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Item Open Access Lessons for Science Classrooms: Turning Research Findings into Student-Friendly Learning(2021-01-01) Howlett, Tracy; Catholique, Alexandria;; Karsgaard, Carrie; MacKay, Makenzie; D'Souza, AmabelThe Tracking Change – Lesson Plans for NWT and Alberta Secondary Science Classrooms are based on extensive research with Indigenous peoples and local communities in the Mackenzie River Basin through Tracking Change. This research is intended to strengthen the voices of subsistence fishers and Indigenous communities in governance, as well as to demonstrate how the rivers are socially, economically, culturally, and ecologically important to the place and people. It was important to local communities that the knowledge they shared as part of Tracking Change was passed on to young people. These inquiry-based lesson plans bring research findings to life for youth in junior high and high school. The lesson plans were created to both meet curriculum outcomes and to share interesting aspects of the research done by local communities within the students’ own region.Item Open Access Lesson Template S10-Global Climate Change: Student Handout: Mekong Basin Case Study(2020-06-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, AlexandriaThe Mekong River is a large river that is approximately 4,350 km long, with a drainage area of 795,000 km2. It is the twelfth longest river in the world and the seventh longest river in Asia. Originating in the Tibetan Plateau, the Mekong River crosses southern China before passing Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, where the Mekong flows into the South China Sea. The Mekong River Basin is home to a large variety of ethnic groups. Over 60 million people live along the river and in the river basin. They are heavily dependent on Mekong Basin fisheries for food and income. The river itself is situated in both tropical and subtropical biomes/areas. The seasons of the Mekong River Basin are separated into wet and dry seasons, with the wet season characterized by intense rain and monsoons.Item Open Access Experiential Science 30: Disturbance and Development: Student Handout: Mining Case Study(2020-06-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, AlexandriaMining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth such as metals, precious gems, coal, gravel, and more. Mining also includes the extraction of non-renewable resources such as petroleum and natural gas. Mining is a human activity that is a large part of both our history and our current life. While mining is necessary to how our current society functions, it also has some disadvantages. It impacts local ecosystems and causes major environmental issues, such as water pollution. Mines impact the health of the fish and wildlife near the mines and connected waterways, which is an issue for many Indigenous communities who rely on the fish and wildlife for food.Item Open Access Lesson Template S10-Global Climate Change: Student Handout: Mackenzie Basin Case Study(2020-06-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, AlexandriaThe Mackenzie River is the longest river system in Canada and the second largest drainage basin in North America (after the Mississippi). With an area of 1,805,200 km2, the river basin is about one-fifth of the entire area of Canada! The river is known by many names to local communities (e.g., Dehcho in Slavey, Nagwichoonjik in Gwich’in, and Kuukpak in Inuvialuktun), and it has been key to the survival of Indigenous Peoples in the North for thousands of years. The river basin stretches across large parts of western Canada and is home to more than 400,000 people (as of 2001), 10% of whom are First Nations, Métis, and Inuvialuit (MRBB 2003; GNWT 2010). The Mackenzie River is vulnerable to multiple stressors such as climate change, commercial fish harvesting, and resource development activities. Primary development in the area is associated with oil extraction and deforestation. Pipelines and associated spills, forestry, and mining activities have changed the quality and flow of water in the region. The socio-ecological impacts from these activities also affect fishing livelihoods, which is a significant component of traditional food systems for many of the people relying on the river.Item Open Access Experiential Science 30: Disturbance and Development: Student Handout: Hydroelectric Damming Case Study(2020-06-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, AlexandriaHydro dams are a great source for renewable energy in regions where water is plentiful. They use the force of running water to generate energy through dams across rivers. Hydropower is a replacement for harmful fossil fuels that contribute to climate change, positively impacting the health of the planet. Hydro dams do not release pollutants into the air, meaning the air around them remains clean to breathe. However, hydro damming has significant environmental impacts on local ecosystems. Hydro damming blocks fish migrations, traps sediments upstream that are important to downstream ecosystems, and keeps Indigenous peoples from accessing some of their traditional fishing areas.Item Open Access Lesson Template S10-Global Climate Change: Student Handout: Amazon Basin Case Study(2020-06-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, AlexandriaThe Amazon Basin is the largest hydrographic basin in the world. It is one of the more pristine watersheds in Brazil, with the highest freshwater fish diversity in the world. It also sustains many small-scale fisheries. The Amazon river is over 6600 km long, with a basin area of roughly 5.5 million km2. The Amazon region contains an estimated population of 30 million from several different countries, each having jurisdiction over the river. The river is home to 350 ethnic groups, 60 of which remain almost completely isolated.Item Open Access Lesson Template S10-Global Climate Change: Student Handout: Presentation Rubric(2020-06-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, AlexandriaClimate Change lesson: presentation rubricItem Open Access Experiential Science 30: Disturbance and Development: Assignment: Student Handout: Presentation Rubric(2020-06-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, AlexandriaPresentation rubric.Item Open Access Science 10: Global Climate Change & Rivers in Different Biomes (Indigenous Knowledge Lesson Plan)(2020-06-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, AlexandriaMany communities around the world rely on waterways for transportation, agriculture, drinking water, and as a source of food. Freshwater is essential, but it is increasingly threatened due to climate change. This lesson introduces students to ways communities in three different parts of the world contribute to and experience climate impacts on freshwater environments. Students will explore communities in the Amazon, the Mekong, and the Mackenzie rivers/biomes in order to compare and contrast climate change contributors and effects in different river systems. Students will learn about how human activities affect different biomes in various locations, how these activities contribute to climate change, and the actions taken to deal with the impacts of climate change.Item Open Access Experiential Science 30: Disturbance and Development: Student Handout: How to Conduct an Interview(2020-06-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, AlexandriaProvides directives and best practices in developing questions and planning interviews.Item Open Access Tracking Change - Youth Program - Update 31 July 