Climate, weather and water in the mountains

Introduction

Students study our localised weather, the basics of meterological maps and how water has been harnessed.

They learn about:

  • our localised weather using natural indicators such as cloud type and study the wider context of weather predicting and its value to safety in the mountains
  • the basics of meteorological maps and terms and spend time identifying and interpreting the weather features of the day
  • how water has been harnessed in the Mackenzie basin and the social, economic and physical impacts this has had.

    Level

    Year groups: 1-13
    Curriculum levels: 1-8

    Learning areas

    Learning Area*

    Discipline

    Strand

    Economics

    Understand how government policies interact with contemporary issues

    Education for sustainability

    A.S. 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4

    History

    Understand the significance of past events

    Geography

    Understand how people’s interactions with environment change over time

    Understand how spatial patterns are created

    A.S. 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.6

    Science

    Nature of Science

    Investigating in Science, Participating

    Planet Earth and Beyond

    Interacting systems (multiple AO)

    Social Studies

    Understand how people interact with environments

    Understand how the management of resources impacts on sustainability

    A.S. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.2, 2.3

     

    Understand how conflicts can arise and be addressed

    *If you have another learning area you wish to explore, we can adapt. 

      Learning objectives

      Students will:

      • understand and interpret key meteorological data
      • identify cloud types and the effects of the Southern Alps on weather
      • explain the water cycle in terms of regional examples
      • understand how the actions of people can change landscapes to harness the power of water
      • recognise the different perspectives associated with resource management.

      Key competencies

      Thinking, participating and contributing

      Details

      Location: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre or building adjacent to Twizel DOC office (location depending on your programme)
      Duration: 1-2 hours
      Hazard level: Minimal
      Cost: LEOTC fee