Grade Nine Science
Students will develop an understanding of five general units: Biological Diversity, Matter and Chemical Change, Environmental Chemistry, Electrical Principles and Technologies, and Space Exploration.
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
Biological Diversity
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.
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.
- Curriculum connection:
- 1.1: Investigate and interpret diversity among species and within species, and describe how diversity contributes to species survival - Suggested use:
- Introduction and representation of a female Indian in stem, one of the first females to obtain a PhD. working in botany as a cytogeneticist
- 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
Genomics
What are genes? This rap song highlights work being done to study the human genome and career options in genomics.
What are genes? This rap song highlights work being done to study the human genome and career options in genomics.
- Curriculum connection:
- 1.3: Describe, in general terms, the role of genetic materials in the continuity and variation of species characteristics; and investigate and interpret related technologies - Suggested use:
- Introduction to genes
- Discussion on the human genome project
- Discussion on the ethics of the human genome project - Accessibility:
- Additional accommodations needed
Environmental Chemistry
Natural Resources of Africa
What natural resources does Africa have? This video talks about the different natural minerals and resources found in the continent.
Natural Resources of Africa
What natural resources does Africa have? This video talks about the different natural minerals and resources found in the continent.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3.1: Investigate and describe, in general terms, the role of different substances in the environment in supporting or harming humans and other living things - Suggested use:
- Discussion of the importance of natural resources
- Research project into unique to continent natural resources and their uses
- Introduction to natural resource conservation\ - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Alice Ball
Alice Ball was a chemist from the University of Hawaii who realized the significance of the chaulmoogra tree oil. The oil had been used topically in the past for a range of conditions, but she figured it would be more effective injected. Hearing of her work, Dr. Harry T. Hollmann asked for her help in extracting the active ingredient in the chaulmoogra oil since the oil alone burned when injected and was difficult to ingest. Using this oil she created the first successful treatment for Hansen’s disease (leprosy) which was used up until the 1940s.
Alice Ball was a chemist from the University of Hawaii who realized the significance of the chaulmoogra tree oil. The oil had been used topically in the past for a range of conditions, but she figured it would be more effective injected. Hearing of her work, Dr. Harry T. Hollmann asked for her help in extracting the active ingredient in the chaulmoogra oil since the oil alone burned when injected and was difficult to ingest. Using this oil she created the first successful treatment for Hansen’s disease (leprosy) which was used up until the 1940s.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3.1: Investigate and describe, in general terms, the role of different substances in the environment in supporting or harming humans and other living things - Suggested use:
- Discussion on natural resources and their medical use
- Research project into early treatments and vaccines
- Introduction to environmental importance on human health - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Electrical Principles and Technologies
Medieval robots? They were just one of this Muslim inventor's creations
Ismail al-Jazari is a Turkish polymath who created marvellous inventions in the 12th-century and laid the groundwork for modern engineering, hydraulics and even robotics.
Medieval robots? They were just one of this Muslim inventor's creations
Ismail al-Jazari is a Turkish polymath who created marvellous inventions in the 12th-century and laid the groundwork for modern engineering, hydraulics and even robotics.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4.1: Investigate and interpret the use of devices to convert various forms of energy to electrical energy, and electrical energy to other forms of energy - Suggested use:
- Have students do a research project on early mechanics around the globe: What were the first mechanical electrical strides? - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Space Exploration
Science in a Golden Age - Astronomy: The Science of the Stars
Jim al-Khalili reveals how scholars from the Islamic world played a crucial role in astronomy and navigation, influencing later astronomers in the renaissance.
Science in a Golden Age - Astronomy: The Science of the Stars
Jim al-Khalili reveals how scholars from the Islamic world played a crucial role in astronomy and navigation, influencing later astronomers in the renaissance.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.1: Investigate and describe ways that human understanding of Earth and space has depended on technological development - Suggested use:
- Compare to another astronomer who has provided lots of knowledge on what we know about the sky today
- Investigate how people used the sky/stars to navigate before there were maps
- Write a letter from the perspective of Jim al-Khalili about his discoveries and why they were important - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Hidden Figures
The story of a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program.
The story of a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.1: Investigate and describe ways that human understanding of Earth and space has depended on technological development - Suggested use:
- Discuss personal connections to the book and the characteristics of Johnson that brought her success in NASA
- Used as a starting point before researching further on BIPOC historical figures that contributed to sky science technology
- Character study on Katherine Johnson and compare to other Black women who made contributions to sky science technology - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
A History of Nobel Physicists in War-Time Japan
Article about the contributions made to astrophysics by Japanese physicists both before and during the second world war. Many of these contributions are not recognized due to the role that Japan played in the second world war.
Article about the contributions made to astrophysics by Japanese physicists both before and during the second world war. Many of these contributions are not recognized due to the role that Japan played in the second world war.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.1: Investigate and describe ways that human understanding of Earth and space has depended on technological development - Suggested use:
- Introduction and representation of Japanese individuals in STEM
- Discussion on how racism impacts discoveries in STEM - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
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.
