Healthy Habitats Outreach
This lesson focuses on teaching students what makes a habitat able to support life, how animals have adapted to the habitats in Saskatchewan, and how we can protect these places in the face of climate change. Students play a physical game that simulates the effects of habitat loss on species, then view biological specimens native to Saskatchewan to discuss their needs, how the prairies uniquely support them, and how we can help the environment in our daily lives.
This would be considered an introductory-level climate change discussion for students who have little to no experience with climate science.
Grades: K to 3
Duration: 45–60 minutes
Cost: Free
Materials:
All materials are provided by the GenAction team.
An ideal space would be a gym or ample room on the floor to play the game that involves floor mats and students moving around.
Curriculum Connections:
Science:
NSK.1: Explore features of their natural surroundings [e.g., soil, water, landform, and weather conditions], including changes to those surroundings over time.
LT1.2: Analyze the different ways in which plants, animals, and humans interact with various natural and constructed environments to meet their basic needs.
DS1.1: Compare and represent daily and seasonal changes of natural phenomena through observing, measuring, sequencing and recording.
DS1.2: Inquire as to which plants, animals, and humans adapt to daily and seasonal changes by changing their appearance, behavior, and/or location.
AN2.3: Assess the interdependence of humans and animals in natural and constructed environments.
AW2.2: Assess the importance of air and water for the health and survival of living things, including themselves and the environment.
PL3.1: Investigate the growth and development of plants, including the conditions necessary for germination.
PL3.2: Analyze the interdependence among plants, individuals, society, and the environment
Watersheds At Work Outreach
In this lesson, a model watershed demonstration is used to teach students the functions and values of watersheds and wetlands. Students then assess the effects and impacts of human activities and climate change in these areas, discuss current solutions to these issues, and play a physical game that illustrates the impacts of pollution throughout the ecosystem and the importance of waste management.
This would be considered an introductory-level climate change discussion for students who have little to no experience with climate science.
Grades: 4–6
Duration: 45–60 minutes
Cost: Free
Materials:
All materials are provided by the GenAction team.
An ideal space would be a gym or ample room on the floor to play the game that involves floor mats and students moving around.
Curriculum Connections:
Science:
HC4.3: Assess the effects of natural and human activities on habitats and communities and propose actions to maintain or restore habitats.
WE5.2: Investigate local, national, and global weather conditions, including the role of air movement and solar energy transfer.
MC5.3: Assess how the production, use, and disposal of raw materials and manufactured products affects oneself, society, and the environment.
DL6.1: Recognize, describe, and appreciate the diversity of living things in local and other ecosystems, and explore related careers.
EL6.1: Assess the personal, societal, economic, and environmental impacts of electricity use in Saskatchewan and propose actions to reduce those impacts.
EnviroCircuits Outreach
This lesson focuses on using Green Energy Snap CircuitsTM to build simple and parallel circuits that are powered by clean energy. Students become familiar with climate change, renewable energy and electrical properties, production, and control while learning about Saskatchewan’s current and future sources of power!
This would be considered an introductory-level climate change discussion and circuitry experience for students who have little to no experience in climate science or creating circuits.
Grades: 7–9
Duration: 45–60 minutes
Cost: Free
Materials:
All materials are provided by the GenAction team.
An ideal space would be a classroom or space with tables and chairs.
Curriculum Connections:
Science:
IE7.4: Analyze how ecosystems change in response to natural and human influences, and
propose actions to reduce the impact of human behavior on a specific ecosystem.
HT7.1: Assess the impact of past and current heating and cooling technologies related to food, clothing, and shelter on oneself, society, and the environment.
EC7.1: Analyze the societal and environmental impacts of historical and current catastrophic geological events and the scientific understanding of movements and forces within Earth's crust.
WS8.1: Analyze the impact of natural and human-induced changes to the characteristics and distribution of water in local, regional, and national ecosystems.
WS8.3: Analyze natural factors and human practices that affect productivity and species distribution in marine and freshwater environments.
CE9.2: Analyze the relationships that exist among voltage, current, and resistance in series and parallel circuits.
CE9.3: Assess the operating principles, costs, and efficiencies of devices that produce or use electrical energy.
CE9.4: Critique the impacts of past, current, and possible future methods of small and large-scale electrical energy production and distribution in Saskatchewan.