Grade Seven Science
Students will develop an understanding of five general units: Interactions and Ecosystems, Plants for Food and Fibre, Heat and Temperature, Structures and Forces, and Planet Earth.
Children’s early experiences shape what they imagine to be possible. Study after study has shown the value of exposing children with positive role models. Representation, including in the hours spent consuming media within the classroom, shape what they imagine to be possible for people who look like them, live where they live, or come from where they came from. Simply put, kids determine what they can be based on the examples around them. Therefore, we highly recommend you take 2-5 minutes everyday in your science class to introduce scientists of colour. We've made this easy for you by creating a presentation that you can use with a slide a day to showcase a new scientist of diverse background. You could do this on a daily, weekly, bi-weekly or during a certain month. You could also make your own presentation and encourage this representation.
7 - 12 Scientists of Colour by Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation
Plants for Food and Fibre
Meet India's First Woman PhD in Botany
A pioneering botanist and cytogeneticist, Janaki Ammal is credited with putting sweetness in India’s sugarcane varieties, speaking against the hydro-electric project in Kerala’s Silent Valley and the phenomenal study of chromosomes of thousands of species of flowering plants. Video also available.
Meet India's First Woman PhD in Botany
A pioneering botanist and cytogeneticist, Janaki Ammal is credited with putting sweetness in India’s sugarcane varieties, speaking against the hydro-electric project in Kerala’s Silent Valley and the phenomenal study of chromosomes of thousands of species of flowering plants. Video also available.
- Curriculum connection:
- 2.2: Plant propagation and reproduction - Suggested use:
- Introduction and representation of a female Indian in stem, one of the first females to obtain a PhD
- Discussion/research into sugarcane variety and hybrids and the different uses - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
The Story of George Washington Carver
A 5-minute video on George Washington Carver's life, and his contributions to the study of plants.
A 5-minute video on George Washington Carver's life, and his contributions to the study of plants.
- Curriculum connection:
- 2.3: Analyze plant environments, and identify impacts of specific factors and controls - Suggested use:
- Research project on George Washington Carver and how his findings contribute to what we know about plants today
- Compare George Washington Carver to another important figure in botany - Accessibility:
- Closed captioning available
Recognizing Black and Brown Botanists
A website that highlights the botanists, Marie Clark Taylor, O'Neil Ray Collins and George Washington Carver. It gives a brief bibliography for each individual.
A website that highlights the botanists, Marie Clark Taylor, O'Neil Ray Collins and George Washington Carver. It gives a brief bibliography for each individual.
- Curriculum connection:
- 2.1: Investigate plant uses; and identify links among needs, technologies, products and impacts - Suggested use:
- Research project on the botanists featured and their contributions to what we know about plants today - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
George Washington Carver
Born into slavery, George Washington Carver became a foremost botanist, inventor and teacher. He invented over 300 uses for the peanut and developed methods to prevent soil depletion. He was made a member British Royal Society of Arts — a rare honor for an American – and advised prominent leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and President Teddy Roosevelt on agriculture and nutrition.
Born into slavery, George Washington Carver became a foremost botanist, inventor and teacher. He invented over 300 uses for the peanut and developed methods to prevent soil depletion. He was made a member British Royal Society of Arts — a rare honor for an American – and advised prominent leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and President Teddy Roosevelt on agriculture and nutrition.
- Curriculum connection:
- 2.3: Analyze plant environments, and identify impacts of specific factors and controls - Suggested use:
- Research project on George Washington Carver and how his findings contribute to what we know about plants today - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Scientist: Woo Jang-Choon
Two websites that include information about Woo Jang-Choon, an agricultural scientist and botanist.
Second article available for more information.
Two websites that include information about Woo Jang-Choon, an agricultural scientist and botanist.
Second article available for more information.
- Curriculum connection:
- 2.4: Identify and interpret relationships among human needs, technologies, environments, and the culture and use of living things as sources of food and fibre - Suggested use:
- Research project comparing various botanists - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Structures and Forces
Mimar Sinan
Considered to be the greatest Ottoman architect, Mimar Sinan was the Ottoman Empire’s State Architect for a decade, transforming the landscape of Istanbul as well as other Turkish cities with his masterpieces.
Mimar Sinan
Considered to be the greatest Ottoman architect, Mimar Sinan was the Ottoman Empire’s State Architect for a decade, transforming the landscape of Istanbul as well as other Turkish cities with his masterpieces.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4.1: Describe and interpret different types of structures encountered in everyday objects, buildings, plants and animals; and identify materials from which they are made - Suggested use:
- Use to highlight careers in STEM - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Matrakci Nasuh
Matrakci Nasuh was a famous Ottoman polymath, writer and knight who produced important books in several fields. He made contributions in the fields of mathematics, geography, history and calligraphy. He also invented a military lawn game called "Matrak", a kind of animation of battle. Matrakçi Nasuh worked on the engineering aspects of weapon production, demonstrating his talent as a technical builder of machines.
