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Research Question:
Is Ireland getting hotter? Have Ireland’s temperatures increased over the past 10 years?
The question is specific, time conscious and allows for directed, specific research.
Our ground data would be collected in our school weather station where we would use our thermometer to record the daily temperature. We would use this data to create graphs to illustrate our findings.
We would then use the TEAL tool and EO browser to research temperature for Ireland over the last ten year. We would graph these findings also.
Once collected and analysed, we would determine our answer to our research question, prepare the project for presentation (posters, slideshows, models, songs) and present the findings to our school at assembly.
As an extension of the project, we would research the reasons behind the increased temperature and explore ways in which we could help to reduce our impact on the earth and slow down the global warming effect. Videos from the course would be useful here- The Paxi video on the greenhouse gas effect and Greta Thunberg’s speeches.
I would certainly be interested in the answer to this question!!! It certainly feels like they are!
Thank you for the Met Eireann resource, looks great.
I went with the app TrakSat, just to compare a free app option.
The following is the list of satellites I found to be close to Ireland in recent times:
-Cosmos 2151
-SL14
-SL16
-SL3
-Cosmos 2242
The app gave the option of a map or globe view -good to be able to show the children exactly hw the satellites are orbiting.
It also allows you to add information to the map as you watch; orbit line, horizon colour variants, day/night overlay- nice to have this option to extend the activity/lesson based on ability and interest.
You can include exact longitude/latitude coordinates for our location which would provide excellent stimulus and extension opportunity in maths and geography.
The app also allowed me to search for predicted locations of satellites by typing in the satellite name. It then provided the predicted trajectory for that satellite. This would provide opportunity for pair and group work by providing a list of satellites and they must work out 2/3 countries this satellite will pass.
I think for a free version, its an okay option. Plenty of opportunity for exploration and investigation. Paired with the EO browser, there’s plenty to keep the topic engaging for the children.
Brilliant idea for further investigation re launch dates and current status. Also, great segway into the space debris topic!
Lauren,
Great call using the weather station for data. I think if the effort is put into creating such a resource initially, it is important to get the use from it.
Home by Yann Arthus Bertrand provides an interesting timeline of humanity and our interconnectedness with the environment against a backdrop of stunning location footage from across the globe. The cinematography is stunning. I was interested to read that the film has no copyright and scenes from the film have been used in other documentaries and films. The score is also note worthy and adds to the impact of the film.
Using the score for a ‘listen and draw’ activity for a music lesson before showing excepts from the film would be interesting. I wonder if the children would associate the music with the film content?
I also found Greta Thunberg’s Ted talk and COP25 speech very thought provoking. Her Ted Talk particularly peaked my interest in her self awareness of her Aspergers Syndrome diagnosis. She explains very well how it enables her to see the need for action.
Apart from the climate message, I think the neurodivergent view she explains in her talk would be a good talking point for awareness among the children of the diversity and abilities in their peer group.
Lauren,
Brilliant idea with the weather apps! The would make it very relevant for the children who are so used to ‘real time’ apps!
Lauren, I really like the extension idea of the carbon footprint project and creating campaign posters. They would look great as a display and also serve as a reminder to continue new habits!
Activity 3 is a good stimulus to get children thinking about the future and how we can act now for a better future.
The Paxi Video would be an excellent prompt to introduce the lesson and begin the discussion around greenhouse gasses and climate effect.
Using observations from our own weather station and the TEAL tool, we would create fact based reports in working groups. Depending on tech access, we may have an ipad or laptop per group to access the temp, rain and wind data on the TEAL tool.
I would use these reports as part of a Climate Awareness Day where the children could present their weather station findings and reports to the the rest of the school and explain how we can make a collective effort within our school to reduce our climate impact.
Improvement wise, I would include a ‘Next Step’ element from the framework in the form of relating their knowledge to real life as in the aforementioned school effort to address our climate impact.
Nose High Up in the Sky
I would begin by using weather proverbs and by asking the children to collect some from home. We would then decode these together and work out their relevance to predicting weather and also explore why we need to predict the weather.
Using specific vocabulary, we would then proceed to describing weather through our senses. What can we see/smell/hear/feel and how our senses can be useful to us in predicting weather.
Finally, we would design and make a rain gauge and anemometer and set up a weather station close to our outdoor classroom. We would purchase thermometers to ensure accuracy. Using our observations and findings we would produce a daily weather forecast to be broadcast on the intercom during daily announcements.
Going forward, I would found a Climate Committee and task them with the job of observing and recording at the weather station with a view to making climate observations after longer period of recording.
Weather VS Climate
I would use this resource in conjunction with the weather station and Climate Committee aformentioned.
I would use the choose and move method (decide your answer and move to the corresponding area) for lesson 1. I may also use these statements as stimuli for debating topics.
Activities 2 and 3 would be completed in conjunction with the Climate Committee and data collected by them over the extended period of time.
I would use some of the videos from the slides- Secrets of World Climate by Geogiode and also Koeppens Climate Classification using the climate zone illuatration from slide 22