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Research question: How can we reduce the carbon footprint of our school?
The children will integrate this question with the Data Strand in maths and they will survey the whole school on the various methods of transport used to travel to and from school.
This information can be analysed and presented in a variety of ways using different types of graphs ( on paper and digitally)
The student’s council could run an initiative/campaign to encourage the parents and children to try out methods of transport that may be less destructive to their environment (air quality etc).
The initial surveys will have to be repeated termly to elicit whether there has been a change in mindset and behaviours.Hi Sharon, I think children would love engaging with this research question and it can be used as the catalyst for lots of learning across many curricular areas.
I also downloaded the Teacher Guide & Pupil Activities for the ESA Resource ‘Nose High Up in The Sky.
Activity 1 – The Earth seen from the ISS. The children in my 3rd class last year were fascinated by the ISS and they loved being able to eatch some of the youtube videos posted by the astronauts. I think this lesson would really add to what they have already done.as it encourages the children to use their imagination when they have to describe what they think Earth looks like from space. This would also form the basis for a nice art lesson. The phptpgraphs from the ISS are hugely interesting also – I There is lots of room for questioning here. There is also great opportunities for integration with language lessons
Activity 2 and 3: Match the Photos. and Higher Up! This activity encourages the children to use higher order thinking. This acivity also promotes the use of disciplinary literacy as the children will need to to utilise very specific vocab when describing what they are looking at. The questions are thought provoking and will require proper analysis.
Having the weather proverbs on display is a lovely idea. Many of these old sayings are still held in high regard by older farmers etc. I love that the pupils could design posters for them, they could maybe ask an older relation if they are familiar with the sayings.
Home is a striking documentary that presents a powerful narrative on the how connected all our of environmental issues are on a global scale. The film uses aerial imagery to highlight the beauty of our planet while simultaneously showcasing the extensive damage caused by us and our many destructive activities. In Home we are presented with a very clear narrative alongside some stunning visual images which will make it an excellent tool for engaging children’s minds and sparking classroom discussions on climate change. I think there are lots of ways I could introduce this topic to my class, they love working on making digital KWL charts so that might be a good way to start. A Kahoot or Google Forms quiz will also help to ascertain how much they already know. The children are already very aware of Greta Thunberg and her activities so showing the video of her talk would also be useful.As mentioned by other posters here some of the children can be extremely anxious around these kind of topics so it would be important to take a positive and pro active stance.
You are right Ann, some children are hyper aware of the issues and worry a lot about what might be in store in the future.
Hi Laura, comparing and contrasting a global event and a local event is a great idea for an extension activity.
Activity 3, the predicting of future temperatures based on greenhouse gas emissions, seems like a highly engaging and fun activity for children. To implement it in my class, I would begin by showing the Paxi video to introduce the concept of greenhouse gases. Following this, I would guide students through the simulation tool, allowing them to manipulate variables and observe the impact on temperature predictions. This practical approach would help to deepen their understanding of climate change and the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To further enhance this activity, I would incorporate real-world data and case studies where suitable, encouraging students to analyse trends and propose solutions. As a follow up activity I would provide opportunities for critical reflection and whole class discussion on the ethical implications of climate change actions.
Liston’s paoer “Unravelling STEM: Beyond the Acronym of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics” is a comprehensive examination of the conceptual and practical implications of STEM education. In this paper, Liston delves into the underlying philosophy and educational strategies associated with STEM, challenging educators to think beyond the simple integration of these four disciplines.
I love the Weather vs Climate pdf and will be saving it for use next year! I think the children will enjoy the practical nature of the Weather Detectives task and it allows for learning in lots of areas including literacy, science, maths. This activity also allows for lots of pair/group work and as such provides ample opportunity for practising communication skills ie how to give your opinion, agree of disagree respectfully etc.
Adding a school weather would be a brilliant way of enabling pupils of all ages to interact with the topic at their level.
Energy savers are a great idea and the children love being involved and NEVER let you forget to turn off lights etc.
In Ireland, climate change has led to more frequent and severe weather events, such as heavy rainfall storms. These changes are impacting local agriculture, causing flooding in some parts , which affect the local economy and food supply.
To engage my pupils in exploring this issue further, I would encourage them to participate in science projects, such as tracking local weather patterns and their impacts on the environment. We could also visit local farms to see first hand how climate change is affecting them.
Three actions to make the world a better place and slow down climate change are:
Reducing energy consumption by using energy-efficient appliances and promoting renewable energy sources.
Encouraging sustainable transportation options like biking, walking, or public transport.
Promoting waste reduction through recycling, composting, and minimizing single-use plasticsOrlaith, I really like the idea of an appeal similar to what we do with the Christmas Shoebox! Refugee children have experienced so much trauma before they get to us that their mental wellbeing must take priority and I think the DE needs to resource schools to help them cope with these needs.
Schools can help support refugee children by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. Firstly, providing language support through EAL programmes helps children overcome language barriers, enabling better communication and academic success. Secondly, schools should implement trauma-informed practices, recognizing the psychological impact of displacement and the traumas some children may have experienced/witnessed. Peer mentoring and buddy systems can help refugee children integrate socially, fostering friendships and a sense of belonging. Culturally responsive teaching that respects and incorporates students’ backgrounds promotes inclusivity. Involving parents and the wider school community in school activities ensures a supportive network. CPD for teachers on cultural competence and trauma informed teaching equips them to better support refugee students..
