The Science of Climate Change has been designed for Years 5-6 high-ability students.  Antarctic Scientist Chelsea Long (Australian Antarctic Division) has worked in conjunction with members of the Ecolinc team to develop this exciting hands-on workshop. 

The first session will commence with a presentation and Q&A session live from New York’s Liberty Science Centre, answering some of the big questions: What climate secrets do ice cores hold from Earth’s past?  How can we interpret data to understand climate change?  

After a short break, students will commence a workshop led by Ecolinc staff exploring how ice cores reveal the climate secrets of the past and how our climate has changed over time.  Students will analyse  their own ice core model in the workshop to understand changes in climate over time.

IMPORTANT PREPARATION DETAILS:

1. For this workshop, teachers will be posted the necessary STEM-in-a-box materials to create frozen ice core models, one for each group of 4 students to be used in the session. These will take 8 working days to prepare.
2. There are limited numbers of tickets available.  Only ONE ticket of up to 25 high ability students per school for each event. 
3. NOTE: Rural and regional students will be a priority in the event of large booking demand.
4. Program Flyer The Science of Climate Change

How to book your group

1. Book your students into either of the dates available.
2. Tickets can be booked using the link below (NOTE: one ticket is for a group of up to 25 students).
3. Download and complete the attached Student details  spreadsheet and email this through to ecolinc@education.vic.gov.au

After your booking is confirmed

Please download the parental invitation and student nomination forms and distribute them to the families of the students.

• VCES Student Nomination Form
• VCES Parent Info

The Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series (VCES) is an initiative funded by the Victorian Government to extend and engage high-ability students across the state. The series provides opportunities for students from Foundation to Year 12 in Government Schools to participate in enrichment learning experiences that challenge their thinking, build advanced skills, and encourage creativity, problem-solving and collaboration. Delivered by specialist organisations and education providers, VCES programs immerse students in authentic, real-world learning beyond the classroom.

Year Level: Year 5-6

Duration: 2 hour

Yes, a kit of resources will be sent to your school

No prior knowledge is required.

In this video conference students will:

• Learn about the causes and effects of climate change through a session with a climate scientist from Liberty Science Center
• Understand how human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, contribute to rising levels of greenhouse gases like CO₂
• Reflect on actions that individuals, communities, and governments can take to mitigate climate change
• Explore the landscape, climate, and unique conditions of the Australian Antarctic station through a virtual experience
• Learn how scientists conduct research in Antarctica and why this region is critical for understanding global climate patterns

In this video conference students will:

• Participate in a presentation and Q & A session with a climate Scientist from Liberty Science Center New York
• Examine a model of an ice core and record details from its layers to understand how climate data is preserved over time
• Identify physical clues (e.g. bubbles, particles, coloration) that represent historical climate conditions
• Analyse patterns in their ice core models and predict which of two possible climate histories their model represents
• Justify their predictions using evidence from the layers and apply their understanding of how CO₂ levels affect temperature
• Read and interpret graphical representations showing the rise of CO₂ and global temperatures over time
• Identify trends in climate data and connect these with human activity and natural processes

Science -Science as a Human Endeavour

• Scientific knowledge changes over time, often resulting from collaboration or by building on the work of others, and leads to advances in science (VC2S6H01)

Science – Science Understanding

• Sudden geological changes or extreme weather conditions can affect Earth’s surface and atmosphere; the impacts of natural hazards, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, wildfires and floods, can be reduced by human actions and technological innovations (VC2S6U06)

Science – Science Inquiry

• Scientific ideas, findings, patterns, trends and relationships can be communicated for a specific purpose and audience, using various presentation formats, scientific vocabulary and digital tools as appropriate (VC2S6I06)

Critical and Creative Thinking – Questions and Possibilities

• The construction of questions for identifying and building understanding of information, possibilities, processes and activities (VC2CC6Q01)