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Description
This resource from the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s Mission Biodiversity series helps students understand how water pollution affects people, wildlife, and aquatic ecosystems. Through mind mapping, a hands-on simulation game, video analysis, and a community pollution audit, students investigate sources of pollution, explore how waterways connect communities to the ocean, and identify ways to prevent pollution and protect biodiversity.
Students will:
- create a mind map to explore their connections to the ocean and the importance of healthy oceans for people and ecosystems.
- locate their community on a map and trace the waterways that connect it to the ocean.
- use a variety of resources to investigate how surface waters connect their community to the ocean, link watersheds and neighbouring communities, and provide habitats for marine wildlife.
- participate in a team-based simulation game in which they transport clean water from an inland community, along a river, to an ocean creature.
- watch a video about water pollution and reflect on its impacts on people and wildlife.
- conduct a pollution audit around their school or in their community to identify potential sources of water pollution. Students record its impacts on people and wildlife and suggest responsible disposal methods to prevent pollutants from entering oceans, lakes, and rivers.
The final activity allows students to apply what they have learned about water pollution and biodiversity to their local environment and identify practical actions to protect aquatic ecosystems. The resource includes videos, discussion questions, and links to additional resources to help students understand how to protect habitats and wildlife from pollution, one of the five major threats to biodiversity.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This resource can be used to connect classroom learning with Ocean Shoreline Clean Up Day, World Water Day (March 22), and the International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22). Students investigate local sources of water pollution, trace how waterways connect to the ocean, and explore the impacts of pollution on aquatic habitats and biodiversity. They can apply their learning through a school or community litter audit and develop awareness campaigns promoting pollution prevention and habitat protection. Curriculum connections for science, geography and language arts for grades five to eight.
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 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Citizenship: Understanding local, national, and global issues empowers individual and collective action toward an inclusive society
- 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
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 6: World Issues
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 7: Environmental Action
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Biodiversity
- 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
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Civic Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Culture and Citizenship in Québec: Ecological transition
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Civic Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Culture and Citizenship in Québec: Ecological transiton
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Things
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Civic Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Culture and Citizenship in Québec: Environmental responsibility
- Saskatchewan
Themes Addressed
Ecosystems (3)
- Appreciating the Natural World
- Biodiversity
- Wildlife Protection
Human Health & Environment (1)
- Environmental Contaminants & Health Hazards
Waste Management (1)
- Source Reduction
Water (1)
- Water Quality