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Description
In this four-part series, hosts Zoe and Eric take students on video field trips to the oil sands operation in Northern Alberta. Students learn what oil sand is, why it is important, how it is taken out of the ground and the challenges involved. The videos discuss how bitumen is produced by plants, and the techniques used to separate the oil from the sand. The final video discusses the environmental implications of the process including water use, tailing ponds, landscape disturbances, and the need to balance environmental and economic needs. The videos come with an accompanying teachers guide, student work sheets, answer keys and extension activities.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This video series can be used to address outcomes in middle level science that deal with heat and temperature and the role of thermal technologies in sustainable energy development. Environmental science classes could use the videos to show the impacts of technology on the environment in a Canadian context. It could also be used in geography and social studies classes to promote discussion and debate on the importance of finding ways to balance the economic and environmental needs of the planet.
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
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 7: Environmental Action
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Atlantic Canada in the Global Community: Environment
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Heat and Temperature
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions in Our Environment
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Chemistry and the Environment
- Knowledge and Employability Science: Environmental Chemistry (Social and Environmental Contexts Emphasis)
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Natural Resources around the World: Use and Sustainability
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth and Space Systems: Heat in the Environment
- Life Systems: Interactions in the Environment
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Matter and Energy: Fluids
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Issues in Canadian Geography (Academic): Interactions in the Physical Environment
- Issues in Canadian Geography (Applied): Interactions in the Physical Environment
- Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Heat
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interdependence: Atlantic Canada in the Global Community: Environment in the Global Community
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Regional territory
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Regional territory
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Technological World
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Contemporary World: Environment
- Saskatchewan
Themes Addressed
-
Air, Atmosphere & Climate (2)
- Air Pollution
- Climate Change
-
Energy (1)
- Energy Generation
-
Science and Technology (2)
- Analysing Conventional Science
- Appropriate Technology
