Environment & Earth Sciences

David Suzuki Challenge

The David Suzuki Foundation is challenging everyone to commit to at least three of the ten actions listed on the site. It's a real way to get your kids thinking about small changes and big impacts. The challenges are easy. Some of you might already be doing many of these things but if each of us commits to them it will make a big difference. You can just do it on your own but better yet register online here. You can also learn more about the benefits of these actions on his website.

Environmental Defense

Being sensitive to the environment is important. This Web site is run by Environmental Defense, a group that is dedicated to "finding the ways that work". The information on the Web site can provide some smart environmental engineering tips.

Climate Change-The Government of Canada

Web site with useful information on climate change including the action Canada is taking to combat it.

IceWatch

This Canadian Nature Federation/Environment Canada project invites volunteers to contribute to a database to research how the climate will change in different regions of Canada, or how ecosystems will react to the change. Your class can become scientists by contributing their observations by watching for the winter "freeze up" and spring "break up" on a nearby lake, bay, or river. Their information will be entered into a database and they will be able to view a map showing their observation location and the location of other IceWatch volunteers in Canada. Cool, eh?

FrogWatch

FrogWatch another volunteer program from CNF in which participants of all ages can help scientists monitor Canada's frog populations. A guide is being developed for grades 7-12.

WormWatch

WormWatch is designed to help scientists learn more about earthworm populations and distribution in Canada. This knowledge will be useful in determining the health of our soils, and in tracking changes and reclaiming degraded sites. Volunteers of all ages can help monitor Canada’s worm populations. All you have to do is find a cool, moist spot and dig in!

Alaskan Wilds Classroom Activities

Check out this variety of wildlife and Alaskan Native cultural activities on the Alaska Wild website, an organization focused on environmental conservation in Alaska.

First Wave

FirstWave is a resource and learning platform for online and in-class safety, conservation and science education.

Responsible Citizenship and Sustainability Lesson Plans

R4R.ca connects teachers to lesson plans, books, videos and other materials that explore the environmental, social and economic dimensions of important issues and events unfolding in our world today. R4R resources have been reviewed by experienced classroom teachers and matched to relevant curriculum outcomes for each province and territory.  Use the search engine to find resources and read the reviews.  Most of these materials can be downloaded immediately. 

Sustainability Curriculum Framework

The following resources assist K-12 educators in incorporating environmental sustainability ideas and concepts into their teaching.

Lessons from the Land Lesson Plan

Lessons of Our Land is designed to make it easy for Pre-K through Grade 12 teachers to incorporate Native American stories, lessons and games into regular classroom instruction. This interdisciplinary Indian land curriculum was designed to align with existing state standards and is adaptable to include the history and culture of a region’s Indian nations. While Lessons of Our Land positions Native American tribal issues and values at the forefront, the curriculum emphasizes the fundamental relationship between land and people in general, not just Native Americans.