The Ontario Science Centre is committed to supporting excellence in science and technology education. Its mission is "to open minds to science and technology". The IMAX® Dome experience provides teachers and students with an opportunity to develop scientific and technological literacy by supporting the three goals of the Ontario Science and Technology curriculum.
For each film, you will find a chart of the curriculum expectations that the film supports at each grade level. Chosen for their educational value, curriculum connections and quality, these films act as catalysts to excite a student's interest in science and technology.
| Grade | Topic | Expectations |
|---|
| Strand: Understanding Earth and Space Systems |
|---|
| 6 | Space |
| 2.3 |
use scientific inquiry/research skills to investigate scientific and technological
advances that allow humans to adapt to life in space
|
| 2.4 |
use appropriate science and technology vocabulary in oral and written communication |
| 3.3 |
explain how humans meet their basic biological needs in space |
| 3.4 |
identify the technological tools and devices needed for space exploration |
|
|---|
| Strand: Earth and Space Science |
|---|
| 9 | Space Exploration |
| D1 |
assess some of the costs, hazards, and benefits of space exploration
|
| D2 |
investigate the characteristics and properties of a variety of celestial objects visible from Earth in the night sky; |
| D1.2 |
assess some of the costs, hazards, and benefits of space exploration, taking into account the benefits of technologies that were developed for the space program but that can be used to address environmental and other practical challenges on Earth |
| D2.5 |
compare and contrast properties of celestial objects visible in the night sky, drawing on information gathered through research and using an appropriate format |
| D3.1 |
describe observational and theoretical evidence relating to the origin and evolution of the universe
|
| D3.3 |
describe the major components of the solar system and the universe, using appropriate scientific terminology and units |
| D3.6 |
describe various reasons that humankind has had for studying space and the conceptions of the universe held by various cultures and civilizations |
|
|---|
| Strand: Earth and Space Science |
|---|
| 9 | Space Exploration |
| D1 |
analyse the major challenges and benefits of space exploration
|
| D2 |
investigate the properties of different types of celestial objects in the solar system and the universe; |
| D3 |
demonstrate an understanding of major astronomical phenomena and of the principal components of the solar system and the universe. |
| D1.1 |
research the challenges associated with space exploration, and explain the purpose of materials and technologies that were developed to address these challenges and how these materials and technologies are now used in other fields of endeavour |
| D2.4 |
investigate a technological challenge related to the exploration of celestial objects that arises from the objects’ specific properties, and identify the solution that has been devised |
| D3.1 |
describe the major components of the universe, the motion of the different types of celestial objects, and the distances between certain objects, using appropriate scientific terminology and units |
|
|---|
| Grade | Topic | Expectations |
|---|
| Strand: Understanding Earth and Space Systems |
|---|
| 5 | Conservation of Energy and Resources |
| 1.1 |
analyse the long-term impacts on society and the environment of human uses of energy and natural resources, and suggest ways to reduce these impacts |
|
|---|
| Strand: Understanding Life Systems |
|---|
| 7 | Interactions in the Environment |
| 3.1 |
demonstrate an understanding of an ecosystem as a system of interactions between living organisms and their environment |
| 3.7 |
explain why an ecosystem is limited in the number of living things that it can support |
| 3.8 |
describe ways in which human activities and technologies alter balances and interactions in the environment |
|
|---|
| Strand: Understanding Earth and Space Systems |
|---|
| 8 | Water Systems |
| 1 |
assess the impact of human activities and technologies on the sustainability of water resources |
| 2 |
investigate factors that affect local water quality |
| 3.2 |
demonstrate an understanding of the watershed as a fundamental geographic unit, and explain how it relates to water management and planning |
| 3.3 |
explain how human and natural factors cause changes in the water table |
|
|---|
| Strand: Biology |
|---|
| 9 | Sustainable Ecosystems |
| B2 |
investigate factors related to human activity that affect terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and explain how they affect the sustainability of these ecosystems |
| B3.5 |
identify various factors related to human activity that have an impact on ecosystems |
|
|---|
| Strand: Biology |
|---|
| 9 | Sustainable Ecosystems and Human Activity |
| B2 |
investigate some factors related to human activity that affect terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems, and describe the consequences that these factors have for the sustainability of these ecosystems |
| B3.5 |
identify some factors related to human activity that have an impact on ecosystems |
|
|---|
| Strand: Environmental Science |
|---|
| 11 | Scientific Solutions to Contemporary Environmental Challenges |
| B1 |
analyse social and economic issues related to an environmental challenge, and how societal needs influence scientific endeavours related to the environment |
| B2 |
investigate a range of perspectives that have contributed to scientific knowledge about the environment, and how scientific knowledge and procedures are applied to address contemporary environmental problems |
| B2.3 |
investigate, through research or using case studies or computer simulation, how scientific knowledge and procedures are applied to address a particular contemporary environmental issue |
| B3.1 |
identify some major contemporary environmental challenges, and explain their causes and effects |
| B3.5 |
describe a variety of human activities that have led to environmental problems and/or contributed to their solution |
|
|---|
| Strand: Environmental Science |
|---|
| 11 | Human Impact on the Environment |
| B3 |
