We Use a Lot of Plastic
What are microplastics? How are plastics polluting aquatic ecosystems?
Let's Talk Pollution Resources
How does this align with my curriculum?
BC
9
Science Grade 9 (June 2016)
Big Idea: The biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere are interconnected, as matter cycles and energy flows through them.
BC
11
Earth Sciences 11 (June 2018
Big Idea: The transfer of energy through the atmosphere creates weather and is affected by climate change.
BC
11
Science for Citizens 11 (June 2018)
Big Idea: Scientific understanding enables humans to respond and adapt to changes locally and globally.
BC
12
Environmental Science 12 (June 2018)
Big Idea: Human activities cause changes in the global climate system.
NS
8
Science Grade 8 (2020)
Learners will evaluate oceanographic and other evidence of climate change inclusive of a Mi’kmaw perspective.
ON
11
Environmental Science, Grade 11, University/College (SVN3M)
Strand B: Scientific solutions to Contemporary environmental Challenges
YT
11
Earth Sciences 11 (British Columbia, June 2018
Big Idea: The transfer of energy through the atmosphere creates weather and is affected by climate change.
YT
12
Environmental Science 12 (British Columbia, June 2018)
Big Idea: Human activities cause changes in the global climate system.
YT
11
Science for Citizens 11 (British Columbia, June 2018)
Big Idea: Scientific understanding enables humans to respond and adapt to changes locally and globally.
YT
9
Science Grade 9 (British Columbia, June 2016)
Big Idea: The biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere are interconnected, as matter cycles and energy flows through them.
AB
5
Science 5 (2023)
Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened by investigating natural systems and their interactions.
AB
6
Science 6 (2023)
Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened by investigating natural systems and their interactions.
BC
11
Earth Sciences 11 (June 2018
Big Idea: The distribution of water has a major influence on weather and climate.
YT
11
Earth Sciences 11 (British Columbia, June 2018
Big Idea: The distribution of water has a major influence on weather and climate.
AB
4
Science 4 (2023)
Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened by investigating natural systems and their interactions.
AB
2
Science 2 (2023)
Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened by investigating natural systems and their interactions.
AB
8
Knowledge and Employability Science 8, 9 (revised 2009)
Unit E: Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
NU
8
Knowledge and Employability Science 8 (Alberta, Revised 2009)
Unit E: Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
NT
8
Knowledge and Employability Science 8 (Alberta, Revised 2009)
Unit E: Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
Discover a set of resources designed to get you thinking about pollution.
What do you think of when you think of the word "pollution"? Do you picture garbage lining a beach? Do you think of sewage water flowing strongly out of a storm drain into a body of water? You could have thought of any number of different things, and this is one of the problems with pollution: it takes on many forms, and it could be anywhere. Scientists studying debris images captured by divers and vehicles discovered a plastic bag 36,000 feet below the ocean, in the Mariana Trench. Waste and pollution are becoming an increasing problem at the opposite end of the world, at the basecamp for and on the trails leading up Mount Everest in Nepal. Pollution is pervasive and gets into everything. You may have learned about acid rain, but have you heard of plastic rain? In a recent issue of Science Janice Brahney, et al. found that rain and wind carry microplastic particles everywhere, including into protected areas like national parks and the Arctic, accumulating 1,000 metric tons of plastic yearly just in the American West. Air pollution is another major problem. A 2021 report from Health Canada found that air pollution contributes to 15,300 premature deaths in Canada every year. On top of that, what we think of as 'air pollution' are often greenhouse gases, the major contributing factor toward climate change.
Let's Talk Pollution, from Let's Talk Science at Queen's University, is a conference geared towards Grades 9 -12 students (ages 15-18). We have exciting talks from experts, a Q&A panel with current university students, and a series of interactive activities to learn how scientists/companies are reducing their environmental footprints. Some of the topics being covered include: microplastics, greenhouse gases, and water governance. Below you will find a set of resources providing background information and food for thought on these topics, and on pollution in general.
What are Greenhouse Gases?
This backgrounder explains what greenhouse gases are and how they contribute to climate change.
Humans and Freshwater Ecosystems
Learn about how people impact the ecosystems of lakes and rivers.
Introduction to Climate Change
Learn more about the causes and impacts of global climate change.
Human Exploration of the Deep Ocean
Learn about how humans explore the deep ocean and what they have learned.
Groundwater Sustainability: Protecting our Hidden Treasure
Learn about groundwater and why we should protect it.
Water Treatment
Learn about how water is treated at municipal water treatment plants.
What are the best materials to use for cleaning water?
Water is a precious natural resource. What happens if it gets polluted? Learn how water can be cleaned with this hands-on activity?
Now that you've gotten some background information on pollution, explore the careers of people whose job is to deal with the problem!
