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The Educator Resources listed below can assist you with developing lesson plans, building upon your existing curriculum, connecting with a science outreach organization and/or finding innovative classroom resources.
The links have been divided into the following topic areas for ease of navigation: General Information for Educators, Aboriginal Education Resources, Aquaculture / Marine Science, Earth Science, Space Science, Engineering, Environmental, General Classroom Resource Information, Robotics and Science Fairs.
Experts around the world agree that a country’s ability to innovate will be one of the key determinants of success in the 21st century economy…so if being a world-class problem solver and innovator is going to help future generations of kids achieve success, where can they learn, develop and hone these incredibly important and strategic skills??
The answer is Destination ImagiNation®, or DI for short! DI teaches innovation, creativity, problem solving, communication, leadership and teamwork skill development all at once. Some call DI ‘Creativity 101’, while others describe it as the ‘outside the box’ program. However you describe Destination ImagiNation, it is still the world’s largest non-profit, volunteer-based creative problem solving program for young people K-12. (and ps…the kids love it…it’s FUN!!!)
DI gives everyone a chance to expand on the skills and knowledge they learn in school, but in a non-traditional way. Modeled on a competition, teams of up to seven kids solve challenges that even adults often find intimidating.
DI teams work together during the school year to solve one of six Team Challenges, and then participate in a Regional Tournament where their solution is judged against set criteria by a team of trained Appraisers. This makes for an exciting, fun-filled and safe addition to formal classroom learning.
Click here to view the 2010-11 Challenge Previews.
Click here to view the registration form to start a team.
Click here to visit B.C.'s Destinaton Imagination website.
Science on Stage Canada
Innovative and inspirational teaching is the key to attracting young people to science and technology.
Science on Stage Canada (SoSC) stimulates the interests of young people through you, their teachers, which results in an increased understanding and appreciate on for science and technology.
To find out more about Science on Stage Canada, visit http://www.lightsource.ca/scienceonstage/.
For more information about the event, click here.
Stream of Dreams – Booking for Fall 2010
The Stream of Dreams Mural Society (SDMS) educates communities about the life and function of their watersheds, rivers and streams, while dazzling them with the charm of community art. They are now booking programs for Fall 2010.
If you would like to bring watershed awareness to your school through the Stream of Dreams program while creating a stunning mural to beautify your school and community, contact the Vancouver Island SDMS Team at mmwaldie@shaw.ca or call 250-721-2766 or visit the Stream of Dreams website.
Science on the Leading Edge - First Nations Traditions
Scientific knowledge of past earthquake and tsunami events is relatively recent, however native peoples have lived on the Cascadia coast for thousands of years, transferring information on coastal earthquakes by the tradition of storytelling from generation to generation.
Although many First Nations languages and oral traditions have been lost, numerous stories describing shaking and marine flooding have been preserved. Artifacts, dances, songs, ceremonies and personal and place names are part of the preserved traditions that are consistent with earthquake and tsunami events documented by science. The First Nations oral tradition continues today.
Click here for more information.
NEW
BIG Little Science Centre - Issue #155, April 2010 Newsletter
Dave McKinnon explains the differences between deodorants and antiperspirants. Jim Hebden's writes about the natural but nasty substances Lead and Cadmium. Start of a new series of Favourite Demonstrations collected by Gordon Gore. Photos of an Incredible Day with 36 SD73 gifted students…and other news from the BIG Little Science Centre.
Click here to read past issues of the BLSC Newsletters.
About BLSC
The BIG Little Science Centre (BLSC), located in Kamloops, BC, was started in February 2000 by Gordon R. Gore, a retired 
science teacher who has dedicated his life to teaching science in an interactive environment. The Centre currently operates out of four classrooms leased from School District 73 at Bert Edwards Science and Technology School. The current program format allows visitors a period of time to experiment on their own at any of 120 plus hands-on stations located in two classrooms. A third room is used for demonstrations while the fourth room is used for demonstrations and serves as a basic teaching laboratory with capacity for 32 visitors.
2010 Olympic and Paralympic School Year Newsletter
November 2009
The second edition of the 2010 Olympic newsletter presents more learning opportunities available for students, and highlights events that have happened across the Province since September 2009. Read all about Sharing the Dream’s inspirational student-led webcast on Paralympism that took place during Paralympic School Week, November 2- 6. Thousands enjoyed the Torch Relay community celebrations on Vancouver Island – read about it then start planning your school events for the January 21, 2010 when the Torch Relay returns to BC.
Click here for information on Olympic and Paralympic Education programs and resources.
SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT
World's first simulation-based brain surgery performed using NRC technology
For years, pilots have been using flight simulators to train and rehearse for their jobs, and now, with the help of technology developed by NRC, surgeons can too! By practicing upcoming surgeries using a VR simulator, doctors are able to go into live surgeries already knowing what to expect and therefore ensuring the safety of their patients. [READ MORE]
FOR THE CLASSROOM
Interactive Microscope
Get up close with the natural world using the interactive microscope! Have your students select a sample from the Petri dish to discover the typical structural components of plant and animal cells, as well as bacteria and viruses. Check out the Teacher's Guide to the Interactive Microscope for additional activites to with your students.
THE ELEMENTS AND YOU
Focus on Students
Ti (titanium) In the medical industry, titanium's low level of reactivity has placed it in a highly valued position: it is used in various surgical implants, and is an important part of many MRI systems. [READ MORE]
SCIENTISTS AT WORK
Tedros Bezabeh
Physical chemist Tedros Bezabeh studies how to apply magnetic resonance spectroscopy to detect cancer at a very early stage.. [READ MORE]
Virtualizing Reality: Preserving Treasures and Innovating Entertainment When Galileo first pointed his crude telescope at the sky, he saw details of the moon and When virtual reality (VR) technology was developed in the 1980s, it was envisioned as a way for people to do extraordinary things, like play inside of video games or go on "virtual" holidays. The reality of virtual reality, however, is much different and much more practical. [READ MORE]
EcoKids Update
October 2009
For the past nine years EcoKids has challenged Canadian youth and educators from kindergarten to grade 8 to take environmental action in their school and community. The Great EcoKids Challenge is your opportunity, as a teacher and mentor, to have the students initiate, lead and work together on an environmental project resulting in positive change. Check out the high energy curriculum-linked ideas that EcoKids has come up with for this year’s theme. Inspire in your class, school and community to become life-long environmental stewards; register by April 30th, 2010 to be eligible to win great Sony prizes!
Click here to read the complete October EcoKids Update.
Women in Technology ~ 2009 ASTTBC WiT Survey
To view the Results, Conclusions & Recommendations, Click Here
General Information for Educators
Click Here to view an interesting video of a teacher in
BC Association of Math Teachers is a great resource to keep BC Math teachers up-to-date on the latest developments.
BC Association of Physics Teachers provides resources and professional development opportunities that will advance the teaching of physics in the elementary schools, secondary schools, colleges, institutes and universities of BC.
BC Science Teachers Association provides support to teachers by providing workshops, conferences, teaching resources and also coordinates teacher feedback to the Education Ministry.
BC Technology Education Association (BCTEA) has resource information and professional development opportunities for technology and shop teachers in BC.
BC Science 8 is a resource that supports grade 8 science educators with curriculum and professional development information. The site also has links to BC Science 9 and BC Science 10.
Sciencetimes.ca is an online news source that provides students with the most up-to-date information about breaking, controversial stories related to science, technology and environmental topics.
Pacific Crystal Project is located at the Faculty of Education, University of Victoria. It is one of five Centres for Research in Youth, Science Teaching, and Learning (CRYSTAL) funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
The BC Science Outreach Directory is a comprehensive directory of science and technology outreach organizations that supplement the cience, technology and business curriculum, including courses, visits, field trips, summer camps and professional development workshops. The directory is part of BCIC and NSERC-Pacific's mandate to promote and enhance science, technology and business education in the Province.
Aboriginal Education Resources
Centre for Shellfish Research - First Nations Youth Leadership Shellfish Program
With shellfish aquaculture becoming a key area of interest for most coastal First Nation communities, the Center for Shellfish Research has been providing training and support to many First Nation communities in BC. One of the areas of concerns for communities is the availability of future aquaculture workers. The Center for Shellfish Research is addressing this issue by delivering a summer program for teens that will improve their awareness and knowledge of shellfish aquaculture and provide them with leadership training that will allow them to share their enthusiasm within their communities.
First Nations Education Steering Committee
The First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) is an independent society that is committed to improving education for all First Nations learners in
AquaVan - Vancouver Aquarium
The AquaVan educators deliver award-winning aquatic programs, featuring live animals, props and activities, throughout BC and Alberta. Give your students the opportunity to touch a sea star, understand how a barnacle feeds, observe a hermit crab up close and discover the connections among animals, environments and ourselves.
Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
Their Public Education Program provides multi-day immersion field trips for school, college and adult learners with a focus on marine and coastal sciences. They also assist with developing custom programs that make use of the incredible environments and people of
OceanLink Marine Sciences Education
OceanLink is dedicated to ocean education and provides interesting information about things like the effects of climate change, marine biology education and careers, answers to questions about the ocean and marine organisms, and much more!
Space Science
Canadian National Marsville - National Research Council Canada
To promote International Year of Astronomy 2009, the Marsville Program invites grades 6-8 students from across Canada to simulate habitation on the "Red Planet". Students prepare for their adventure by studying space exploration and the planet Mars. In class teams, they design and build life support systems and communicate with other sites. On Link-up Day, they come together to build a Mars habitat and showcase their survival systems. This is a wonderful way for students and teachers to have fun exploring the Earth and Space Science curriculum. The website has some fantastic cross-curriculum ideas and activities.
Canadian Space Agency
The Canadian Space Agency brings space into the classroom, and encourages students' interest in science, math and technology. On the website you will find downloadable documents for educators and students of all ages divided into popular themes such as robotics, spacewalking, microgravity and astronomy.
H.R. Macmillan Space Centre
In the Teacher's Room, you will find information about their education programs, lesson plans, an educators blog and incredible professional development opportunities.
International Year of Astronomy 2009
The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) is an international celebration of astronomy, marking the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first looking through a telescope. IYA2009 is a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, with the goal of stimulating worldwide interest not only in astronomy, but in science in general. The website has information about how to take part in National activities such as the Galileo Moment.
NASA - Educators
This website provides fantastic information and resources for grades K-12. NASA's Education Materials Finder will help teachers locate resources that can be used in the classroom and has articles and sites to enhance your curriculum topics.
Pacific Museum of the Earth - Resources for Teachers
The
Science Buddies
As part of its effort to help strengthen science education, Science Buddies provides a number of teacher resources. These tools may also be of interest to many parents.
ScienceNet
Providing a wealth of resources for K-12 science educators, Science NetLinks is your guide to meaningful standards-based Internet experiences for students.
Teachers' Corner - National Research Council Canada
Here will will find valuable information to help with your science class. The National Research Council has interactive activities such as star disk and microscopes. Under the Teacher's Corner, you will find curriculum ideas, tools and handouts, and student activities.
Tomatosphere is an educational outreach project that reaches over 11,350 classrooms across
Earth Science
Mineral Resources Education Program of BC
The Mineral Resources Education Program of BC (MREPBC) has the latest mineral, mining and geoscience resources, field trips, presentations and curriculum ideas for teachers. The Teachers' Winter 2009 Update is a great resource that has valuable links for resources in the classroom and professional development in-services for teachers.
Yukon Dan Moore is a world-class gold panner who for the last 16 years has presented a one-of-a-kind, hands-on workshop in classrooms around BC and across Canada. Now based in the Lower Mainland, Yukon Dan comes equipped with two portable, gravel-lined “streams” for panning and a marvelous display of panning equipment and real gold nuggets to examine. Dan’s workshops are 75-85 minutes long, and can handle up to 30 students. Students rotate through three work stations: panning for gold, heavy mineral examination and magnetic mineral separation, and a mining word search (secondary) or gold panner colouring sheet (elementary).
Appropriate for all grade levels, Dan's presentations support science and social studies learning outcomes related to Earth Science, geology, natural resources, the history of BC, and the history of Canada.
Engineering
Division for Advancement of Women in Engineering and Geoscience
The vision of the Division of Advancement of Women in Engineering and Geoscience (DAWEG) is to promote, enhance and facilitate opportunities for women to succeed in engineering and geoscience. The website has interesting articles and information in their monthly newsletters.
The purpose of WECS is to encourage more women and girls to consider Computer Science or Engineering as a career and to support them in their decision once they arrive at UVic. WECS reaches out to girls in the community and shows them that there are several successful, rewarding career paths in both Engineering and Computer Science for women, by providing information and role models. They offer full day activities that have included: Lego Robotics Festivals for girls at the UVic campus, Lego Robotics workshops in classrooms, guest speakers for various events. Upcoming activities include: events for aboriginal students, cool problem solving without computers, after school clubs.
Environmental
BC Climate Exchange
The purpose of BC Climate Change Exchange is to facilitate interaction between the various government, civil society and private sector organizations in BC engaged in public education and outreach on climate change, impacts and solutions. The website has information and resources for teachers, including the Wild BC Climate Change Educators Program, a free resource kit available to schools with workshops for teachers and educators.
BC Sustainable Energy
The BC Sustainable Energy Association can help teach your students about climate change and the many solutions available to address this problem. The Climate Change Showdown encourages team work as students collaboratively move around the game board, learning about positive and negative environmental consequences that result from individual and societal actions and behaviours.
