Navigating Experiential Learning
So many options, how is one to choose?
With over 30 Experiential Learning program options available, sometimes finding the best fit for your education and career goals can be overwhelming. To give yourself a break from decision fatigue, you can navigate your choices using the different program breakdowns:
- Experiential Learning Outcomes
- Use the list of learning outcomes below to see which programs identify that specific outcome as part of their program
- Opportunities Available to Community-Based Students
- Find online or remote in-person programming opportunities accessible to community-based students
- Graduate Student Opportunities
- Many programs are open to all Werklund students, and some programming may only be open to Werklund graduate students.
- Global Learning Opportunities
- Abroad or at home, search through programs that have been identified as opportunities that connect to Global Learning Initiatives
- Programs by Time Commitment
- Get a sense of the overall time commitment for our programs so you can work in some experiential learning and avoid overloading your schedule!
Experiential Learning Outcomes
We are still in the process of adding learning outcomes from some programs to the list. Please check back on occasion as we continue to build our database.
Build Community
Apply a variety of leadership strategies to develop meaningful relationships with the program and its participants.
Calgary Stampede - Journey 2050
Community-Based Student Support Network
Graduate & Undergraduate Research Connections
Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
Peer to Peer Mentorship Program
Professional to Pre-Service Mentorship Program
Develop cross-cultural competencies related to language, culture, and place.
Arts Co-Curricular Enhancement (ACE)
Books to Build on: Indigenous Literatures for Learning Workshop
Calgary Immigrant Women's Association
Calgary Stampede School Facilitators
Land-Based Learning Opportunities
Ismaili Council for the Prairies
Develop stronger connections to the professional community and specific organizations.
Arts Co-Curricular Enhancement (ACE)
Graduate & Undergraduate Research Connections
Land-Based Learning Opportunities
Professional to Pre-Service Mentorship Program
Self-Directed Experiential Learning Framework (SELF)
Identify specific opportunities for you to contribute to program communities in a positive, professional manner.
Arts Co-Curricular Enhancement (ACE)
Building Community & Community Classrooms (BCCC)
Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
Self-Directed Experiential Learning Framework (SELF)
Pedagogy and Practice
Examine a variety of approaches to teaching and learning in non-traditional educational settings.
Biogeoscience Institute - Teacher as Naturalist Series
Calgary Stampede - Journey 2050
Canadian Wildlife Federation Workshops
Ismaili Council for the Prairies
Land-Based Learning Opportunities
Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
St. Anne Academic Centre - High School ELL Support
Telus Spark School Programming Support
Self-Directed Experiential Learning Framework (SELF)
Examine how educators apply teaching concepts in their daily work.
Canadian Wildlife Federation Workshops
Land-Based Learning Opportunities
St. Anne Academic Centre - High School ELL Support
Telus Spark School Programming Support
Examine how teaching and learning take place in other contexts.
Calgary Stampede - Journey 2050
Land-Based Learning Opportunities
Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
Telus Spark School Programming Support
Share and receive knowledge regarding teacher education and teaching practice.
Books to Build on: Indigenous Literatures for Learning Workshop
Building Community & Connection in Classrooms (BCCC)
Calgary Stampede School Facilitators
Community-Based Student Support Network
Land-Based Learning Opportunities
Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
Peer to Peer Mentorship Program
Professional to Pre-Service Mentorship Program
Implement Skills
Apply a variety of facilitation strategies to encourage discussion, generate ideas, and build consensus.
Calgary Immigrant Women's Association
Calgary Stampede School Facilitators
Community-Based Student Support Network
Graduate & Undergraduate Research Connections
Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
Peer to Peer Mentorship Program
Professional to Pre-Service Mentorship Program
St. Anne Academic Centre - English Language Learners Support
Apply a variety of leadership strategies to develop meaningful relationships with the program and its participants.
Calgary Stampede - Journey 2050
Community-Based Student Support Network
Graduate & Undergraduate Research Connections
Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
Peer to Peer Mentorship Program
Professional to Pre-Service Mentorship Program
Design and implement a variety of activities that meet students’ interests and learning needs.
Lead or co-lead the component of at least one project within the program.
Arts Co-Curricular Enhancement (ACE)
Calgary Immigrant Women's Association
Calgary Stampede - Journey 2050
Calgary Stampede - Sam Centre Volunteers
Calgary Stampede - Stampede School Facilitators
Reflect and Guide
Apply a variety of mentorship strategies to support mentees’ personal, social, and academic goals.
