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Description
Images that show the Earth as a dot- a small stage in a vast cosmic arena - accompanied by Carl Sagan's narrative that reminds us of the role we have played on that stage - the rivers of blood that we have shed, the illusion that we have some privileged position - create a very sobering account of our stewardship.
Our perspective Sagan argues must be informed by the realization that there is no hint "that help will come from some where else"; that "the Earth is where we will make our stand"; that " we must preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we will ever know".
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
The Pale Blue Dot is another "big ideas" video intended to promote reflection on and start a conversation about where we have been as a species and what we might do if we are to reverse that history. The reach of the video is such that it invites all curriculum areas to participate in a discussion about adopting a sense of stewardship towards our home and a sense of kinship with the people with whom we share it,
- Social Studies - ethnic /national conflict, genocide, social justice
- Philosophy/Religion - world view, religious conflict
- Science/Environmental Science - STS, human impact on natural world, stewardship
- Political Science/Economics - poverty, exploitation, freedom and authority
The Blue Dot might be used in company with other videos such as Suzuki's The Sacred Balance to identify the parameters of student investigation and to start the discussion.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 10-1(Perspectives on Globalization) Globalization & Sustainable Prosperity
- Social Studies 10-2 (Living in a Globalizing World) Globalisation and Sustainable Prosperity
- Social Studies 10-4 (Living in a Globalizing World) Globalisation and Sustainable Prosperity
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 20-1:Perspectives on Nationalism: Nationalism & National Interest
- British Columbia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Arts
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Media Arts 10: An artist’s intention transforms media technologies into art.
- Media Arts 10: Media arts offer unique ways of exploring our identity and sense of belonging.
- Media Arts 10: Traditions, perspectives, worldviews, and stories can be shared through media arts.
- Visual Art
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Visual Arts: Photography 10: Photography is a unique art form that captures images for artistic expression.
- Visual Arts: Photography 10: Photography offers unique ways of exploring our identity and sense of belonging
- Visual Arts: Photography 10: Traditions, perspectives, worldviews, and stories are shared through aesthetic experiences.
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Arts
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Media Arts 11: Media arts provide a unique way to represent self, identity, and culture
- Media Arts 11: Media arts reflect the interconnectedness of the individual, community, history, and society.
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 11: Complex roles and relationships contribute to diversity of ecosystems
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Explorations in Social Studies 11: Social justice initiatives can transform individuals and systems
- Visual Art
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Visual Arts: Art Studio 11: Artistic works offer unique aesthetic experiences in a variety of contexts
- Visual Arts: Photography 11: Artistic expression is an artist’s physical and cognitive articulation of our humanity.
- Visual Arts: Photography 11: Photography is a unique art form that captures images in a variety of contexts.
- Visual Arts: Photography 11: Photography reflects the interconnectedness of the individual, community, history, and society
- Visual Arts: Studio Arts 2D 11: Two-dimensional artistic works provide unique aesthetic experiences in a variety of context
- Visual Arts: Studio Arts 2D 11: Visual arts reflect the interconnectedness of the individual, community, history, and society
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Arts
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Media Arts 12: Aesthetic experiences have the power to change our perspective
- Media Arts `12: Purposeful artistic choices enhance the depth and impact of an artistic work
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 12: Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community, and Earth.
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Human Geography 12: Human activities alter landscapes in a variety of ways.
- Social Justice: Social justice initiatives can transform individuals and systems
- Visual Art
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Visual Arts: Art Studio 12: Aesthetic experiences have the power to transform our perspective
- Visual Arts: Photography 12: Photography is a unique art form that captures images for a variety of purposes
- Visual Arts: Photography 12: Photography is an essential element of culture and reveals insights into the human experience.
- Visual Arts: Photography 12: Purposeful artistic choices by the photographer enhance the impact of a photograph.
- Visual Arts: Studio Arts 2D 12: Purposeful artistic choices enhance depth and meaning in artistic works.
- Visual Arts: Studio Arts 2D Grade 12 Aesthetic experiences have the power to transform our perspective.
