Climate change is now part of everyday classroom conversation, yet many primary teachers still feel uncertain about how best to explain complex climate topics in a balanced, age-appropriate and scientifically confident way.
This highly practical and interactive workshop draws on lessons learned through delivering climate workshops to KS2 pupils in primary schools across the Midlands, together with the development of The Climate Classroom educational podcast and companion educational materials.
The session will focus on practical, classroom-tested approaches for helping children understand key climate ideas clearly: what greenhouse gases do, why the planet is warming, how food, transport and materials connect to climate, and how solutions and innovation can be discussed without creating fear or confusion.
Participants will experience adaptable techniques including role play, discussion prompts, short quizzes, visual imagery and simple explanation frameworks designed for KS2 and early KS3 pupils.
The session will also consider how teachers can prepare well using reliable materials and trusted scientific sources, while still responding honestly to unexpected pupil questions that may need follow-up after the lesson.
Sources discussed will include NASA, NOAA, the IPCC, the WMO and the UK Met Office.
Participants will leave with practical classroom strategies, classroom-tested activity ideas, greater confidence in discussing climate change, and examples of freely accessible climate literacy resources suitable for KS2 and early KS3 classrooms.
A selection of experiments both demonstrated and trialled from the six recent freely downloadable Science on Stage booklets. Experiments suitable for all ages covering a wide range of topics but each easily accessible in school and home these will open many opportunities. We will demonstrate some uses of household items and offer participants an opportunity to try themselves.
The booklets also provide an ideal resource of CPD. and the demonstrations will include opportunities for Q&A.
