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How Do Insects Survive the Winter?

Elementary, Middle

Description

Birds fly south, human bundle up, but what do insects do to survive the winter? From creating antifreeze-like alcohols to burrowing in the ground, insects have a few solutions of their own. Learn more about diapause, natural antifreeze and those that just throw in the towel when the temperatures drop, but not before helping their eggs and larvae prepare for the winter. Discover how climate change is affecting the overwintering strategies of some insects

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This video can be used as an introduction to support a number of middle school curriculum outcomes related to biodiversity and interactions within ecosystems. The learning could be extended with a citizen science project where students research and discover how climate change is affecting insects and other creatures.

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.

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  • Alberta
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    • Grade 7
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      • Science
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        • Interactions and Ecosystems
  • British Columbia
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    • Grade 5
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 5: Multicellular organisms have organ systems that enable them to survive and interact within their environment.
    • Grade 7
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 7: Evolution by natural selection provides an explanation for the diversity and survival of living things.
  • Manitoba
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    • Grade 6
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      • Science
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        • Diversity of Living Things
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      • Science
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        • Interactions Within Ecosystems
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
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      • Science
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        • Diversity of Life
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      • Science
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        • Interaction of Ecosystems
  • Northwest Territories
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    • Grade 5
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      • Science
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        • Science 5: Multicellular organisms have organ systems that enable them to survive and interact within their environment.
    • Grade 6
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Diversity of Living Things
    • Grade 7
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        • Interactions and Ecosystems
  • Nova Scotia
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      • Science
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        • Science 6: Diversity of Life
    • Grade 8
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      • Science
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        • Science 8: Climate Change
  • Nunavut
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    • Grade 6
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Interactions and Ecosystems
    • Grade 8
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      • Science
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        • Interactions in Our Environment
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
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        • Diversity of Life
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        • Interactions Within Ecosystems
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan
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      • Science
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        • Science 6: Life Science: Diversity of Living Things
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        • Science 7: Life Science: Interactions within Ecosystems
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 5: Multicellular organisms have organ systems that enable them to survive and interact within their environment.
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 7: Evolution by natural selection provides an explanation for the diversity and survival of living things.

Themes Addressed

Ecosystems (2)

  • Appreciating the Natural World
  • Biodiversity