TVO Learn is designed to meet each student where they are on their learning journey. Learning Activities are comprehensive and require guided instruction from an adult, while Resources for Learning, Apply the Learning prompts and Vocabulary lists work well to reinforce specific skills or to enable independent exploration of a subject. Use these helpful tips to get the most from TVO Learn.
How to Use These Resources
Curriculum Overview
Science is a way of knowing which seeks to describe and explain the natural and physical world. An important aspect is making connections between skills and concepts, and the practical applications of science and technology, and learning about life systems, matter and energy, structures and mechanisms, and Earth and space systems. Students develop important scientific literacy and technological skills that will enable them to thrive in today's rapidly changing world, their future professional and personal lives, and to become active problem solvers in their communities. As students engage in STEM education, they develop transferrable skills that they need to meet the demands of today's global economy and society, and to become scientifically and technologically literate citizens.
The science and technology curriculum is divided into five strands:
- STEM Skills and Connections
- Life Systems: Human Health and Body Systems
- Matter and Energy: Properties of and Changes in Matter
- Structures and Mechanisms: Forces Acting on Structures
- Earth and Space Systems: Conservation of Energy and Resources
Interested in learning more? View Curriculum
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Learning Activities
Learning Activities provide opportunity for deeper exploration of a subject. Learning Activities provide opportunity for deeper exploration of a subject. Organized by grade and topic (or strand), students should be guided through each Learning Activity by an adult. Before clicking on a topic to prepare for or begin this guided instruction, be sure to read these helpful tips about how to get the most out of TVO Learn.
Learning Activities 
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Resources for Learning
Chosen by TVO educators, these resources support the curriculum outlined above. Review the below list of options along with the activities. Then, read, watch, listen or play to build understanding and knowledge.
Please be aware by accessing the resources below you will be leaving TVO Learn and entering other TVO domains that are subject to different privacy policies and terms of use.
Complete the suggested activities using these resources and other TVO resources.
Earth and Space Systems
Power Pathways
In this puzzle game, students explore renewable energy.
Play game on TVOkids.com
Life Systems
Power Hour of Learning | Savings and Science
Join teacher Cameron as he uses percentages to save money and conducts experiments to see how external stimuli - such as heat or cold - can affect our nerves' ability to deliver signals to the brain. Can we train our reflexes to become faster? This video explores the reactions of the nervous system.
Watch on TVOkids.com
Life Systems
Dr. Cheddar Chats with Dr. Ronni from SickKids
Dr. Cheddar video chats with Dr. Ronald Cohn (Dr. Ronni), president and CEO of SickKids. Dr. Ronni helps answer viewer questions about the COVID-19 virus. Dr. Ronni explains some of the effects of the virus on human organ systems.
Watch on TVOkids.com
Matter and Energy
Science Max | Tower Down
In this Science Max game, experiment and observe through trial and error the effects of your actions on objects through STEM gameplay. What are the forces causing the blocks to tumble.
Play game on TVOkids.com
Matter and Energy
Science Max | Table Top Experiment: Volcano
Using this table top experiment, students can create a model of a volcano and explore how certain substances can change in their states of matter.
View on TVOkids.com
Matter and Energy
I Wonder Why? | Oil and Water
Scientist Damian explains why water and oil do not mix by first talking about water molecules and how they are the same shape. Because they are the same shape they fit together easily, using the example of a jigsaw puzzle. Damian then explains that oil molecules are shaped much differently than water molecules. Because of the difference in shape, water and oil do not mix.
Watch on TVOkids.com
Matter and Energy
I Wonder Why? | Snowflakes
Perimeter Scientist: Kevin Donkers explains that when the temperature drops below zero, little drops of water from the clouds, start grouping together and crystalize. When they crystalize, we get snowflakes. When the snowflakes fall from the sky and land on the ground, there is so much air between each flake that the snow stays soft and fluffy.
Watch on TVOkids.comMatter and Energy
Power Hour of Learning | Explaining Changes of State
Join teacher Spencer as we explore solids, liquids and gases. Using an episode of Science Max for inspiration, we discuss how matter can change state. Later in the episode we head into the kitchen to do some cooking and sing a song about the digestive system.
Watch on TVOkids.com
STEM Skills and Connections
TVO Learn mPower | STEM 5: Green City
Demonstrate an understanding of the various forms and sources of energy and the ways in which energy can be transformed and conserved. Design and test a city that makes greater use of renewable and alternative sources of energy and infrastructure.
Play game on mPower.tvo.org (Registration or login required)
STEM Skills and Connections
TVO Learn mPower | STEM 5: Function Factory
Demonstrate an understanding and investigate the structure and function of human body systems and interactions within and between systems. Design and test a processing facility to demonstrate how organs in major systems of the human body work and interact.
Play game on mPower.tvo.org (Registration or login required)
STEM Skills and Connections
TVO Learn mPower | STEM 5: Adventure Playground
Identify forces that act on and within structures and mechanisms, and describe the effects of these forces on structures and mechanisms. Design and test a strong and stable adventure playground that enables safe play.
Play game on mPower.tvo.org (Registration or login required)
Structures and Mechanisms
Power Hour of Learning | Building Bridges
Join teacher Cameron as he explores the science of building bridges. We examine various forces acting on structures and what you need to build the best bridge possible.
Watch on TVOkids.comStructures and Mechanisms
Science Max |Earthquake table
In this table top experiment, students can build a tower and simulate the forces of an earthquake. PDF instructions can be found here.
View on TVOkids.com
Apply the Learning
Choose from the following to consolidate learning across all curriculum strands.
- Design and build a model to show how organs or parts of body systems in the human body work and interact with other components.
- Pick an exercise and investigate changes in the body system (like heart rate, breathing, body temperature) as a result of the exercise.
- Create a media product (video, brochure, presentation, poster) identifying the major systems in the human body describing their roles and interrelationships.
- Design, build, and test a frame structure that will stand the application of an external force. For example, a bridge or tower and a simulated strong wind from a blow dryer.
- Design, build and test a mechanical system that performs a function.
- Design, build, and test a device that transforms one form of energy into another. For example, create a toy that uses electrical energy from a battery or solar cell to move across the floor (kinetic energy) and make a noise (sound energy).
- Prepare a meal with adult supervision. What are the changes of matter that the substances are experiencing? What substances are being used?
- Conduct an energy audit of your home and create a plan for how your family could improve their energy conservation efforts.
Vocabulary
Review this list of vocabulary associated with the curriculum. Practice spelling, research definitions, and find these vocabulary words when engaging with the TVO resources or completing learning activities.
Students should understand and be able to apply these words in context.
- Life Systems
Human Health and Body Systems
- Matter and Energy
Properties of and Changes in Matter
- Structures and Mechanisms
Forces acting on Structures
- Earth and Space Systems
Conservation of Energy and Resources
asthma
appendicitis
circulation
circulatory
digestion
digestive
epilepsy
emphysema
heart rate
musculoskeletal
nervous
nutrients
organs
respiration
absorption
chemical change
condensation
environmental impact
evaporation
gas
liquid
mass
material
physical change
precipitation
properties
reversible
social impact
solid
solidification
sublimation
temperature
thermometer
volume
compression
earthquake
external force
frame structure
hurricane
load
mechanical system
protective equipment
system
tension
tornado
torque
tsunami
vibrations
atmosphere
chemical
conservation
electrical
energy
fossil fuels
heat
insulation
kinetic energy
light
mechanical
renewable
solar energy
sound energy
