Warm and cold sensation games.
What is warm and what is cold – place your hand in a plastic bag with cotton wool and a layer of fat, then into cold and warm water.
Place bare skin into cold and hot water, and you’ll realize that hot and cold are relative concepts.

What is temperature and where does it come from? Why do we talk about warm and cold weather? Temperature measurement is related to the movement of particles. The higher the temperature, the faster the particles move. We perceive heat and cold subjectively, depending on our genetics, the environment we were previously in, and our sensitivity. To ensure a common understanding of heat and cold worldwide, uniform scales have been introduced:

• Celsius scale, where 0 degrees is the freezing point of pure water, and 100 degrees is when water begins to boil.

• Fahrenheit scale, where the freezing point is 32 degrees and the boiling point is 212 degrees.

• Kelvin scale - 273.15 K is the point at which heat movement ceases.

Game: There are crumpled papers on the floor, some of which are empty, while others have terms and definitions. The lesson begins with dividing the children into two groups. A cloth is placed between the groups. At the signal, the students must throw as many paper balls as possible into the other team's area. The activity lasts for a few minutes (2 minutes), after which the balls are counted, and the team with fewer balls in their area wins. Then, the papers are opened, and each student must find the paper with the term and definition (each term and definition has two copies).
After reading the definition, the student must find another student with the same term, and together they will think of a way to demonstrate the term to others (4 minutes).
The students will act out the terms and explain them to others (24 minutes).
The students are responsible for explaining their term throughout the lesson, and when the teacher mentions their term, they can be called on to repeat what it means.

Scientists believe that the world's average temperature could rise by 4.3°C by the year 2100. Temperature, which is something we perceive every day but often consider insignificant, plays a key role in how we experience the climate around us. With the increase in temperature, wind speeds will grow by 18%, and precipitation levels will increase by 19%.

• The sea levels along Estonia's coast will rise by nearly half a meter.

• Most areas of the Baltic Sea will no longer freeze.

• Sea surface temperatures will rise by 3°C.

• Estonia will no longer experience a permanent snow cover.

• Winters will see more rainfall.

• Heatwaves will occur more frequently.

• Coastal areas will face flooding.

• Storms will become more common.

1. Severe early-summer heatwaves – In June 2025, regions like East Thrace experienced record-breaking temperatures (>40 °C), causing evacuations and health alerts in cities such as İzmir and Istanbul World Bank+9Daily Sabah+9Earth.Org+9Financial Times+2Reuters+2Wikipedia+2.

2. Massive wildfires – Wildfires fueled by high heat and strong winds have ravaged western Turkey, especially İzmir Province, resulting in over 50,000 evictions and at least two fatalities AP News+4Reuters+4Wikipedia+4.

3. Year-round fire seasons – Europe’s worst wildfire season in decades includes Turkey, with climate change extending and intensifying fire seasons .

4. New climate legislation – Following wildfire tragedies, Turkey adopted its first climate law targeting net-zero emissions by 2053 and established a carbon trading board Reuters+10AP News+10AP News+10.

5. Drought and water scarcity – Over half of Turkey’s land faces drought risk; southern and inland areas are severely affected, threatening agriculture and water resources Daily Sabah.

6. Agriculture hit by extreme temperatures – Heatwaves have devastated crops—up to a 50 % loss in olives, vegetables, and fruits—with ongoing breadbasket threats in regions like Hatay and Muğla Middle East Eye.

7. Soil erosion and desertification increasing – About 30 % of agricultural land suffers degradation; over 60 % faces erosion, exacerbating climate vulnerability .

8. Urban forests as climate buffers – Turkey has established over 300 urban forests (e.g., İstanbul, Ankara, İzmir) to mitigate heat islands, improve air quality, and aid resilience .

9. Coastal vulnerability and sea-level rise – With 30+ million people in coastal zones, Turkey faces erosion, flooding, and saline intrusion in aquifers due to sea-level rise .

10. Strengthened forest resilience efforts – A joint $400 million project with the World Bank aims to modernize wildfire management, plant climate-adapted species, expand rapid response systems, and restore over 14 provinces .

