Questionnaire on Biodiversity and School Curricula Summary Document February 2018 In 2017-18, Canadian provinces and territories were invited to complete a questionnaire about the integration of biodiversity in school curriculum. The results are a key source of information for reporting on Canada s 2020 biodiversity Target 18: By 2020, biodiversity is integrated into the elementary and secondary school curricula. The indicator for reporting on Target 18 is: The number of jurisdictions that have integrated biodiversity into elementary and secondary curricula. Ten out of 13 provinces and territories responded to the questionnaire. The results of the questionnaire follow. 1. Is biodiversity identified as a specific unit or theme in the school curriculum of your province or territory? Province/ Specific Territory Unit? Areas BC Yes Environmental 11 Yes, Knowledge and Employability 9 SK -- Yes (Biology) 12 Yukon Yes Environmental 11 Yes & 9, 10, 11 Experiential Nunavut -- Yes 6 11 Yes and Technology 1 st & 4 th secondary Yes K-12 NS -- Yes 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Yes 11, 12 2. Please identify which of the following topics or concepts is contained within your provincial or territorial curriculum (please check all that apply). The science of the diversity of life Habitats and communities & Technology Page 1
Diversity and similarity or relatedness of living things Evolution, adaptation, natural selection and survival Species diversity Genetic diversity, Career & Technology Studies and Technology & Technology, & Technology & Technology & Technology Page 2
Page 3 Composition, structure and function of biological systems The role of living things within ecosystems Interdependence of species and resilience as a measure of biodiversity Food webs Diversity of ecosystems and change Ecosystem health or integrity & Technology & Technology & Technology & Technology, Geography, Social Studies BC
Human Impact on Biodiversity Biodiversity threats Habitat Loss and fragmentation Invasive Species Human Population Pollution, Social Studies & Technology, Social Studies & Technology & Technology & Technology & Technology, Geography Geography, Social Studies & Technology Page 4
Overconsumption/ Unsustainable Use Climate change Endangered species/ at risk species Species extinction Social Studies & Technology, Geography, Social Studies, Geography, Social Studies & Technology, Global Studies & Technology & Technology & Technology Personal conservation activities, Social Studies Page 5
, Social Studies Stewardship Sustainability Other (please specify):, Social Studies, Career & Technology Studies Dene Kede 1, Experiential & Technology, Social Studies, Career & Technology Studies, Geography, Physical Education, Social Studies Economic and Technological Utility and Impact of Biodiversity Value of nature, Social Studies, Physical Education, Social Studies & Technology 1 Dene Kede: curriculum developed for Dene First Nations, K-6. Page 6
Ecosystem services Social Studies, Geography, Social Studies & Technology Natural capital Other (please specify):, Career & Technology Studies, Geography, Social Studies Socio-cultural perspectives and the role of government Intrinsic or inherent value of nature Cultural/aesthetic perspectives Decision making and governance related to biodiversity Conservation and Protection Page 7 Social Studies, Physical Education, Social Studies & Technology, Social Studies, Studies, Social Studies & Technology, Social Studies, Experiential, Social Studies /Social Studies & Technology, Social Studies, Experiential
Other (please specify):, Social Studies & Technology * as subject matter may include courses in biology, agricultural science and environmental science 3. In your province or territory, are there policies or guidelines in place addressing: Province/ Environmental Education Outdoor and Experiential Learning Territory BC No No Yes Yes SK -- -- No No Yukon No No?? Nunavut -- -- Yes Yes No No Yes Yes NS -- -- No No No No Page 8