The resources in this collection help to unpack the science of climate change and associated socio-scientific issues.

The New Zealand Curriculum’s participating and contributing strand of the nature of science focuses on students using their science understanding to participate and contribute to their own lives and to society.

Contemporary democratic societies need to be able to use an understanding of science to solve problems faced in everyday life and to confront and make decisions about issues that involve science.

These resources in this collection are ordered by:

  1. planning and pedagogy
  2. nature of science
  3. melting ice - articles and activities

Click the copy icon to add this collection to your own collections - you can then change the order, add your own notes and share with others.

See our Climate change topic to find additional resources on other aspects of climate change.

This breaks climate change down into smaller, bite-size topics and key science concepts.

Opportunities for cross curricular and key competency learning. Suggestions for inquiry-based approaches.

Consider using this image as a starting point for a discussion.

This teacher resource lists selected articles from the Connected and School Journal reading series that support science concepts when teaching about climate change.

Good to use as guided silent reading tasks for capable readers or as a group/class guided reading sessions.... Expand note

Examples of working for change - global, national and individual examples.

Questions for the class to consider:

  1. What changes can we make within our school setting? At our homes? Is this enough?... Expand note

This is a real nature of science article. It explores other controversial scientific issues - including Galileo and the solar system, Darwin and evolution and the tobacco industry.

Interesting to note that we are still debating some of these issues!... Expand note

In this citizen science project, extract information from various climate scientific graphics to combat misinformation and support scientific communication.

Land ice and sea ice are not the same. They form differently, and the consequences of their melting affect the planet in different ways.

Good background information for the ice activities.

Good information about NZ glaciers, as well as glaciers globally.

See video and commentary:
https://theconversation.com/a-birds-eye-view-of-new-zealands-changing-glaciers-97074... Expand note

Very simple, very visual. Uses everyday materials.

Start a discussion about scientific models:
Why do scientists use models?... Expand note

Really simple - can easily do with ice from the freezer - doesn't need to be coloured.

Good demonstration to support what is happening with Tasman Glacier and Tasman Lake.
https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/images/2795-tasman-glacier-ice-cliffs

Very easy to set up. Takes a few minutes to see change, but visually very effective.

This article is suitable for students in years 5-8. It contains a diagram that maps changes in sea level.
The article supports the science capabilities 'using evidence' and 'interpret representations'.

Education for Sustainability has produced two new resources:

  • Climate Change Learning Programme - Teacher Resource
  • Climate Change Learning Programme - Wellbeing Guide

https://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/Curriculum-resources/Education-for-sustainability/Resources

The teacher resources is a level 4 programme that aims to: "increase awareness of climate change and explain the role science plays in understanding it; understand both the response to and impacts of climate change – globally, nationally and locally; explore and act on opportunities to contribute to reducing and adapting to the impact of climate change on everyday life."

The wellbeing guide "has been developed to provide teachers with background information and tailored resources to help them navigate the delivery of climate change scientific content, whilst maintaining the wellbeing/hauora of students."

This Connected article explains how trees, the sea and soil act as carbon sinks. The Hub article has excellent related content and related links to help students understand the carbon cycle.

View the article on Google slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1\_eqTxomPkFqMNHKgNXRDQN8AOIWc5OdQ\_u4n-Yba3J4/present?slide=id.p

Other sea level rise recourses

The NZ SeaRise: Te Tai Pari O Aotearoa programme has released location specific sea level rise projections out to the year 2300 for every 2 km of the coast of Aotearoa New Zealand. This very informative site includes maps (you can find the possible impact on your local area) and there are resources such as posters and videos.

See NIWA’s Sea levels and sea-level rise – it has lots of information including: how sea levels are measured, what is contributing to rising sea levels, future rise projections and why we should worry.

Webinar series with Dr Chris Eames explore the basics of climate change, and climate change education in secondary schools and in primary schools with key ideas to support teaching and learning.