Biodiversity and Ecosystems
Program description: Students learn about different ecosystems, their biotic and abiotic components. They investigate how climate and extreme weather affect ecosystems. Students will conduct an experiment comparing diversity in different ecosystems (either pond dip comparing two wetlands or comparing diversity between 2 ecosystems in the park. Please let coordinator know which you would like when booking). They will explore writing a hypothesis and identifying controlled and manipulated variables.
Curriculum connections: Students investigate climate, changes in climate, and the impact of climate change on Earth; Students investigate the characteristics and components of and interactions within ecosystems.
Landscape Changes and Human History on the Land
Program description: Students examine evidence to better understand how our changing climate and weather events are impacting the Weaselhead natural area. They will build a timeline of historic events in the area and study local maps and discuss the different human and non-human factors that have shaped the land.
Curriculum connections: Students investigate climate, changes in climate, and the impact of climate change on Earth; Students investigate the characteristics and components of and interactions within ecosystems.
Rivers and Wetlands
Program description: Students examine evidence to better understand how our changing climate is impacting plants, insects, and vertebrates that depend on rivers and wetlands for survival. Students develop a deeper understanding of the Scientific Method, learning about our Impact Study and the importance of monitoring changes over time. Students will conduct an experiment comparing diversity in different wetlands. They will explore writing a hypothesis and identifying controlled and manipulated variables.
Curriculum connections: Students investigate climate, changes in climate, and the impact of climate change on Earth; Students investigate the characteristics and components of and interactions within ecosystems.
Beavers
Program description: Students learn how one animal has shaped the land and Canadian culture. They explore the adaptations that help beavers be so successful and discover the impact beavers have on the land. Students will conduct an experiment comparing the impact of beavers on two different wetlands. They will explore writing a hypothesis and identifying controlled and manipulated variables.
Curriculum connections: Students investigate climate, changes in climate, and the impact of climate change on Earth; Students investigate the characteristics and components of and interactions within ecosystems.
Recreational Impacts
Program description: Students conduct experiments 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 climate, changes in climate, and the impact of climate change on Earth. Students investigate the characteristics and components of and interactions within ecosystems.
Recreational Impacts on Natural Areas Program Package
Recreational Impacts on Natural Areas Student Worksheets