These points highlight how heatwaves, wildfires, drought, agricultural strain, and coastal risks collectively challenge Turkey. Urgent adaptation—through legislation, green infrastructure, and climate-smart agriculture—is essential for national resilience.

Here are 10 key points on what climate change and fluctuating temperatures mean for Greece, based on the latest data:

1. Frequent intense heatwaves – Greece is routinely facing summer temperatures exceeding 40 °C, like the recent heatwave that forced the Acropolis to close and outdoor work bans in Athens and Thessaloniki The Week+15Reuters+15demosthenesst.github.io+15.

2. Extended fire season and wildfires – Rising temperatures and drought have deepened wildfire seasons; Greece has deployed extra firefighters and drones amid rapidly intensifying fires AP News.

3. Record-breaking wildfires – 2023 wildfires burned nearly 1,745 km², three times the average, fueled by hot, dry conditions AP News.

4. Tourism disruption – Extreme heat, erratic rainfall, and fires (e.g. evacuation of 20,000 from Rhodes in July 2023) are threatening tourism, a pillar of Greece’s economy (~25% of GDP). Northern destinations may see increased interest The Heritage Management Organization+9Blue Europe+9Coastline Homes+9.

5. Agriculture under strain – Summer rainfall is projected to drop by 20–30%, while heatwaves rise—posing risks for olive, grape, and citrus yields, with Thessaly and Crete particularly vulnerable Dianeosis+1demosthenesst.github.io+1.

6. Rising sea levels and coastal erosion – Greece’s long coastline faces threats from sea-level rise, eroding beaches and monuments; models predict up to 50 cm rise by 2100 .

7. Water scarcity – Decreased rainfall and hotter weather cause drought stress, reduced aquifer levels, and freshwater contamination—especially on islands like Crete The Week+7Dianeosis+7Coastline Homes+7.

8. Reduced snow and shrinking ski season – Mountain areas face less snow, endangering winter tourism; some low-altitude ski resorts may become unviable Dianeosis+1Dianeosis+1.

9. Biodiversity and ecosystem loss – Forests are stressed from fires and heat, while insect pests like bark beetles thrive, threatening Greece’s rich endemic biodiversity .

10. Health risks and energy strain – Cities are set for 15–20 heatwaves per year by 2050, intensifying urban heat islands (up to +10 °C) and raising cooling-related energy demand—with heat-related mortality already climbing

Distribute sheets to the students that explain what a 4.3-degree temperature increase would mean for Estonia, Turkey, and Greece. Each student will receive a sheet about one country, and they should first read the text and underline the important information. Then, the students will form three-person groups. Each group will include one student who has worked in Estonia, one in Greece, and one in Turkey. Each student will present their findings to the others, and together they will complete an analysis sheet (additional materials).

In the 1990s, countries realized that climate change requires global cooperation. This led to the creation of the Climate Change Framework Convention. In 2015, 189 countries signed the Paris Agreement to collectively limit global warming.

 In countries like Australia, Russia, Canada, and the USA, where large, uninhabited forested areas exist, wildfires are very frequent. Approximately 61% of Estonia's territory is covered by forests. Estonia is a forested area, and as a result, there are many wildfires during the summer, most of which are caused by humans. The fire season begins after the snow melts and lasts until the rainy period. Graphs. In Turkey, the wildfire season begins in mid-June and lasts for 17 weeks (we will look at the charts). In Greece, wildfires start in mid-March and last for 11 weeks, being even more intense. In addition to the destruction of ecosystems, 28 people died, and 75 were injured as a result of wildfires in 2023. The charts and images summarize this data.

Climate warming creates favorable conditions for an increased fire risk: Reduced precipitation and consistently warm weather cause water to evaporate, which leads to the drying of forest debris, branches, logging residues, old decaying stumps, living cover, and other flammable materials. During the fire-prone season, forests are classified into:

• High fire risk forests

• Medium fire risk forests

• Low fire risk forests

Depending on the classification, restrictions are placed on activities that can be carried out in the forest.

