Climate action, policy & science KS3 Geography

This engaging lesson takes students on a journey through the history of ocean and climate science, policy, and activism. By creating a timeline, students will explore the interconnections between scientific discoveries, policy decisions, and public action in addressing ocean-climate issues.

Key lesson components include:
Exploring the historical development of our understanding of ocean-climate systems
Creating a multi-track timeline of key events in science, policy, and activism
Analysing connections between scientific discoveries, policy changes, and public action
Identifying and discussing success stories in ocean-climate protection efforts

The lesson centres around a collaborative timeline creation activity, supplemented by group presentations and class discussions. It aligns with KS3 Geography and Science curricula, covering aspects of environmental history, scientific progress, and civic engagement.

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
Identify key scientific discoveries related to ocean-climate systems
Understand how these discoveries have influenced policy decisions
Recognise the role of ocean-climate focused activism in driving change
Appreciate success stories in ocean-climate action

This thought-provoking lesson encourages students to see the big picture of ocean-climate issues, fostering an understanding of how science, policy, and public action interact to address global environmental challenges.

Curriculum links
Geography KS3
How human and physical processes interact to influence, and change landscapes, environments
How human activity relies on the effective functioning of natural systems
Analyse and draw conclusions from geographical data, using multiple sources of increasingly complex information
Cross-curricular connections
Science: scientific attitudes connecting research and policy
PSHE: living in wider world