Lesson Plan

Explore how we can build flood defences, warning systems and resilient infrastructure and agriculture

COP26-02_01

Intent

Lesson Outcomes

  • Describe how we can build defences, warning systems and resilient infrastructure
  • Explore what we can do to protect natural habitats and ecosystems
  • Implement identified changes which can be made

Sustainability and Climate Change (Provisional Framework): 

We will empower all young people to be global citizens, through a:

  • Better understanding of climate change
  • Greater connection to nature

Working Scientifically

  • Reporting and presenting findings from enquiries - including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of and degree of trust in results – in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations

Resources

Resources: Class presentation, pens and pencils. 

Handout: The activity sheet contains a table for the children to fill out with rules for their own classroom (based on the examples provided in the presentation).

Rocket words

  • flood defences
  • adverse weather
  • low energy
  • infrastructure
  • adaptation communication

Implementation

Starter

Ask the children - Why is it important to build better flood defences and warning systems? Why do we need sturdy and strong buildings?

Answer: People around the world are already living with extreme weather that impacts their lives. This could mean flash flooding, fires and earthquakes.

Main Teaching

Use the presentation slides to explain to the children how strong flood defence systems, agricultural practices and early warning systems are necessary to deal with the effects of climate change. Go though the slides which explain what is meant by a 'low energy demand' and allow the children to think about how robots can be used to help the environment. Discuss the two examples outlined on the slides. 

Career Film: This is Cuebong Wong. Cuebong works as a Robotics Research Technologist for National Nuclear Laboratory.

Expert Film: This is Cuebong Wong. Cuebong works as a Robotics Research Technologist for National Nuclear Laboratory. Cuebong talks about using robotics in nuclear.

Mission Assignment

Ask the children to brainstorm how their school can build these seven eco-friendly rules into their classroom. Ask them to present their findings. 

  • Using objects that can be powered by electric energy rather than non-renewable energy
  • Making clear how much energy each household item (e.g. kettles, washing machines and dishwashers) uses
  • Using less equipment as a better use of energy
  • Sharing the items that we have, rather than everyone having their own
  • Using energy-efficient systems like buses and electric cars to increase demand and lower costs
  • Raising awareness of eco-conscious companies in order to make them more popular
  • Making organisations work better to make them more eco-friendly

Challenge task: Ask the children to choose one eco-friendly rule that they have built into their classroom and create a classroom charter for everyone to follow that is based around that rule. Create 5 rules starting with: “We are an eco-friendly class, we…”

Impact & Assessment Opportunities

Plenary

Discuss how easy it would be to carry out these rules at home as well as school.