In-field sessions

Changing Currents → Morning OR Afternoon → 2-2.5 hrs
Changing Currents - School Watch joint → Morning AND Afternoon → ~5.5 hrs (lunch break included)
Changing Currents SHSM certification:
Outdoor component → 2.5 hrs
In-class component → 2.5 hrs

Note: To fully enjoy the Changing Currents program, a minimum of 2 hrs is necessary. Contact Changing Currents staff to discuss further

Virtual sessions

Grades 6-8 → 1 hr
Grades 9-12 → 1.5 - 2 hrs

TDSB: EcoSpark is an approved Educational Programming Partner with the TDSB. Please refer to TDSB's Partnership Information Management System webpage, and search for 'EcoSpark Environmental Organization'.

YRDSB: All EcoSpark programs are in compliance with YRDSB school board regulations. The Changing Current’s program has been modified to be in compliance with YRDSB’s water policy.

Initial Planning

Site selection

Within 15 mins walk or short bus ride for students
Refer to Changing Currents (CC) dashboard for closest site previously sampled by EcoSpark. For new sites, check with CC staff
Stream assessment
- Easily accessible (no steep slopes, no dense overgrowth)
- Safe (no poisonous plants, no sharp objects, general water level is less than thigh-high level)
- Share pictures of site with CC staff to confirm accessibility and safety
- CC staff will assess the site in-person 1 hr prior to the scheduled session and notify teachers of any major issues of concern (including weather) and possibility of rescheduling the session
Special note: to obtain a valid study for further data analysis, stream must have
- 1 area of fast moving water (riffle area) and 1 area of slow moving water (pool area)
- Riffle and pool areas are within 40 meters of each other

Before Session

Print out documents for session as provided by CC staff
Obtain signed media release forms from students and submit to CC staff on scheduled session day (digital or in-person)

After Session

Environmental data/results will be emailed to teachers along with post-session surveys
(Optional) Share with EcoSpark any student projects that make use of the information learned from the Changing Currents program. Projects will be showcased either on EcoSpark’s website or social media platforms

As a safety precaution, we recommend that participants wear:

breathable long sleeve pants and shirts
closed-toe footwear

Additionally, we recommend the following personal items:

Reusable water bottle
Snacks and/or lunch
Sunscreen/ Rain jacket (depending on weather)
Bug repellent lotion (they last longer!)

To avoid the risk of COVID-19, hand sanitizers are available for use during sessions and all equipment is thoroughly disinfected after sessions with each school
- Refer to EcoSpark’s COVID-19 Policies here
Disinfecting equipment also helps to avoid the spread of invasive species and/or common environmental diseases (eg. Ranavirus) between watersheds