School programs

​​​​​​​Zero Waste Place Workshops

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​​​​​​​We've partnered with Elements Society to deliver environmental education programming, Zero Waste Place​​​​​​​, in classrooms.

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  About the program

  Grades K to 7

  Zero Waste Place is a free program aimed at educating students about the City’s zero waste goals. Its purpose is to increase waste literacy among young students and to foster positive, action-oriented behavioral change.

  Each class receives three workshops plus additional activities between workshops. The interactive sessions cover topics such as:

  • Litter prevention
  • Strategies for properly sorting items
  • Avoiding waste
  • Designing and managing a project that addresses waste and litter at the community level 

  During the 2018-2019 school year, over 170 workshops were delivered to 38 schools in Vancouver, reaching over 2,000 students

  Learn more about the program External website, opens in new tab

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  How to register

  Teachers can register their class online External website, opens in new tab.

  Know a teacher who might be interested? Send them this flyer PDF file (162 KB) about the program.

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  What Zero Waste Place achieves in schools

  The Grade 5 class at Grandview / ¿uuqinak'uuh Elementary School was inspired to create an art installation showcasing the importance of keeping plastics out of our oceans.

  Students used only waste and recycled materials to bring awareness to the issue of ocean plastic waste and created some wonderfully inspiring art.

  For their efforts, the class was the BC Green Games Elementary School Winner of the sleepover at Science World. Read more about their full project External website, opens in new tab.

Live educational theatre shows

In-person shows are currently suspended due to COVID-19. A special Planet Protector Academy: Zero Heroes online assembly is currently available to Vancouver schools. 

Watch highlights from online assemblies External link icon

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  About the program

  Grades K to 7: Zero Heroes online assembly

  Zero Heroes inspires kids to take action and change the way they think about consumption, how stuff is made, and what ends up in the landfill.

  Grades K to 2: Clean Up Your Act online assembly

  Clean Up Your Act teaches kids how litter, vandalism, and graffiti hurt our communities. Students are empowered to take positive action to protect our public spaces. 

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  How to register 

  For more information and to register, contact DreamRider.

Teaching resource

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  About the program

  Grades 3 to 6: Planet Protector Academy: Zero Heroes teaching resource

  Teachers can use Planet Protector Academy: Zero Heroes resources to engage students and inspire them to reduce their waste and become environmental superheroes.

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  How to register

  For more information and to register, visit the Planet Protector Academy External link icon.

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  What these programs achieve in schools

  Through these self-learning modules, teachers will meet BC curriculum standards for grades 3 to 6 and align with Sustainable Development Goals.

  Students will engage with inspiring and joyful learning, using story, arts, and games. The programs integrate Indigenous knowledge and perspectives and help with eco-anxiety during these challenging times. 

Worm composting workshops

City Farmer is a non-profit organization that operates the Vancouver Compost Demonstration Garden in Kitsilano.

Since 1978, City Farmer has been teaching Vancouver residents how to grow food in the city, compost their waste and take care of their home landscape in an environmentally responsible way.

City Farmer provides composting education to adults and children.  

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  About the workshops

  City Farmer offers free worm composting workshops (“wormshops”) to grades K to 5.

  These workshops are tailored to kindergarten to grade 5 students and introduce the concept of turning food scraps into nutrient-rich compost using worms.

  Students get a fun, hands-on experience learning about the science of worms. And they get to tour the magical fairy garden!

  Learn more about wormshops External website, opens in new tab

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  How to book wormshops

  To book wormshops for your school, contact City Farmer External website, opens in new tab.