A forest ignition or wildfire is a type of fire where the vegetation, the remaining plant material on the forest floor, and the peat or litter layer catch fire. This can also include wildfires in reeds, bogs, and meadows. Fires can be caused by two reasons: either through careless handling of fire by humans or naturally. Climate warming leads to more widespread natural fires.

Wildfires are categorized as follows:

• Surface fire – The upper layers of soil and materials like humus, peat, litter, and roots burn. There is no visible flame, and the ground glows. It lasts the longest.

• Ground fire – Fallen material such as leaves, needles, branches, grass, shrubs, and bushes burns. It can spread quickly or slowly.

• Crown fire – In densely grown trees, the fire spreads from branch to branch, burning branches, trunks, tall shrubs, and material in the branches. It spreads very quickly.

Wildfires are difficult to detect because, usually, we only see smoke from a distance. It is difficult to pinpoint the actual location of the fire based solely on this. Typically, the exact location is determined by considering data from two observation points. Since determining the location takes time, the fire often starts spreading during this process. Extinguishing wildfires is challenging and may take weeks in some cases. As the fire spreads, its direction changes based on the wind's direction, thus also endangering firefighters, nearby buildings, and fields.

• If you see a fire in the forest, immediately report it to the local emergency center, providing information on what is burning, where it is burning, and your name.

• Warn people nearby to leave the area.

• If the tops of trees are burning or the fire is spreading across the ground rapidly, try to leave the area very quickly, while also identifying places where rescue teams could assist and mapping the fire's reach.

• Important: Never be downwind of the fire, i.e., in the direction the wind is blowing.

 Wildfires must be extinguished depending on the type of fire and how quickly the fire is spreading. For more information on fire extinguishing, please refer to this link. 

80% of Earth's animals and plants live in forests. The destruction of forests can lead to the extinction of many endangered species of animals and plants, such as the Sumatran tiger, orangutans, and others.

When trees are removed, the protective layer in the forest is lost, which blocks sunlight during the day and retains heat during the night. This results in more extreme temperature fluctuations.
The destruction of forests threatens a large portion of the Earth's biodiversity. Forest destruction can occur rapidly, for example, as a result of wildfires or when clear-cutting is done to make space for palm oil plantations.

Due to an increasing population and changing dietary needs, agricultural expansion has caused the destruction of much of the world’s forests. As the population continues to grow, the demand for more food is evident. In addition, agricultural products such as soy and palm oil are being used in greater quantities, ranging from animal feed to products like lipstick and biofuels. The increasing demand has created incentives to convert forests into farmland.

Once a forest is lost to agriculture, it is usually gone forever—along with many of the plants and animals that once lived there.

Deforestation and degradation cause approximately 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases contribute to rising temperatures, changes in weather and water patterns, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.

Trees play a key role in local water cycles by helping to balance the amount of water in the land and atmosphere. However, with the destruction or degradation of forests, this balance can be lost, leading to significant changes in precipitation and river systems.
Source

It is predicted that more frequent and severe droughts, along with rising water temperatures, will worsen water quality. Such conditions promote the growth of toxic algae and bacteria, further exacerbating water scarcity issues, which are largely driven by human activity.

The increasing frequency of heavy rainfall is also likely to impact the quality and quantity of available freshwater, as untreated sewage can enter surface waters due to rainwater runoff.

Many rivers in Europe originate from mountainous regions, and 40% of Europe’s freshwater comes from the Alps. Changes in snow and glacier dynamics, as well as shifts in precipitation patterns, could lead to temporary water shortages across Europe. Drought-induced changes in river flow may also affect inland shipping and hydroelectric power generation.
Source

The goal of this experiment is to demonstrate how carbon dioxide (CO₂) can be used to extinguish a candle flame by displacing oxygen, which is necessary for combustion.

Materials Needed:

• A candle

• A lighter or matches

• A transparent glass jar or a large glass beaker

• Baking soda (NaHCO₃)

• Vinegar (acetic acid, CH₃COOH)

• A tray or flat surface to hold the materials

Procedure:

1. Set up the Candle: Place the candle in the center of the tray and light it with a match or lighter. Allow the flame to burn steadily.

