Every year, in the third week of September, Brampton Library joins schools, libraries, museums and other organizations to celebrate Science Literacy Week! It’s a chance for everyone across the country to learn about science and its place in each of our lives.
This year, the theme of Science Literacy Week is Biodiversity. Canada is a country rich in biodiversity, and this year we’re celebrating that diversity. From lakes to oceans, prairies to boreal forests, marshland to tundra, our country is brimming with science. We’re encouraging Canadians to explore what makes these environments unique and so amazing and why we need to conserve them for future generations.
In previous years, we would host science events in our library spaces. While we’re going to miss conducting scientific experiments and showcasing technology with you, there are lots of ways for you to participate in Science Literacy Week from your home!
How Are We Celebrating This Year?
Join us for some online programs with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority this week!
Tuesday, September 22, 6:30-8pm
Species At Risk in the Urban Jungle
Did you know that the Toronto Area is home to lots of amazing rare and Threatened animals? Learn about some of the Species-At-Risk that share your city, your neighborhood or even your home! From Chimney Swifts to Red-sided Dace, the Toronto area contains far more amazing biodiversity than many realize, and there are concrete steps you can take to help protect them!
This program is recommended for families with children.
Register Here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8613282030069658892
Thursday, September 24, 12-1pm
Backyard Birds Through the Seasons
From the snowy depths of winter to the height of summer bloom, every day of the year is a good one for observing birds in your garden! Learn all about how different types of spaces can attract and support a diversity of bird species. We will cover the common nesting, wintering, and migratory birds that live throughout the GTA, as well as how to attract them, feed them, and observe them throughout the seasons.
Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6166200155019672591
If you’re interested in participating in other online programs to celebrate science this week or in the future, we recommend checking out these websites:
Go to the official Science Literacy Week website to see a list of events from organizations across the country. Many events are happening online this year, which means more for you to choose from!
Exploring By The Seat of Your Pants
This organization hosts virtual speakers and field trips to showcase science, exploration, adventure and conservation taking place all over the world. This week, during Science Literacy Week, they will be highlighting biodiversity in their online events!
Contribute to a worldwide citizen science project! Observe flora (plants) and fauna (animals) in your neighbourhood. Take pictures and upload them to the iNaturalist site or download the app to your mobile device. The app will help you identify the species you find, and by recording and sharing your observations, you’ll create research quality data for scientists working to better understand and protect nature. iNaturalist is a joint initiative by the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society.
We’d also like to highlight some of the amazing resources we have in our digital collection for you to learn more about biodiversity.
Environmental Science: Understanding Biodiversity by TMW Media, part of the “Show Me Science” Series (non-fiction video, available on Kanopy, recommended for children 8-14 years)
Don’t Let Them Disappear by Chelsea Clinton and Gianna Marino (non-fiction ebook, available on CloudLibrary, recommended for children 4-8 years)
Ocean Emporium: A Compilation of Creatures by Susie Cooper and Dawn Cooper (non-fiction ebook, available on CloudLibrary, recommended for children 5-9 years)
Trout are Made of Trees by April Pulley Sayre and Kate Endle (fiction video ebook, available on TumbleBooks, recommended for children 4-8 years)
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