Environment Education Programs
for Secondary Students
While we have targeted grades for each program, please feel free to select any you feel are relevant to your student’s interest and area of study.
| Living Sustainably |    |
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| The Environment Centre is a unique building outstanding in the field of low impact and sustainable construction. Discover how a straw bale building can be stronger, more fire resistant and warmer than a conventional home. Explore the centre’s alternative energy systems. Students will have access to models and hands on demonstrations to better understand these techniques. One of the most sustainable buildings in Canada, the Environment Centre is an inspiring setting for students to discuss how houses and construction of the future can have a reduced impact on the environment. | |
| Grade 11 Environmental Science Grade 10 Construction Technology Grade 9 Exploring Construction Technology |
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| Ecological Footprint | |
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| What is our impact on the environment? Can we make better choices for a greener future? The Environment Centre is a living example of how buildings can be designed to have minimal impact. Tour it to see up close how building techniques, sewage treatment, renewable energy sources and grey water treatment can be used in everyday life. Test various appliances to see how much energy they consume, assess the impact of transportation and food choices. Students determine their ecological footprint and are introduced to ways in which their individual impact on the environment can be reduced. | |
| Grade 12 Environmental Resource Management | |
| Habitat Sustainability | |
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| Working in teams, students will use a variety of equipment to survey and assess the ecosystem surrounding the Environment Centre. This area has experienced a variety of disturbances and students will have the opportunity to directly observe the long term effects of human intervention. A series of hands-on activities will provide insight into what makes an ecosystem stable and diverse. As part of this program, students design a remediation plan for the site using native species. | |
| Grade 9 Science Grade 11 Biology Grade 12 Environmental Resource Management |
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| Walking on Sunshine. Sun Energy Systems | |
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| Don’t be caught in the fossil fuel past. See how the Environment centre maintains an energy neutral status through conservation, photo voltaic panels, solar hot water and geothermal heating. Build solar powered circuits, experiment with variables that affect efficiency. Construct a model solar hot water heater. Consider the wider impacts of various sources to power the turbine: how do fossil fuel, wind and water compare. Learn where our electricity comes from. | |
| Grade 9 Science Grade 11 Biology Grade 11 Environmental Science |
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| Blowing in the Wind, Wind Energy Systems | |
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| What can be powered by the wind? Build a working model of a wind turbine. Compare gearing, generators working in parallel and sequence. Compare blade design and make improvements. Measure the efficiency of various generation techniques. Is wind energy a viable means of supplying power to Canadians? | |
| Grade 9 Science Grade 11 Biology Grade 11 Environmental Science |
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| Pollution, Motion, Solution, Prevention | |
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| Soil pollution is a growing and flowing problem. Students participate in demonstrations that mimic tracing a point source of underground pollution by following the plume carried by ground water. Armed with this understanding of pollution sources, students test the local soil and plan a garden based on alternatives. | |
Grade 9 Science |
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| Carbon and Climate Change | |
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| The single biggest challenge to face humanity climate change, can be a daunting topic to teach. At the Camp Kawartha Environment Centre, students will analyze samples of various gases to determine carbon content and the likely point source of the carbon emitted. Students will also participate in an experiment, simulating the effects of greenhouse gas production. We’ll consider the effectiveness of the alternative energy sources and carbon neutral construction techniques used at the Environment Centre. Students will play active outdoor games that demonstrate the carbon cycle. We’ll round out the program by discussing how students can become carbon neutral and we’ll examine the use of carbon offsets. | |
| Grade 10 Science | |
| Environmental Assessment and Project Design | |
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| Modeled after real environmental assessments, students will survey the local environment recording details on vegetation, insect life, soil and water. Then, students must choose from a variety of proposed projects, evaluate the impacts of these projects and justify their choices. Students will propose alternatives and methods to mitigate effects of the development. May be completed by the whole group at the Centre as a stand alone activity, or students may take their results back to the classroom as part of a whole unit and write a detailed report. | |
| Grade 9 Geography | |
| Wetlands and ... Wetlands are moist green jewels in our wild ecosystems. | |
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They have long suffered from poor reputations, but science has proven them to be valuable havens of biodiversity, natural water purifiers and flood managers. The Camp Kawartha Environment Centre has three wetland programs to choose from. Each includes a visit to a local wetland to catch, identify and investigate macroinvertebrates. From this common beginning, the program can focus on: Flood Management, Diversity of Living Things or Water Quality. Or, choose all three and make it a full day of wetland wonder. 1) Wetlands and Flood Management 2) Wetlands and Diversity of Living Things 3) Wetlands and Water Quality |
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Grade 9 Science |
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| A Perfect Circle | |
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| Rethink garbage to eliminate waste. In the natural world everything is cycled perfectly and continuously. Our human made concept of waste and throwing things ‘away’ is slowly burying us in our own waste, tainting the soil and water. Through a variety of hands-on activities, students re-examine and revise their attitude towards garbage. | |
| Grade 11 Environmental Science | |
| Art - Natural History Drawings | |
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| Drawing from life is essential to developing technique and the ability to see. This program brings together a love of nature, history of botanical recording and fine art. Using examples, see how botanists of the past recorded their findings and learn what features need to be included in a good botanical study. After receiving a brief guide to using pencil, pen and water colours, students explore the natural world and record their impressions. If requested students may also work from our collection of preserved animals. | |
| All Grades | |
| Art - Nature Sculpture | |
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| Nature has long been an inspiration to artists. Encourage students to go beyond landscapes and animal pictures to make art in nature, about nature and from nature. Andy Goldsworthy acts as guide and teacher to making nature sculptures. Students view his work and analyze use of the elements of art and design. Then, out into the wild to make art. All artists will record their work, prepare an artist’s statement and share during a gallery tour. The class will return with digital photos of their art that can be used in future projects. | |
| All Grades | |