BC Hydro Power Smart Students Program modules assist students to develop the awareness, knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about energy use and the environment. The program provides strategies for students to turn energy-saving ideas into action!
Green Street
Green Street has innovative environmental education programs for elementary and secondary schools that are based on creative pedagogical approaches, are action oriented, encourages student engagement, are designed for minimal teacher preparation and are based on the Principles of Excellent Environmental Education Programs. Coming Soon - Green Street will be offering limited number of funding opportunities for environmental projects initiated and carried out by teachers and students within the K-12 public education system.
The Intergenerational Landed Learning on the Farm Project
The Intergenerational Land Learning on the Farm Project is a unique initiative of the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy, Faculty of Education, University of BC, with its focus on agriculture and food as the link between a healthy environment and human well-being.
Morrell Nature Sanctuary
Located in South Nanaimo, the Morrell Nature Sanctuary is 278 acres of second growth forest with 11 km of trail systems and is free to the public year round. They offer on-site and in school programs for K-7, including some Preschool programs.
The Sky Watchers Program, offered by Environment Canada, provides free weather related teaching materials that includes teachers' guides with explanations, experiments and activities. The activities are cross curricular in nature and supports the outcomes in the Pan Canadian curriculum.
Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES)
SPES promotes awareness of and respect for the natural world by playing a leadership role in the stewardship of Stanley Park through collaborative initiatives in education, research and conservation.
The Wilderness Education Program - WildED
WildED delivers free nature education programs to grades 4-12 across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. Their educators are professional teachers with backgrounds in natural sciences and outdoor education.
Young Naturalists' Club of BC
The Young Naturalists of British Columbia are a special group of young people, age 5 - 14, who care about nature in this beautiful province of British Columbia, want to know as much as possible about everything from the smallest beetle burrowing in the earth to the mighty eagle soaring over the forest and want to make sure these creatures will always be here, sharing the planet with us.
General Classroom Resource Information
BC Agriculture in the ClassroomThe goals of BC Agriculture in the classroom are to provide educators and students with quality educational resources, programs and other agricultural information that highlight agriculture as an important part of our economy and way of life; and to enable students to make informed decisions about food choices, food safety, the importance of our own supply of local food and other agricultural products.
Big Little Science Centre
The Big Little Science Centre (BLSC) was started in February 2000 by Gordon R. Gore, a retired science teacher who has dedicated his life to teaching science in an interactive environment. The Centre currently operates out of four classrooms leased from School District 73 at Bert Edwards Science and Technology School. The current program format allows visitors a period of time to experiment on their own at any of 120 plus hands-on stations located in two classrooms. A third room is used for demonstrations while the fourth room is used for demonstrations and serves as a basic teaching laboratory with capacity for 32 visitors.
Canadian Association for Girls in Science
Inspired by the dream of Larissa Vingilis-Jaremko when she was just 9 years old, The Canadian Association for Girls in Science (CAGIS) is a network of girls, aged 7-16 who like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and want to learn more. The purpose of CAGIS is to promote, educate and support interest and confidence in STEM among girls.
Destination ImagiNation (DI) is the world's largest non-profit, volunteer-based creative problem solving program for young and old alike. DI gives everyone a chance to expand on the skills and knowledge they learn in school, but in a non-traditional way. Modeled on a competition, teams of up to seven participants solve challenges that even adults find intimidating. DI teams work together during the school year to solve one of five teach challenges and then participate in a Regional Tournament.
DiscoverIT - Exploring the World of Information Technology
This website is brought to you by the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC). This site was designed for students based on results from focus test across Canada. However, this site not only offers information for students, it has parent and educator areas as well.
Genomics Education
Providing reliable resources for curious individuals, as well as classroom-ready activities for high school teachers and students that makes information about genomics and its impact on society accessible and exciting.
High Touch High Tech
High Touch High Tech serves students throughout the province, with the main office located in Burnaby. High Touch High Tech is an established hands-on science program for children, which is committed to increasing the scientific and technological literacy of children, and accomplishes this mission every day through direct, completely interactive, hands-on science experimentation that comes right to you. High Touch High Tech scientists are highly trained and create an environment of respect and integrity while encouraging students to reach their potential.
Let's Talk Science - University of Victoria Partnership Program
The Let's Talk Science program encourages young people to become life-long learners of science by exposing them to real-life scientists on a regular basis. They want to dispel the myths of science, encourage critical thinking and show that science is interesting, relevant and FUN!