- Manitoba
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Geographic Issues of the 21st Century: Natural Resources
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Current Topics in the Sciences 30S: Science, Technology, Society & the Environment
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- World Geography: A Human Perspective - World Resources, Energy, and Environment
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Citizenship and Sustainability: Area of Inquiry: Environment
- Citizenship and Sustainability: Area of Inquiry: Peace and Conflict
- Citizenship and Sustainability: Area of Inquiry: Poverty, Wealth and Power
- Citizenship and Sustainability: Area of Inquiry: Social Justice and Human Rights
- Citizenship and Sustainability:Area of Inquiry: Oppression and Genocide
- Global Issues
- Global Issues
- Global Issues
- Global Issues
- Global Issues
- New Brunswick
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Advanced Environmental Science 120:Introduction to the human sphere
- Introduction to Environmental Science 120: An Overview of Environmental Science
- Introduction to Environmental Science 120: Sustainable Development
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Canadian Geography 120: Patterns and Systems in the Human and Natural World
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- World Issues 120:Interdependence
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Canadian Geography 1202: Natural and Human Systems
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Economics
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Canadian Economics 2203:Economic Issues
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 3205: Introduction to Environmental Science
- Northwest Territories
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 10-1(Perspectives on Globalization) Globalization & Sustainable Prosperity
- Social Studies 10-2 (Living in a Globalizing World) Globalisation and Sustainable Prosperity
- Social Studies 10-4(Living in a Globalizing World) Globalisation and Sustainable Prosperity
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Civic Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Challenges in the Global Environment
- The Development of the Modern World
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 20-1:Perspectives on Nationalism: Nationalism and National Self InterestI
- Social Studies 20-2:Understandings of Nationalism: Nationalism, ultranationalism and national
- Social Studies 20-4:Nationalism in Canada & the World- National Interest
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Civic Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Global Interaction: The 20th Century and Today
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 10-1(Perspectives on Globalization) Globalization & Sustainable Prosperity
- Social Studies 10-2 (Living in a Globalizing World) Globalisation and Sustainable Prosperity
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 20-1:Perspectives on Nationalism: Nationalism & National Interest
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Issues in Canadian Geography (Academic): Interactions in the Physical Environment
- Issues in Canadian Geography (Academic): Liveable Communities
- Issues in Canadian Geography (Academic): Managing Canada's Resources and Industries
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science (Univ/College Prep.) Scientific Solutions to Contemporary Environmental Challenges
- Environmental Science (Workplace Prep.) Human Impact on the Environment
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Regional Geography (Univ./College Prep.): Sustainability and Stewardship
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Equity, Diversity, and Social Justice (Workplace Prep.) Promoting Equity and Social Justice
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep) : Ecological Systems: Interactions and Interdependence
- The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship of Natural Resources
- The Environment & Resource Management (Workplace Preparation): Human-Environment Interactions
- World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship
- World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (Univ. Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship
- History
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Adventures in World History (Workplace Prep.) The Fifteenth to the Nineteenth Century
- World History since the 15th Century (College Prep.) The World since 1900
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Challenge and Change in Society (Univ. Prep.) Global Social Challenges
- Equity and Social Justice: From Theory to Practice (Univ./College Prep.) Addressing Equity and Social Justice Issues
- Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Economics
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Introductory Economics 621A: Student Inquiry on Economic Issues
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 621A: Introduction to Environmental Science
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Geography 621A Global Issues : Inquiry- What are the issues?
- Geography 631A Global Issues: What are the issues?
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Contemporary World: Environment
- Contemporary World: Tensions & Conflicts
- Contemporary World: Wealth
- Saskatchewan
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- History
- Step 4Relevant matches
- History 20: Global Issues
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- World Issues - Wealth & Poverty
- Social Studiees 20:World Issues - Environment
- Social Studies 20
- Social Studies 20: World Issues - World Governance
- Social Studies 20: World Issues -Human Rights
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Canadian Studies 30: Change and Society
- Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Arts
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Media Arts 10: An artist’s intention transforms media technologies into art.
- Media Arts 10: Media arts offer unique ways of exploring our identity and sense of belonging.
- Media Arts 10: Traditions, perspectives, worldviews, and stories can be shared through media arts.
- Visual Art
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Visual Arts: Photography 10: Photography is a unique art form that captures images for artistic expression.
- Visual Arts: Photography 10: Photography offers unique ways of exploring our identity and sense of belonging
- Visual Arts: Photography 10: Traditions, perspectives, worldviews, and stories are shared through aesthetic experiences.
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Arts
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Media Arts 11: Media arts provide a unique way to represent self, identity, and culture
- Media Arts 11: Media arts reflect the interconnectedness of the individual, community, history, and society.
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 11: Complex roles and relationships contribute to diversity of ecosystems
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Explorations in Social Studies 11: Social justice initiatives can transform individuals and systems
- Visual Art
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Visual Arts: Art Studio 11: Artistic works offer unique aesthetic experiences in a variety of contexts
- Visual Arts: Photography 11: Artistic expression is an artist’s physical and cognitive articulation of our humanity.
- Visual Arts: Photography 11: Photography is a unique art form that captures images in a variety of contexts.
- Visual Arts: Photography 11: Photography reflects the interconnectedness of the individual, community, history, and society
- Visual Arts: Studio Arts 2D 11: Two-dimensional artistic works provide unique aesthetic experiences in a variety of context
- Visual Arts: Studio Arts 2D 11: Visual arts reflect the interconnectedness of the individual, community, history, and society
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Arts
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Media Arts 12: Aesthetic experiences have the power to change our perspective
- Media Arts `12: Purposeful artistic choices enhance the depth and impact of an artistic work
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 12: Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community, and Earth.
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Human Geography 12: Human activities alter landscapes in a variety of ways.
- Social Justice: Social justice initiatives can transform individuals and systems
- Visual Art
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Visual Arts: Art Studio 12: Aesthetic experiences have the power to transform our perspective
- Visual Arts: Photography 12: Photography is a unique art form that captures images for a variety of purposes
- Visual Arts: Photography 12: Photography is an essential element of culture and reveals insights into the human experience.
- Visual Arts: Photography 12: Purposeful artistic choices by the photographer enhance the impact of a photograph.
- Visual Arts: Studio Arts 2D 12: Purposeful artistic choices enhance depth and meaning in artistic works.
- Visual Arts: Studio Arts 2D Grade 12 Aesthetic experiences have the power to transform our perspective.
Themes Addressed
Citizenship (1)
- General Guide to Taking Action
Ecosystems (1)
- Carrying Capacity
Governance (1)
- International Relations
Human Rights (3)
- Environmental Racism/Justice
- Poverty
- War and Peace
