Lesson summary
Students uncover the effects of climate change and its underlying causes. They look into combustion reactions and discover their role in the greenhouse effect. Students also explore the carbon cycle by analysing the processes and stores involved to understand how human activity has influenced the disruption to the carbon cycle and what effect this has on climate change.
Learning intentions:
Students will...
- Represent the carbon cycle and describe the key processes and stores involved, including combustion, photosynthesis and respiration, as well as gain an understanding of how human activities have affected the carbon cycle.
Success criteria:
Students can...
- Understand what the greenhouse effect is and why it is occurring.
- Describe a combustion reaction and explain why these influence the greenhouse effect.
- Represent the carbon cycle in a diagram and show how combustion interacts with the atmosphere and how this affects photosynthesis and respiration.
Lesson guides and printables
Lesson details
21st Century Skills
- Collaboration
- Curiosity
- Ethical Understanding
- Communication
- Reflection
Curriculum Mapping
Australian Curriculum (v9.0) content description: Year 9 Earth and Space Sciences
- Represent the carbon cycle and examine how key processes, including combustion, photosynthesis, and respiration, rely on interactions between Earth’s spheres (the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere) (AC9S9U03).
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking
Syllabus outcomes: Stage 5 ES3
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability
Relevant parts of Year 9 Science achievement standards: Students can explain how interactions within and between Earth’s spheres affect the carbon cycle.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium - facilitate class discussion and research.
Resources Required
- A4 blank paper
- Device capable of displaying audiovisual material
- Student devices and internet access
- Student Worksheet
Additional Info
This unit of lessons, along with the other units in the Skills and Jobs For a Transitioned Economy package, aim to teach students how to be climate solution entrepreneurs. These lessons will equip students with the relevant skills and knowledge of jobs and career pathways that will be able to sustain our economy once it has transitioned away from fossil fuels.
Cool.org thanks our philanthropic partners, the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and Boundless Earth, for their generous contributions in helping us to create these resources.
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