Archives: Resources

Exploring Canada’s Energy Future

This guide has been created to support teachers in using the Exploring Canada’s Energy Future Interactive Tool with their students available at www.cer-rec.gc.ca/energyfuturesdata.
*Resources provided in French

• Grade 10

Nuclear Science Week – Resources

Nuclear Science Week is an international, broadly observed week-long celebration to focus local, regional, national and international interest on all aspects of nuclear science.

Nuclear Science Week takes place each year on the third week of October, and each day provides for learning about the contributions, innovations and opportunities that can be found by exploring nuclear science.

• Grade 10
• Grade 11
• Grade 12

Energy Games and Puzzles

Introduce renewable and non-renewable resources using colouring sheets or the energy bingo games.

• Kindergarten
• Grade 1
• Grade 2
• Grade 3
• Grade 4
• Grade 5

Thermal Energy – Why Do Some Containers Keep Stuff Warmer Than Others?

In this activity, students investigate two different types of cups to determine which one keeps liquids warmer longer.

• Grade 7

What is Energy?

In this exploratory activity, learners experiment, observe and determine how various toys change from one form of energy to another.

Learners play with a pull-back race car, a groan tube, a popper, physics flyer, and balloon car to explore energy, its forms (heat energy, sound energy, etc.) and how it changes forms from potential to kinetic energy. This activity helps learners visualize the abstract concept of energy and apply it to everyday life.

• Grade 8

Input vs. Output

Using the Law of Conservation of Energy as a centerpiece, this activity explores the transference of energy between different objects and the transformation of energy into different forms – potential and kinetic.

• Grade 8

Solar Fountain Activity

This activity demonstrates how solar energy is transformed into electricity that we can use. Students will use solar panels to power a small water pump and build a functioning fountain. In doing so, they will learn how a solar panel works, collect data and test variables, and apply their observations to their engineering process as they improve their designs.

• Grade 6
• Grade 7
• Grade 8

Baseload vs Peak Demand

Canada’s electricity consumption has two major components: baseload (constant, steady demand) and peak demand (surges in electricity consumption). Patterns of electricity demand affect what types of electricity generation are used (e.g. nuclear and hydro for baseload and natural gas for peak). By altering patterns of usage, there is less reliance on generation methods which have greater environmental impact.

• Grade 10

Scrappy Circuits

Scrappy Circuits is an innovative and scrappy way to learn about electrical circuits for less than $2 per person. Scrappy circuits are made of pieces of cardboard with dissected electronic elements attached to create bricks. The attached elements may include small binder clips, alligator clips, aluminum foil, LED bulbs and/or batteries. Once you connect some bricks together, you have a Scrappy Circuit!

• Grade 10

What do you want to do when you grow up?

In 2019, the average length of time for a Canadian to hold the same job was 101 months (about 8 years, 5 months). As a result, over a 35-year career someone could be expected to hold more than 4 different jobs. This activity provides an opportunity to explore career options that may (one day) appeal to students.

• Grade 6
• Grade 7
• Grade 8

Science 10 Energy Unit Resources

Students build an understanding of the nature of science through inquiry activities supported by core ideas and concepts connected to Physical Sciences, and Earth and Space Sciences. They also draw from personal learning experiences, funds of knowledge, cultural worldviews, and science capital they already possess.

This resource is meant to supplement existing classroom materials and activities for the new Science 10 Energy unit.
*French resources included

• Grade 10

Radioactive Me – Immediate Text

This lesson invites students to build close-reading skills, especially seeing the benefits of multiple readings of a text to boost comprehension. Comprehension is also improved through discussion with others, asking relevant questions, and writing and reflection. This infographic was selected from Canada’s Nuclear Safety Commission

• Grade 9
• Grade 10