This teacher resource lists selected articles from the Connected and School Journal reading series that support science concepts when teaching about climate change.

Connected and School Journal titles and synopses for the topic climate change Science Learning Hub resources supported by the titles

How big is your footprint? by Norman Bilbrough

School Journal Part 3 Number 1 2011

An article about climate change in the 21st century (includes teacher support material).

Fuels and greenhouse gases video

Climate action

The Great Barrier Reef: See It While You Can! by Sarah Wilcox

School Journal Level 4 2013

This article explores rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and the effect on the world's oceans and coral reefs.

The ocean, CO2 and climate change – timeline

Ocean dissolved gases

The Big Chill and the Big Drill by Rupert Alchin

Connected Level 1 and 2 2008

ANDRILL scientists drill into the Antarctic seabed to learn about Antarctica’s climate and how it has changed from ancient times.

Captured in ice by Veronika Meduna

Connected Level 3 2017

Nancy Bertler collects ice cores to learn how the Earth’s climate has changed over time.

Clues to the past

The ANDRILL operation video

Antarctica and global climate change

Activity idea

Making a core sample

59.5 Degrees South by Sarah Wilcox

School Journal Level 3 August 2013

This article provides information on Argo floats –devices that measure ocean currents, temperature and salinity (includes teacher support material).

Argo project

Ocean salinity

Ocean temperature

Ocean motion

Activity ideas

Buoyancy in water

Saline currents

Global action by Phillip Simpson

Connected Level 4 2017

This article examines what global warming is and how computer modelling works and identifies how science may help New Zealand reduce its agricultural emissions

Greenhouse effect

Climate models

The nitrogen cycle

Measuring greenhouse gas emissions

Rising seas by Kate Potter

Connected Level 3 2014

This article looks at the role of evidence in determining that sea levels are rising. It also notes some of the implications of sea level rise

Climate change, melting ice and sea level rise

Activity ideas

Investigating sea level rise

Melting glacial ice

Building for the future by Adrienne Jansen

Connected Level 3 2017

This article tells how experts work together to future proof a coastal village from the threat of tsunamis and rising seas.

Climate change, melting ice and sea level rise

Activity idea

Science and partnership with a Sāmoan village

Related content

Climate change resources – planning pathways breaks climate change down into smaller, bite-size topics and key science concepts.

Climate science has its own language. Check out a few key terms – with references to New Zealand’s greenhouse gas profile.

Collection of related content

The Science Learning Hub team has curated a collection of resources related to climate change. Login to make this collection part of your private collection, just click on the copy icon. You can then add additional content, notes and make other changes. Registering an account for the Science Learning Hubs is easy and free – sign up with your email address or Google account. Look for the Sign in button at the top of each page.

Useful links

The Ministry of Education's Climate Change Learning Programme is a level 4 programme focused on climate change that includes specific student activities; the wellbeing guide focuses on student wellbeing and hauora when navigating climate change as an area of learning and action. Many of the suggestions are relevant to other learning levels.

    Published 3 May 2017, Updated 7 May 2020 Referencing Hub articles
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