Programs & Experiences

You can enrich your students' field trip and enhance their education with an unforgettable experience at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre. Interactive programs appeal to the varied interests and learning styles of your students. In addition to day programs, the Centre offers an exciting and memorable Sleepover Program to extend your learning experience.

For more information on the Sleepover Program, all of the many Education Programs provided by the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, and how to book programs, contact the Centre by phone at 403-562-7388 or by email at frankslideinfo@gov.ab.ca

A minimum charge for 15 students applies to all education programming and sleepovers. 

Education Programs

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Frank Slide Survival Kit (All Grades)

Grades: All Grades

Dates available: All year (Outdoor program that can be adapted to indoor during inclement weather)

Total time: 1.5 hours

Cost: $5/student (Can be combined with other programs - total is $5/student for multiple programs) 

  • Our most popular program
  • Students go on a 1.5 km guided trail walk through the rocks of the Frank Slide
  • Learn the geology of how Turtle Mountain was formed and why the slide came down
  • Hear fascinating stories of the people involved, both survivors and victims
  • What knowledge might have helped the residents of Frank escape the rockslide in 1903?

Curriculum Connections

  • Social Studies
  • Science

Preparation

Turtle Mountain Rocks (Grades K-3)

Grades: K-3

Dates available: All year (indoor program)

Total time: 1 hour

Cost: $5/student (Can be combined with other programs - total is $5/student for multiple programs). 

  • Young students become scientists to learn about the different rocks in Turtle Mountain
  • Learn how the mountain was built and why it fell
  • Craft making (conglomerate fridge magnet and dinosaur footprint cast)
  • Program concludes with the creation (and eating) of ice cream model of Turtle Mountain

Curriculum Connections

  • Science

Preparation

Promises of Paradise (Grades 3-6)

Grades: 3-6

Dates available: All year (indoor program)

Total time: 1.5 hours (Can be modified to fit 1 hour)

Cost: $5/student (Can be combined with other programs - total is $5/student for multiple programs)  

  • Students take on the role of new immigrants to the Crowsnest Pass
  • Learn how many Europeans were lured by promises of free land and good jobs in the coal mines
  • Students play a fun game to find out how their character fared upon arriving in Canada

Curriculum Connections

  • Social Studies

Preparation

Scoop (Grades 4-6)

Grades: 4-6

Dates available: All year (indoor program)

Total time: 1.5 hours (Can be modified to fit 1 hour)

Cost: $5/student (Can be combined with other programs - total is $5/student for multiple programs)  

  • Students become newspaper reporters
  • Students search for accurate information on the Frank Slide
  • Inaccurate reporting at the time of the slide led to many myths and misconceptions
  • Students put together a 2-page newspaper
  • Teacher will receive a digital copy of the newspaper the class creates

Curriculum Connections

  • Social Studies
  • Science
  • English Language Arts

Preparation

 

Killer Mountain C.S.I. (Grades 7-12)

Grades: 7-12

Dates available: All year (Outdoor program that can be adapted to indoor during inclement weather)

Total time: 1.5 hours

Cost: $5/student (Can be combined with other programs - total is $5/student for multiple programs)  

  • Students become C.S.I. recruits to examine a cold case
  • Students examine the cold case of Frank Slide, in which nearly 100 people were killed
  • What caused Turtle Mountain to become a killer?
  • Students take a 1.5 km guided trail walk through the "crime scene" of the slide
  • Students examine evidence and solve the crime

Curriculum Connections

  • Social Studies
  • Science

Preparation

Hear that Whistle Blow (Grades 4-12)

This is an off-site program that takes place at the Hillcrest Mine Disaster Memorial Park and Cemetery.

Grades: 4-12

Dates available: Spring-Summer-Fall (there is an indoor version at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre available in case of inclement weather)

Total time: 1.5 hours

Cost: $5/student (Can be combined with other programs - total is $5/student for multiple programs)  

  • In 1914, an explosion at the Hillcrest Mine killed 189 coal miners
  • Each student becomes one of the men who were working at the mine that day
  • Learn about coal mining and the tragic events of the day
  • Find out if your character lived or died
  • Walk through the Hillcrest Cemetery and visit the mass graves where the miners were buried

Curriculum Connections

  • Social Studies

Preparation

  • Program Booking Form 
  • This program requires transportation for the students from the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre to and from the Hillcrest cemetery (5 km drive)

Miners Wanted (Grades 3-6)

This is an off-site program that takes place at Leitch Collieries Provincial Historic Site.

Grades: 3-6

Dates available: Spring-Summer-Fall (This program is weather dependent. There is no indoor version.)

Total time: 1.5 hours

Cost: $5/student (Can be combined with other programs - total is $5/student for multiple programs)  

  • Learn about coal mining with a tour of Leitch Collieries, an early 20th century coal mine
  • Students role-play as miners looking for work
  • Students go through a number of physical activities as part of their miner's training
  • Students earn a Miner's Certificate for completing their training

Curriculum Connections

  • Social Studies

Preparation

  • Program Booking Form 
  • This program requires transportation for the students to Leitch Collieries Provincial Historic Site, 8 km east of the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre
  • Washroom at Leitch Collieries is open from May 15 through Labour Day

Sleepover Program (All Grades)

Grades: All Grades

Dates available: All year 

Total time: Overnight - Program starts at 5 p.m. and concludes at 12:30 p.m. the following day

Cost: $40/student 

  • Teachers choose programs from the Education Programs list
  • Breakfast included
  • Group brings their own sleeping bags and mats
  • Group sleeps among the exhibits in the Centre beneath the shadow of Turtle Mountain
  • Sleepover Program is also great for Girl Guides, Brownies, Scouts, Cubs, and Beavers

Preparation