Biodiversity and Ecosystems
Program description: Students investigate how plants and animals sustain life and explore how plant and animal structural systems support survival.
Curriculum connections: Students analyze organisms and relate external structures to functions; Students investigate the systems of Earth and reflect on how their interconnections sustain life.
Landscape Changes and Human History on the Land
Program description: Students will investigate the different earth systems and how they interconnect. They will also explore the role natural and human made waste play in the environment and how waste influences earth systems. Responsible citizenship is explored through the lens of being a good environmental steward.
Curriculum connections: Students investigate the systems of Earth and reflect on how their interconnections sustain life; Students examine significant historical events that contributed to the formation of the country of Canada; Students investigate changes in Canada’s political boundaries.
Rivers and Wetlands
Program description: Students will investigate the importance of rivers and wetlands for helping plants and animals sustain life. They will also explore how plants’ and animals’ structural systems support survival and how changes to water affect life.
Curriculum connections: Students analyze organisms and relate external structures to functions; Students investigate the systems of Earth and reflect on how their interconnections sustain life.
Beavers
Program description: Students learn how beavers shape the land and contribute to healthy ecosystems. They explore some of the adaptations beavers have that make them successful semi aquatic organisms and learn how some of these adaptations created demand for trade, shaping Canada as we know it today.
Curriculum connections: Students investigate the systems of Earth and reflect on how their interconnections sustain life; Students analyze organisms and relate external structures to functions; Students examine and apply design processes to meet needs; Students investigate changes in Canada’s political boundaries; Students examine significant historical events that contributed to the formation of the country of Canada; Students examine the role of the fur trade in the development of Canada.
Dark Skies
Program description: Students will explore how natural and artificial light influence life on earth. They will learn the importance of dark skies for both biological and cultural wellbeing and gain knowledge in how they can darken the night.
Curriculum connections: Students analyze organisms and relate external structures to functions; Students investigate the systems of Earth and reflect on how their interconnections sustain life.
Recreational Impacts
Program description: Students conduct an experiment to study the impacts of different recreational activities and develop mitigation strategies for preserving plants, wildlife, water and soil. They also participate in an activity designed to highlight different perspectives on the same issue.
Curriculum connections: Students investigate the management of waste and dangerous materials and describe environmental impacts; Students investigate the systems of Earth and reflect on how their interconnections sustain life.