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Description
Young people have endless fun with “selfies”, but they may be even more excited to participate in the Parks Canada “Coasties” project that monitors climate change impacts on shorelines using citizen photographs. This video takes students to Prince Edward Island National Park, where scientists use this intiative to track issues such as dune erosion and protect endangered species like the Piping Plover. Now located in five National Parks, special cell phone stands encourage visitors to snap and submit a picture that will be used to measure ecosystem shifts resulting from storm surges, rising sea levels or human activity. This entertaining film highlights how innovative citizen involvement can support the science that will help us all understand how we can reduce the impacts of warming temperatures on our planet.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This video supports Grade 6-9 Science lessons investigating climate change impacts on habitats and ecosystems. Pupils will understand the connections between abiotic and biotic components of a natural system and how dynamic environments like shorelines are constantly changing. This film also highlights how ordinary citizens can provide authentic data for ecological monitoring, which supports discussions about technology and innovation in science.
If a school is near one of the National Parks that has a "Coastie" station then a class field trip could actively involve students in the project. If this option is not available, Parks Canada has many other citizen science projects where youth can participate in environmental stewardship. Information about these projects, including the "Coastie" intiative, can be found on the Parks Canada website.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 7 Earth Surface Processes: Scientific Literacy
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 9 Ecosystem Dynamics: Learning and Living Sustainably
- Science 9 Ecosystem Dynamics: Scientific Literacy
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Interactions in the Environment
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- :Biology: Sustainable Ecosystems
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Things
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon Territory
Themes Addressed
Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)
- Climate Change
Ecosystems (2)
- Endangered Species
- Habitat Loss
Science and Technology (1)
- Alternative Ways of Doing Science
