Secondary School Programs
The educational programs that Reptilia will provide for your students are tightly linked to the science and technology curriculum. Our presentations introduce and reinforce the concepts that students are learning in class.
We use a multidisciplinary approach which touches on concepts learned in one or more of the major strands of science and technology outlined in the curriculum. In doing so, we can teach students how these strands of science and technology relate to each other and the ways in which their new found knowledge can be applied to the world outside the classroom. The dynamic and captivating reptiles and amphibians we bring into your classroom will increase your students’ interest in learning; thereby, increasing the richness of their educational experience.
Secondary School Programs
As with all other educational programs provided by Reptilia, programs for secondary schools are directly linked to the Ontario curriculum. All links are to the biology strand of the curriculum. Click on the links below to learn more about programs for students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.
| Grade Nine - Reproductive Biology | Grade Ten - Ecology and Sustainability |
| Grade Eleven - Classification and Diversity | Grade Twelve - Evolutionary Theory |
Grade Nine - Reproductive Biology
Students tend to learn more about the reproductive biology of mammals than they do about any other group of organisms. This is understandable because of the simple undisputed fact that humans are typically most interested in themselves biologically to improve human health. However, mammals do not exhibit the fantastic array of reproductive methods and strategies of many other organisms. Reptiles and amphibians can be used to illustrate aspects of reproductive biology that will provide students with a more well rounded knowledge of reproductive biology. Examples of hybridization, parthenogenesis, hybridogenesis, and other seemingly unusual reproductive events can be discusses while focusing on reptiles and amphibians.
Objectives
Describe different types of asexual reproduction; illustrate the diversity of sexual reproductive modes; compare costs and benefits of sexual and asexual reproduction; introduce the concept of polyploidy (extra chromosome sets) and how it can occur in animals.
Key Concepts/Words
Sexual reproduction, asexual reproduction, polyploidy, hybridization, parthenogenesis, hybridogenesis
Grade Ten - Ecology and Sustainability
Reptiles and amphibians are a significant part of the world's vertebrate diversity because of the incredible number of species and the fascinating and important roles these animals play in their ecosystems. Biologists are just beginning to understand the importance of studying reptiles and amphibians as indicators of ecosystem health. Reptilia's ecosystem lessons provide students with insight into factors influencing ecosystems from the perspective of reptiles and amphibians.
Objectives
Key Concepts/Words
Ecosystem, nutrient cycling, bioaccumulation, competition, predation, population, sustainability, abiotic, biotic, biogeography, disturbance.
Grade Eleven - Classification and Diversity of Living Things
Scientists classify organisms according to a specific guideline established by Linnaeus. This classification system is used to organize species into workable groups of living things that are similar in many ways. This lesson focuses on the methods of classification, characteristics used in the classification of living things and biodiversity. Links to the anatomy and physiology strand of the grade 11 biology curriculum will be made in the context of Linnaean classification.
Objectives
Key Concepts/Words
Anatomy, biodiversity, biogeography, classification, ecosystem, habitat, niche, phylogeny, physiology, variation, natural selection.
Grade Twelve - Evolutionary Theory
The theory of evolution is generally poorly understood by the general public because people tend to misunderstand the concept of survival of the fittest. Evolution is primarily about the way that an organisms environment poses selective pressures on it that either alter its form, function, and behaviour or cause it to become extinct. Population dynamics play a significant role in evolution. Therefore, this lesson will integrate aspects of the population dynamics strand of the grade 12 curriculum into a discussion of evolution.
Objectives
Key Concepts/Words
Adaptation, biodiversity, competition, defense, genetic variation, interaction, natural selection, predation, population, population fluctuation.