Teaching Material with PSTT: Why are football pitches flooding?
PSTT is the Primary Science Teaching Trust working accross the United Kingdom. PSTT is working closely with the project’s scientists to produce ‘Did You Know’ articles and other teaching material to help Primary School teachers explaining science and extreme events.
Visit PSTT website to see their presentation and resources.
This educational material is based on the common work led by Sarah Kew (KNMI) with the World Weather Attribution (WWA) involving several XAIDA scientists: ‘Autumn and Winter storms over UK and Ireland are becoming wetter due to climate change‘ – Published in Grantham Institute for Climate Change collection (2024). https://doi.org/10.25561/111577
« You might think that a rise of 1 or 2 °C where you live would not be a problem. However, over the whole Earth, it can make a big difference. Global warming affects the water cycle. It is changing weather patterns across the world. Scientists use climate models to help us understand and get ready for these changes. »
« What did the climate scientists find out?
Firstly, the scientists studied the past weather records. They found that 2023-2024 was one of the wettest years ever. Then, they looked at the amount of rain falling on stormy days. They found it had increased in recent years.
Next, the scientists used climate models. They compared the climate of now with that of the past. This showed that the UK’s wetter winters are due to global warming. The models predict that rainfall on stormy days will get heavier in the future. This might not happen all the time because our weather is very variable. »
« A quarter of UK football pitches could be flooded by 2050. It is important to remember that we can avoid this by acting now. »
See more below!
Source: PSTT – last consulted on September 3rd, 2025
Image: PSTT – https://pstt.org.uk/resources/i-bet-you-didnt-know/
‘DID YOU KNOW?’ Material: Cutting-edge research can be linked to primary science curriculum topics.
Aimed at teachers and adults interested in introducing cutting-edge science research projects to primary age children, PSTT has created freely downloadable Did you know? articles which are linked to primary science curriculum topics.
Articles are written in language that primary children can understand and suggest questions for children to consider.
Accompanying Teacher Guides (which can be used a classroom presentations) describe activities and investigations that children can do related to the research.
See more: https://pstt.org.uk/resources/i-bet-you-didnt-know/
This educational material is based on the work of Sarah Kew (KNMI) and other XAIDA & WWA researchers. It is an adaptation of the report available in Open Access.