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.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.1: Investigate and describe ways that human understanding of Earth and space has depended on technological development - Suggested use:
- Careers in STEM
- Discussion on technology and space discovery
- representation of females in STEM - Accessibility:
- Closed captioning available on video
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal
- No descriptive captioning available for visually impaired students
Sunita Williams, American astronaut
Sunita Williams is an American astronaut. Her two spaceflights to the International Space Station combined lasted more than 321 days, ranking her second (after American astronaut Peggy Whitson) for most time spent in space by a woman.
Sunita Williams is an American astronaut. Her two spaceflights to the International Space Station combined lasted more than 321 days, ranking her second (after American astronaut Peggy Whitson) for most time spent in space by a woman.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.1: Investigate and describe ways that human understanding of Earth and space has depended on technological development - Suggested use:
- Representation of female BIPOC in STEM
- Discussion/research into female science pioneers
- Introduction into space observation and models - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal
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: Investigate and describe ways that human understanding of Earth and space has depended on technological development - Suggested use:
- Research project into telescope technology
- Discussion on discoveries found via telescope
- Introduction on telescope mechanics/function - Accessibility:
- Closed captioning available on video
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal
- No descriptive captioning available for visually impaired students
Dorothy Vaughn
Video about the life and contributions of the African-American female computer Dorothy Vaughn. Vaughn was one of the many African-American human computers who helped NASA in their mission to get a man on the moon in the space race.
Video about the life and contributions of the African-American female computer Dorothy Vaughn. Vaughn was one of the many African-American human computers who helped NASA in their mission to get a man on the moon in the space race.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.1: Investigate and describe ways that human understanding of Earth and space has depended on technological development - Suggested use:
- Introduction/representation of Black female scientists of NASA who were behind the first journeys into space
- Discussion of under-representation of BIPOC in the sciences/others getting credit for work of many - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required 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:
- 5.3: Describe and interpret the science of optical and radio telescopes, space probes and remote sensing technologies - Suggested use:
- Use a hook for introducing women/BIPOC in aerospace engineering - Accessibility:
- Accommodations needed
Anuradha TK and her journey at ISRO | Women in STEM
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:
- 5.3: Describe and interpret the science of optical and radio telescopes, space probes and remote sensing technologies - Suggested use:
- Discussion on GPS past and future uses
- Research project into earth observation methods - Accessibility:
- Accommodations needed
Great Minds: Katherine Johnson, Human Computer
In the early days of spaceflight, if NASA needed to plot a rocket’s path or confirm a computer’s calculations, they knew who to ask: Katherine Johnson.
In the early days of spaceflight, if NASA needed to plot a rocket’s path or confirm a computer’s calculations, they knew who to ask: Katherine Johnson.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.1: Investigate and describe ways that human understanding of Earth and space has depended on technological development - Suggested use:
- Discuss personal connections to the video and the characteristics of Johnson that brought her success in NASA
- Use as a starting point before researching further on BIPOC historical figures that contributed to sky science technology
- Character study on Katherine Johnson and compare to other Black women who made contributions to sky science technology - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Neil DeGrasse Tyson
Short video biography of the astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Tyson is the host of the popular astrophysics show Cosmos, and has become very well known as the astrophysicist that has brought space into the homes of many families.
Short video biography of the astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Tyson is the host of the popular astrophysics show Cosmos, and has become very well known as the astrophysicist that has brought space into the homes of many families.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.1: Investigate and describe ways that human understanding of Earth and space has depended on technological development - Suggested use:
- Introduction of astrophysicist
- Hold a class discussion on making scientific theories family friendly - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
I Was Poised to be the First Black Astronaut. I Never Made it to Space
A video about Ed Dwight Jr., who was invited by his country to train to be the first African-American astronaut. Back in 1963, it was hot news. But the United States never sent Dwight to space. For decades, he has maintained that he was discriminated against during his time at the Aerospace Research Pilot School, a prerequisite to NASA run by the legendary pilot Chuck Yeager.
A video about Ed Dwight Jr., who was invited by his country to train to be the first African-American astronaut. Back in 1963, it was hot news. But the United States never sent Dwight to space. For decades, he has maintained that he was discriminated against during his time at the Aerospace Research Pilot School, a prerequisite to NASA run by the legendary pilot Chuck Yeager.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.1: Investigate and describe ways that human understanding of Earth and space has depended on technological development - Suggested use:
- Hold class discussion about under representation and discrimination of BIPOC individuals in the sciences; What are ways to make sure this does not happen in the future - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Here Are the 18 African-American Astronauts
An article by the New York Times that highlights 18 African-American Astronauts.
An article by the New York Times that highlights 18 African-American Astronauts.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.1: Investigate and describe ways that human understanding of Earth and space has depended on technological development - Suggested use:
- BIPOC representation in science/space - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Kalpana Chawla: Biography & Columbia Disaster
A website that gives information on the biography of Kalpana Chawla, an Indian astronaut.
