Courses

Prince Edward Island · Grade 12

Environmental Science 621A

  • ENV621A

Prince Edward Island’s Grade 12 science course, from Inquiry Skills (Project Based Learning) to Environmental Challenges and Successes.

Learn thisPractice test
Units
6
Lessons
6
Skills
62
Provincial exam
None
Official curriculum
princeedwardisland.ca

Unit by unit

Every skill in the course, numbered by unit.

Unit 1 · 5 skills

Inquiry Skills (Project Based Learning)

Investigating an environmental issue through guided inquiry

The official wording · 5 outcomes
1.1
investigate a selected environmental science issue using a guided inquiry process
1.2
develop a plan to investigate questions, ideas, problems, and issues
1.3
conduct investigations into relationships between and among vari- ables, using a broad range of tools and techniques
1.4
analyse data to develop and assess possible explanations
1.5
communicate information, ideas, and results

Key ideas

  1. Guided inquiry means working through a question step by step with support.

  2. An environmental issue is chosen and framed as a researchable question.

  3. The process moves from question to plan to evidence to conclusion.

  4. This project approach runs through the whole course.

  5. A plan sets out what to investigate and how.

Watch out for

  • Thinking research starts with the answer.
  • Believing inquiry has no structure.
  • Confusing an opinion with a researchable question.

Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit

Unit 2 · 6 skills

Introduction to Environmental Science

Environmental science, stewardship, and sustainability

The official wording · 6 outcomes
2.1
demonstrate an understanding of environmental science, its history, applications, and common
2.2
explain the environmental, social, and economic factors of sustainable development
2.3
stewardship in relation to sustainability
2.4
demonstrate an understanding of the many different interpretations of environmental science
2.5
the precautionary
2.6
demonstrate critical thinking skills through research and analysis of envi- ronmental science issues

Key ideas

  1. Environmental science studies how humans and the natural world interact.

  2. It draws on biology, chemistry, earth science, and social science.

  3. The field has a history rooted in conservation and pollution concerns.

  4. Common misconceptions confuse it with environmentalism or single issues.

  5. Sustainable development meets present needs without compromising the future.

Watch out for

  • Thinking environmental science is only about pollution.
  • Confusing environmental science with activism.
  • Believing it is a single discipline, not interdisciplinary.

Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit

Unit 3 · 10 skills

Ecological Principles

Systems, cycles, and biodiversity

The official wording · 10 outcomes
3.1
demonstrate an understanding of the concept, characteristics, and scale of systems
3.2
explain the relationship between abiotic factors and biotic factors of an ecosystem
3.3
the components of the Earth
3.4
explain how balance is maintained in ecosystems
3.5
illustrate the cycling of matter through biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem
3.6
conduct an experiment to measure abiotic factors of an ecosystem
3.7
demonstrate an understanding that humans can have a great impact on systems of living and nonliving things
3.8
the different types of biodiversity: genetic diversity, species diversity, ecological diversity, functional diversity, and structural diversity
3.9
explain how factors that lead to loss of diversity affect the sustain- ability of an ecosystem
3.10
analyse the role and activities of intergovernmental and non-govern- mental organizations in preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity

Key ideas

  1. A system is a set of interacting parts that work as a whole.

  2. Systems have inputs, outputs, and boundaries.

  3. Systems exist at different scales, from a pond to the biosphere.

  4. Thinking in systems is central to environmental science.

  5. Biotic factors are the living parts of an ecosystem.

Watch out for

  • Thinking a system is just a collection of parts.
  • Ignoring the interactions between parts.
  • Believing all systems are the same scale.

Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit

Unit 4 · 7 skills

Human Population and Carrying Capacity

Carrying capacity, footprint, and PEI land use

The official wording · 7 outcomes
4.1
evaluate how the resource limits of an ecosystem affect its natural popula- tion
4.2
identify the relationship between human population growth, demand for resources, and increased consum- erism
4.3
identify individual impacts on the environment using the concept of ecological footprint
4.4
analyse resource and land use on Prince Edward Island over time
4.5
identify local land owners responsi- bilities and rights regarding land use
4.6
explain how the term natural resources has evolved into the term natural capital
4.7
demonstrate an understanding of Earth’s carrying capacity, consider- ing human population growth and its demands on natural capital

Key ideas

  1. Every ecosystem has limited resources such as food, water, and space.

  2. Resource limits restrict how large a population can grow.

  3. When a population exceeds its resources, it declines.

  4. Populations tend to level off near the resource limit.

  5. A growing population increases total demand for resources.

Watch out for

  • Thinking populations grow without limit.
  • Believing resources are unlimited.
  • Ignoring the decline that follows overshoot.

Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit

Unit 5 · 19 skills

Natural Resources

Responsible development, agriculture, and soil

The official wording · 19 outcomes
5.1
identify factors involved in responsibly developing Earth’s re- sources
5.2
describe the processes used for the four major types of agriculture
5.3
demonstrate an understanding of strategies that affect the state of global food production
5.4
describe the present level of agricul- ture in Prince Edward Island
5.5
distinguish between organic and traditional farming practices
5.6
demonstrate an understanding of soil conservation, erosion, and degrada- tion
5.7
describe the environmental impacts from agriculture
5.8
demonstrate an understanding of sustainable water use at local, national, and global levels
5.9
evaluate the of water resources for international relations
5.10
evaluate global manage- ment from a sustainability viewpoint
5.11
describe the environmental im- pacts of various techniques
5.12
identify the importance of ocean resources to Prince Edward Island over time
5.13
identify the major forest regions of Canada
5.14
identify the role forests have as natural capital, as well as their eco- nomic, ecological, and social value
5.15
examine the history of old growth forests, second-growth forests, and tree farms on Prince Edward Island
5.16
explain how to manage forests more sustainably
5.17
evaluate the advantages and disad- vantages of renewable and nonrenew- able energy sources from a variety of perspectives
5.18
describe factors that might affect future energy use on Prince Edward Island
5.19
create a plan to improve energy efficiency in the home

Key ideas

  1. Responsible development balances use with conservation.

  2. Factors include environmental impact, renewability, and long-term supply.

  3. Social and economic needs are weighed against ecological limits.

  4. Responsible development aims to sustain resources for the future.

  5. Agriculture includes different systems such as arable, pastoral, mixed, and intensive farming.

Watch out for

  • Thinking development means maximum extraction.
  • Ignoring long-term supply.
  • Treating economic and environmental factors as unrelated.

Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit

Unit 6 · 15 skills

Environmental Challenges and Successes

Atmosphere, greenhouse effect, and climate change

The official wording · 15 outcomes
6.1
describe the characteristics of the troposphere and stratosphere layers of the atmosphere
6.2
demonstrate an understanding of how Earth’s climate has changed over time
6.3
demonstrate an understanding of the greenhouse gases found in the troposphere and stratosphere
6.4
distinguish between the greenhouse effect and global warming
6.5
identify that climate change can have a catastrophic effect on Earth
6.6
identify the effects that climate change can have on Prince Edward Island
6.7
explain how scientific evidence indicates that anthropogenic carbon dioxide is the major cause of climate change
6.8
demonstrate an understanding of challenges and successes made to ad- dress climate change
6.9
summarize the main types, sources, and effects of air pollution
6.10
summarize the main types, sources, and effects of water pollu- tion
6.11
explain strategies that reduce air and water pollution
6.12
conduct an experiment to deter- mine water pollutants
6.13
identify the types of solid do- mestic waste
6.14
evaluate pollution management strategies for solid domestic (municipal) waste on Prince Edward Island
6.15
propose a course of action on a so- cial issue related to waste management, taking into account human, economic, and environmental needs

Key ideas

  1. The atmosphere is layered by temperature and altitude.

  2. The troposphere is the lowest layer, where weather occurs.

  3. The stratosphere lies above it and contains the ozone layer.

  4. Each layer has distinct characteristics.

  5. Earth's climate has shifted between warmer and colder periods over its history.

Watch out for

  • Thinking the atmosphere is uniform.
  • Placing weather in the stratosphere.
  • Confusing the ozone layer's location.

Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit

Which course?

Prince Edward Island has 5 science courses for Grade 12. Here they are side by side.

What a university, college or program asks for is theirs to say: check its admission page, and your school’s course guide.

The official curriculum

This page follows Prince Edward Island’s own curriculum for Environmental Science 621A.

Prince Edward Island Department of Education - Environmental Science 621A Curriculum Guideprinceedwardisland.ca · Read August 7, 2026

Textbooks

The textbooks PEI Department of Education and Early Years lists for Environmental Science 621A:

  • Living in the Environment, 4th Canadian EditionCengage

From Senior High Program of Studies and Authorized Materials, 2026-2027, read October 27, 2026. princeedwardisland.ca

Study it in MapleMind

MapleMind teaches Environmental Science 621A one skill at a time. Each skill gets a short lesson, practice as you go and a check worth up to three stars. It remembers where you stopped.

Biology 11 (BIO521A) in the MapleMind app on a tablet: its units, Unit 1 open, and the skills done so far with their starsBiology 11 (BIO521A) in the MapleMind app on a phone: its units, Unit 1 open, and the skills done so far with their stars
Pictured: Biology 11 (BIO521A), another Prince Edward Island course, partway through Unit 1.

Practise it

Course Companion

Your year in one workbook

A fun way to keep Environmental Science 621A organized, get to know your child better and see early when they need a hand. Fill it in on a screen, or print it.

Pages
35
Fillable fields
1,979
Price
$4.99
See the Course Companion

Questions about Environmental Science 621A

What is Environmental Science 621A?

Prince Edward Island’s Grade 12 science course: 6 units and 62 skills, from Inquiry Skills (Project Based Learning) to Environmental Challenges and Successes.

What units are in Environmental Science 621A?

1. Inquiry Skills (Project Based Learning), 2. Introduction to Environmental Science, 3. Ecological Principles, 4. Human Population and Carrying Capacity, 5. Natural Resources and 6. Environmental Challenges and Successes.

Is there a provincial exam for Environmental Science 621A?

No. Prince Edward Island gives no provincial exam for Environmental Science 621A.

What textbook does Environmental Science 621A use?

The textbooks PEI Department of Education and Early Years lists for Environmental Science 621A: Living in the Environment, 4th Canadian Edition, Cengage.

Can MapleMind help with Environmental Science 621A?

Yes. MapleMind teaches every skill of Environmental Science 621A, step by step, with practice and checks, and its tutor answers questions about any of them. It’s free with daily limits, on iPhone, Android and the web.

Before this course

Get ready for Environmental Science 621A

Practise every skill of Environmental Science 621A in MapleMind, free with daily limits.