2. Prepare the CO₂ Source: In a separate container (such as a small cup or bowl), mix baking soda and vinegar. Add a few teaspoons of baking soda into the bowl, and then pour in a small amount of vinegar. The reaction will produce carbon dioxide gas (CO₂), which is heavier than air and will naturally sink.

3. Cover the Candle with the Jar: Hold the glass jar or beaker above the lit candle. Slowly lower the jar over the candle, trapping the CO₂ gas released from the chemical reaction inside the container.

4. Observe the Flame: As the jar fills with carbon dioxide gas, the oxygen in the jar will be displaced by the heavier CO₂, causing the candle's flame to extinguish.

Explanation:
When carbon dioxide gas accumulates inside the jar, it reduces the oxygen concentration around the flame. Since oxygen is required for combustion, the lack of oxygen causes the candle flame to go out. This experiment demonstrates how CO₂ can be used to suppress flames and extinguish fires.

Students have different materials on the table: plastic, paper, wood, fabric, metal, sand, sugar, a furry toy, water, oil, deodorant, flakes.
Students must sort the materials into two piles – one for those that burn easily and the other for those that do not ignite.

The teacher will discuss with the students which materials are flammable and which are not.

Create a Stop Motion Video Using an App That Explains How to React in Case of a Forest Fire or Fire, or How to Extinguish a Fire
You can use clay (plasticine) to create characters and scenes for the animation.

Materials Needed:

• A smartphone or tablet

• Stop Motion Studio app (or a similar stop-motion app)

• A subject for your animation (e.g., toys, clay figures, or drawings)

• A tripod or a stable surface to place your camera

• Good lighting (e.g., desk lamp or natural light)

1. Install the Stop Motion App

• Download and install the Stop Motion Studio app or any similar stop-motion animation app from your phone’s app store (available on iOS and Android).

2. Set Up Your Workspace

• Find a quiet place with good lighting where you can leave your camera stationary.

• Place your subject (toy, clay figure, etc.) on a flat surface. Make sure everything is stable, as even small movements will disrupt the animation.

3. Prepare Your Camera

• Place your phone or tablet on a tripod or stable surface so it stays in one position during the animation.

• Open the stop-motion app and make sure the camera is pointed at your subject.

4. Start Your Animation

• In the Stop Motion Studio app, tap the “New Project” button to create a new animation.

• The app will show a live view of what the camera sees. Now, take your first photo by tapping the camera button in the app.

5. Move Your Subject

• Move your subject slightly (for example, tilt a toy's arm or move a figure a little forward).

• After each small change, take another photo. The key is to make very tiny movements each time. The smaller the movement between frames, the smoother your animation will appear.

6. Repeat the Process

• Continue taking photos as you move your subject little by little. For a smooth animation, aim for around 10-15 photos per second. So, for a 1-second animation, you’ll need about 10-15 frames.

7. Preview the Animation

• Once you've taken a good number of frames, tap the Play button in your app to preview the animation. This will show how your subject moves when the frames play in quick succession.

• If the movement looks choppy or too fast, you can adjust by either adding more frames or changing the movement.

8. Edit Your Animation

• You can adjust the timing of the frames in the app if needed. Most apps allow you to change the speed or remove unwanted frames.

• Some apps also have options to add sound effects or music if you want to enhance your animation.

9. Save and Export Your Animation

• Once you are happy with your stop-motion animation, save your project. You can usually export the video to your phone's gallery or share it directly on social media.

• Tap the Export button in the app to save your video file in the desired format (usually MP4).

The students are divided into two groups, with two chairs (spots) in front of each group. One chair is labeled "Correct," and the other is labeled "Incorrect." In front of the chairs, there is a pile of papers with printed definitions, some of which are correct and others incorrect. The students must run to the chairs, read the definition, and place it correctly.

The students are divided into 3-member groups, where they analyze and evaluate how global warming leads to temperature rise, the consequences it has on the environment, economy, and human health, and discuss possible solutions.

