"On the Brink"
Provided by: Sea Walls|Published on: July 11, 2022|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Artwork
Subjects: Science, Visual and Performing Arts
Authors: Li Hill
Location: North America, Polar Regions
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This mural by Li Hill showcases the interaction between polar bears and humans at a hot spot along the migration route of polar bears.
- Hill's artist statement provides insight and opportunities for discussion regarding the current threats that exist for both wild animals and humans.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- Students bring their own ideas and interpretations to the artwork that add to the artist's intention.
- This mural focuses on the interaction of animals and people that are a result of the changes humans have made to the animal's habitat.
Additional Prerequisites
- Exploring the map that is included on the webpage will deepen the understanding of the migratory pressures that push the bears into the path of people in Churchill, Canada.
Differentiation
- The repetitive images of both the officer and the bear echo cave paintings; a lesson could be developed comparing images from 15,000 years ago to this mural.
- A discussion between the instinctive behavior of the bear and the calculated altruistic behavior of the officer can be used to emphasize our responsibility to act with reason and compassion as caretakers of our environment.
- The artist's choice of color and number of colors could be used in a lesson about how to emphasize an emotion with a limited color palette.
- Other resources related to these topics include this mural about marine animals' anger towards human's impact on the environment and this lesson about polar climates.
The resource spotlights the need to protect overlooked and endangered species. This is valid and recommended for students to practice biodiversity conservation.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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