Grade 8-12 Full Water Curriculum
There are several issues that can impact the health of the Okanagan watershed; such as floods, forestry, climate change, government and treaties, as well as invasive species.
Please review full curriculum in the PDF at the bottom of the page to gain full understanding of the lesson and activity.
Activity: Invasive Species Inquiry Project
Grades: 6–9 (Adaptable for Grades 10–12)
Subjects: ADST, STEAM
Number of lessons/time: 3 Lessons
Invasive species spread rapidly and can negatively impact our ecosystem and native species. In the Okanagan there are both aquatic and terrestrial invasive species present.
The Syilx culture views water as a relative, not a resource, and when invasive species threaten the watershed and our salmon, it affects all of us. This design project will allow for students to inquire and develop a prototype of a device that will help with invasive species.
What To Do
- Ask students to pair up and brainstorm what are invasive species (terrestrial and aquatic).
- Define “invasive species” versus “native species” to students and discuss what constitutes an invasive species: fast growth, rapid reproduction, no natural predators, high dispersal ability, tolerance of a wide range of environmental conditions, able to change the soil or water conditions so native species can’t grow, typically involving human interference.
- Watch “Invaders! Invasive Species in BC” (1:42)
- Explain to students that there are invasive species in our Okanagan watershed. Can anyone think of any?
- Watch the solution that was released in Florida in response to invasive species:
- Tell students that they will be designing a sketch, drawing, and prototype of their very own device to help with local invasive species. It can be preventative or reactive (explain to students that what was seen in the YouTube clip was reactive). It can be a design like what has been seen in the YouTube clips, or it can be a campaign to raise awareness and prevent the spread.
- The first lesson should be strictly research for the students. Allow them to identify what invasive species they are targeting and develop a plan. Students can use the Okanagan Invasive species website to research:
- Remind students about internet safety and copyright.
- The following class, invite students to roam around the room “pitching” their product to each other.
Instruct students to listen to at least three other pitches and pitch their own at least three times as well. - Collect their initial “pitches” as formative assessment, but allow students
the opportunity to revise their plan if they wish. - Have students complete a material/supply list for their prototype that can be approved by the teacher.
- Review safety protocols and success determinants and allow students ample time to work on their design.
- Allow time for students to present their prototypes to their peers and identify strengths and areas for improvement.