THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
YUKON – GRADES 6 TO 8
WIND FARM ATLAS SCAVENGER HUNT
Lesson Title
Wind Farm Atlas Scavenger Hunt
Lesson Overview
In this lesson, students will complete an atlas activity to find and map the location of
several existing and proposed wind power sites across Canada. They will conduct research
to identify the wind farms and describe the features that make the location viable for wind
power.
Grade Level
Grades 6-8 (middle school)
Time Required
Two sixty minute periods
Curriculum Connection (Province/Territory and course)
Yukon Grade 7 - Skills and Processes of Social Studies (BC IRP)

Use various types of graphs, tables, timelines, and maps to obtain or communicate
information
Link to the Canadian Atlas Online (CAOL)
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas/
Additional Resources, Materials and Equipment Required

A projector or print copies of the wind power page from the Canadian Atlas Online
http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/Atlas/themes.aspx?id=weather&sub=weather_po
wer_windpower

Class set of Atlases

Outline map of Canada
http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/reference/outlinecanada/canada01

Wind Farm Atlas Scavenger Hunt Activity Sheet (attached)

Access to the internet
Main Objective
The primary goal of this lesson is to successfully locate and map wind farms across Canada.
Students will also describe each location and explain what makes it appropriate for wind
power generation.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:



Find the locations of wind farms using latitude and longitude coordinates.
Map the wind farms accurately on a map of Canada.
Complete research to describe the features of each location that make it viable for
wind power.
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
YUKON – GRADES 6 TO 8
The Lesson
The Lesson
Teacher Activity
Introduction
Student Activity
Visit the Canadian Atlas Online
http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/At
las/themes.aspx?id=weather&sub=we
ather_power_windpower and read the
wind power introduction with
students. (Use a projector or print
copies for students. A projector is
preferable so that you can show the
slide show.)
Read the introduction to wind power
from the Canadian Atlas Online.
Ask students if they know the location
of any wind farms in Canada.
Students participate and provide
locations of wind farms.
Inform students that they will
complete a scavenger hunt to locate
several wind farms across Canada and
create their own wind farm map.
Review mapping skills if required,
including latitude/longitude, and
proper labelling procedures.
Students review latitude/longitude
and map making skills.
Lesson
Development
Distribute the Wind Farm Atlas
Scavenger Hunt Activity Sheet and
atlases. Ask students to work
individually or in groups. Monitor
students while they complete the
activity.
Complete the Wind Farm Atlas
Scavenger Hunt Activity.
Conclusion
Collect completed activities or ask
students to present their results
orally.
Submit completed activity or present
findings to the class.
Lesson Extension

Map the wind farm locations using GIS and link images of the wind farms to each
location. Add a new site that students feel would be appropriate for wind power.

Use Google Earth to view satellite imagery of the wind farms.
Assessment of Student Learning
Collect and assess the completed scavenger hunt and maps for accuracy and correct
mapping conventions.
Further Reading
Canadian Wind Energy Association
http://www.canwea.ca/wind-energy/index_e.php
Link to Canadian National Geography Standards
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
YUKON – GRADES 6 TO 8
Essential Element #1: The World in Spatial Terms

Distribution of major human and physical features at country and global scales
Essential Element #5: Environment and Society

Changes in the importance of energy resources
Geographic Skill #2: Acquiring geographic information

Use a variety of research skills to locate and collect geographic data.
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
YUKON – GRADES 6 TO 8
Wind Farm Atlas Scavenger Hunt
Part A:
Each of the coordinates below represents the location of an existing or proposed wind farm
in Canada. Use an atlas to find the wind farms (the name of the community where they are
situated) and write down the name of the location beside the coordinate.
1.
49.1◦N, 66.7◦W
_________________________________________
2. 49.4◦N, 113.9◦W
_________________________________________
3. 50.8◦N, 107.3W
_________________________________________
4. 44.2◦N, 81.5◦W
_________________________________________
5. 46.5◦N, 64◦W
_________________________________________
6. 47.3◦N, 57.2◦W
_________________________________________
7. 49.3◦N, 98.5◦W
_________________________________________
8. 60.4◦N, 135.4◦W
_________________________________________
9. 49.3◦N, 113.2◦W
_________________________________________
10. 49.3◦N, 123.1◦W
_________________________________________
Part B: Visit the Canadian Wind Energy Association website to find the specific name of
each wind power project at http://www.canwea.ca/farms/wind-farms_e.php. (Note:
Number 10 will not be there – it is a proposed wind power project. Try a search for that
area online – it will be the first in this province!)
Part C: Map the wind farm locations on an outline map of Canada. Remember to use
proper mapping standards and labelling.
Part D: Describe the location of each wind farm in one or two sentences. Why is it a good
site for wind power?