A classroom activity: tracking El Niño

A classroom activity: tracking El Niño

This paper aims to introduce an activity for teachers to assist in meeting learning outcomes as defined in the earth and environmental science units of the Australian Curriculum. The focus of the classroom tasks is on a global ocean feature referred to as El Niño. This phenomenon is part of the El Niño Southern Oscillation, which is largely responsible for driving year-to-year changes in expected mean rainfall. It is an intrinsic Earth system process. The activity involves the use of ocean observations and data, the introduction of physical and statistical concepts, and the application of computational tools leading to improved computational competencies and an understanding of Earth system processes. The activity demonstrates how science is not only helping to understand the workings of our natural world but how science also underpins economic management and the well-being of our nation. The activity enables teachers to deliver on required curriculum learning outcomes that include understanding key Earth system features, theory, models and evidence and the use of science inquiry skills to collect and analyse data to explore Earth system processes.

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