Today’s blog comes from Jessica Stillman, School Outreach Coordinator at Bronte Creek Provincial Park.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words: counting, measuring, weighing, and calculating?
For us, it’s connection!
Did you think math?
That’s not surprising, but what might be is how much math is happening every day to understand, protect, and manage the over 330 provincial parks that make up the Ontario Parks system.
Contained within these parks are examples of Ontario’s diverse range of natural and cultural history. To protect all these unique stories, Ontario Park’s staff utilize a lot of MATH.
So why does counting, measuring, weighing, and calculating make us think of connection?
Well without it, Ontario Parks wouldn’t be able to connect you to all the amazing places, wildlife, and adventures Ontario has to offer. Math helps make your visit more comfortable, allows staff to create one-of-a-kind experiences, and protect the living things that call each park home.
Even if the math happening inside a park isn’t obvious, believe us, it is there! Ontario Parks is proud to share some of it with you this year for Science Literacy Week.
What is Science Literacy Week?
#SciLit Week is from September 19 to 25 and showcases the diversity of Canadian science and how it is shaping our lives.
It’s an opportunity for museums, libraries, science centres, schools, non-for-profits, and parks to come together to highlight everyone’s unique relationship with science.
This year’s #SciLit Week’s theme is “M is for Mathematics” and if you haven’t figured it out already, Ontario Parks is gearing up to share examples of mathematics at work in parks.
How can I participate?
Our Discovery staff have curated some amazing Science Literacy Week activities.
Whether you’re learning from a classroom or from home, we can’t wait to share stories of math at work in parks.
We’re excited to be offering two live events:
How does Pinery’s habitat measure up?
30 minutes. Wednesday, September 21 at 10:30 a.m.
Join researcher Victoria Pepe and educator Nicole Benn in looking at some of Pinery Provincial Park‘s habitat and using geometry and forestry equipment to assess the quality of habitat for the Endangered Red-headed Woodpecker.
The math showcased in this program is suited for grade 9+.
This is a Facebook Live event.
It will be broadcast on Pinery’s Facebook page and available after the program as a recording.
Harvesting the power of simple machines
45-minutes. Thursday, September 22 at 10:00 a.m.
It’s harvest season at Bronte Creek Provincial Park‘s Spruce Lane Farm, which means it is time to turn apples into apple cider.
See how a Victorian era cider press does this work and explore the simple machines that help make this job easier. See how math makes apple cider during this live demonstration.
The math showcased in this program is suited for grade 2+.
Registration is required to attend this Zoom Live event.
A recording of the live event will be available on Bronte Creek’s Facebook page after the program.
Exploring on your own?
Check out our self-guided activities and other Science Literacy Week programs:
Science Literacy Week may only be once a year, but math and science is happening year-round at Ontario Parks!
There are lots of different ways you can help the science initiatives happening in parks near you.
Submitting sightings to park staff, volunteering with park projects, or participating in self-use monitoring programs like Pinery’s Photomon stations or bat detector programs are all great ways you can help contribute to science in parks.
We can’t forget one of our favourite ways visitors can engage in community science: iNaturalist!
Spot something cool?
Submit your sightings on the app to be identified. Your observations help park staff better understand the park’s biodiversity and the location of critical habitats.
Share your work!
Math is everywhere. This Science Literacy Week, let’s learn more about it!
Whether you tune into one of our workshops or learn on your own, we hope you’ll take the time to learn a little more about our protected areas.
Sharing your park math story? Tag us in your #SciLitWeek learning using @OntarioParks.