Lesson Purpose
- What – Introduce the concept of an ‘Ecological Footprint’ – what is it?
- Compare and contrast two houses illustrated on a large wall mural.
- Determine the ecological footprints of the two houses.
Time Needed
20-30 mins
Year Levels
Year 4 - 7
Instructor
TEEC Staff Member
General Comments
This lesson can be used across all four sustainability focus areas (energy, water, waste and biodiversity)
Australian Curriculum
During the course of this activity it may be possible to target a number of the "Content Descriptions" in year levels six and seven.
Year 4
| Science Understanding |
Chemical sciences- Natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties that can influence their use.
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Earth and space sciences- Earth's surface changes over time as a result of natural processes and human activity.
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| Science as a Human Endeavour |
Use and influence of science- Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions.
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Unit 2 : Sustainable use of places - The importance of environments, including natural vegetation, to animals and people.
- The use and management of natural resources and waste, and the different views on how to do this sustainably.
- The custodial responsibility Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have for Country/Place, and how this influences views about sustainability.
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Year 5
| Science Understanding |
Earth and space sciences- The Earth is part of a system of planets orbiting around a star (the sun).
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| Science as a Human Endeavour |
Use and influence of science- Scientific knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions.
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Unit 5 : Australian communities of the future- The difference between needs and wants and why choices need to be made about how limited resources are used.
- Types of resources (natural, human, capital) and the ways societies use them to satisfy the needs and wants of present and future generations.
- Influences on consumer choices and methods that can be used to help make informed personal consumer and financial choices.
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Year 6
| Science Understanding |
Physical sciences- Electrical energy can be transferred and transformed in electrical circuits and can be generated from a range of sources.
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| Science as a Human Endeavour |
Use and influence of science- Scientific knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions.
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Unit 5 : Making decisions to benefit my community - How the concept of opportunity cost involves choices about the alternative use of resources and the need to consider trade-offs.
- The effect that consumer and financial decisions can have on the individual, the broader community and the environment.
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Year 7
| Science Understanding |
Earth and space sciences- Some of Earth’s resources are renewable, including water that cycles through the environment, but others are non-renewable.
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| Science as a Human Endeavour |
Nature and development of science- Scientific knowledge has changed peoples' understanding of the world and is refined as new evidence becomes available.
- Science knowledge can develop through collaboration across the disciplines of science and the contributions of people from a range of cultures.
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Use and influence of science- Solutions to contemporary issues that are found using science and technology, may impact on other areas of society and involve ethical considerations.
- People use science understanding and skills in their occupations and have influenced the development of practices in areas of human activity.
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| Geographical Knowledge and Understanding |
Unit 1 : Water in the world- The classification of environmental resources and the forms that water takes as a resource.
- The ways that flows of water connects places as it moves through the environment and the way this affects places.
- The quantity and variability of Australia's water resources compared with other continents.
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Unit 1 : Water in the world- The classification of environmental resources and the forms that water takes as a resource.
- The ways that flows of water connects places as it moves through the environment and the way this affects places.
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