Matrakci Nasuh was a famous Ottoman polymath, writer and knight who produced important books in several fields. He made contributions in the fields of mathematics, geography, history and calligraphy. He also invented a military lawn game called "Matrak", a kind of animation of battle. Matrakçi Nasuh worked on the engineering aspects of weapon production, demonstrating his talent as a technical builder of machines.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4.1: Describe and interpret different types of structures encountered in everyday objects, buildings, plants and animals; and identify materials from which they are made - Suggested use:
- Use to highlight careers in STEM - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Planet Earth
Sunita Williams
Sunita Lyn Williams is an American astronaut and United States Navy officer who formerly held the records for most spacewalks by a woman and most spacewalk time for a woman.
Sunita Williams
Sunita Lyn Williams is an American astronaut and United States Navy officer who formerly held the records for most spacewalks by a woman and most spacewalk time for a woman.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.10: Model development (observation/evidence) - Suggested use:
- Discussion/research into female science pioneers
- Introduction into space observation and models - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Anuradha T.K.
Anuradha T.K. is a retired Indian scientist and project director of the Indian Space Research Organisation, specialized communication satellites. She has worked on the launches of the satellites GSAT-12 and GSAT-10.
Anuradha T.K. is a retired Indian scientist and project director of the Indian Space Research Organisation, specialized communication satellites. She has worked on the launches of the satellites GSAT-12 and GSAT-10.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.10: Model development (observation/evidence) - Suggested use:
- Discussion on GPS past and future uses
- Research project into earth observation methods - Accessibility:
- No captions; additional accommodations required for hard of hearing students
Ten Black Scientists that Teachers Should Know About
A list of some of the top Black scientists, engineers, inventors and mathematicians, along with media resources to help you bring their work—and stories—into your classroom.
A list of some of the top Black scientists, engineers, inventors and mathematicians, along with media resources to help you bring their work—and stories—into your classroom.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.10: Model development (observation/evidence) - Suggested use:
- Introduction and representation of various notable Black engineers - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
The Birth of a Planet
Astronomer Catherine Espaillat travels to Flagstaff Arizona to investigate the formation of planets at the Discovery Channel Telescope. She is currently the Interim Director of the Institute for Astrophysical Research.
Astronomer Catherine Espaillat travels to Flagstaff Arizona to investigate the formation of planets at the Discovery Channel Telescope. She is currently the Interim Director of the Institute for Astrophysical Research.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.1: Describe and demonstrate methods used in the scientific study of Earth and in observing and interpreting its component materials - Suggested use:
- Discussion on the formation of Earth and other planets
- Can use to talk about careers in science - Accessibility:
- Closed captioning available on video
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal
- No descriptive captioning available for visually impaired students
Ritu Karidhal - The Rocket Woman of India
Ritu Karidhal Srivastava is an Indian scientist working with the Indian Space Research Organisation. She was a Deputy Operations Director to India's Mars orbital mission, Mangalyaan. She has been referred to as a "Rocket Woman" of India. She was born and brought up in Lucknow and is an aerospace engineer.
Ritu Karidhal Srivastava is an Indian scientist working with the Indian Space Research Organisation. She was a Deputy Operations Director to India's Mars orbital mission, Mangalyaan. She has been referred to as a "Rocket Woman" of India. She was born and brought up in Lucknow and is an aerospace engineer.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.1: Describe and demonstrate methods used in the scientific study of Earth and in observing and interpreting its component materials - Suggested use:
- Use to talk about careers in science - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Ottoman Scientists: Piri Reis
Piri Reis is a well known Ottoman-Turkish admiral, geographer and cartographer from the 16th century. His famous world map compiled in 1513 and discovered in 1929 at Topkapi Palace in Istanbul is the oldest known Turkish map showing the New World, and one of the oldest maps of America still in existence.
Piri Reis is a well known Ottoman-Turkish admiral, geographer and cartographer from the 16th century. His famous world map compiled in 1513 and discovered in 1929 at Topkapi Palace in Istanbul is the oldest known Turkish map showing the New World, and one of the oldest maps of America still in existence.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.1: Describe and demonstrate methods used in the scientific study of Earth and in observing and interpreting its component materials - Suggested use:
- Can tie in with Social Studies mapping - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Miscellaneous
Dr. Jedidah Isler on bringing more women of color into STEM
Jedidah C. Isler is an American astrophysicist and educator. She conducts research on blazars and examines the jet streams emanating from them. She is currently an Assistant professor of Astrophysics at Dartmouth College.
Dr. Jedidah Isler on bringing more women of color into STEM
Jedidah C. Isler is an American astrophysicist and educator. She conducts research on blazars and examines the jet streams emanating from them. She is currently an Assistant professor of Astrophysics at Dartmouth College.
