Conservation Ecology (Grades 8, 10-12)
This program encourages students to look more closely at how humans are affecting marine ecosystems. Students begin their journey by learning the natural characteristics of three different ecosystems - rocky reefs, kelp forests and coral reefs - through a series of demonstrations with props and observations of live animals in the Aquariums' Tropic Zone and Treasures of the BC Coast. When they are done in the galleries, students return to the classroom to build model ecosystems like the ones they just observed. Then, they are given a range of scenarios to "develop" their ecosystems where they are encouraged to strike a balance between economics and the environment. Conservation Ecology gets students to consider the human factor in the world equation. Students learn the importance of small and large scale conservation efforts, the complexity of ecosystem structure and interactions, how human activities can affect marine ecosystems and the actions we can make to promote healthier and more sustainable marine ecosystems.
This was fantastic! Great fun! Very creative and interactive! - Comments from educators at the 2008 National Marine Educators Conference
Fall Semester (Oct-Dec), Thursdays, 9h30 and 12h30, 2 hours, $12.50/student, 20 – 30 students
Prescribed Learning Outcomes
Grade 8: It is expected that students will:
- Use models to explain how systems operate (A4) [Processes of Science]
- Explain the significance of salinity and temperature in the world’s oceans (D1) [Earth and Space Science: Water Systems on earth]
- Describe factors that affect productivity and species distribution in aquatic environments (D3) [Earth and Space Science: Water Systems on Earth]
Grade 10: It is expected that students will:
- Explain the interaction of abiotic and biotic factors within an ecosystem (B1) [Life Science: Sustainability of Ecosystems]
- Explain various ways in which natural populations are altered or kept in equilibrium (B3) [Life Science: Sustainability of Ecosystems]
- Evaluate possible causes of climate change and its impact on natural systems (D3) [Earth and Space Science: Energy Transfer in Natural Systems]
Grade 11: It is expected that students will:
- Analyse the functional inter-relationships of organisms within an ecosystem (D1) [Ecology]
- Analyse the increasing complexity of the Phylum Porifera and the Phylum Cnidaria (G2) [Animal Biology]
Grade 12: It is expected that students will:
- Describe the characteristics of the world’s climate regions, including: tropical wet and west coast marine [Geography 12: Weather and Climate]
- Analyse interactions between human activity and the atmosphere, with reference to: global climate change, acid precipitation [Geography 12: Weather and Climate]
- Describe how vegetation adapts to environmental conditions [Geography 12: Biomes]
- Analyse the interactions between human activity and biomes, with reference to deforestation, soil degradation, species depletion [Geography 12: Biomes]
- Assess the various consideration involved in resource management, including sustainability, availability, social/cultural consequences and economic consequences [Geography 12: Resources and Environmental Sustainability]
- Asses the environmental impact of human activities including energy production and use, forestry, fishing, agriculture, waste disposal and water use [Geography 12: Resources and Environmental Sustainability]