A website that gives information on the biography of Kalpana Chawla, an Indian astronaut.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.1: Investigate and describe ways that human understanding of Earth and space has depended on technological development - Suggested use:
- BIPOC representation in science/space - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Liu Yang, China's first female astronaut
A website about Liu Yang, China's first female astronaut.
A website about Liu Yang, China's first female astronaut.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.1: Investigate and describe ways that human understanding of Earth and space has depended on technological development - Suggested use:
- BIPOC representation in science/space - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Miscellaneous
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:
- Students will be encouraged to: appreciate that scientific understanding evolves from the interaction of ideas involving people with different views and backgrounds - Suggested use:
- Careers in STEM - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations may be required for visually impaired students
Ottoman Scientis: Taqi al-Din Ibn Ma’ruf
This article is a bio-bibliographical essay on the life and works of Taqī al-Dīn Ibn Ma'ruf, a scholar of 16th-century Istanbul, one of the most prolific and original scientists of the Ottoman period of Islamic science. After a biographical sketch, a comprehensive compilation lists most of his writings from manuscript sources.
This article is a bio-bibliographical essay on the life and works of Taqī al-Dīn Ibn Ma'ruf, a scholar of 16th-century Istanbul, one of the most prolific and original scientists of the Ottoman period of Islamic science. After a biographical sketch, a comprehensive compilation lists most of his writings from manuscript sources.
- Curriculum connection:
- Students will be encouraged to: appreciate that scientific understanding evolves from the interaction of ideas involving people with different views and backgrounds - Suggested use:
- Research project - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations may be 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:
- Students will be encouraged to: appreciate that scientific understanding evolves from the interaction of ideas involving people with different views and backgrounds - Suggested use:
- Can tie in with Social Studies mapping - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations may be 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.
- Curriculum connection:
- Students will be encouraged to: appreciate that scientific understanding evolves from the interaction of ideas involving people with different views and backgrounds - Suggested use:
- 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:
- Students will be encouraged to: appreciate that scientific understanding evolves from the interaction of ideas involving people with different views and backgrounds - Suggested use:
- 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:
- Students will be encouraged to: appreciate that scientific understanding evolves from the interaction of ideas involving people with different views and backgrounds - Suggested use:
- Careers in STEM - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations may be required for visually impaired students
The Seven Lessons of the Medicine Wheel
Website that describes the significance of the Indigenous medicine wheel. The website is split up in to the seven main lessons of the medicine wheel and how it relates to healing of various parts of the body.
Website that describes the significance of the Indigenous medicine wheel. The website is split up in to the seven main lessons of the medicine wheel and how it relates to healing of various parts of the body.
- Suggested use:
- Use this document along with the Alberta Science Program of Study to create meaningful lessons
Al-Jazari - Great Muslim minds
Ismail Al-Jazari invented the earliest known automatic gates, which were driven by hydropower, created automatic doors as part of one of his elaborate water clocks, and invented water wheels.
Ismail Al-Jazari invented the earliest known automatic gates, which were driven by hydropower, created automatic doors as part of one of his elaborate water clocks, and invented water wheels.
- Suggested use:
- Use this document along with the Alberta Science Program of Study to create meaningful lessons
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
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:
- Highlight the importance of representation in STEM
Science in a Golden Age - Al-Razi, Ibn Sina and the Canon of Medicine
Explore the links between medical research in the Golden Age of Science and the modern practice of medicine today. Standing in one of the largest neo-natal units in the world at Hamad Hospital in Qatar, you would not immediately be able to draw a link between the pioneering medical research being conducted and the work of physicists from the 9th century.
Explore the links between medical research in the Golden Age of Science and the modern practice of medicine today. Standing in one of the largest neo-natal units in the world at Hamad Hospital in Qatar, you would not immediately be able to draw a link between the pioneering medical research being conducted and the work of physicists from the 9th century.
- Suggested use:
- Highlight the importance of representation in STEM
Celebrating an Ottoman Intellectual: 2009 Year of Kâtip Çelebi
Kâtip Çelebi was arguably the most important Ottoman intellectual figure of the 17th century. Being the author of many works in the fields of bio-bibliography, geography, history and economics, he held reformist opinions and cultivated knowledge of both the classical Islamic tradition in science and culture as well as a relative familiarity with the European literature of his time.
Kâtip Çelebi was arguably the most important Ottoman intellectual figure of the 17th century. Being the author of many works in the fields of bio-bibliography, geography, history and economics, he held reformist opinions and cultivated knowledge of both the classical Islamic tradition in science and culture as well as a relative familiarity with the European literature of his time.
- Suggested use:
- Highlight the importance of representation in STEM
Ibrahim Muteferrika
Printer Ibrahim Müteferrika Issues the First Book Printed by Muslims Using Movable Type. In 1729 Ibrahim Müteferrika founded the first printing press in Turkey, in his home at Constantinople.
Printer Ibrahim Müteferrika Issues the First Book Printed by Muslims Using Movable Type. In 1729 Ibrahim Müteferrika founded the first printing press in Turkey, in his home at Constantinople.
- Suggested use:
- Highlight the importance of representation in STEM
