Lesson summary
Students will explore how First Nations perspectives influence the development of scientific knowledge by designing a solution to improve environmental sustainability that utilises First Nations knowledge.
Learning intentions
Students will:
- investigate how First Nations knowledge informs scientific approaches to climate adaptation and environmental restoration
- analyse the impact of cultural-led projects on climate resilience.
Success criteria
Students can:
- explain how a cultural-led project contributes to addressing environmental challenges
- design and present a solution incorporating First Nations knowledge to improve environmental sustainability.
Lesson guides and printables
Curriculum links
Select your curriculum from the options below.
Lesson details
Skills
This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:
- creative thinking
- collaboration
- communication
- cultural understanding
- intercultural understanding
- problem solving
- prototyping
Curriculum Mapping
Australian Curriculum (v9.0) content description:
Year 7, Science
Students learn to:
- investigate how cultural perspectives and world views influence the development of scientific knowledge (AC9S7H02).
Year 8, Science
Students learn to:
- investigate how cultural perspectives and world views influence the development of scientific knowledge (AC9S8H02).
Relevant parts of Year 7 Science achievement standards: Students identify the factors that can influence development of and lead to change in scientific knowledge.
Relevant parts of Year 8 Science achievement standards: Students analyse how different factors influence development of and lead to changes in scientific knowledge.
NSW Syllabus outcomes: Stage 4
A student:
- explains how observations are used by scientists to increase knowledge and understanding of the Universe (SC4-OTU-01).
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Intercultural Understanding, Literacy
Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, Sustainability
Level of teacher scaffolding: High - teachers will facilitate class discussion, guide online research, and scaffold student design projects.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
Resources Required
- device capable of displaying audiovisual material
- student devices
- Visual Explainer
- Student Worksheet
- whiteboard
Additional Info
This lesson was created in collaboration with The Biodiversity Council.
Special thanks to our content partner, The Conversation and to The Garry White Foundation, The Hugh D. T. Williamson Foundation, Wedgetail and The James Kirby Foundation for their generous financial support.
Related Professional Learning
Beginning to Include First Nations Peoples' Perspectives in Your Classroom
Quick summary: This course aims to inform and upskill educators in incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples perspectives.
Welcome back!
Don't have an account yet?
Log in with:
Create your free Cool.org account.
Many of our resources are free, with an option to upgrade to Cool+ for premium content.
Already have an account?
Sign up with:
By signing up you accept Cool.org's Terms and Conditions(Opens in new tab) and Privacy Policy(Opens in new tab).