Life Science 11

What if students discovered that every living thing has a story to tell — from the smallest cell to the most complex organisms on Earth? This course is intentionally designed as a journey of discovery through the lens of a field scientist and invites students to observe, question, investigate, and document the living world around them.

Students begin by exploring the foundations of life science, investigating what makes something living, how scientists study the natural world, and how both Western Science and Indigenous Science contribute to our understanding of life. They then examine the microscopic world of cells, discovering how cell structures support life, how organisms obtain and use energy, and how cells reproduce. Students investigate viruses and microorganisms, explore the mechanisms of evolution, and examine how scientists classify and organize the diversity of life. The course concludes with an exploration of plants and animals, focusing on their structures, adaptations, reproduction, and ecological importance.

Throughout the course, students engage in inquiry-based investigations, virtual labs, outdoor observations, research projects, and interactive activities that connect biological concepts to the world around them. In the “Get Outside” field observations and “What Are You Curious About?” investigations, students practice asking questions, evaluating scientific information, and using evidence to understand the living world. Along the way, students build competencies in scientific reasoning, communication, and evidence-based thinking — something they can carry with them into their futures.