Data Analysis (from Appendices - Graphs):
Give the students graphs that show the rise in temperature, CO2 levels, O2 levels, and sea levels over time.

• What patterns can be identified?

• How are the graphs related to each other?

• Ask the students to analyze how the temperature rise has changed climate conditions in their local area.

• Ask the students to discuss how this temperature rise might affect different geographical regions, such as the Arctic, tropics, and temperate zones.

• How does the temperature rise affect agriculture, food production, and water resources?

• How might the temperature rise change energy consumption, for example, due to higher temperatures increasing the use of cooling systems?

• What can be done to protect vulnerable groups (e.g., elderly people and children) from higher temperatures?

• How can governments, organizations, and individuals respond to mitigate the impact of global warming and reduce the temperature rise?

After the discussion, the students will create a newspaper where they provide answers to the questions mentioned above.

Here is a suggested monthly action plan for a 9-month school year, where each month focuses on a different activity. The entire class can participate in these actions to reduce climate change and its impacts:

September: Reduce Energy Consumption

• Activity: Encourage students to use energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances.

• Action: As a class, turn off all lights and electronics when not in use. Implement energy-saving practices like unplugging devices when not in use, and educate classmates on how to reduce their energy consumption at home.

• Goal: Save energy and raise awareness about energy-efficient habits.

October: Choose Sustainable Transportation

• Activity: Organize a “Walk or Bike to School” week.

• Action: Encourage students to walk, bike, or carpool to school instead of using single-occupancy cars.

• Goal: Reduce the carbon footprint of daily commutes and promote greener transportation options.

November: Conserve Water

• Activity: Initiate a “Water Conservation Month” in school.

• Action: Educate students on reducing water waste by taking shorter showers, turning off the tap while brushing teeth, and fixing leaks. Set up a school-wide water-saving challenge.

• Goal: Raise awareness and reduce overall water consumption in the school and at home.

December: Adopt a Plant-Based Diet

• Activity: Host a "Meatless Monday" initiative.

• Action: Promote plant-based meal options by encouraging students to try a meatless meal once a week. Create a discussion on the environmental benefits of reducing meat consumption.

• Goal: Help reduce the carbon footprint associated with meat production.

January: Recycle and Reduce Waste

• Activity: Organize a recycling campaign at school.

• Action: Set up recycling stations throughout the school for paper, plastics, and metals. Educate classmates about the importance of recycling and reducing waste.

• Goal: Increase recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste going to landfills.

February: Support Sustainable and Ethical Brands

• Activity: Launch a sustainable products fair or showcase.

• Action: Invite local businesses or environmental groups to demonstrate sustainable products and eco-friendly alternatives. Encourage students to choose products that have minimal environmental impact.

• Goal: Raise awareness about the importance of supporting sustainable brands.

March: Engage in Environmental Advocacy

• Activity: Participate in a local environmental event or protest.

• Action: Organize a class field trip to a local environmental group or join an advocacy event. Discuss ways to get involved in climate action and promote policies that address climate change.

• Goal: Teach students the importance of environmental advocacy and community involvement.

April: Reduce Home Heating and Cooling

• Activity: Run a class campaign on energy-efficient home practices.

• Action: Share tips on insulating homes and reducing energy use for heating and cooling. Educate students on natural ventilation and using fans instead of air conditioning.

• Goal: Help reduce energy consumption at home by encouraging sustainable practices.

May: Plant Trees and Support Reforestation

• Activity: Organize a tree planting day.

Action: As a class, plant trees in the school yard or local park. Discuss the importance of trees in absorbing carbon dioxide 

• and combating climate change.

• Goal: Contribute to reforestation and teach students the value of trees in environmental conservation.

By taking part in these activities each month, the class can play an active role in combating climate change and promoting sustainability. These actions not only reduce the school's carbon footprint but also engage students in developing lifelong eco-friendly habits.

Leave a glass of water on the windowsill and mark the water level on the glass. Check the glass one week later.
Link to the resource

Plan for Teachers with Learning Outcomes