Calgary Immigrant Women's Association
Calgary Stampede - Journey 2050
Community-Based Student Support Network
Graduate & Undergraduate Research Connections
Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
Peer to Peer Mentorship Program
Articulate how specific experiences contribute to their growth as an educator.
Arts Co-Curricular Enhancement (ACE)
Community-Based Student Support Network
Graduate & Undergraduate Research Connections
Peer to Peer Mentorship Program
Professional to Pre-Service Mentorship Program
Evaluate successes and setbacks as part of ongoing professional development.
Community-Based Student Support Network
Graduate & Undergraduate Research Connections
Peer to Peer Mentorship Program
Examine how programming fosters inclusion and personal growth.
Arts Co-Curricular Enhancement (ACE)
Books to Build on: Indigenous Literatures for Learning Workshop
Complex Needs Educational Experience
Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
UCalgary Continuing Education Volunteers
William Aberhart - Volunteering with Complex Needs
Identify specific opportunities for you to contribute to program communities in a positive, professional manner.
Arts Co-Curricular Enhancement (ACE)
Building Community &Connection in Classrooms (BCCC)
Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
Self-Directed Experiential Learning Framework (SELF)
Model positive behaviour for children, youth, teachers, and parents.
Building Community & Connection in Classrooms (BCCC)
Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
Navigate new challenges as an educator with the support and guidance of a mentor in a similar field.
Building Community& Connection in Classrooms (BCCC)
Community-Based Student Support Network
Graduate & Undergraduate Research Connections
Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
Peer to Peer Mentorship Program
Work with Students
Apply a variety of teaching strategies to meet the needs of individual learners in different educational settings
Complex Needs Educational Experience
Dr. J. K. Mulloy School - Grade 1 Classroom Volunteers
École des Hautes-Plaines - Support en littératie et numératie de la M à la 12 en français
Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
Design and implement a variety of activities that meet students’ interests and learning needs.
Building Community & Connection in Classrooms (BCCC)
Examine how programs and educators create communities that are conducive to teaching and learning.
Building Community & Connection in Classrooms (BCCC)
Dr. J. K. Mulloy School - Grade 1 Classroom Volunteers
Land-Based Learning Opportunities
Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
Professional to Pre-Service Mentorship Program
Youthlink Police Interpretive Centre
Examine how programs develop students’ literacies (reading, writing, numeracy, digital, etc.)
Books to Build on: Indigenous Literatures for Learning Workshop
Complex Needs Educational Experience
Dr. J. K. Mulloy School - Grade 1 Classroom Volunteers
École des Hautes-Plaines - Support en littératie et numératie de la M à la 12 en français
Ismaili Council for the Prairies
Examine the diverse ways children and youth experience and express knowledge, actions, and identities.
Books to Build on: Indigenous Literatures for Learning Workshop
Land-Based Learning Opportunities
Gain experience working with youth in a classroom setting.
Building Community & Connection in Classrooms (BCCC)
Calgary Stampede - Journey 2050
Calgary Stampede School Facilitators
Complex Needs Educational Experience
Dr. J. K. Mulloy School - Grade 1 Classroom Volunteers
École des Hautes-Plaines - Support en littératie et numératie de la M à la 12 en français
Ismaili Council for the Prairies
Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
Gain experience working with youth in a small group setting.
Complex Needs Educational Experience
Dr. J. K. Mulloy School - Grade 1 Classroom Volunteers
École des Hautes-Plaines - Support en littératie et numératie de la M à la 12 en français
Ismaili Council for the Prairies
Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
St. Anne Academic Centre - High School ELL Support
Gain experience working with youth in an individual setting.
Calgary Immigrant Women's Association
Complex Needs Educational Experience
École des Hautes-Plaines - Support en littératie et numératie de la M à la 12 en français
Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
Model positive behaviour for children, youth, teachers, and parents.
Building Community & Connection Classrooms (BCCC)
École des Hautes-Plaines - Support en littératie et numératie de la M à la 12 en français
Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
St. Matthew School - Literacy and Numeracy Support
Community-Based Students
While Community-Based students are always welcome to join on-campus or Calgary-based opportunities when possible, we recognize that is not always an option. The Experiential Learning team is continually working to increase the number of opportunities available to Community-Based students.
Opportunities change frequently, so please continue to check back for updates!
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Academic Preparation Program
Students receive tutoring, mentoring, and peer navigation to overcome barriers, access university programs and supports, and engage in online and on-campus learning opportunities.
