Earth Hour - A History of Climate Change

Earth Hour - A History of Climate Change

Lesson 1 of 11 in this unit

  • Secondary
  • Year 9 - 10
  • Science
  • Environmental
  • Climate Change
  • ...

Lesson summary

In this activity students look at how the climate in Australia and around the world has changed over time by creating a climate change timeline. Students work in three groups; one groups looks at historical changes to climate; another group looks at predicted future changes; and the third group creates the timeline and a class wide glossary on the topic.

Learning intentions:

Students will...

  • understand that the Earth’s climate has always been changing
  • understand that changes in climate affect different parts of the world in different ways, and can have a big impact on the life that exists there
  • recognise that changes in the Earth’s climate have been dramatic since the Industrial Revolution
  • understand that science is used to tell us about our past and to make predictions about our future.

Lesson guides and printables

Lesson Plan
Student Worksheet

Lesson details

Curriculum mapping

Australian Curriculum content descriptions:

Year 10 Science:

  • Global systems, including the carbon cycle, rely on interactions involving the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere (ACSSU189)
  • People can use scientific knowledge to evaluate whether they should accept claims, explanations or predictions (ACSHE194)
  • Scientific understanding, including models and theories, are contestable and are refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community (ACSHE191)
  • Use knowledge of scientific concepts to draw conclusions that are consistent with evidence (ACSIS204)
  • Critically analyse the validity of information in secondary sources and evaluate the approaches used to solve problems (ACSIS206)
  • Communicate scientific ideas and information for a particular purpose, including constructing evidence-based arguments and using appropriate scientific language, conventions and representations (ACSIS208)

Syllabus OutcomesSC5-12ES, SC5-13ES, SC5-7WS, SC5-8WS, SC5-9WS

Time required: 60 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: Low – oversee activity

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking, Literacy.

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.1.

Resources required

  • Internet access
  • Student worksheet
  • Materials for creating timeline (paper, cardboard, pens/pencils, sticky tape)

Additional info

This lesson has been created in partnership with WWF-Australia. Earth Hour is the world’s largest community-driven climate change campaign. At the centre of Earth Hour is switching off lights to show a commitment to taking action.

Thousands of teachers use Earth Hour’s education program to enrich their curriculum and provide pathways for young people to create change in their world.

For the most up to date Earth Hour dates, times, and events, check here.

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