Shifting our transportation mindset
Learn about various transportation options like electric vehicles, and their impact on the world.
- Grades 6-8
- 3 activities
- 2 hours
Big idea
Physical and Health Education 6, 7, 8
Healthy choices influence our physical, emotional and mental well-being.
Science 7
Earth and its climate have changed over geological time (Grade 7)
Social Studies 6, 8
Complex global problems require international cooperation to make difficult choices for the future
Changing ideas about the world created tension between people wanting to adopt new ideas and those wanting to preserve established traditions.
Learning objectives
Students will be able to:
- Build collaboration skills through team work and sharing ideas
- Research and creatively present an EV road trip plan
- Have an informed discussion on pros and cons of transportation choices
- Have a basic understanding of gas-powered and electric cars and how they impact health
Activities
How far can you go?
Map out a virtual road trip across B.C. with an electric vehicle.
BC curriculum fit
Physical and Health Education 6, 7, 8
Big idea
- Healthy choices influence our physical, emotional and mental well-being
Content
- How to participate in different types of physical activities, including individual and dual activities, rhythmic activities, and games
Curricular competencies
Physical literacy
- Develop, refine, and apply fundamental movement skills in a variety of physical activities and environments
Healthy and active living
- Assess factors that influence healthy choices and their potential health effects (Grade 7, 8)
Science 6, 7
Big ideas
- Earth and its climate have changed over geological time (Grade 7)
Content
- Newton’s three laws of motion describe the relationship between force and motion (Grade 6)
Curricular competencies
Questioning and predicting
- Identify questions to answer or problems to solve through scientific inquiry
Social Studies 6, 8
Big ideas
- Complex global problems require international cooperation to make difficult choices for the future (Grade 6)
- Changing ideas about the world created tension between people wanting to adopt new ideas and those wanting to preserve established traditions (Grade 8)
Curricular competencies
- Ask questions, corroborate inferences, and draw conclusions
Background info
Transportation in B.C.
In Canada, we have unique challenges for transportation as distances are great and communities are often far apart. Subsequently there is a dependency on cars, which up to now have been primarily gas-powered vehicles. However, with carbon targets, and concerns regarding air quality and rising gas prices, electric vehicles are gaining traction.
Electric vehicles have a number of benefits, which include lower operating ‘fuel’ costs, less maintenance and better air quality. However, there are some barriers to owning an EV including access to charging stations and higher upfront costs. The government is now offering rebates for EVs that help alleviate some of these barriers.
BC Hydro’s renewable electricity
BC Hydro uses the power of falling water to create clean, reliable and renewable electricity. With respect to lower emissions and air quality EVs make sense but particularly in B.C., since the majority of our electricity is renewable. See here for an analysis of the costs of electric vehicles.
BC Hydro is supporting electric vehicle adoption in B.C. by working with local, provincial and federal governments on initiatives to expand its fast charging station network. There are currently more than 1,000 charging stations (including over 70 fast charging stations as of February 2020), with additional stations being added yearly.
Assessments
The activities in this lesson provide an opportunity to assess individual students and groups on their ability to:
- Understand how transportation choices impact our health in BC
- Consider the pros and cons of the electric vehicle
- Participate and cooperate in group and individual work through interactive physical activity
