Activity Introduction
Quick summary: This lesson incorporates clips from Blue The Film as learning inspiration. Students investigate two Australian scientists who are working to protect marine species, and investigate what skills and knowledge might be needed by these scientists to perform their roles. Student will then investigate an Australian scientist of their choosing and create a poster or infographic to describe what this person does, what some of their tasks are, and some of their achievements. Finally, students are asked to imagine what they would do if they were a scientist helping our environment.
Blue is a feature documentary film charting the drastic decline in the health of our oceans. With more than half of all marine life lost and the expansion of the industrialization of the seas, the film sets out the challenges we are facing and the opportunities for positive change. Blue changes the way we think about our liquid world and inspires the audience to action. Find out how to screen or download the film here. Along with the film is an ambitious global campaign to create advocacy and behaviour change through the #oceanguardian movement. To become an ocean guardian, see the website.
Learning intentions:
- Students understand some of the ways that scientists can help our environment.
- Students recognise some of the roles that scientists perform, and some of the skills and knowledge they require.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 7 Science
- Science knowledge can develop through collaboration across the disciplines of science and the contributions of people from a range of cultures (ACSHE223)
- Scientific knowledge has changed peoples’ understanding of the world and is refined as new evidence becomes available (ACSHE119)
Syllabus outcomes: SC4-17CW.
General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.7, OI.9.
Relevant parts of Year 7 Science achievement standards: Students describe situations where scientific knowledge from different science disciplines has been used to solve a real-world problem.
Topic: Blue The Film, Ocean Conservation, Water, Sustainability.
Unit of work: Blue The Film – Science – Year 7 & 8.
Time required: 120 mins +
Level of teacher scaffolding: Low – lead students in discussion.
Resources required: Student Worksheet – one copy per student. Device capable of presenting a website to the class. Poster making materials or infographic software (i.e. Piktochart). Poster/Infographic Assessment Rubric.
Keywords: Blue The Film, ocean conservation, shorebirds, turtles, Australian scientists, environment.
Cool Australia and Northern Pictures would like to acknowledge the generous contributions of GoodPitch² Australia, Shark Island Institute, Documentary Australia Foundation, The Caledonia Foundation and Screen Australia in the development of these teaching resources.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
© 2017 Northern Pictures and Cool Australia
Teacher preparation
