Carbon dioxide and climate change
The effects of floods, drought and extreme weather now seem to be a regular part of the news. These resources help to explore some of the global issues surrounding the impact of climate change, not only on the environment, but on real communities. The list provides a range of activities, lesson ideas, film clips, careers resources, background information, practical tips and suggested teaching strategies.
This list covers the following topics:
- the composition of the atmosphere
- the production of carbon dioxide by human activity and the impact on climate
- scientific theories develop as earlier explanations are modified to take account of new evidence and ideas, together with the importance of publishing results and peer review
Visit the secondary science webpage to access all lists: www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/secondaryscience
Whilst this list provides a source of information and ideas for experimental work, it is important to note that recommendations can date very quickly. Do NOT follow suggestions which conflict with current advice from CLEAPSS, SSERC or recent safety guides. eLibrary users are responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is consistent with current regulations related to health and safety and that they carry an appropriate risk assessment. Further information is provided in our Health and Safety guidance.
Climate Change *suitable for home teaching*
A concept cartoon that helps students explore ideas around climate change. There is guidance about how best to use this resource.
Armstrong and Miller - Climate Change
An amusing YouTube clip to grab students' attention. It could be used to introduce an activity where students produce an animation or presentation to explain the difference between weather and climate or to illustrate the effects of rising carbon dioxide levels.
The other carbon dioxide problem
This animation has been created by students to highlight the issue with increasing acidity in the oceans.
Information is beautiful
This is a really good infographic which presents information about the effects of releasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Climate Change: The Causes
This a good video to introduce the topic of climate change. It looks at greenhouse gases, natural climate variation and how industrialisation may be affecting the climate. It also looks at why climate change is a controversial subject.
Skill 2.7 What's the Evidence?
This is a good activity to introduce students to critically evaluate evidence they are presented with. The resource was written for post 16 but is easily adapted for any age group. The resource contains teacher notes, student worksheets and related articles.
Climate Scientist *suitable for home teaching*
This short video (around a minute long) highlights the difference between weather and climate and looks at how the Met office uses computer modelling to make predictions.
Carbon Capture and Storage, Floods, CryoSat-2 *suitable for home teaching*
This is a really interesting podcast that explains carbon capture and storage, why it is important, and how we can monitor the thickness of polar ice. There is also a transcript available.
Climate Futures: Introductory Activity
This is a good activity to introduce the issues around climate change. When presented with a series of photographs, students are asked to imagine they were in the scene and how they would feel.
Addicted to Energy *suitable for home teaching*
This activity is set in the context of choosing a birthday gift. It encourages students to think about carbon footprints. Which goods and services cause the biggest carbon dioxide emissions? What choices can we make to minimise emissions?
Climate Change: the Impacts
This video uses footage from around the planet to demonstrate some potential impacts of climate change on the environment. It could be used as a starting point to looking at what might be done to minimise the impact of human behaviour.
30,000 Year Old Virus
This is an excellent article exploring another potential consequence of melting ice - the release of ancient pathogens that may become infectious again.
Decarbonisation Game
This resource from Siemens consists of an interactive online game and some curriculum linked extension resources. The resources inform students, aged 11 to 16, about various features of the climate crisis and then challenge them to draw all the information together to form an overall view.
Smart Infrastructures
Learn about sustainable cities, decarbonisation and how to become a Green Leader in this Smart Infrastructure interactive.
This online interactive resource from Siemens introduces the ideas of sustainable cities, decarbonisation and green leaders.
Green Cities Air Quality Management Game
This resource produced by Siemens introduces students to the impacts that population size and pollution have upon air quality.
The resource is supported by an interactive online game which simulates how a city can control its air quality in different weather conditions by restricting traffic flows or increasing the use of electric vehicles.
There will be rain
This activity looks at the affect of climate change on flooding and then asks pupils to work in groups on a hands on challenge to reduce the flow of water down a hillside using a model.
Who can save Stemville?
This activity looks at the affect of climate change on flooding and then asks pupils to work in groups on challenge to select the best flood management systems to save the town of Stemville from flooding.
Greenhouse gases
This fact sheet explores the different greenhouse gases in our atmosphere and the impact they have on our climate.
Birmingham Institute for Forest Research (BIFoR) resources
The Birmingham Institute for Forest Research (BIFoR) is home to the BIFoR FACE facility, one of the world's largest climate change experiments where 150 parts per million extra of carbon dioxide is added to areas of the oak forest, to predict the impact on the ecosystem 50 years into the future.
BIFoR has provided free resources for schools which include curriculum linked activities, developed to support secondary school students. Resources include opportunities for learners to consider the impact of climate change on forest ecosystems, learn about transpiration and to take a virtual trip through the woodland. A virtual leaf trap activity allows students to explore how elevated carbon dioxide levels affect infection by fungal pathogens.
