Global Footprint Network: Understanding Human Impact

Resource overview:
The Global Footprint Network is an online platform that provides interactive tools and datasets to explore humanity’s ecological footprint and sustainability challenges. Students can compare countries’ consumption patterns, carbon emissions, and natural resource use, helping them understand the relationship between human activity and environmental limits. The platform includes calculators, charts, and case studies that make abstract sustainability concepts tangible for learners. It encourages critical thinking about personal, local, and global impacts, and supports cross-curricular learning in Geography, Civics, and Science.

In the classroom:

Teachers can have students calculate their own ecological footprint, then compare results with national and global data. Year 8 students might investigate why some countries have disproportionately large ecological footprints, while Year 10 students could develop strategies for reducing resource use and present policy recommendations. It can also be linked to sustainability projects, debates, and inquiry-based learning about environmental management.

Five features teachers may find useful:

• Interactive calculators for individual, national, and global footprints.

• Visualisations and charts showing human impact on ecosystems.

• Case studies highlighting environmental challenges and solutions.

• Free, browser-based access suitable for classroom and homework.

• Supports inquiry learning, data analysis, and critical thinking.

Australian Curriculum links:

• Year 7: AC9HS7K04 – Examine the influence of human activity on environments.

• Year 8: AC9HS8K05 – Explore the interconnections between people, places and environments.

• Year 10: AC9HS10K06 – Evaluate the impact of human activity on environmental sustainability.

Eco-Schools Digital Toolkit: Sustainability in Action

Resource overview:
Eco-Schools Digital Toolkit is an online platform offering lesson plans, interactive resources, and practical activities to engage students in sustainability and environmental citizenship. It provides structured guidance for auditing environmental practices, planning initiatives, and implementing actions in school communities. Students learn about topics such as waste management, energy efficiency, biodiversity, and sustainable development goals. The platform encourages hands-on learning, project-based experiences, and critical thinking, while linking local actions to global sustainability issues.

In the classroom:

Teachers can guide students through sustainability audits of their school, develop action plans for improving recycling and energy use, or run campaigns promoting biodiversity on school grounds. Students can track progress over time and present findings digitally or in displays. The toolkit supports both independent and group work, making it ideal for fostering environmental leadership and civic responsibility.

Five features teachers may find useful:

• Curriculum-aligned lesson plans and practical activities.

• Interactive digital tools for tracking projects and outcomes.

• Encourages student-led initiatives and project-based learning.

• Adaptable to different school contexts and year levels.

• Supports integration of local actions with global sustainability goals.

Australian Curriculum links:

• Year 5: AC9HS5S06 – Use digital tools to communicate ideas about sustainability.

• Year 7: AC9HS7K04 – Explore human impact on environments.

• Year 9: AC9HS9S06 – Plan and evaluate environmental initiatives.

 

World Population Review: Understanding Demographics

Resource overview:
World Population Review is an interactive online platform that provides up-to-date statistics and visualisations about population, demographics, and social indicators for countries and regions worldwide. Students can explore population growth, urbanisation, age structures, life expectancy, and migration patterns. The platform also offers downloadable charts, graphs, and tables that can be incorporated directly into classroom projects or presentations. It is particularly useful for developing quantitative literacy, understanding global patterns, and comparing demographic trends between countries or regions.

In the classroom:

Teachers can guide students to investigate topics such as the impacts of ageing populations, urbanisation in developing countries, or migration patterns and their social implications. Year 8 students might create population pyramids, while Year 10 students could analyse how demographic trends influence economic development or urban planning. The resource also encourages students to develop graphing and data interpretation skills in line with the Australian Curriculum.

Five features teachers may find useful:

• Interactive charts and maps for visualising demographic data.

• Regularly updated global statistics.

• Downloadable tables and graphs for classroom use.

• Enables comparison of countries and regions across various indicators.

• Supports inquiry-based learning, data analysis, and discussion.

Australian Curriculum links:

• Year 8: AC9HS8K05 – Examine how population distribution and characteristics influence places.

• Year 10: AC9HS10K05 – Analyse global demographic trends and their implications.

