Contributed by:  Justin Moore, Chilliwack School District (Catalyst 2011 Presenter)

Type: Activity

Resource overview:

Can iPods be used to teach chemistry? In this activity, students have the opportunity to practice writing chemical formulas using a free application called ChemApp.

Contributed by:  James Gauthier, University of British Columbia (Catalyst 2011 Presenter)

Type: Full lesson, Activity

Resource overview:

How can robotics be integrated into the science curriculum? The following lesson and activity ideas offer educators an innovative way to introduce students to robotics. Once created, the robots (vehicles, machines, and kinetic sculptures) can be used to solve various science-based problems.

Contributed by: Shirley Frykberg, Collingwood School (Catalyst 2011 Presenters)

Type: Activities, Demonstrations

Resource overview:

What does biochemistry have to do with biology? This resource includes various activity and demonstration ideas to help students make sense of the biochemistry they encounter in Biology 12.

Contributed by:  Jane Wynne, Natural Resources Canada (Catalyst 2011 Presenter)

Type: Full lesson, Activities

Resource overview:

Why do landslides occur, how big are they and where and what would their effects be? This resource from Natural Resources Canada consists of a group of lesson plans offering a general introduction to landslides, with an emphasis on landslide hazard across Canada. Lessons include teaching notes (with answers), lab demonstrations, maps and diagrams suitable for overhead projection, damage assessments, emergency preparedness, and student research activities. The basics are taught in lessons 1, 4 and 7; the other activities are optional. This resource is also available in French. 

Contributed by: Gregg and Bev Mitchell, Timberline Secondary School (Catalyst 2011 Presenters)

Type: Demonstration

Resource overview:

How does a buffer work? The first part of this demonstration illustrates how pH can change rapidly, while the second part of the demonstration is a fun way for students to see how a buffer works.

Contributed by:  Ian Lai, Northwest Culinary Academy (Catalyst 2011 Presenter)

Type: Activities, Demonstrations

Resource overview:

How can food be used to teach science? Chef Ian Lai uses food as a medium to explore science in this activity as well as the recipes and activities provided in his foods-based resource. Topics from colloidal suspensions, proteins, and phases of matter are discussed in a range of tasty activities.

Contributed by:  Jane Wynne, Natural Resources Canada (Catalyst 2011 Presenter)

Type: Full lesson, Activities

Resource overview:

Why do tsunamis occur, how strong are they and where and what would their effects be? This resource from Natural Resources Canada consists of a group of lesson plans offering a general introduction to tsunamis, with an emphasis on tsunami hazard along Canadian coasts. Lessons include teaching notes (with answers), lab demonstrations, maps and diagrams suitable for overhead projection, damage assessments, emergency preparedness, and student research activities. The basics are taught in lessons 1 or 7; the other activities are optional. This resource is also available in French. 

Contributed by:  Marina Milner-Bolotin, Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy, UBC (Catalyst 2011 Presenter)

Type: Lab, Activity

Resource overview:

Refraction of light happens when light passes from one transparent medium to another such as from air to water or from water to oil. In this activity, students have the opportunity to carry out multiple investigation of refraction using transparent spherical water pearls, which act as a useful apparatus for exploring this optical phenomenon.

Contributed by: Eileen Van der Flier-Keller, University of Victoria (Catalyst 2011 Presenter)

Type: Activities, Demonstrations

Resource overview:

How does climate change impact our oceans? The hands-on activities in this resource will allow students to explore how water is distributed on earth and why our oceans are salty. These activities also allow students to explore how our oceans are influenced by the process of climate change.

Contributed by:  John Eix, University of Toronto (Retired) and Dr. Sandy Eix, Science World (Catalyst 2011 Presenters)

Type: Activities, Demonstrations

Resource overview:

What is a discrepant event? A discrepant event piques our curiosity and leaves us wanting to know more about the event. The goal of this resource is to provide educators with some ideas and examples of the concept “discrepant event” in the hopes that these ideas will help educators create their own discrepant events for their students.