Coding Endangered Species

As digital literacy becomes a key skill of the 21st century, more and more classrooms are integrating coding lessons into their curriculum. As a result, many children are now learning how to read and write while practicing HTML and CSS. To help teachers inspire “kids to be builders—not just consumers—of technology”, Ladies Learning Code created the Teachers Learning Code portal comprised of various how-to guides and lesson plans. To guide educators, program coordinators, and even Girl Guide leaders in teaching coding fundamentals, they've designed a series of comprehensive lesson plans exploring important Canadian subjects.

Wildlife Soundscapes, one engaging lesson plan created in partnership with the David Suzuki Foundation, teaches students about the diversity of living things, the grouping of flora and fauna, and how they interact in their ecosystems. Focused on endangered animals in Canada, students conduct group research and document facts before programming them into interactive soundscapes using an animated storytelling tool called Scratch. Some key takeaways from the lesson are learning about the impact human activity has on animals and what can be done to “restore and protect them”. Students also learn how to communicate and design their ideas and research via interactive technologies. This lesson plan format not only helps build digital literacy but also encourages creativity, curiosity, and collaboration. Click here to explore the full lesson.

Interested in learning more about biodiversity conservation? Visit our curated resource library on Changing the Conversation for videos, articles, reports, and data visualizations.

Animal Soundscapes Lesson

Gif courtesy of Ladies Learning Code Twitter

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