Australian Education Resources

Think Climate Think Change

Lesson and Activity Ideas

Students to research some Australian animals affected by climate change. Choose 10 animals (including the Spot-tailed Quoll) and produce a PowerPoint presentation featuring information about them.
In addition to the Ten Tips to Combat Climate Change, students to brainstorm a further list of 10 things in their lives (home, school, sport etc.) they can do to combat climate change. Students to complete the More Tips to Help Combat Climate Change student activity sheet.
Students to research or discuss how climate change impacts the lives of humans, animals and plants in three different countries and compare them with Australia.
Students to write a story from the perspective of an animal (in the past, present or future) as it faces the effects of climate change. For example, a polar bear from the Arctic in 20 years, a koala or kangaroo in an Australian drought in 10 years, or an animal that lives on the coast of Australia contemplating its future habitat.
Students to create a poster or comic strip featuring 'Marty' that includes some key climate change messages and tips.
Students to complete the Climate Change KWL Chart student activity sheet.
Students to complete the Climate Change Word Study student activity sheet.
Students to test their climate change knowledge by completing the Think Climate Think Change True/false Quiz.

Students to investigate how trees help to reduce emissions by absorbing carbon dioxide. Draw and label a diagram of a tree to explain this process.
Students to draw and label a diagram that describes the greenhouse effect.
Students to study relic flora and populations from earlier climatic eras such as the Wollemi Pine, Palm Valley and others.
Students to produce a report, poster or PowerPoint presentation on the question 'What is our carbon footprint?'. It needs to include a description of how this can be measured and reduced.
Students to define and document the differences between climate and weather.
Students to complete the Calculating Energy Around the Home student activity worksheet. (Students will most likely require some guidance on how to calculate the carbon dioxide emissions. There are a number of carbon dioxide calculators provided by energy suppliers available on the internet.)
To help combat climate change, it is important to save water. Students to monitor water use at home and analyse which activities use the most water. Students to then use this information to decide how water can be better managed. There are many 'water-wise' activities already available on Australian websites to investigate as a class and gather ideas to promote 'water-wise' thinking.