Investigate carbon in the environment and how it relates to climate change.
Students will learn about the carbon cycle and the impacts of a changing climate on species survival. Through real-life examples, students will examine how organisations are responding to climate change and be challenged to consider what they can do themselves at home and school.
Students will:
- Measure a tree to calculate its carbon content
- Go on a discovery walk
- Cultivate their own plant to take home
- Discuss climate change mitigation and adaptation
Key focuses:
- Nature of carbon and the carbon cycle
- Role of trees and soil in the natural carbon cycle
- How to respond to climate change
Curriculum link:
- Science
- Levels 9 and 10
- Carbon is cycled on Earth through key processes including photosynthesis, respiration, fire, weathering, vulcanism and the combustion of fossil fuels; these processes change the composition of Earth’s interrelated systems (atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere) over time VC2S10U10
- The dynamics of global climate change can be modelled and explained by examining the interactions between greenhouse gas emissions and energy exchanges within and between Earth’s systems; mitigating human-induced climate change requires addressing various activities including power generation, deforestation, manufacturing, transportation, food production and resource consumption VC2S10U11
- Investigable questions, reasoned predictions and hypotheses can be used in guiding investigations to test and develop explanatory models and relationships VC2S10I01
