Score: 8

Science Discipline: Life Science, Earth and Space Science

Length: Unit

Year Reviewed: 2024

This unit is anchored by the unusual sightings of polar, brown, and black bears in Wapusk National Park. Students investigate why this is so unusual and consider what this means for the bears as the Arctic warms. Lesson Set 1 focuses on bear thermoregulation and how speciation occurred over geologic time. In Lesson Set 2 students learn about hybridization of bears as an alternative future for the bears. They consider the speed at which extinction and speciation events occurred in the past compared with changes occurring today. Students research ways humans protected other species from extinction and debate what role humans should play in protecting Arctic bears from extinction.