Water Attitude

The Water Attitude strand encourages students to think about how water impacts our lives and how we impact the water in our lives. They will see how water was used and conserved in times gone by and discover how modern technology has changed our relationship to water.

Aboriginal Voices

At this activity centre, students will listen to Joe Pacquette discuss the role of water and the natural environment in selected First Nations cultures in Canada. Students will listen to some of the history and legacy of the First Nations peoples and the importance of the natural environment to their various cultural beliefs and practices. Our First Nations had a special relationship and reliance on water long before any European Settlement in North America and understand that water is a precious resource we must protect so that there is a clean supply for the future. Students will be able identify things we can do to protect our water resources, and describe how the past and present relationship with water has evolved through the years.

Ecosystem Twister

This activity demonstrates how the Earth provides us with the four essential requirements for life: food, water, air and shelter. Students will learn that all living things must share our natural resources and that each essential requirement plays an important role in all of our lives. The ecosystem concept will be introduced and students will understand that we need to protect our natural resources to maintain our ecosystem.

Pioneer Water Race

This activity illustrates how difficult it is to transport water. It is intended to encourage students to appreciate the modern day conveniences that we have today, and to rethink taking clean water for granted just because we have easy access to it. They will gain an understanding that pioneers used water for the same uses we do today, but that they used much less, and will recognize ways we can learn conserve.

The Power of Water

This activity shows students that water is used to generate electricity and instills an understanding of the raw power in fast moving water. They will learn about the connection between electricity and water and why it is important to conserve both. The importance of safety around or near hydro electric plants is also discussed.

The Great Niagara Taste Test

At this activity students will have the opportunity to compare the taste and smell of municipally treated drinking water and bottled water and learn about some of their differences and similarities. They will learn what causes the different tastes and smells in water, and understand the concepts behind water treatment and the Safe Drinking Water Act.