This lesson plan educates students about the omnipresence of plastic, explains the negative impact of plastic on the environment, and helps them reflect on different alternatives that could be used instead of plastic by encouraging them to become more...
This experiential learning resource introduces students to the world of macroinvertebrates and the factors that negatively impact wetlands. A game approach is used to explore the effects of pollution on aquatic macroinvertebrate species. Then students...
Earth is known as the “blue planet” because over 70% of the surface is covered by water. However, most of this water is unavailable for human consumption. Canadians often assume our country has a generous supply of freshwater but...
This comprehensive set of nine activities is centered on the award-winning film, “Happy Feet Two”. Popular characters like Mumble and Erik are used to inspire students to become concerned about human impacts on Antarctic marine ecosystems...
According to the UN World Food Program, over 270 million people worldwide are suffering from extreme hunger and yet approximately one-third of the food that is produced on an annual basis is wasted. This lesson introduces students to the environmental,...
In this simulation lesson, students learn firsthand about the consequences of climate change. Students are asked to work in groups to build communities and attempt to develop mitigation and adaptation strategies while experiencing the impacts of a variety...
“Producing Garbage” is one of a series of lessons that uses active learning to teach young children concepts associated with understanding their ecological footprint. Students explore the environmental impacts of garbage from the perspective...
Students are introduced to the challenges faced by modern agriculture and its monoculture focus in providing food security now and in the future. As part of a series on the circular economy, this lesson promotes a system in which single crop food...
Based on the popular "Murder Handshake" game, this resource provides students with an opportunity to learn how invasive species affect our environment. The lesson specifically focuses on the invasive European Common Reed (Phragmites australis) which...
This resource challenges students to think about the effects of a warming climate on sea ice and sea levels in the Arctic. It emphasizes how climate patterns cause physical changes in the environment and how these physical changes can effect the...
The Chocolate Trade Game is role-playing game that allows each participant to experience what it might be like to be part of the cocoa trade. Participants learn about fair trade by acting out the various roles in the process from growing beans all...
This kit is designed to help teachers explore Canada's forests with their students. It will help explain sustainable forest management and show why it is important to Canada in terms of the economy, society and environment. Through 8 lessons, students...
This sustainability resource uses experiential learning, guided questioning, video presentation and research to help students recognize how their own electricity use impacts the growing demand for electricity. The activities effectively address the environmental...
This resource effectively illustrates the ways in which animals are important to the health and future of the planet. Four lessons demonstrate how human activities, including those related to climate change can result in habitat fragmentation and threaten...
This hands-on activity is designed to help young students understand the importance of wetland ecosystems. Specific wetland functions are represented by a collection of common household items. For example a sponge is used to illustrate the...
This learning activity provides students with the opportunity to explore the life cycle of a monarch butterfly by viewing online photo galleries and a shared class reading of an informational text about the monarchs. They will create their own visual...
Volunteer citizens are becoming more important to environmental research by helping to collect data for climate change, biodiversity and habitat studies. This resource introduces students to citizen science concepts through a detailed investigation of...
This resource is designed to teach students how to make informed decisions when selecting their favourite seafood. The lessons take a balanced approach to the topic of sustainable harvest by examining vital ecosystem links, by-catch issues and how...
This resource brings awareness to the increasing number of “dead zones’ in marine areas that are occurring as a result of agricultural practices related to current food production. These “dead zones’ are unable to support life...
This resource examines the biodiversity and the complexity of the various life forms that make up Canadian forests. The emphasis is on helping students appreciate the relationships and interdependence of all species in this ecosystem. Students learn...