Skip to main content

Unit D: Changes in Living Systems

Cartoon leaf holding an umbrella over baby plant

What is Acid Rain?

STEM Explained

Acid rain is any precipitation that has an unusually low pH. It can be rain, snow, fog, etc. But what is a low pH and why is this a problem?

fossil plants and animals

Why Scientists Believe in Evolution

STEM Explained

Scientists have accumulated so much evidence in the theory of evolution that it is one of the most widely-accepted theories in science.

Arctic pack ice

Why Don't Fish Freeze in Cold Arctic Waters?

STEM Explained

Ever wonder how fish survive in the cold waters of the Arctic and Antarctic? It’s partly because of a brilliant evolutionary adaptation.

Why is rain not salty?

Why is rain not salty?

Hands-on Activities

Make a model of the water cycle and find out how water moves around on planet Earth.

Solar panel project in Dakar, Senegal

What are Carbon Offsets?

STEM Explained

Can carbon offsets help you reduce your environmental footprint, practice sustainable living and fight climate change?

Hamilton, Ontario industrial area with Toronto skyline in the background

What are Greenhouse Gases?

Backgrounders

This backgrounder explains what greenhouse gases are and how they contribute to climate change.

Biofuel concept

What are the Pros and Cons of Ethanol Biofuel?

STEM Explained

Biofuels like ethanol might help fight climate change. But they can contribute to food insecurity and greenhouse gases in ways that might surprise you.

Nitrogen symbol from periodic table

Understanding the Nitrogen Cycle

STEM Explained

What is the nitrogen cycle? How do human activities such as using fertilizer affect the nitrogen cycle? How can this cause greenhouse gases?

Red Onion, Parsnips, Lettuce

Vegetables

Picture Collections

14 images of some plants such as carrots, cabbage and leeks whose roots, stems or leaves are used for food

DNA barcoding used to test food

The Classification of Life: From Linnaeus to DNA Barcoding

Backgrounders

Learn about two taxonomy systems that scientists use to classify the life around us.

Water

The Water Cycle

Picture Collections

1 diagram illustrating the water cycle

Cartoon mammoth

Should Scientists Clone Extinct Species?

STEM Explained

Cloning makes it possible to bring extinct species back to life. But is that a good idea?

Iguana

Reptiles

Picture Collections

10 images of some cold-blooded vertebrates such as snakes, lizards and alligators typically having dry, scaly skin

Magnified image of a ringwoodite crystal

Ringwoodite and the Deep Water Cycle

STEM Explained

The water in the oceans has travelled vast distances. It has even time spent deep below the surface of the Earth, trapped inside the mineral ringwoodite.

various marine microorganisms as they appear under a microscope

Marine Microbiology: Meet the Microbes of the Sea!

STEM Explained

The ocean is full of very small but very useful creatures called microbes. Without them, none of the sea plants or animals you’ve seen would exist!