2020(2020-07-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, AlexandriaPower point presentation outlining progress on developing teaching materias/curriculum for lesson plans.Item Open Access Science 10: Climate Change (Indigenous Knowledge Lesson Plan)(2020-06-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, AlexandriaClimate heating is a global issue. Indigenous peoples in Canada, as well as in other parts of the world, are global leaders in the fight against climate change. This lesson introduces students to ways young Indigenous peoples are involved in climate activism and allows them to investigate climate impacts in their own community. It also enables students to network their learning with students in other locations across the Mackenzie River Basin using online technology, in order to compare local knowledge of climate impacts across their region.Item Open Access Experiential Science 30: Disturbance and Development (Indigenous Knowledge Lesson Plan)(2020-06-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, AlexandriaIndustrial development can be important for economic development, but it also poses serious threats to the environment. For instance, chemicals used in mining can enter waterways. Understanding these impacts is important when making decisions about approving projects and identifying ways to mitigate the negative effects. This lesson exposes students to resource development projects in the Northwest Territories, introduces how Indigenous knowledge and local communities contribute to understanding of toxins, and allows students to investigate the environmental disturbances that can arise from development. Students will be challenged to apply their learning to investigate a local issue using primary and secondary research, and then convey what they learned in a creative way.Item Open Access Science 7 -- Ecosystem Shift: Aquatic (Indigenous Knowledge Lesson Plan)(2020-06-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, AlexandriaThis lesson meets cross-curricular outcomes for Science 7 and Social Studies 7. Students will learn about Indigenous knowledge of freshwater ecosystems in the Mackenzie River Basin, which is within the circumpolar region, including how Indigenous peoples track environmental impacts of industrial projects. Industrial projects are becoming more commonplace in the Mackenzie River Basin, causing changes in the local aquatic ecosystem. One key ecosystem shift is the change in fish habitat, health, and population. Students will learn the significant relationship between humans, their environment and the consequences of human activities on the environment. This lesson introduces students to the implications/consequences of human activities and how these changes have been noticed and recorded by sharing important quotes from Elders, Land Users and community members who have noticed a shift in fish health and populations.Item Open Access Science 8: Local Drinking Water (Indigenous Knowledge Lesson Plan)(2020-06-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, AlexandriaMany Indigenous communities in Canada do not have access to clean drinking water. Lack of infrastructure, along with pollution caused by various industries, affects local drinking water. In this lesson, students will come to understand the significance of water supply and quality to the needs of humans and other living things in their local community. To do so, they will administer a survey and analyze the results to investigate the ways that water is used in their community, the quality of the water, and the perceived threats to the water. This lesson meets cross-curricular outcomes for Science 8 and Mathematics 8.Item Open Access Experiential Science 30: Disturbance and Development: Student Handout: Organization Table(2020-06-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, AlexandriaA learning tool (table) students can use to record information as they read through the case study, and refer back to it when they make their presentation.Item Open Access Science 8: Local Aquatic System Health (Indigenous Knowledge Lesson Plan)(2020-06-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, AlexandriaAquatic ecosystems are impacted by human induced threats such as climate change, industrial development (oil and gas, mining), and hydroelectric dams. Indigenous knowledge and observations of land users are important sources of information in understanding these threats to water. Western science is also a useful way of investigating water quality. This lesson introduces students to different threats facing the Mackenzie River and types of scientific tests that can explain the health of the water. Students will get firsthand experience completing scientific monitoring by investigating water pollution in order to understand the consequences of human activities on the environment. This lesson gives students the chance to get hands-on experience with western scientific approaches to understand aquatic ecosystem health.Item Open Access Science 7 -- Informed Decision Making (Indigenous Knowledge Lesson Plan)(2020-06-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, AlexandriaThis lesson meets cross-curricular outcomes for Science 7 and Social Studies 7. Students will learn the contributions of Indigenous knowledge to decision-making about current events/issues in the Mackenzie River Basin, which is within the circumpolar region. Due to human activities such as development, climate change, hydro damming, and others, the Mackenzie River Basin is facing many problems. Managing these issues is important in ensuring that the health of the river is protected and people’s livelihoods are supported. Students will learn the significant relationship between humans and the ecosystems of which they are part. This lesson introduces students to the importance of using all knowledge available (traditional, local, and scientific) in making decisions about current and future problems, using case studies about important environmental issues.Item Open Access Science 8: Human Impacts Local (Indigenous Knowledge Lesson Plan)(2020-06-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, Alexandria71% of the world’s surface is covered in water, from salt water systems to freshwater systems. What happens when our actions as a society impact these vital ecosystems that are part of our daily lives for water, food, and fun? This lesson introduces students to researching and analyzing different human impacts on the environment, and invites students to make decisions that benefit local ecosystems. Students will learn how to analyze the different factors affecting marine and freshwater environments, the human impacts on the environment, and how to address these issues. This lesson shares some excerpts and quotes from the tracking change reports for the purpose of researching the different human impacts on the environment.Item Open Access Experiential Science 30: Freshwater Ecology (Indigenous Knowledge Lesson Plan)(2020-06-01) Karsgaard, Carrie; Mackay, Mackenzie; Catholique, AlexandriaFish are an important part of many people’s diets, and having reliable access to fish in a nearby waterway is an important part of many communities’ health and food security. While western science provides important information about local fish resources, fishers and Indigenous peoples have been gathering and passing on information about fish populations for generations. This knowledge is key to the livelihoods of communities throughout the Mackenzie River basin. In this lesson, students will conduct fieldwork to investigate local fish resources in a way that is rooted in Indigenous knowledge and on-the-land experience.