Search for Resources
Description
In this outdoor activity students learn how invasive species can catch a ride on humans, pets or personal items and be transported to a new location. They consider the impact that invasive species can have on these new areas and how to stop their spread.
After being introduced to the concept via the additional resources, students participate in an activity of the teacher's choosing. Following the activity students conduct a thorough cleaning per steps provided in the guide to remove any natural material that may be stuck to their clothing and gear. They then use the Hitchhiker Tally Sheet (provided) along with sketches and photos to record what they have found. Back in the classroom students observe, identify and discuss what they collected. As a culminating activity the students will take the 'Play Clean Go' pledge. Additional extension activities are also provided.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
'Don't Pick Up Hitchhikers' is a great hands-on activity to conceptualize the idea of invasive species. It also allows the students to see first hand how easily materials can be transferred from one area to another. This resource could be used in all Science classrooms from Grade 6 to 12 to discuss protecting habitats and ecosystems.
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 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environment and Outdoor Education: Environmental Investigations
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Biological Diversity
- Knowledge and Employability Science: Biological Diversity (Social and Environmental Contexts Emphasis)
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 10-4 (Knowledge and Employability Science): Investigating Matter and Energy in Environmental Systems
- Grade 11
- British Columbia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 7: Evolution by natural selection provides an explanation for the diversity and survival of living things.
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems
- Manitoba
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Diversity of Living Things
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions Within Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Water Systems on Earth
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Senior 2 Science: Dynamics of Ecosystems
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Diversity of Life
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interaction of Ecosystems
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 1206: Sustainability of Ecosystems
- Grade 11
- Northwest Territories
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Diversity of Living Things
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Biological Diversity
- Grade 11
- Nova Scotia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 6: Diversity of Life
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 10: Sustainability of Ecosystems
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Biology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Biology 11: Biodiversity
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Diversity of Living Things
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Biological Diversity
- Knowledge and Employability Science: Biological Diversity (Social and Environmental Contexts Emphasis)
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 14: Investigating Matter and Energy in the Environment
- Grade 11
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Biodiversity
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Interactions in the Environment
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth and Space Systems: Water Systems
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- :Biology: Sustainable Ecosystems
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Biology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Biology 11(Univer.Prep.) Diversity of Living Things
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science (Workplace Prep.) Human Impact on the Environment
- Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Diversity of Life
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions Within Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Water Systems on Earth
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 431A: Life Science, Sustainability of Ecosystems
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Biology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Biology 521A: Biodiversity
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Things
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Living World
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Living World
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Applied Science & Technology: The Living World
- Science and Technology: The Living World
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Applied Science & Technology:The Living World
- Environmental Science & Technology: The Living World
- Science and the Environment: The Living World
- Saskatchewan
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 6: Life Science: Diversity of Living Things
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 7: Life Science: Interactions within Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 8: Water Systems on Earth
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 10: Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics
- Yukon Territory
Themes Addressed
Ecosystems (2)
- Appreciating the Natural World
- Invasive Species