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Books to Build On Workshop
Professional Learning
The Books to Build On: Indigenous Literatures for Learning workshop will be hosted online.
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Canadian Wildlife Federation's Workshop Series
Professional Learning
Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) workshops can be held online if there is enough interest.
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Classrooms Without Walls
Service-Learning
Lead online sessions through CWW for students in conflict zones and develop cultural sensitivity, innovative teaching strategies, and a sense of social responsibility.
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Community-Based Student Support Network
The Community-Based Student Support Network connects students across all years through D2L to share experiences, access peer mentorship and resources, and learn about experiential learning opportunities.
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Learning Buddies Network
Service-Learning
Online volunteer opportunities as well as some in-person volunteer opportunities for those in BC.
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Literacy and Numeracy Support for High School ELLs - St Anne Academic Centre
Service-Learning
TBD for 2024-2025, St. Anne Academic Centre may have online volunteer opportunities.
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Mountains to Mole Hills
Professional Learning
Mountains to Mole Hills: Illuminating Stories in Science gives students an opportunity to engage with local primary research and develop skills in translating science to a broad audience
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Pre-pathways to Education for Indigenous Students (PEISSA) Program
Indigenous students receive cultural mentoring, tutoring, and guidance in self-advocacy, accessing university programs, and pursuing higher education.
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Werklund Professional to Pre-Service Mentorship
Mentorship
The Professional to Pre-Service Mentorship Program will always be facilitated entirely online.
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Werklund Graduate & Undergraduate Research Network
Mentorship
The Werklund Graduate & Undergraduate Research Network will include online opportunities.
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Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
Service-Learning Opportunity
There are virtual classroom opportunities through the winter months.
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Asynchronous Land-Based Opportunity
Land-Based Opportunities
Continue your journey to connect or reconnect with the land. This program is designed to be completed where students may be and at their own pace throughout the academic year. Complete a series of activity prompts and reflections based on place, land, and more.
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Learning Buddies Network
Service-Learning
Online volunteer opportunities as well as some in-person volunteer opportunities for those in BC.
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Let's Talk Science
Service-Learning
The Let's Talk Science Challenge is a free, competitive, team-based enrichment program.
Check back soon to learn more!
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Mountains to Mole Hills
Professional Learning
Mountains to Mole Hills: Illuminating Stories in Science program gives students an opportunity to engage with local primary research and develop skills in translating science to a broad audience.
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Self-Directed Experiential Learning Framework (SELF)
Professional Learning
This program recognizes and enhances the paid and volunteer work that BEd students are engaged in outside of the Werklund School of Education
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Summer Experiential Learning On Campus
During your two weeks on campus in July, we organize an Experiential Learning opportunity specifically for Community-Based students!
Graduate Student Opportunities
There are many Experiential Learning programs open to graduate and undergraduate students in Werklund. The Experiential Learning team is also working on building more opportunities specific to graduate students' needs and goals.
Opportunities change frequently, so please continue to check back for updates!
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Co-Curricular Service-Learning
There are some Co-Curricular Service-Learning opportunities that are available online, such as Classrooms Without Walls, Learning Buddies Network, Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, etc. Check out the Service-Learning page for all of the options.
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Professional to Pre-Service Mentorship Program - Mentors
Graduate students who have gone through a BEd program are welcome to register to mentor a final year BEd student.
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Graduate & Undergraduate Research Connections
The Graduate & Undergraduate Research Connections connects BEd students and students in Werklund graduate programs together as a group.
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Asynchronous Place-Based Learning Program
Graduate students are invited to continue their journey to connect or reconnect with the land. This program is designed to be completed where students may be and at their own pace throughout the academic year. Complete a series of activity prompts and reflections based on place, land, and more.
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Arts Co-Curricular Enhancement (ACE)
The UCalgary ACE Program encourages (and recognizes) students to pursue five different arts experiences as part of their education at the University of Calgary, in addition to their academic programs. This program takes place at your own pace, throughout your degree program.
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Books to Build On
The Books to Build On: Indigenous Literature for Learning workshop is intended to equip participants with all necessary tools and information to weave Indigenous ways of knowing through story.
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Canadian Wildlife Federation Workshop Series
Some CWF workshops take place online and explore the fundamentals of environmental education. Participate in a series of interactive workshops including Environmental Education 101, Project WILD, and Below Zero.
