Deep Dive in IBDP ESS: - Topic 7 Natural Resources Teacher Resource Pack

As IBDP Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) educators, you are on the frontlines of inspiring critical thought, responsible resource management, and environmental stewardship in your students. Topic 7 of the ESS curriculum—“Resource Use in Society”—provides the perfect platform to dive deep into global issues like natural capital, sustainable agriculture, energy security, and the ecological cost of development.

To make this journey more accessible and impactful, this blog showcases a complete suite of classroom-ready Topic 7 resources. These investigations, case studies, and visual presentations have been thoughtfully designed to foster inquiry, promote sustainability literacy, and align directly with IBDP assessment objectives.

🌱 Section 1: Exploring Natural Capital and Agricultural Impacts

1. Exploring the Impact of Agricultural Practices on Soil Health

Keywords: soil health, sustainable agriculture, organic farming, ESS 7.1.9

This practical investigation allows students to:

• Compare the soil health from organic and conventional farming systems

• Use real data (pH, organic matter, nutrient content) to assess sustainability

• Draw conclusions on the long-term viability of agricultural methods

Why Educators Love It:

• Hands-on data collection supports IA prep

• Sparks critical discussion on food systems and land degradation

• Aligns with learning outcomes 7.1.9 and 7.1.17

🔁 Section 2: Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources – A Comparative Lens

2. Investigating Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources

Keywords: resource classification, sustainability, fossil fuels, ESS 7.1.6

Students get hands-on with tangible resource samples as they:

• Identify and classify resources based on renewability

• Examine usage rates vs. regeneration potential

• Present findings through a visual comparison table

Teaching Benefits:

• Excellent for launching discussion on energy equity

• Simple materials, high student engagement

• Direct link to 7.1.6 and 7.1.9 syllabus subtopics

🌳 Section 3: Case Studies – Applied Learning and Global Contexts

3. Sustainable Management of Timber Resources

Keywords: forestry, reforestation, stakeholder debate, selective logging

Set in a fictional country with real-world parallels, this scenario-based case study explores:

• Forestland’s journey from unsustainable logging to sustainable forestry

• Stakeholder-driven debate sessions (government, activists, loggers)

• Role-play and proposal development for forest policy reform

Why It Works:

• Encourages empathy and systems thinking

• Develops research and presentation skills

• Prepares students for Paper 2 and real-life environmental problem-solving

4. Sustainable Mining Practices and Environmental Protection

Keywords: resource extraction, eco-friendly mining, EIA, ESS ethics

Students explore the development pressures on EcoValley and:

• Analyze ecological risks and mitigation technologies

• Debate as mining executives, local leaders, and NGOs

• Propose strategies using data-driven, stakeholder-informed models

Pedagogical Strength:

• Builds understanding of EIAs and global mining policies

• Sparks ethical reflection, ideal for TOK integration

• Covers content and values in 7.1 and 7.2 subtopics

⚡ Section 4: Energy Management and the Path to Sustainability

5. Natural Resources: Uses and Management Presentation

Keywords: natural capital, renewability, ecosystem services, SDGs

This engaging presentation covers:

• Types and classifications of natural resources

• Concepts of natural income and capital

• Economic, cultural, and social values of ecosystems

• Introduction to Sustainable Development Goals and policy frameworks

Great For:

• Setting a conceptual foundation for Topic 7

• TOK links on values and ethics in resource use

• Visualizing complex ideas clearly

6. Energy Sources, Uses, and Management Presentation

Keywords: energy transition, climate change, renewables, energy security

Students explore:

• The global shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy

• Intermittency challenges and solutions like battery storage

• Case studies: Norway (hydropower), Germany (solar), Iceland (geothermal)

• The role of policy, equity, and global cooperation

IB-Focused Highlights:

• Covers 7.2.1 through 7.2.8 of the syllabus

• Excellent foundation for EE topics on energy transitions

• Direct links to real-world energy security and climate policy debates

🎯 Section 5: How These Resources Empower Your ESS Classroom

Seamless Curriculum Alignment

These resources map directly to key IBDP ESS Topic 7 learning objectives:

Key Learning Outcomes

• Inquiry-based practice for scientific thinking

• Systems thinking on socio-environmental interactions

• TOK connections to ethics in resource use

• Assessment preparation for IA and Paper 2 case study analysis

How This Helps IB Educators

• Reduces planning time with turnkey lesson plans

• Supports IB pedagogy: student-led learning, real-world connections

• Encourages sustainability mindsets in future changemakers

• Rich visuals and simulations increase accessibility and engagement

🌟 Final Words: Equip, Inspire, Transform

Teaching about natural resources is more than covering a curriculum box—it's about empowering students to make thoughtful decisions in a resource-scarce world. These IBDP-aligned resources for Topic 7 are built to help you do just that.

From soil health experiments to simulated policy debates, your students will be doing more than learning—they’ll be thinking, reflecting, and acting.

Explore the Full Topic 7 Resource Kit and Start Transforming Your ESS Classroom Today.

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