Activity Introduction

Quick summary: In this activity students plan and implement their school’s Earth Hour activities. They take collective action to reduce their school’s carbon footprint and help create positive change in their community. By teaching this lesson, you’ll be joining thousands of amazing teachers in making a difference and creating positive environmental change.

This activity 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 educators 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 understand the benefits of partaking in Earth Hour. 
  • Students build an understanding of the impacts of climate change.
  • Students use their project planning skills to organise their Earth Hour events. 

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

Australian Curriculum content descriptions:

This lesson can be used with all the learning areas of the Australian Curriculum. Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Time required: 1 – 3 lessons.

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – help students when communicating with school leadership and other staff members. 

Resources required: Open space, white or blackboard, butcher paper.

Digital technology opportunities: Use the Earth Hour website to plan your event. 

Homework and extension opportunities: Students can organise an Earth Hour event for their household. 

Keywords: Fun, Earth Hour, project planning. 

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

lanterns-hero-260x300 copyTeacher preparation

Overarching learning goal: Students organise an Earth Hour event or activity. They take action to reduce their school’s carbon footprint and promote positive environmental behaviours.

Teacher content information: Earth Hour is a WWF-Australia initiative, and 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 educators use Earth Hour’s education program to enrich their curriculum and provide pathways for young people to create change in their world.

Download the Earth Hour starter kit for your school or service: Earth Hour for Schools

Tips: Planning an Earth Hour event is a great way for students to build their project planning skills. Allow students the freedom to think outside the box and plan events that can make a real impact. However, when you select the events your school will run ensure that they are achievable.

Student and classroom organ...

 
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Student Worksheet

Thought Starter: What can you do to make a difference?

Question 

1. What is Earth Hour?

2. When is the next Earth Hour?

3. What does Earth Hour encourage people to do? 

4. Who can participate in Earth Hour?

You can study the Earth Hour website to help you with your answers: www.earthhour.org.au

Planning your Earth Hour Event 

In this activity your group will plan how to conduct an Earth Hour event and implement other creative ways to reduce the carbon footprint of the school. Think outside the box. There are many creative things your school can do to make a difference.

Action Plan

1. Brainstorm

As a group brainstorm some Earth Hour event ideas. Think about how you can reduce your carbon footprint and what ideas might encourage other people from the community to do the same. No idea is too big or small during this brainstorm. Once you have finished, organise the ideas into two columns - events you can

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