Science · Pioneers 11–15 · Years 7–9
Climate, energy and sustainability
Can our town be carbon-neutral?
What you will learn
- Describe the carbon cycle and the greenhouse effect
- Analyse climate data: trends, anomalies and correlation vs causation
- Compare energy resources by efficiency, cost and impact
- Design and evaluate a sustainability intervention
Helpful to know first: States of matter and particle model; Draw and read line graphs
Discover
Think first: Can our town be carbon-neutral? Say or jot one idea before you read on.
Learn — core route
- Model the greenhouse effect with jars
- Plot 60 years of CO₂ data
- Energy resource decision matrix
Lessons in this subject: Learn Topics · Science
Practise — check a common mix-up
The ozone hole causes global warming.
A graph shows ice-cream sales and drownings rise together. So ice cream causes drowning?
Apply / Create — Net-Zero Proposal
Investigate your school's energy use (or a data set) and propose two evidence-based changes with predicted impact. Present as poster or 3-minute talk.
Evidence type: project · accessible alternative always allowed (speak it, draw it, or show an adult).
How it is judged (rubric)
- Beginning: Names a change
- Developing: Change with a reason
- Secure: Two changes backed by data and scientific explanation
- Extending: Quantifies impact, considers trade-offs and uncertainty
Explain — say what you did
Review later
We'll offer a quick memory check in 7, 21 and 45 days. Mark this done and your Today page will remind you gently.
For grown-ups · framework mappings
- aligned to UK NC · KS3 Chemistry: Earth and atmosphere; Working scientifically
- aligned to NGSS · MS-ESS3-5
Status: Live · reviewed
What's next?