our class a few times already and have started to think about the importance of this special place and how our class can help to promote it as an important ecosystem in our community!
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| Some of land-based program at the Somenos Marsh enjoying the Open Air Classroom |
