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Description
The Sustainability Compass is a powerful systems thinking tool that can help us uncover the complex factors affecting the health of waterways like the Saint Lawrence River. This inquiry tool helps students understand a sustainability issue from a systems thinking perspective.
This three-part activity enhances systems thinking skills and systems mapping using The Sustainability Compass, allowing students to unlock their sustainability potential and discover exciting ways to create change in their communities.
In this interactive activity, students:
- are introduced to the conceptual framework of the sustainability compass
- identify systems from a video about the Saint Lawrence River, then use the sustainability compass case study and graphic organizer to analyze issues affecting the river
- create a system map for a waterway of their choice and identify ways they can take action.
- reflect on how their life experiences shape their perception of important issues
- add themselves to the compass and make connections between themselves and the other ideas they have on their compass.
Students will then select an environmental issue related to a local waterway and use the systems thinking tool to explore how different aspects of sustainability, such as nature, economy, society and personal wellbeing, are interconnected and affect the environment around us. At the end of the activity, students reflect on what actions can be taken to promote sustainable behaviour toward their chosen waterway.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
The Sustainability Compass helps students understand that biodiversity is not just about the individual species, but also about the complex relationships and interactions within ecosystems. By using the Sustainability Compass, students can gain a deeper understanding of how to take action to protect and enhance biodiversity within their communities.
This inquiry tool is easy to use and can be integrated into lesson plans, outdoor education activities, and community projects. Teachers can use the compass to apply a sustainability perspective to any topic, issue, activity, or project. It assists students in identifying areas where they can take action to enhance sustainability. This accessible tool is available to all K-12 educators across every subject. It requires no technology or extensive training, fosters critical 21st-century skills, and incorporates systems thinking practices to empower students to create a better world.
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
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 9: The biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere are interconnected, as matter cycles and energy flows through them.
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Knowledge and Employability Science: Biological Diversity (Social and Environmental Contexts Emphasis)
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Interactions in the Environment
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth and Space Systems: Water Systems
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- :Biology: Sustainable Ecosystems
- Prince Edward Island
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon Territory
Themes Addressed
Ecosystems (2)
- Biodiversity
- Interdependence
