This Grade 6 Science and Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies (ADST) module is cross-curricular, and focused on extreme environments. The purpose of this lesson is for students to understand what conditions are needed for human life to survive, and to research extreme environments that are missing one or more of these conditions.
For the Science component of this module, students will learn about extreme environments on Earth, including deserts, polar regions, volcanoes and oceans, as well as discover the extreme environment of space. Through a guided inquiry approach, students discover what it is that makes each of these places an extreme environment, and research technologies used in extreme environments (i.e., clothing, equipment, and machines), including technological contributions made by Canada.
In the ADST section of the module, students individually, in pairs, or small groups design and build a form of technology (mode of transportation, equipment, clothing, machine, device, etc.) that scientists could use to explore the extreme environment they researched.
The Teacher section includes the module, a photo slideshow, blackline masters, and rubrics.
The Student section of this web page includes media and web resources for student research.
Part One: Science 6_Learning Plan 1
Staying Alive Matching Exercise
Part Two: ADST 6_Learning Plan 3
Part Two: ADST 6_Learning Plan 3
Student Self-Assessment Rubrics
Exploration of Extreme Environments http://scienceres-edcp-educ.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2015/01/elem_earthSpace_extrEnvts_general.pdf
Exploring Extreme Environments http://mrsdavieswebsite.weebly.com/uploads/5/3/8/9/53891741/science_probe_-_exploring_extreme_environments.pdf
Exploring Extremes https://www.nationalgeographic.org/activity/exploring-extremes/
Life in Extreme Environments http://www.nss.org/adastra/volume14/rothschild.html
From Sea to Space / Robots Explore Extreme Environments https://www.oceannetworks.ca/sea-space-robots-explore-extreme-environments
Technology in extreme environments http://scienceres-edcp-educ.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2015/01/elem_earthSpace_extrEnvts_technologyInExtremeEnvironments.pdf
Technology for exploring volcanoes https://www.livescience.com/37476-how-to-study-volcanoes.html
ROPOS is a Canadian-built deep sea submersible http://www.ropos.com/
Alvin - Deep Sea submersible http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/technology/subs/alvin/alvin.html
Canadarm2, the Canadian robotic arm of the International Space Station http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/iss/canadarm2/Default.asp
Volcanoes http://media.openschool.bc.ca/osbcmedia/sc06/html5/volcano/index.html
National Geographic Kids - 17 Explosive Volcano Facts! https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/physical-geography/volcano-facts/
Volcanoes - Weather Wizkids http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-volcano.htm
Easy Science for Kids - Volcanoes http://easyscienceforkids.com/all-about-volcanoes/
Volcano Explorers - Discover Kids http://discoverykids.com/games/volcano-explorer/
All About Volcanoes for Children https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V863xR0Y2qk (Video 6:36)
The Dr. Binocs Show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAmqsMQG3RM (Video 2:51)
Exploring Extreme Environments - Volcanoes http://extremeenvironmentsguide.weebly.com/volcanoes.html
What's a Desert? http://media.openschool.bc.ca/osbcmedia/sc06/html5/deserts/index.html
Kids Do Ecology http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/desert.html
Deserts - National Geographic http://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/deserts/
Survive Nature http://www.survivenature.com/desert.php
Cool Kids! Desert Facts http://www.coolkidfacts.com/desert-facts-for-kids/
Desert Facts - Kidskonnect https://kidskonnect.com/science/deserts/
Find Out! Deserts https://www.dkfindout.com/uk/earth/deserts/
Exploring Extreme Environments - Deserts http://extremeenvironmentsguide.weebly.com/deserts.html
Polar Regions http://media.openschool.bc.ca/osbcmedia/sc06/html5/polar/index.html
World Wildlife Fund - Polar Regions https://www.worldwildlife.org/habitats/polar-regions
National Geographic Kids - 10 Facts About the Arctic https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/general-geography/ten-facts-about-the-arctic/
National Geographic Videos - Polar Regions http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/travel/continents-and-regions/polar-regions
Science for Kids Club - Polar Climates http://www.scienceforkidsclub.com/polar-climates.html
BBC - Nature - Polar Videos http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/habitats/Polar_region
BBC - What is a polar habitat? http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3sr4wx#zgjjng8
Exploring Extreme Environments - Polar Regions http://extremeenvironmentsguide.weebly.com/polar-regions.html
Traditional Inuit means for surviving the Arctic region http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com/fp_groups/fp_inuit4.html
http://www.johntyman.com/arctic/inuit201.html
http://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/tresors/treasure/262eng.shtml
http://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/aborig/watercraft/wak04eng.shtml
The Ocean http://media.openschool.bc.ca/osbcmedia/sc06/html5/ocean/index.html
Ocean Facts! National Geographic Kids https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/general-geography/ocean-facts/
Ocean Portal - National Geographic Kids http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/ocean-portal/
Life in the Deep Ocean - Windows to the Universe https://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Water/life_deep.html
VENUS and NEPTUNE Programs - Canadian Technologies http://www.neptunecanada.ca/news/multimedia-gallery/video/onc-video.dot(Video 5:07)
Deep Sea Ecosystem: Extreme Living - National Geographic https://www.nationalgeographic.org/activity/deep-sea-ecosystems-extreme-living/
Exploring Extreme Environments - Ocean http://extremeenvironmentsguide.weebly.com/oceans.html
The Solar System http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm
Learn About Space http://www.spacekids.co.uk/learn/
Our Universe http://www.esa.int/esaKIDSen/Planetsandmoons.html
Space Station Kids http://iss.jaxa.jp/kids/en/space/index.html
Extreme Space http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Extreme_space/Surviving_extreme_conditions_in_space
Elements of a Space Suit http://www.openschool.bc.ca/courses/science/sc06/spacesuit.html
Why do astronauts wear spacesuits? http://www.spacekids.co.uk/spacesuits/
What if an astronaut went on a space walk without wearing a space suit? http://science.howstuffworks.com/suitless-space-walk.htm
Exploring Extreme Environments - Space http://extremeenvironmentsguide.weebly.com/space.html