 

History Mysteries: Investigating Primary Sources

Resource overview:
History Mysteries is an online resource that provides curated collections of authentic primary sources, including letters, diaries, photographs, newspaper articles, and government records. These sources allow students to investigate historical events, explore multiple perspectives, and develop critical thinking skills. The platform provides guidance on how to analyse sources, formulate historical questions, and make evidence-based conclusions. It is particularly useful for fostering historical literacy, understanding continuity and change, and practising the evaluation of reliability and bias in sources.

In the classroom:
Teachers can use History Mysteries for case studies on topics like early colonial Australia, World War I, or Indigenous histories. Students can work individually or in groups to answer inquiry questions, cross-reference sources, and construct evidence-based narratives. This resource supports scaffolded learning for younger students while offering rich content for senior secondary classes investigating complex historical issues.

Five features teachers may find useful:

• Access to authentic, high-quality primary sources.

• Teacher guidance and suggested questions for analysis.

• Suitable for differentiated instruction across multiple year levels.

• Supports development of critical thinking and historical inquiry skills.

• Free, browser-based access.

Australian Curriculum links:

• Year 7: AC9HS7S01 – Investigate historical sources and perspectives.

• Year 9: AC9HS9S01 – Analyse primary and secondary sources to explain historical events.

Mission Geography: Project-Based Learning Activities

Resource overview:
Mission Geography is a comprehensive platform providing ready-to-use, project-based learning activities for both primary and secondary students. Each “mission” is designed around real-world geographical or social challenges, such as mapping local transport networks, designing sustainable cities, or investigating environmental impacts. The resources include structured lesson plans, student worksheets, and guidance for teachers on facilitating inquiry-based learning. Students not only acquire knowledge but also develop skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, data collection, and collaboration. The platform allows teachers to integrate technology, fieldwork, and research, providing authentic learning experiences aligned with curriculum outcomes.

In the classroom:

Teachers can assign missions such as mapping local parks to evaluate land use, investigating water quality in nearby streams, or planning solutions to local traffic congestion. Students work in teams, collect data, and produce reports or digital presentations. The structure encourages student agency, decision-making, and the application of HaSS concepts to local contexts.

Five features teachers may find useful:

• Structured, step-by-step projects with teacher guides.

• Real-world applications connecting classroom learning to local environments.

• Promotes teamwork, inquiry, and problem-solving skills.

• Includes rubrics and assessment tools for easy marking.

• Adaptable to multiple year levels and differentiated learning needs.

Australian Curriculum links:

• Year 6: AC9HS6S04 – Create maps, graphs and tables to communicate data.

• Year 9: AC9HS9S04 – Analyse spatial data to identify patterns.

 Australian Bureau of Statistics – Data Made Simple

Resource overview:
The ABS provides official Australian data on population, economy, society, and environment. It includes easy-to-use tools for students to explore statistics and generate graphs. It also exposes students to the data sets and their communities. 

In the classroom:
Teachers can assign tasks where students investigate population trends, household income, or employment patterns. For example, Year 9 students could compare population growth in urban vs rural areas and present their findings using graphs.

Five features teachers may find useful:

• Reliable, official data sources.

• Interactive tools for graph creation.

• Downloadable datasets for analysis.

• Supports inquiry-based learning and project work.

• Free access online.

Australian Curriculum links:

• Year 6: AC9HS6S04 – Collect, record and represent data using digital tools.

• Year 9: AC9HS9K06 – Investigate social, economic and environmental data to draw conclusions.

TED-Ed Lessons: Curated Videos for Critical Thinking

Resource overview:
TED-Ed offers short, animated videos on a wide range of topics, often paired with quizzes and discussion questions. The lessons are excellent for engaging students and prompting critical thinking. The short, sharp nature of the videos mean they are engaging and prompt student reflection. 

In the classroom:
Teachers can use TED-Ed lessons to introduce new topics or spark discussion. For instance, a Year 8 Geography class could watch a video about climate change impacts, then answer guided questions or debate solutions.

Five features teachers may find useful:

• Engaging, professional-quality animations.

• Ready-made lesson plans and questions.

• Supports flipped classroom approaches.

• Wide range of HaSS-relevant topics.

• Free and accessible online.

Australian Curriculum links:

• Year 7: AC9HS7S06 – Communicate ideas using a variety of formats.

• Year 9: AC9HS9S06 – Analyse data and communicate findings in a structured format.