Life on Earth!

Biodiversity Hotspots

Explore Earth’s Biodiversityright here in Toronto!

New Course – Fall 2016 NAT 416 - Life on Earth

Professor Taline Moushian

Combines both classroom and experiential learning

Weeks 1 – 7: One class period / week (50 minutes)Study Week: Experiential ComponentWeeks 8 – 13: One class period / week (50 minutes)Week 14: Final Exam

5 Articles Before Study Week

For each article:

1. 2.

3.

Study Week – Day 1Workshop 1: Earth History

Workshop 2: Diversity of Living Things

Study Week – Day 2Workshop: Climate in Crisis

Study Week – Day 3Workshop: Climate Change

IMAX Dome Film: America Wild

Study Week – Day 4Workshop: Biodiversity (Full-Day Outdoor Program)

Study Week – Day 5Workshop: Reptile Biodiversity

• What are 4 different things you learned while visiting the facility?• How has this knowledge impacted your view of Earth's biodiversity?

Describe how your outlook / understanding of biodiversity has been enhanced or changed.

“I also learned that not all reptiles lay eggs, some like the Boa are ovoviviparous meaning that they lay and hatch their eggs inside of their body so their babies are born live, outside of the shell because the shell is retained in the body. This is beneficial because the mom does not have to protect her eggs from potential dangers in the environment.”

“Everything I learned has impacted me in one way or another. I’ve learned that even the tiniest change in temperature, water, etc can cause a toll in the animals, plants, and everything on this planet. There have been many extinctions on this planet and the number will only be getting larger. “

“She also elaborated on coral bleaching and how corals don’t actually die, but they starve until they die, but still have a chance to be revived. After the PowerPoint presentation, the class dissected an octopus. I am not going to lie; I did not enjoy that at all. I guess I’m just against cutting open dead animals to see what’s inside. I feel that technology has come far enough for us to not have to cut open animals to learn about them.”

“At the Kortright Centre I learned that a biome is an area with a distinct kind of animal and plant life present. There are five kinds of biomes on earth and all of those are present in Ontario. This makes it apparent to me that I am lucky to live in such a diverse province and that protecting this is of great importance.”

Excerpts from Student Reflections:

More Articles After Study Week

Student Presentations

Week 14:

Final Exam

OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE!

“This course has been one of the best I've taken so far.

Study Week was amazing, thanks for offering your time to us and also for the great experience.

Good night and Happy halloween =)

Best regards, ----------- “

Email from studentFri 2016-10-28 10:24 PM

YIPEE!!

I’ve lost my PECHA KUCHA

virginity!

THANKS FOR WATCHING!