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Description
This activity explores the issue of coastal erosion. Students learn how storms can impact coastline habitat and infrastructure. Using two bins, students conduct an experiment to simulate the effects of wave action on shorelines. In one bin, sand and water are used to create the coastline and a cardboard building the students construct (eg lighthouse) is anchored in the sand near the water to represent the community. Another building is similarly located in a sand and gravel substrate in the second bin. After predicting what might happen to each coastal community during a storm, a spoon is used to create wave action in the water and the resulting changes in each coastline are observed.
Questions are provided to prompt student discussion on the implications of coastal erosion for actual communities and what steps might be taken to slow down the process.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This activity is best suited for the elementary Science classroom. Students make predictions, learn about the impacts of coastal erosion and consider how to mitigate its effects. The resource would support outcomes related to weather, climate change and earth science.
The Discover Our Climate learning activities are designed for grades primary to six and focus on Atlantic Canada. Each activity encourages students to be curious and create solutions for the on-going climate challenges we face.
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 2
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- Science
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- Science
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- Soils in the Environment
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- Science
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- Earth Science
- Rocks, Minerals, and Erosion
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- Science
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- Earth Science
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- New Brunswick
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- Grade 2
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- Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
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- Our Local Environment : Learning and Living Sustainably
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- Properties and Uses of Earth Materials: Learning and Living Sustainably
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- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
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- Grade 3
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- Science
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- Earth & Space Systems: Soils in the Environment
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- Science
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- Earth & Space Systems: Rocks, Minerals & Erosion
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- Science
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- Earth and Space Systems: Weather
- Ontario
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- Grade 3
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- Science & Technology
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- Earth and Space Systems: Soils in the Environment
- Grade 4
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- Science & Technology
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- Earth and Space Systems: Rocks, Minerals, and Geological Processes
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
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- Grade 2
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- Earth and Space
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- Earth and Space
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon Territory
Themes Addressed
Air, Atmosphere & Climate (2)
- Climate Change
- Weather
Ecosystems (2)
- Appreciating the Natural World
- Habitat Loss
Water (1)
- Marine Environments
