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Years 9–10 Pūtaiao / Science Years 9–10
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Curriculum Alignment

Antarctica in a Warming World: Kaitiaki & Climate

5
Curriculum Connections
3
Strands Aligned
Phase 4
Target Level
Core Connection
"Matter cycles and energy transfers occur within and between Earth’s spheres through global systems, such as the water and carbon cycle."

Pedagogical Connection & Context

Students investigate how heat energy from the atmosphere and ocean drives ice sheet dynamics in Antarctica. They trace the physical processes of ice melt and sea-level rise, connecting these global energy transfers directly to coastal changes in Aotearoa and Pacific island nations.

Strand: Earth Systems Element: Knowledge Phase 4 · Years 9–10
Core Connection
"Researching interventions that address specific ecosystem disruptions, using case studies or local examples to explore the practicalities and outcomes of different solutions (e.g. conservation strategies, sustainable technologies)"

Pedagogical Connection & Context

In Lessons 5 and 7, students research real New Zealand community climate responses as case studies, then design their own three-tier Kaitiaki Action Plan. They weigh the practicalities and outcomes of different mitigation and adaptation solutions — exactly the investigative practice this statement describes.

Strand: Ecosystems Element: Practices Phase 4 · Years 9–10
Strong Support
"Indigenous knowledge systems, such as mātauranga Māori, are often founded on long-term observations of environmental patterns. For example, ngā tohu o te taiao can be used to monitor seasonal changes and ecosystem health."

Pedagogical Connection & Context

Students learn how ngā tohu o te taiao (environmental signs) and the Maramataka (lunar calendar) are utilised to track seasonal ecological changes. They compare these historical observation patterns with modern temperature and ice cover datasets to identify climate shifts.

Strand: Ecosystems Element: Knowledge Phase 4 · Years 9–10
Strong Support
"Human activities remove carbon from the lithosphere (e.g. combustion of fossil fuels, cement production) and biosphere (e.g. logging) and release it into the atmosphere."

Pedagogical Connection & Context

In Lesson 6, students analyse greenhouse gas emissions datasets and evaluate carbon reduction strategies. They apply these concepts to real-world contexts by mapping the evidence a defensible footprint estimate would need — the activity data, and who holds the power to change each category — and by taking a reasoned position on individual versus systemic change.

Strand: Earth and Space Science Phase 4 · Years 9–10
Strong Support
"Analysing the effects of human activities (e.g. deforestation, pollution) on ecosystems and large Earth systems (e.g. climate, oceans) using scientific models and concepts"

Pedagogical Connection & Context

Across the unit students analyse how human greenhouse-gas emissions disrupt large Earth systems — the climate and the Southern Ocean — using scientific models such as NIWA's sea-level projections and ice-melt data. Lesson 6's emissions-profile analysis and evidence-and-power map make the human-activity link concrete and local.

Strand: Ecosystems Element: Practices Phase 4 · Years 9–10