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Hi Brona, This sounds like a fantastic lesson. I really like your research question as it would be very relevant to my own school ‘Star of the Sea’. I think the children would really enjoy the research and being close to the sea makes it easier to organise. I like the idea oof them using ground data and satellite data too.
Research Question: As a whole school, how can we reduce our impact on global warming?
I would encourage the children to brainstorm ways in which they think our school contributes to global warming, energy consumption-leaving on the lights and interactive whiteboard when we don’t need them, single use plastics- bottles, yoghurt cartons, etc., not using copies entirely, etc.
The children could conduct research around the school, questioning classes, collecting data on how long lights are left on in each classroom, how many single use plastics are used each day in each class, etc. The children could graph the information.
I would encourage the children to try to problem solve and explore ways we can reduce our impact. The children could do a school wide drive, encouraging the other classes to turn off lights, computers, etc., use reusable containers, etc.
After a month, the children could again collect the same data and check has anything changed. They could graph the data again. We could use technology to make the graphs and present the information and changes to the whole school at assembly.
I think the children would enjoy group work, brainstorming and collaboration. They would enjoy seeing that they have problem solved and made an impact. Presenting the information to the rest of the school would be nice for them but also encouraging for the other children too.I really like the idea of tracking a satellite on the interactive whiteboard. I also like the idea of the children researching them.
I used the satellite tracker app. I looked at satellites that would be passing my current location, Cork, in the next 24 hours so that I could keep an eye out for them.
1. Tiangong Space Station – It is a space laboratory in low Earth orbit for scientific research, technology testing and continuous human habitation.
2. Resurs-DK No. 1 – was a Russian Earth observation satellite. It captured images of the Earth’s surface for civilian and commercial use.
3. ALOS- Advanced Land Observing Satellite, a Japanese space observation series used for cartographic mapping, disaster monitoring and resource surveying.
4. ADEOS II – Advanced Earth Observing Satellite was an environmental observation satellite used for climate science, meteorology and fishery.
5. Aqua – is a NASA scientific research satellite in orbit around the Earth, studying the precipitation, evaporation, and cycling of water.
This app tells you when each satellite will pass over your current location and you can turn on alerts or track satellites you’re interested in. You can also look at the crew on the ISS for example.The Documentary Home is very powerful both visually and in its message. It showcases the beauty of our planet while documenting the human destruction due to pollution, deforestation, over fishing, the burning of fossil fuels, wildfires and disregard for the beautiful natural resources of our planet. It also demonstrates climate injustice. Both Home and the Climate Aid 2020 video are emotional and I think better suited to more senior classes. I think both would serve as an excellent stimulus for discussion and lessons in Senior classes. That being said, an extract could be taken from Home to be used with younger classes.
I think The video of Greta Thunberg at UN COP 25 is excellent. She is someone the children can relate to. It demonstrates for them that even young people can make a difference. Greta Thunberg also speaks very well, making important points in a child friendly manner.
I would use these videos as a stimulus for lessons, using Climate Aid 2020 as an introduction to a lesson on the effects of global warming. I would use Greta Thunberg’s speech as a stimulus before we start a lesson on how we can take action.I agree that we should scaffold children emotionally. It is good to allow children to express their concerns around such a deeply concerning issue. Looking at the positive nature of finding and enacting solutions is a good way to take a positive approach to lessons.
I enjoyed Activity 3. I thought the three lessons went together very well and there is good progression in the lessons. I also like how it introduces other STEM areas.
The Paxi video is an excellent resource for younger children. It explains the greenhouse effect and how we are contributing to global warming in a very child friendly way. It is a very good visual resource also.
I think the C35 Climate and Energy Demonstrator online Tool is a great resource. Exploring changes in their own location would make it far more interesting and relatable. I would however probably use this as a whole class activity. I think using the digital technology and interpreting graphs may take away from the learning points.
At the end of the lesson it does ask what actions you could take to lessen the problem. However, I think this could be taken as a whole other lesson. There is a lot to be learned in the steps we can take to reduce our global footprint.I agree with you Órla. I would probably need to simplify the lesson and I think using the tool as a whole class demonstration is a good idea or the content might be lost with too much scaffolding around interpreting graphs and using technology.
Hi Patrick,
STEM in your classroom already sounds really inspiring for the children. I particularly like that they sometimes will not find the answer and that’s ok. It’s more about the process, exploration and using problem solving skills.
In Unravelling STEM: Beyond the acronym of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics by Liston, I agree that STEM has become popular way to describe any event that does not incorporate all the facets of STEM. I also agree that we should strive towards full STEM lessons, allowing for innovation, critical thinking, problem solving and group work. I love to start maths lessons by giving the children concrete materials to explore with and problem solve. However, I feel sometimes Mathematics or Science need to be taught in isolation. Sometimes children need to practice equations. I was fascinated to learn that technology is any innovation used to meet a human need.
I really like the lessons in the Weather and Climate resource. Looking back on birthdays or photos of birthdays will really spark interest. For my own child’s birthday, we had a bouncy castle and it was pouring rain so they all slipped around in the rain. I think it made it more fun. I think the worksheet would work well for group work.
Activity 2, provides a great hands on activity for the pupils, incorporating science and maths.