La Nina
Focus Questions
1.
What do you think is meant by the statement `Australia is no stranger to
extreme weather’?
2. Which was the wettest two year period on record for Australia?
3. What has caused the recent wet conditions?
4. What does La Nina mean in Spanish?
5. What causes the changing weather patterns in Australia during La Nina?
6. What is the opposite of La Nina?
7. What impact does it have on Australia?
8. Describe how climate change may be having some effect on Australia’s
weather patterns.
9. Illustrate an aspect of this story.
10. How has your thinking changed since watching the La Nina story?
La Nina
Negotiate with students how many activities they will need to complete from each
section.
EPISODE 7
TH
27 MARCH 2012
Learning Area
Science
Key learning
Students will develop a
deeper understanding of
what La Nina and El Nino are
and the impact they have on
Australia’s weather patterns.
Remember and understand
Write down everything you learned about La Nina watching the BtN story.
Define the words La Nina and El Nino. Explain the difference between La
Nina and El Nino when they occur.
Make a list of words that describe the weather changes cause by La Nina
and El Nino.
Apply and Analyse
What are some of the economic effects of El Nino and La Nina in Australia?
Consider factors such as impact of storm/floods/droughts on agriculture,
transportation, loss of revenue for businesses affected. Is the impact
always negative?
Analyse the ABC News La Nina relationships map
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-21/la-nina-relationshipsmap/2909622 and describe the predicted weather conditions around the
world as a result of La Nina.
Students can include
photographs, pictures or
diagrams in their report.
How are La Nina sea surface temperatures and weather conditions
different to normal conditions?
Evaluate and create
Create two diagrams that show the difference between La Nina and El
Nino.
What are the effects o f La Nina and El Nino in Australia? What type of
climate pattern do we see with La Nina and El Nino? Show the effects on a
poster hand drawn or interactive poster like Glogster
http://www.glogster.com/
What weather effects do La Nina and El Nino have on the area where you
live?
 Related Research Links
ABC News – La Nina leads to third wettest year on record
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-04/la-nina-leads-to-third-wettest-year-onrecord/3758114
ABC News – She’s back: What La Nina means for summer
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-21/la-nina-explainer/2902456
ABC – Map predicting La Nina rainfall (infographic)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-21/la-nina-rainfall-map/2909630
ABC News – La Nina relationships map (infographic)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-21/la-nina-relationships-map/2909622
Bureau of Meteorology – Climate glossary La Nina
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/glossary/lanina.shtml
The Weather Channel Kids – What is La Nina?
http://www.theweatherchannelkids.com/weather-ed/weatherencyclopedia/enso/what-is-la-nina/
National Geographic Education – La Nina
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/lanina/?ar_a=4&ar_r=3