Embedded Files
This is the teacher notes page identifying the outcomes addressed in these lessons. Copy each lesson link and send it to your students. For printable versions of these materials log into the teacher information section of the Department of Education.
Introduction
Introduction
As cities expand and there are more hard surfaces like roads that absorb heat, an urban heat island effect can arise where parts of the city are significantly warmer than surrounding areas. In this series of lessons, students start with some fieldwork assessing the heat of different areas around your home, school or neighbourhood. They then investigate the causes of heat islands and predict how this will impact on residents of cities like Sydney. They will finish by assessing solutions to the heat islands effect and recommending and justifying a specific solution for one location.
Learning intention
Students:
develop an understanding of the causes of heat islands
develop an understanding of the social, economic and environmental impacts of heat islands
assess different strategies to respond to the social, economic and environmental impacts of heat islands
Success criteria
Students:
apply their understanding of heat islands to developing a solution for management of urban heat islands in a particular location
Content
Australia’s urban future
Students:
investigate the management and planning of Australia’s urban future, for example:
discussion of the implication of population forecasts for the future growth and sustainability of urban places
explanation of strategies used to create economically, socially and environmentally sustainable urban places
proposal of ways for individuals and communities to contribute to a sustainable urban future
Outcomes
A student:
explains processes and influences that form and transform places and environments GE5-2
analyses the effect of interactions and connections between people, places and environments GE5-3
assesses management strategies for places and environments for their sustainability GE 5-5
acquires and processes geographical information by selecting and using appropriate and relevant geographical tools for inquiry GE 5-7
communicates geographical information to a range of audiences using a variety of strategies GE 5-8
In this lesson, students will conduct fieldwork to investigate the surface temperature at a variety of locations around the home, school or neighbourhood.
Content
Australia’s urban future
Students:
investigate the management and planning of Australia’s urban future
Outcomes
A student:
acquires and processes geographical information by selecting and using appropriate and relevant geographical tools for inquiry GE 5-7
In this lesson, students will build on the knowledge gained in last lessons fieldwork, where hopefully most students realised that dark surfaces in the sun are significantly hotter than those surfaces covered in grass or under the shade of trees. Students will explore the concept of an urban heat island and learn about the causes of these. Students will research why dark roofs, bitumen, dark buildings, paving and removal of vegetation and water from landscapes all lead to hotter summers, especially further from the coast.
Content
Students:
investigate the management and planning of Australia’s urban future, for example:
discussion of the implication of population forecasts for the future growth and sustainability of urban places
Outcomes
A student:
explains processes and influences that form and transform places and environments GE5-2
analyses the effect of interactions and connections between people, places and environments GE5-3
In this lesson, students will investigate solutions to the issue of heat islands and then apply these solutions and ideas to developing a strategy for a particular area.
Content
Australia’s urban future
Students:
investigate the management and planning of Australia’s urban future, for example:
explanation of strategies used to create economically, socially and environmentally sustainable urban places
proposal of ways for individuals and communities to contribute to a sustainable urban future
Outcomes
A student:
assesses management strategies for places and environments for their sustainability GE 5-5
communicates geographical information to a range of audiences using a variety of strategies GE 5-8
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