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Mountains to Mole Hills
Werklund students will learn to communicate scientific research clearly and connect it to society through a hands-on trail project at the Biogeoscience Institute in Kananaskis. Online or in-person opportunities.
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Teacher as Naturalist Series
Join the Biogeosciences Institute (BGI) team for a variety of exciting opportunities to explore your skill set with the Teacher as Naturalist series.
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Co-Curricular Service-Learning
Most of the Co-Curricular Service-Learning placements happening in-person and around Calgary. These placements are open to all Werklund students.
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Land-Based Field Trip and Workshop Series
There will be learning experiences for students spread throughout the Summer and Fall semesters. These learning experiences will focus on how land-based understandings, holistic understandings, and Indigenous pedagogical practices connect. The learning experiences will also explore language and story connections of the land and work to uncover program of study connections in this place.
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Canadian Wildlife Federation Workshop Series
Some CWF workshops take place on campus and explore the fundamentals of environmental education. Participate in a series of interactive workshops including Environmental Education 101 and NatureSketch.
Global Learning Opportunities
Global Learning helps you to gain experience working with international students, experience other cultures, compare and contrast education systems in different countries, and see the world through varied perspectives. We support international, local, and virtual ways to have these experiences.
Opportunities change frequently, so please continue to check back for updates!
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Outgoing in Fall
11 placements in 9 countries
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Virtual in Fall
Join your classmates and international colleagues to address a variety of global education topics
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Incoming in Winter
The Werklund School of Education welcomes program partners from Australia (Queensland University of Technology), China (Shanxi Normal University), and Japan (Hokkaido University of Education) onto campus between January and March.
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Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth
Transitioning Into Post-Secondary (TIPS)
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Classrooms Without Walls
Online teaching program for students in conflict zones
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Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE)
Curriculum Specialists
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Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE)
Literacy Tutors
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Literacy and Numeracy Support for High School ELLs
Calgary Catholic School District & St. Anne Academic Centre
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Calgary Immigrant Women's Association (CIWA)
Girls Culture Club
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The Immigrant Education Society (TIES)
Childminding Program Facilitator
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Land-Based Field Trip Series
Field trips and other opportunities to learn from Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers
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Asynchronous Land-Based Opportunity
Continue your journey to connect or reconnect with the land. This program is designed to be completed where students may be and at their own pace throughout the academic year. Complete a series of activity prompts and reflections based on place, land, and more.
Programs by Time Commitment
Opportunities change frequently, so please continue to check back for updates!
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Biogeoscience Institute (BGI) Trips
Fall & Winter Semesters
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Land-Based Learning Trips
Fall Semester
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Books to Build On Workshops
Fall Semester
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Canadian Wildlife Federation Workshop
Fall & Winter Semesters
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Summer Series Experiential Learning Workshop
Summer Semester
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Canadian Wildlife Federation - Project WILD Series
Fall Semester
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Canadian Wildlife Federation - Below Zero Series
Winter Semester
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Community Helpers Training
Fall Semester
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Building Community & Connection in Classrooms
September, based on your schedule
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Service-Learning Placements
Fall & Winter
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Volunteering with Diverse Communities Placements
Winter Semester
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Outgoing Teaching Across Borders
Approximately 18 months
- From initial Interest Sessions in September to final TAB Showcase in your final Winter semester.
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Peer to Peer Mentorship
October to March
- Approximately one meeting per month
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Professional to Pre-Service Mentorship
May to February
- Introductory conversations between May and August
- Approximately one meeting per month in September to February
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Werklund Undergraduate Ambassadors Team
September to April
- Based on events and session timing
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Arts Co-Curricular Enhancement Program
Complete the 6 steps throughout your entire degree, at your own pace.
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Asynchronous Land-Based Opportunity
Continue your journey to connect or reconnect with the land. This program is designed to be completed where students may be and at their own pace throughout the academic year. Complete a series of activity prompts and reflections based on place, land, and more.
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Mountains to Mole Hills
The Mountains to Mole Hills: Illuminating Stories in Science program gives students an opportunity to engage with local primary research and develop skills in translating science to a broad audience.
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Self-Directed Experiential Learning Framework (SELF)
The Self-Directed Experiential Learning Framework (SELF) program recognizes and enhances the paid and volunteer work that BEd students are already engaged in outside of the Werklund School of Education.
Experiential Learning Planning Guide
Use this guide to help plan out what opportunities you want to participate in and when you will be able to fit them into your degree.
If you have any questions, email the Experiential Learning team at wse.experiential@ucalgary.ca