.png)
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
AGE 14-18
A variety of activities on a number of topics are both online (click titles) & downloadable in pdf below. These activities were created by teachers, volunteers and outdoor education experts for complimentary use by schools, non-profit organizations, parents and anyone who wants to help create a more sustainable future. Don't forget to explore some of the career research sites!
PLANTS AND ANIMALS
Through investigations and experimentation, students determine plants' needs, structure, and adaptations. Students can demonstrate their knowledge of plants and the environment by writing, drawing and keeping scientific logs.
Students will discover how to tell the age and life events of a tree, estimate tree height, and take an environmental inventory of a specific piece of land. Tree rings teach students the importance of observing nature to understand local environments and discover how major natural events and human activity can affect our natural resources.
Students will compare human skin and sea otter fur and observe finer details of the sea otter fur. They will discover the fur’s function and how it helps sea otters survive their environment, then apply this information to create a diagrammatic representation of the sea otters’ habitat.
Check out this exciting activity to learn how to grow your own seedling!
ENDANGERED SPECIES
This will provide students with extended opportunities to become familiar with different endangered species and to further investigate the impacts of animal extinction. In addition, students will develop critical thinking and persuasive writing skills through a thoughtful analysis of animal endangerment.
This activity teaches students to discuss problems that wild animals and plants face from humans, list examples of how personal feelings and beliefs can affect situations involving wild organisms, and make decisions about a value-related plant/animal issue.
This is an exercise that will strengthen public speaking skills, boost confidence, and foster healthy debate skills with a focus on whales in captivity. A class/group will be divided into 2 groups. One side FOR keeping whales in captivity and the other AGAINST.
ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
Through a fun role play activity, students will create a town hall meeting and represent various stakeholders and views around a controversial timber harvesting project.
In this activity, students must write a news release or opinion column about their research and a possible school/class survey, then send it to their local media outlet. Ensure a spokesperson(s) has been identified. This activity is a chance for students to voice their opinions on major issues affecting our forests.
The goals of this activity are to encourage students to be more responsible for the production and control of waste in their own lives. Students will analyze their home environments and establish recycling, composting, and energy-saving systems that will lessen their family’s impact on the environment.
This lesson plan, intended as the first in a series of ecology lessons, introduces students to the major biomes, giving students an overview of a set of ecosystems influenced primarily by climatic conditions.
This lesson is designed to teach students about environmental issues. Students will learn how to address serious world issues, both informing and encouraging them to take positive action.
In this lesson, students will explore the topic of Climate Change over a 50-year period in their local region of the province.
This investigative activity encourages students to think critically and act as environment detectives. This is to encourage students to look at their environment differently, stretching their imagination and creativity to their fullest potential.