Royal Meteorological Society
These resources from the Royal Meteorological Society focus on topics related to climate change, and offer a selection of activities suitable for different age groups.
- ALL
- Teacher guidance
- Activity sheet
- External link
Teacher guidance
Ocean acidification and carbon dioxide absorption
Many sea creatures such as crabs and shell fish are affected greatly by the levels of acid and temperatures of the ocean they live in as it prevents their outer shell development. This can lead to a depletion in numbers and a knock on effect along the food chain.
These resources include practical activities that model the effects of temperature and acid levels upon carbon dioxide absorption on a small scale in the laboratory situation rather than in the ocean. The first looks at how temperature increases will decrease carbon dioxide absorption, and the second in a similar way explores how changes in acidity also affects the absorption.
Climate change negotiations activity
An activity that encourages students to form opinions on the issues of climate change and put forward arguments in a simulated world climate change conference scenario. Groups are assigned to one of ten countries from around the world and represent them and pledge emission reductions. Both qualitative and quantitative skills are used to analyse data from photographs, graphs, statistical tables which are provided for each country. Climate science, adaptation, mitigations and economic factors culminate in a final voting process that aims to generate class discussions and debate.
3D printing the weather
This activity enables students to create 3D models that represent temperature data. Via a series of video tutorials students are guided step by step through the process. Tinkercad 3D modelling software is required to do this but is freely available online, as well as access to a 3D printer. Once printed the tactile resource can be used to visualise and study weather and climate. A series of lessons are available to be used alongside the models to explore climate change using Central England temperature data.
Weather and climate change activities
This resource provides teachers notes on a Climate Change themed transition day for children in their last term in primary school. There are six activities, which support children in understanding the difference between weather and climate, identifying temperature trends over time, making connections with their experiences and the effects of Climate Change, making floating gardens and playing Weather Risk and Greenhouse Effect Bulldog games. The activities link to aspects of Maths and English, but are designed to prepare children for secondary school rather than support the curriculum.
Activity sheet
Particulate matter, ice, albedo and melting
Glaciers exposed to particulate matter (pollutants) undergo changes to their surface reflectivity. This phenomena called albedo leads to an increased heat absorption at the surface of the ice and as a result an acceleration in the melting process. This resource includes a practical activity that models the effects of particulate matter upon ice albedo and the increased rate of melting can be measured.
External link
Physics – Egypt’s Benban Solar Farm
In this resource linked to COP27 in Egypt, physics students explore renewable energy production.
Climate Change in Physics
A set of resources designed to allow physics teachers to demonstrate how the core physics taught links to current climate change research and action. For each topic, an expert in the field has recorded a short film which could be shown at the end of the lesson or topic. For some topics, practical activities or worksheets are also included.