Mad Science Vancouver Island
Mad Science offers a large selection of after-school, preschool, summer and vacation programs, workshops, special events and birthday parties. From entertaining educational programs to educational entertainment, Mad Science sparks imaginative learning. All Mad Science programs are animated at your location by highly-trained professional instructors equipped with awe-inspiring gear. We come to you!
The Odyssey Schools Program is the Foundation’s flagship initiative that enables educators within public schools to enrich the learning experience for students aged 12 to 14. By funding innovative and imaginative enhancements to their Science, Technology and Mathematics Programs, the Odyssey Foundation hopes to reverse the trend of declining enrolments in post - secondary science programs. Each Odyssey school receives up to $25,000 over a three to five year period to implement a program unique to their school. Dedicated and enthusiastic educators develop programs that will be most beneficial to their students’ needs and create lasting positive impacts.
ms infinity Program
ms infinity Programs across the
Science in the Valley
Trinity Western University offers half day science workshops for Grade 6 and 7 students. The workshops are interactive and "hands on" and encourage further study of science.
Science Venture's innovative programs are operated through the
BC Green Games - Science World
Get involved in the BC Green Games, a new contest for K-12 students developed by Science World and the Ministry of Education. Share and celebrate your success stories online and be eligible to win–over $50,000 in prize money will be awarded! Submissions should document BC students' eco-actions using creative media, such as videos, photo-essays or podcasts. BC Green Games will provide links to great resources and established environmental education programs to inspire and support schools.
Science in Action at SFU
Science in Action at
At the regional and provincial levels, the goal of Skills Canada BC is to encourage students to explore areas of interest in the trades and technology fields. By providing students opportunities to participate in various events, we believe that we will see increased awareness and interest in pursuing a career in the trades and/or technology sectors. Students that place gold in their contest areas advance to the provincial event.
Robotics
First Lego League BC
FIRST Lego League is an international program for children created in a partnership between FIRST and the LEGO Company. Each September, FIRST Lego League announces the annual Challenge, which engages the teams in hands-on robotics design and authentic scientific research. After eight intense weeks, the FIRST Lego League season culminates at high-energy, sports-like tournaments located throughout BC.
Lego Mindstorms
Robotics is a popular and effective way for teachers to cover important areas of their science, technology, engineering and maths curricula in a fun, engaging and hands-on way. The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education series provides a tailor-made solution of brick sets, software and progressive curriculum activity packs for use in classrooms and after-school club environments. Students aged 8 to 16+ learn to design, program and control fully-functional models that carry out life-like automated tasks.
A PicoCricket is a tiny computer that can make things spin, light up, and play musics. You can plug lights, motors, sensors, and other devices into a PicoCricket, then program them to react, interact and communicate. For example, you can make a cat and program it to purr when someone pets it!
VEX Robotics Competition
VEX is a unique and challenging team-based game that puts high school and middle school students' engineering and technology skills to the test. Students, with guidance from their teachers and mentors, will aim to build the most innovative robots possible and work together to obtain the most points possible. In addition to having a great time and building amazing robots, through their participation in the VEX Robotics Competition and their work within their teams, students learn many academic and life skills.
Science Fairs
Canada Wide Virtual Science FairThe Canada Wide Virtual Science Fair is an annual online science and technology contest open to all Canadian students in grades K-12. Founded in 1999, the goal is to provide a direction and motivation for students and teachers to make the very best use of computer/Internet technology while developing positive attitudes towards science and technology. The Canada Wide Virtual Science Fair encourage the participation of students in more remote regions, of aboriginal descent, and those who may not normally participate in an extra-curricular science activity. There are absolutely no fees charged for participation and free web site hosting is provided to each project team.
Science Fair Foundation of BC
The Science Fair Foundation BC serves to support, organize, stage and fund-raise for Science Fairs in BC. This extends to Local, Regional, Canada-Wide and International Science Fairs where students supported by the foundation have consistently produced high standard projects.
Student Mentorship Association Regarding Technology and Science (SMARTS)
SMARTS is a student-run program within Youth Science Foundation (YSF) Canada that promotes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) opportunities among students in Grades 7 through 12.
Vancouver Island Regional Science Fair
The Vancouver Island Regional Fair takes place at the
Youth Science Foundation Canada
Youth Science Foundation (YSF) Canada exists to help Canadian youth develop skills and knowledge for excellence in science and technology. They are best known for its showcase event, the annual Canada-Wide Science Fair, which attracts the best young scientists from across the country, and for excellence in international competition as Team