Activity: Earth Hour: Feeding the country – Year 7 & 8

Quick summary: Students begin to think about the practical implications of climate change on food production specific to a familiar lunchbox staple, the humble banana. They will work through a series of linked literacy and numeracy activities to explore the impacts of climate change on Australia’s farmers. This lesson meets selected Australian Curriculum outcomes for Years 7 and 8 in the subjects of Science and Design and Technologies.

This lesson has been created in partnership with WWF-Australia. Earth Hour is the world’s largest community-driven climate change campaign. At the centre of Earth Hour is switching off lights to show a commitment to taking action. Thousands of teachers use Earth Hour’s education program to enrich their curriculum and provide pathways for young people to create change in their world.

For the most up to date Earth Hour dates, times, and events, check here.

Learning goals:

• Students grasp the significance of climate change impacts upon food production around Australia.
• Students conceptualise the global climate change issue affecting life in their home country.

General capabilities: Numeracy, Critical and creative thinking, Personal and social capability, Ethical understanding

Cross curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.1, OI.2.

Australian Curriculum content descriptions

Year 7 & 8 Design and Technologies

• Analyse how food and fibre are produced when designing managed environments and how these can become more sustainable (ACTDEK032)

Year 7 Science

• People use understanding and skills from across the disciplines of science in their occupations (ACSHE224)

Year 8 Science

• Science understanding influences the development of practices in areas of human activity such as industry, agriculture and marine and terrestrial resource management (ACSHE136)

Syllabus Outcomes: SC4-13ES.

Time needed: 60 minutes.

Resources required: Internet, Student Worksheet.

Key words: Climate change, Earth Hour, impacts, future, farming.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.