demonstrate an understanding of some of the ways in which human activities affect the environment and how the impact of those activities is measured and monitored |
| B1.2 |
analyse the risks and benefits to the environment of human recreational activities and the leisure industry |
| B3.5 |
explain the effects of human activity on an aquatic or terrestrial ecosystem |
|
|---|
| Strand: Environmental Science |
|---|
| 11 | Natural Resource Science and Management |
| E.1 |
assess the environmental impact of the harvesting and/or extraction of resources, including ways of reducing this impact, and analyse threats to the sustainability of natural resources |
| 3.2 |
describe the characteristics and properties that make a natural resource viable for use |
| E3.3 |
describe a variety of methods used to extract or harvest natural resources |
|
|---|
| Strand: Understanding Life Systems |
|---|
| 4 | Habitats and Communities |
| 1 |
analyse the effects of human activities on habitats and communities |
| 2 |
investigate the interdependence of plants and animals within specific habitats and communities |
| 1.1 |
analyse the positive and negative impacts of human interactions with natural habitats and communities, taking different perspectives into account, and evaluate ways of minimizing the negative impacts |
| 3.1 |
demonstrate an understanding of habitats as areas that provide plants and animals with the necessities of life |
| 3.3 |
identify factors that affect the ability of plants and animals to survive in a specific habitat |
|
|---|
| Strand: Understanding Life Systems |
|---|
| 1 | Needs and Characteristics of Living Things |
| 1.1 |
identify personal action that they themselves can take to help maintain a healthy environment for living things, including humans |
| 1.2 |
describe changes or problems that could result from the loss of some kinds of living things ... |
| 3.1 |
identify environment as the area in which something or someone exists or lives |
| 3.6 |
identify what living things provide for other living things |
|
|---|
| Strand: Understanding Earth and Space Systems |
|---|
| 2 | Air and Water in the Environment |
| 1 |
assess ways in which the actions of humans have an impact on the quality of air and water, and ways in which the quality of air and water has an impact on living things |
| 3 |
demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which air and water are used by living things to help them meet their basic needs |
| 1.1 |
assess the impact of human activities on air and water in the environment, taking different points of view into consideration |
| 3.3 |
describe ways in which living things, including humans, depend on air and water |
| 3.4 |
identify sources of water in the natural and built environment |
| 3.4 |
identify sources of water in the natural and built environment |
| 3.6 |
state reasons why clean water is an increasingly scarce resource in many parts of the world |
|
|---|
| Grade | Topic | Expectations |
|---|
| Strand: Understanding Life Systems |
|---|
| 1 | Needs and Characteristics of Living Things |
| 1.2 |
describe changes or problems that could result from the loss of some kinds of living things ... |
| 2.2 |
investigate and compare the basic needs of humans and other living things, including the need for air, water, food, warmth, and space, using a variety of methods and resources |
| 2.3 |
investigate and compare the physical characteristics of a variety of plants and animals, including humans |
| 3.1 |
identify environment as the area in which something or someone exists or lives |
| 3.4 |
describe the characteristics of a healthy environment, including clean air and water and nutritious food, and explain why it is important for all living things to have a healthy environment |
| 3.5 |
describe how showing care and respect for all living things helps to maintain a healthy environment |
| 3.6 |
identify what living things provide for other living things |
|
|---|
| Strand: Understanding Life Systems |
|---|
| 7 | Interactions in the Environment |
| 3.1 |
demonstrate an understanding of an ecosystem as a system of interactions between living organisms and their environment |
| 3.4 |
describe the transfer of energy in a food chain and explain the effects of the elimination of any part of the chain |
| 3.8 |
describe ways in which human activities and technologies alter balances and interactions in the environment |
|
|---|
| Strand: Understanding Life Systems |
|---|
| 4 | Habitats and Communities | |
|---|
| Strand: Understanding Life Systems |
|---|
| 2 | Growth and Changes in Animals |
| 1.1 |
identify positive and negative impacts that animals have on humans (society) and the environment… |
| 1.2 |
identify positive and negative impacts that different kinds of human activity have on animals and where they live… |
| 2.2 |
observe and compare the physical characteristics and the behavioural characteristics of a variety of animals, using a variety of methods and resources |
| 2.5 |
• 2.5 investigate the ways in which a variety of animals adapt to their environment and/or to changes in their environment, using various methods |
| 3.2 |
describe an adaptation as a characteristic body part, shape, or behaviour that helps a plant or animal survive in its environment |
| 3.3 |
identify ways in which animals are helpful to, and ways in which they meet the basic needs of, living things, including humans, to explain why humans should protect animals and the places where they live |
| 3.4 |
identify ways in which animals can be harmful to humans |
|
|---|
| Strand: Understanding Life Systems |
|---|
| 6 | Biodiversity |
| 2.2 |
investigate organisms found in a specific habitat… |
| 3.2 |
demonstrate an understanding of biodiversity as the variety of life on earth, including variety within each species of plant and animal, among species of plants and animals in communities, and among communities and the physical landscapes that support them |
| 3.4 |
describe ways in which biodiversity within and among communities is important for maintaining the resilience of these communities |
| 3.5 |
describe interrelationships within species, and explain how these interrelationships sustain biodiversity |
|
|---|
| Strand: Biology |
|---|
| 11 | Diversity of Living Things | |
|---|
| Strand: Biology |
|---|
| 9 | Sustainable Ecosystems | |
|---|
| Strand: Biology |
|---|
| 9 | Sustainable Ecosystems and Human Activity | |
|---|