- Suggested use:
- Use to highlight women and careers in STEM - Accessibility:
- Closed captioning available on video
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal
- No descriptive captioning available for visually impaired students
Women and People of Colour in Science
This website has a lot of good learning content, as well as a simple lesson plan with questions. It specifically highlights how even with less opportunities, these women and people of colour were able to make significant contributions toward science
This website has a lot of good learning content, as well as a simple lesson plan with questions. It specifically highlights how even with less opportunities, these women and people of colour were able to make significant contributions toward science
- Suggested use:
- Includes lesson plans and activities - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Sujatha Ramdorai and her tale of numbers
Meet Sujatha Ramdorai, professor and Canada Research Chair at the University of British Columbia. A recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, she is also the first Indian to win the Ramanujan Prize. Watch as she shares her story on being a women in STEM and excelling in mathematics.
Meet Sujatha Ramdorai, professor and Canada Research Chair at the University of British Columbia. A recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, she is also the first Indian to win the Ramanujan Prize. Watch as she shares her story on being a women in STEM and excelling in mathematics.
- Suggested use:
- Use to highlight women and careers in STEM - Accessibility:
- Closed captioning available on video
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal
- No descriptive captioning available for visually impaired students
Black History Month - Black Scientists and Inventors Scientists
A 10-minute kid-friendly, animated video on the lives and legacies of Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, George Washington Carver, Madam C.J. Walker, Garrett A. Morgan, and Mae Jemison.
A 10-minute kid-friendly, animated video on the lives and legacies of Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, George Washington Carver, Madam C.J. Walker, Garrett A. Morgan, and Mae Jemison.
- Suggested use:
- Use to highlight careers in STEM - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
10 Filipino Inventors and Their Inventions
A 9-minute video about Filipino inventors and their contributions as inventors.
A 9-minute video about Filipino inventors and their contributions as inventors.
- Suggested use:
- Use to highlight careers in STEM - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Structures and Forces
Inventions You Probably Didn’t Know Came From Latin America
A 4-minute video about various Latin American scientists and inventions we use in our everyday lives.
Inventions You Probably Didn’t Know Came From Latin America
A 4-minute video about various Latin American scientists and inventions we use in our everyday lives.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4.1: Describe and interpret different types of structures encountered in everyday objects, buildings, plants and animals; and identify materials from which they are made - Suggested use:
- Use to highlight careers in STEM - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations may be required for visually impaired students
10 Surprising Iranian Discoveries and Inventions
Video of 10 discoveries and inventions by Persians: animation, battery (parthian), human rights (Cyrus Cylinder), postal service, refrigeration (yakhchal), algebra, sulfuric acid, alphabets, guitar, water supply systam (qanat).
Video of 10 discoveries and inventions by Persians: animation, battery (parthian), human rights (Cyrus Cylinder), postal service, refrigeration (yakhchal), algebra, sulfuric acid, alphabets, guitar, water supply systam (qanat).
- Curriculum connection:
- 4.1: Describe and interpret different types of structures encountered in everyday objects, buildings, plants and animals; and identify materials from which they are made - Suggested use:
- Use to highlight careers in STEM - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations may be required for visually impaired students
10 Surprising Muslim Discoveries and Inventions
Video of 10 Muslim discoveries and inventions: hospitals, toothbrush, magnify lens/ glasses, camera (light reflection), clocks, surgical instruments, flying machines, coffee, algebra, modern standing army.
Part two: university, crankshaft, pointed arches, windmill, vaccinations, rockets and torpedos, pay cheques, shampoo, world maps, astronomical computers.
Video of 10 Muslim discoveries and inventions: hospitals, toothbrush, magnify lens/ glasses, camera (light reflection), clocks, surgical instruments, flying machines, coffee, algebra, modern standing army.
Part two: university, crankshaft, pointed arches, windmill, vaccinations, rockets and torpedos, pay cheques, shampoo, world maps, astronomical computers.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4.1: Describe and interpret different types of structures encountered in everyday objects, buildings, plants and animals; and identify materials from which they are made - Suggested use:
- Use to highlight careers in STEM - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations may be required for visually impaired students
Implementing meaningful STEM Education with Indigenous Students & Families
There are a set of strategies teachers can use to intentionally incorporate indigenous ways of knowing into STEM learning environments—both in and out of school and in relation to family and community.
There are a set of strategies teachers can use to intentionally incorporate indigenous ways of knowing into STEM learning environments—both in and out of school and in relation to family and community.
- Suggested use:
- Use this document along with the Alberta Science Program of Study to create meaningful lessons
Steps to create an Anti-Racist Science Lesson
Choosing a meaningful and culturally responsive phenomenon is the cornerstone to teaching an equitable, anti-racist science lesson.
Choosing a meaningful and culturally responsive phenomenon is the cornerstone to teaching an equitable, anti-racist science lesson.
- Suggested use:
- Use this document along with the Alberta Science Program of Study to create meaningful lessons
Dr. Ellen Ochoa
Video detailing the experiences of the first female Hispanic astronaut in space. In the video Dr. Ochoa discusses diversity in the field of space travel and her experiences living in space.
Video detailing the experiences of the first female Hispanic astronaut in space. In the video Dr. Ochoa discusses diversity in the field of space travel and her experiences living in space.
- Suggested use:
- Use to highlight Ellen's achievement in physics and astronomy
- Highlight the importance of women in STEM
