Science, technology, society and environment (STSE) learning stations bring Alberta's environmental decisions into the Grade 12 Science 30 classroom. In Science Meets Society: Five Real-World Alberta Investigations, students examine how scientific evidence, technological development, government regulation, and community perspectives shape decisions affecting people and the environment.

Rather than considering scientific discoveries in isolation, students investigate the relationship between environmental consequences, economic interests, public participation, and responsible decision-making. The case-study format encourages them to recognize that major development decisions involve scientific questions as well as social and ethical considerations.

What Students Investigate

These Alberta science case studies focus on the science-technology-society-environment relationship and the competing priorities that influence environmental policies and major projects.

• Scientific evidence: Analyze how evidence informs environmental decisions and supports conclusions about proposed actions.
• Technology and development: Explain how technological choices can benefit communities while creating environmental concerns.
• Benefits and risks: Compare positive outcomes and potential consequences associated with major Alberta projects.
• Stakeholder perspectives: Evaluate how different groups may prioritize environmental protection, economic development, and community interests.
• Regulation and participation: Assess the influence of government oversight and public involvement on decision-making.
• Indigenous knowledge: Explain how Indigenous knowledge contributes to responsible environmental decisions.

What's Included

• Station case-study cards: Five investigation cards for examining real-world Alberta science and society issues.
• Student recording sheet: A structured place for students to record information and observations as they visit the stations.
• Station wrap-up: A concluding activity for bringing together ideas from the investigations.
• Teacher Guide: Included in the Answer Key PDF, with Learning Objectives, Teaching Tips, Discussion Questions, and Common Mistakes.

How the Classroom Activity Works

Place the case-study cards at separate locations around the classroom. Students rotate between stations, examine each investigation, and complete their own recording sheets. After the rotations, use the wrap-up activity to connect findings across the cases.

This approach gives students opportunities to compare perspectives rather than treating environmental decisions as questions with only one consideration. The Teacher Guide supports preparation and classroom discussion by identifying intended learning outcomes, instructional suggestions, and common misunderstandings.

Why This Resource Matters for Science 30

Environmental decision-making in Alberta requires more than identifying scientific facts. Students must consider how evidence is interpreted, who experiences the consequences of development, and how regulatory processes incorporate competing interests.

This Grade 12 environmental science activity provides a focused way to explore those relationships through case-study analysis and group discussion. It is particularly useful when teaching STSE connections, environmental policy, stakeholder evaluation, and the role of Indigenous knowledge in science-related decisions.

Use these learning stations to move from scientific concepts toward reasoned evaluation of real-world choices, with a recording sheet and teacher guidance supporting the investigation process.