2024 The Year of Camelids: Champions of Climate Change, Culture and Coping

Did you know that the United Nations has declared 2024 as the International Year of Camelids? This year, Camelids are being highlighted to show how they are critical to the livelihoods of millions of people across the world, contributing to food security, climate change resilience, nutrition, economic growth and culture.

This unit of lessons has been designed to get your students involved in Science Week. The theme of Science Week 2024 is Species Survival - More than just sustainability and aims to show how important science and innovation are in ensuring the survival and thriving of different species, including humans, in our constantly evolving World.

Get your students ready for Science Week by exploring the adaptations of Camels and their camelid cousins, llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicunas. Students will learn how these physical and behavioural features allow camelids to survive and thrive in some of the harshest conditions on Earth and experiment with the features of camel feet to investigate why Camels are so suited to sandy desert conditions. Students will also be introduced to biomimicry, using these adaptations to design products that allow humans to thrive in these conditions.

Students will also learn about the impacts of climate change and how camel farming is contributing to food security, economic growth and climate change resilience in low-income countries as well as in Australia.