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: Cells
- Matter and Energy: Fluids
- Structures and Mechanisms: Systems in Action
- Earth and Space Systems: Water Systems
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 & Space Systems
A Water Emergency In Attawapiskat
The Agenda discusses the recent water emergency in Attawapiskat.
Watch on TVO.org
Earth & Space Systems
Can Ontario Farmers Find a Way to Tame Lake Erie’s Algae Bloom?
Even though this year’s harmful bloom is expected to be smaller than last year’s, Ontario’s farmers still struggle with ways to get the phosphorus runoff that causes it under control.
Read on TVO.org
Earth & Space Systems
The Water Brothers
Two young eco-adventurer brothers, Alex and Tyler Mifflin, travel the world to explore our relationship with water. What are the problems and where will the solutions come from? The next generation takes us on the search.
Watch on TVO.org
Life Systems
How Ontario Research has Changed the World
How Ontario research has changed the world UofT's role in stem cell research.
Read on TVO.org
Life Systems
How DNA Can Help You Live Longer
Medical doctor and health consultant Elaine Chin unlocks the secret to slowing the body's biological clock.
Read on TVO.org
Life Systems
Ontario Innovators
How Robotic Milkers and DNA Barcoding May Protect the World’s Food Supply: Ontario Innovators: How local researchers are trying to change the world by DNA barcoding cows.
Read on TVO.org
Life Systems
How At-Home Genetic Testing Could Compromise Privacy
Scientists comb through strands of DNA, and provide information and DNA testing, but how does this impact personal privacy?
Read on TVO.org
Matter & Energy
Solving the Genetic Puzzle 1
Computer animation is used to illustrate the composition and workings of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid).
Watch on TVO.org
Matter & Energy
Learn how to Make Custard Bulletproof — Literally
Have you ever made custard or pudding that was too runny? You could try adding cornstarch. Or you could use soft matter physics to make your custard so hard it was bulletproof.
Watch on TVO.org
Matter & Energy
Volume, Mass and Density
Can Phil make a tinfoil boat big enough to ride in?
Watch on TVOkids.com
Matter & Energy
Ice Clouds
Allisa Ritchie of the Ontario Science Centre performs an experiment that shows that liquid nitrogen uses up more room as a gas than as a liquid.
Watch on TVO.org
Matter and Energy
Crystal Flower
At the Ontario Science Centre, Allisa Ritchie uses liquid nitrogen in a cryogenic experiment.
Watch on TVO.org
Structures & Mechanisms
Subways
Toronto City Councillors Jim Karygiannis and Anthony Peruzza debate the mass transit needs of Toronto's residents, from the Bloor-Danforth Subway Extension to the Finch West LRT, and the Province's new plan to expand the subway.
Watch on TVO.org
Structures & Mechanisms
Surprise Subway Solution
Jennifer Keesmaat, Toronto's chief city planner, discusses the new Scarborough transit plan.
Watch on TVO.org
Structures & Mechanisms
We Love the Train, But Really…
The end of the Ontario Northland train service is a sad day for Northern Ontario. But do you know how much these things really cost to keep alive? Way too much, says Dalton McGuinty's government.
Read on TVO.org
Structures and Mechanisms
Plains, Trains, and Automobiles (Sort Of)
Getting Around Northern Ontario Without A Car: Planes, trains, and automobiles (sort of): Getting to and around northern Ontario without a car. On a 58-hour trip by bus, train, and mini-bus from Toronto to Thunder Bay, you’ll get a close look at the countryside — and at the challenges of intercity travel.
Read on TVO.org
Apply the Learning
Choose from the following to consolidate learning across all curriculum strands.
- Write a point and counterpoint list using a graphic organizer (chart, table, etc.) about transit needs in your area.
- Edit a movie trailer using the concept of at-home DNA testing.
- Make a podcast discussing lab-grown meats.
- Design and create your own tinfoil boat, test it out in a sink and see what it can hold.
- Track your own water consumption over a week and record your observations.
- Make a poster that highlights the water emergency in Attawapiskat.
- Create your own definitions for 20 of the words in the vocabulary list.
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
Cells
- Matter and Energy
Fluids
- Structures and Mechanisms
Systems in Action
- Earth and Space Systems
Water Systems
bacteria
cell membrane
cell reproduction
cell specialization
cell wall
chloroplast
chromosomes
concentration
cytoplasm
diffusion
gradient
magnification
micro-organism
multi-cellular
nucleus
organ system
organism
organelles
osmosis
permeable membrane
square root
tissue
unicellular
Archimedes' Principle
Bernoulli's Principle
buoyant
force
compression
density
fair test
flow rate
fluid
fluid mechanics
gas
hydraulic devices
hydraulics
hydrometer incompressibility
laminar flow
liquid
particle theory
pneumatic devices
pneumatics pressure
viscosity
block and tackle
efficiency
effort force
force
friction
fulcrum
gear
gear ratio
hydraulic
input force
lever
linkage
load force
machine
mechanical advantage mechanism
output force
piston
pneumatic
pressure
pulley
system
velocity
velocity ratio
wheel and axle
atmosphere
climate
continental divide ecosystems
fresh water
geological features glacier
groundwater
Great Lakes
marine
ocean currents
polar ice caps precipitation
salinity
salt water
sustainability
tides
water cycle
water table
watershed
