Suggested Activity: Assign the Extended Reading and practice Data Analysis as students explore coal’s role as an energy source and its environmental and health impacts.
BC – Geology 12 Alignment Guide
Summary
The Switch Classroom BC Geology 12 curriculum alignment guide helps teachers connect engaging lessons with the official learning standards for geology and energy. Each activity is mapped to competencies such as processing and analyzing data, planning and conducting investigations, evaluating results, and communicating findings, making it simple for educators to demonstrate alignment.
This guide links Switch Classroom lessons to content areas across both science and social studies. Science standards addressed include energy transfer and conservation, environmental impact and stewardship, and resource use. Social studies standards covered include human–environment interactions, decision-making and public policy, and resource development.
Highlights include extended readings and data analysis on coal, lab activities on natural gas, computations on oil, simulations of geothermal processes, and hands-on projects such as building a waterwheel to explore hydropower. Students also engage with modern energy challenges by comparing the benefits and risks of hydraulic fracturing and examining emission-reduction opportunities.
By using the BC Geology 12 curriculum alignment guide, teachers can streamline lesson planning, reinforce essential scientific practices, and help students apply geological knowledge to real-world energy issues, preparing them for informed decision-making about resources and sustainability.
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Geology Big Ideas: Minerals, rocks, and earth materials form in response to conditions within and on the Earth’s surface and are the foundation of many resource-based industries.
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Geology Content: BC resource deposits and other deposits
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Origin and formation
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Economic, environmental, and First Peoples considerations
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Resources
Switch, Chapter 2, Foundational Energies: Coal – Video
Suggested Activity: Watch the video to learn about coal’s advantages, challenges, and emission-reduction opportunities.
Introduction to Natural Gas
Suggested Activity: Have students complete the hands-on activity to explore the energy density of natural gas.
Science of Natural Gas
Suggested Activity: Conduct the student lab to understand how natural gas is obtained.
Modern Oil Drilling and Unconventional Sources – Video
Suggested Activity: Watch the video to see modern oil drilling technology.
Introduction to Geothermal
Suggested Activity: Students explore heat transfer in the lab activity, simulating geothermal processes.
Introduction to Hydropower
Suggested Activity: Assign student groups to complete the bell ringer and the Build a Waterwheel activity.
Science of Hydropower
Suggested Activity: Explore global use of hydropower in the Data Set.
Developing Media Literacy - Mini-Unit
Suggested Activity: Introduce students to the fundamentals of media literacy through the lens of researching energy topics.