Science 5: Climate

What are the differences between weather and climate? Learn why it's important to understand both weather and climate.

What is the difference between weather and climate? Check out this video and then try out the quiz.

Let's learn about the different climate types on our planet!

These climates are found far away from oceans, usually in the middle of continents. Learn more about them here!

Deserts are diverse ecosystems that occur on all seven continents

When you think of a desert, you might imagine a place where it's always hot, but that's not quite right.

Dry climate zones cover about 26 percent of the world’s land area. What climate characteristics is the dry climate group likely to have?

Today we'll trace this history of the potato as we teach you about climate, how we classify it using the Köppen system, and the ways humans have employed their geo-literacy to adapt to their surroundings.

An overview of the cordillera climate zone

Short explanatory video on the characteristics of the Earth's polar climates.

Short film about the location and characteristics of temperate climates.

Tropical climates are one of the major climates on Earth. They cover about one third of the Earth's land surface. Learn about them here!

An overview of the Tundra from NASA.

If you love climate science then you've probably wondered how big the Koppen climate zones are relative to each other.

Learn about climate! What factors make up a climate?

Students use block-based coding to design, code, and build systems for
environmental monitoring and then improve upon their systems!

Jared uses balloons and bottles to make a big mess and show that air has pressure.

Students will learn how weather forecasting works and how forecasts help us plan ahead.

Meteorologist Grant Gilmore explains how anemometers measure wind speeds.

A barometer is a very useful invention that is used to measure atmospheric pressure and predict the weather.

Weather systems are incredibly difficult to predict. As technology improves will we ever have forecasts that are correct 100 percent of the time? And how does weather prediction even work?

Thermometers have evolved from simple glass tools to having a readout on a digital screen. How do they work to tell us about heat?

This video shows you how to build a simple anemometer (wind speed meter) using paper cups, straws, and a pushpin

Students will learn how to make a working wind vane out of things they have around the house.

Some traditional communities are coping with weather change by relying on their Indigenous knowledge to accurately predict weather changes.

Learn to make your own version of a hygrometer to measure the amount of moisture in the air

Check out this slide show with images and information about different weather instruments, such as thermometers and barometers. Test yourself with the quiz.

No one remembers when you’re right, but no one forgets when you’re wrong. Your local weather person knows that saying all too well -- why do you think that is?

A barometer measures air pressure and is a very useful tool that tells us a lot about weather. Learn about it in this video! Related Lesson

A science demonstration of how thermometers measure heat energy

Weather forecasting is a critical scientific process that involves predicting atmospheric conditions over a specific area at a given time. Why is that important?

We have lots of different tools for measuring weather. Learn about them here!

Jared explains about air pressure while performing two variations on the balloon in a bottle experiment.

An excellent detailed article about the arctic climate.

A good description of the Atlantic Maritime climate.

An article providing details about the climates in Canada

Learn facts about Canada's arctic climate region.

Canada is divided into several climate zones, each with its own unique characteristics and impact on the environment.

Exploring Canada’s Climate Zones - Arctic, Pacific, Prairie, Boreal & Atlantic in this video for students

An overview of the cordillera climate zone

A good description of the Pacific Maritime climate.

A good description of the prairie climate in Canada.

An overview of the Tundra from NASA.

How does climate change? And what happens to environments and ecosystems when it does?

Global warming is forcing many species to change where they live. Read this article to learn why!

Learn about climate change and how it affects life on earth.

Learn about how changes in World climate can alter the life cycle of your home garden plants, fruits and vegetables.

Many wildlife species are moving from the areas they have lived for thousands of years due to climate change.

For plants and animals, adapting to climate change involves the most ancient solution of all: evolution. Learn how animals are adapting. Related Lesson

In this lesson, students learn about the challenges that climate change presents for four specific Arctic predators. They will explore how such changes ripple throughout ecosystems, habitats, and food webs.

Everyone’s talking about climate change but what is our climate? And why is it changing?

A science project for students that demonstrates how plants can slow soil erosion.

Farmers' lives and livelihoods are directly affected by climate change's impacts, and they are also vital to implementing many of the solutions we need to help prevent it.

Three short chapters present a history of Indigenous farming and food practices in the prairies

This 3 1/2 minute video describes how farmers can use animal poop as energy for their farm. How does the anaerobic digester work to create energy and fertilizer? How can we use human waste as well?

This classic yet simple science experiment demonstrates soil erosion in a way your students won't forget.

Get to know the story of the Three Sisters, and what we can learn about sustainably growing food from Indigenous practices. Related Lesson

This video highlights some common practices farmers and ranchers use to improve profitability, quality of life and environmental stewardship.

This episode examinesthe importance of healthy soils and the positive impact of cover crops

This video covers the basic principles of conservation tillage

This episode shows how farmers can improve soil health and plant vigor by focusing on the health of their pastures and rangelands.

This episode highlights some common practices farmers and ranchers use to conserve and manage water.

Agriculture-based learning and teaching resources from an Alberta-based Agriculture education organization.

Resources for student and teachers about sustainable development goals and activities.

A guide to setting up vermicomposting in your classroom!

Educator resources, lesson plans and course materials looking at the connections between climate change and the world around us.

This lesson focuses on the “big idea” that humans depend on, are shaped by, and affect the earth’s climate

A lesson for students between ages 9 and 15

Lesson plans for elementary teachers teaching about the tundra

A useful guide to setting up a vermicomposting system safely indoors.

Students will learn about water treatment and the challenges faced by indigenous communities.

Central to this resource is The Fisher Story as shared by Isaac Murdoch. Throughout the story, many lessons are learned in regards to our conduct as well as our roles and responsibilities.

This lesson plan allows students to explore functions of the different structures found within a tree and to use scatter plots to consider the relationship between sweet water harvesting and climate conditions.

Students will develop a deeper understanding of issues relating to agriculture from different perspectives and be challenged to think deeply about how it relates to climate change.

6 weekly modules about an hour each in the classroom combined with at-home superhero missions cover a range of climate, energy, and transportation topics. Teacher must create a free account to access.

The Saskatchewan Organic Directorate (SOD) has produced these materials to help learners explore the challenges and advantages of local food production. The resource also involves students in the preparation of tasty dishes based on local, organic products.

In this activity, students will inquire about the conditions needed to create an ideal vermicompost.

A lesson plan developed by Statistics Canada

Grab an umbrella and step into the wild world of weather for kids with our cool range of experiments, online games, science fair projects, fun quizzes, interesting facts, amazing videos and more!