Learn about the Geopark
Where Waterfalls and Dinosaurs Flow Together

Education is one of the Pillars on which our Geopark stands.

  • Lesson Plans

  • Educational Sites

  • Palaeontology of Tumbler Ridge

  • Geology of Tumbler Ridge

Lesson Plans

ECE to Grade 9 – More coming soon!

We’ve developed these to encourage educators to bring the TRUGG into their classrooms.  Feel free to download, print and modify for your own use.

In this lesson, students conduct an investigation to learn about the different physiographic regions of Canada. They identify, describe, illustrate and analyze a physiographic region of their choice.

Learners explore connections to the types of industries that operate and extract natural resources to create jobs, provide energy and support local, provincial and national economies.

In this lesson, students investigate the importance of maintaining healthy populations of key wildlife species through a study of grizzly bears and wolves in the TRUGG and Northeast British Columbia.

Students explore the Yukon to Yellowstone Conservation Initiative and the disturbances to wildlife habitat caused by human development and industry.

Students formulate an informed opinion on the importance of various stakeholders in the TRUGG.

Curriculum Connections Chart

In this lesson, students investigate the different types of rock that exist around the world and through hands-on observation and research activities.

Students explore the different landscapes and geological formations across Canada using Google Earth and other resources.

Natural resources continue to shape the economy and identity of different regions in Canada. Students explore the different careers that focus on the geological landscape in Canada.

Students learn about the different industries related to the land and water of Northern British Columbia. They then act as ambassadors of a selected industry.

Materials Twin Sisters Nursery HandoutLesson Plan Download PDF

Curriculum Connections Chart, Slideshow, and Teacher Notes

While reviewing the basic needs for living things, students learn about a species of their choice and explore its dependency on those basic needs to survive. Students then infer what might happen if their own needs are not met and make other connections to their lives.

Expanding on learning in Lesson 1, students learn about a species and identify interactions with its ecosystem, including food chains, food webs and predator – prey relationships.

After reviewing the four seasons, students explore how these and other environmental changes, such as natural disasters and human activities, can affect species.

Students delve into the life of a chosen dinosaur and explore what it looked like, what it ate, where it lived, and what it did while alive.

Students explore what empathy and reconciliation mean both to themselves and to First Peoples in the area.

Curriculum Connections Chart

Students are introduced to the basic needs of all human beings on Earth and compare their basic needs to those of animals in the Geopark and region.

Students connect their basic needs to those of First Peoples in the TRUGG. They then explore the concept of a seasonal round and learn how First Peoples have met their basic needs through time.

Students learn about the importance of different types of shelters that First Peoples have used in the past. They explore tipis and the significance of this shelter to First Peoples.

Curriculum Connections Chart

Learners explore the TRUGG and its palaeontological history experientially. Using their own footprints, they make dinosaur artwork and review the triangle shape while doing so.

Learners explore their local environment and the many rocks that are found there using their senses of sight and touch. While doing this, they learn about the letter ‘R’.

Learners explore rocks and learn about what a geologist does by sorting a variety of rock samples and cleaning them.

Our Commitment to Education

TRMF & The PRPRC

The TRMF‘s Peace Region Palaeontology Research Centre is a centre of excellence for vertebrate palaeontology research. This is the only museum in British Columbia dedicated to vertebrate palaeontology and is recognized nationally and internationally. It is currently staffed by one full time palaeontologist, and as many support staff as funding allows. It includes a substantial collections area, preparation laboratory, library, etc. The list of research publications is available here. This facility is just less than 2500 square metres and includes the nearly 600 square metre public interpretive “Dinosaur Discovery Gallery“.

Dinosaur Discovery Gallery

Learning in the Geopark is very important to us.  It wouldn’t be possible without strong regional and local political support, industry support, dedicated scientists, and passionate volunteers who drive the Geopark.  Because of these groups and individuals we have some amazing opportunities for education of all sorts.

The Dinosaur Discovery Gallery currently displays one large, main gallery exhibit interpreting dinosaur tracks and their makers from the mid-Cretaceous (~100mya). The main exhibit is supported by four large specimen display cases containing original specimens of dinosaur and bird tracks as well as contemporaneous fossil plant specimens from the region. Four backlit displays and two LCD displays provide additional information pertaining to the geology and palaeogeography of this time period, as well as information on dinosaur and bird tracks and the difference between flowering and non-flowering plants.

A wheelchair accessible 20 person theatre allows visitors to self-explore several hours of local, national and international documentaries and television.

Programs for Kids
Kids digging for fossils at TRMF

The Dinosaur Discovery Gallery regularly hosts educational Dino Camps for kids, and programs for school groups.

Kids learning advanced paleontology techniques

Educational Sites

Suitable for classes of all ages

These sites are highly recommended for field trips as they offer an engaging environment for learning.

A Brief History of Tumbler Ridge

The ebb and flow of a Seaway