Curriculum

13 Sections
40 Lessons
Lifetime

Expand all sectionsCollapse all sections

Chapter One: The System of Things
What is biodiversity is and why does it matter? Students will learn why this course matters, as well as the core concepts and terms that will be covered.
4
Chapter Two: The Context of it All - Carrying Capacity and Food Chains
Understanding Canada's different contexts and why context matters in scientific inquiry. Students will also explore food chains and carrying capacities.
4
Chapter Three: We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know - Reproduction and Genetics
How to dig deeper and learn what you don't know you don't know. Students will also learn about genetics and reproduction.
4
Chapter Four: Hard Stuff is Hard - Natural Selection and Extinction
Hard decisions are hard, but good problem solving begins with asking the better question. Students will also explore the difference between natural selection and extinction, and learn why good ethics comes down to good science.
4
Chapter Five: Here’s How
Why process matters (and doesn't). Students will explore the scientific method, traditional knowledge and good stewardship, while working to build skills that will help in the scientific world and beyond.
4
Chapter Six: Your Turn
It's time to create! Students are introduced to their final project and are offered tools from diverse experts to help them excel.
4
Chapter Seven: Dig Deeper
Why critical thinking matters and how to be a better critical thinker. Students will build on and apply the knowledge they acquired in the first half of this course, in order to help them with their final project and in life.
3
Chapter Eight: Be Better
Words matter. Listening matters. Being heard matters. Students will explore the importance of good communication and consultation, while building on and applying the knowledge they acquired in the first half of this course as they pursue their final project.
3
Chapter Nine: Own Your Hypocrisy
Don't be a hypocrite: for the sake of our democracy, we need to be better critics. Students will work to improve their skills as both reviewers and reviewees, while putting their final project under the microscope for peer feedback.
3
Chapter Ten: Keep Going
Key Ideas: Keep going (sometimes). Students will explore different types of failure, why mentorship can help and the importance of resiliency.
3
Chapter Eleven: One Last Thing
That one thing everyone wishes they knew at 15. Students will explore life lessons from 150 diverse citizens and learn how this class can help them in the future, no matter what life they choose to live.
2
- 11.1
  Part One: Lesson Media
- 11.2
  Part Two: Activities
Chapter Twelve: The End (of the Beginning)
This lesson will allow for students to effectively get their message across to an audience.
1
- 12.1
  Final Submission
Additional Activities
1
- 13.1
  Extensions

Part Two: Activities

In chapters seven through eleven, the activities are designed to help students take what they’ve learned in this chapter, combine it with the knowledge they acquired across the first five chapters, and apply the lessons to their final project. As always, you can decide which (and how many) activities you’d like students to complete.

Chapter Recap: In this activity, students will reflect on all that they’ve learned during this course. This recap is helpful when double-checking comprehension and information retainment, as well as to prepare students for any type of testing. You can elect for students to use the Padlet tool to brainstorm what they learned.

Applying Your Lessons: This activity aims to help students reflect on what they’ve learned in this course and how they might apply the lessons, skills and tools they’ve acquired to the career path they’re pursuing.

Career Exploration: Students can explore and listen (or re-listen) to every expert featured in this course in order to find inspiration and helpful advice as they pursue a career in this field.

Perfect Pitch: This activity helps students prepare for presenting their final project.

Presentation Rubric: This activity allows students to reflect or double-confirm how their final project will be evaluated. Obviously, you are free to use your own rubric or evaluation outline if you wish to assess the final project differently.

Part One: Lesson Media

Final Submission