Sinking Island

Sinking Island
Publication Date: July, 2014
Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

This online resource looks at the consequence of rising sea levels.

The resource is a web page that focuses on the specific problems facing the Pacific island nation of Kirabati.

The web page provides a teacher's guide and resources that focus on teaching students how to use their knowledge and understanding of scientific principles to evaluate evidence and make value judgements based on scientific data about the causes and impacts of rising sea levels.

The resource includes a powerpoint presentation, student worksheets and a lesson plan. There are also links to a video clip, a newspaper article, photographs and information about the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Australian Curriculum v9 Codes: AC9S10U04 (Year 10)

Additional Information

Free registration as an advanced user by email is required to download resources. This is a simple process. The student worksheets need to be printed from the powerpoint prior to use. This is a UK-based resource, however, all materials can be edited to fit an Australian context.

The powerpoint presentation forms the basis for the lesson. The teacher's guide is a detailed lesson plan, which includes suggested questions and answers. Student worksheets are provided in a second powerpoint presentation. Teacher instructions make reference to particular powerpoint slides by simply stating the slide number in brackets. The information presented in this resource uses readily accessible language for high school students.

Australian Curriculum:
  • Year 10 > Science Inquiry Skills > Communicating > Communicate scientific ideas and information for a particular purpose,... > ACSIS208
  • Year 10 > Science Inquiry Skills > Evaluating > Evaluate conclusions, including identifying sources of uncertainty and possible... > ACSIS205
  • Year 10 > Science Inquiry Skills > Processing and analysing data and information > Analyse patterns and trends in data, including describing relationships between... > ACSIS203
  • Year 10 > Science Understanding > Earth and Space Sciences > Global systems, including the carbon cycle, rely on interactions involving the... > ACSSU189
  • Year 10 > Science as a Human Endeavour > Use and influence of science > People use scientific knowledge to evaluate whether they accept claims,... > ACSHE194