Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
This is an excellent lesson and one that children can easily observe the results of by examining the average temperature in Dublin and the changes over the last 50 years. The children will be able to identify the trends easily.
For this Climate Detectives investigation, I would like the children to explore how planting trees for National Tree Day and creating a natural wildflower area for bees in the school can improve biodiversity in our school environment.
I chose this investigation because it gives children the opportunity to explore a real environmental issue through hands-on learning. The Climate Detectives framework is an excellent approach because it positions children as genuine scientists, investigating real-world problems through observation, questioning, and evidence gathering. This makes learning both engaging and meaningful while helping children understand that their actions can positively impact the environment.
The investigation will begin with lessons on biodiversity, the importance of trees, and the role of bees as pollinators. The children will learn about National Tree Day and discuss how planting trees and wildflowers can benefit wildlife and improve our school grounds. Every year trees can be planted to mark national tree day.
The children and I will plant trees and create a wildflower area within the school. Over the following weeks, we will explore the school grounds, observe bees, birds, and other wildlife, take photographs, record our findings in nature journals, and discuss any changes we notice. The children will make predictions, collect evidence, and reflect on how these actions improve biodiversity.
Through this investigation, the children will develop scientific enquiry skills while learning that small actions, such as planting trees and supporting pollinators, can make a positive difference to their local environment.
I also found it fascinating that so many satellites orbit earth each day. The app really shocked me with the number and I loved that you could track what each satellite is doing.
The international space centre has passed over Ireland- The astronauts are working in the spaceship.
Copernicus sentinel- 3- It is monitoring the Earth’s Oceans and land by measuring sea surface temperatures, ocean colour, ice cover, etc.
starlink satellite- This is the global satellite broadband internet, it relays internet traffic between users and ground stations.
Terra- This is a climate and environmental monitoring. Terra studies forests, clouds, atmospheric pollution, glacier and land temperatures. This provides long term data used by climate scientists.
NOAA-20- Weather forecasting and environmental monitoring. It collects information that is used by meteorological agencies to improve weather forecasts and monitor storms, sea ice and wildfires.
I agree the photos and imagines really capture the audience and really bring us into the story. I also feel the speaking voice is very calm and clear.
Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s documentary HOME.
This video provides a powerful insight into the urgent need to reduce climate change due to the environmental impact caused by human activities. It highlights the importance and responsibility of every person on the planet in taking care of the planet. It introduces the topic that we are global citizens and we are all contacted as members of the globe to care for the planet to ensure that future generations can enjoy a healthy world. I felt this was a great message that demonstrates every person plays a role even if they just walk to school or cycle or if they recycle or turn the water off when they are brushing their teeth.The videos focus on a wide range of topics- overconsumption of natural resources, rising sea levels, pollution, etc. explores a range of environmental issues, including rising sea levels, deforestation, pollution, biodiversity loss, and the overconsumption of natural resources. It encourage us all to pause and consider our carbon footprint.
My follow up activity for the children would be a class discussion on ways we can help the world as global citizens. We would create posters and art displays to promote positive behaviour regarding the Earth. We would write about the best ways to keep the Earth safe and our responsibilities to the planet.
We would organise school based plans to support the planet- WOW- Walk on Wednesdays, turn off lights when not using. recylce, use reusable water bottles, etc.
Then we would have a debate over modern and past behaviour which was better on the globe. Long ago they did not have electricity, cars, washing machines, etc. What was the impact on the Earth.
Excellent points made about the importance of using digital technology to support learning. Children often find the video approaches the best. However, when teachers are searching the internet for an appropriate video for primary ages it can be time consuming. Also we must encourage the video explains this serious topic without placing a burden on the young children.
Module 2.
I found the paxi video to be an excellent resource for introducing and explaining green house to children. The paxi video was a simple, clear and child friendly approach for this concept. I liked that that the video is interactive and will appeal to children. I would begin my lesson with a kwl chart and then I would show the children the video. After the video I would start a classroom discussion on greenhouse gases.
Then I would encourage the children to discuss the difference between natural greenhouse effect and the greenhouse effect caused by human activities.
We would discuss simple ways to prevent greenhouse gases and reduce our carbon footprint- recyle, reduce, reuse, walk or cycle.
We would create posters to support the climate and reduce our carbon footprint- walk/ cycle to school posters.A feature I liked was the future prediction of temperatures tool which showed how temperature can change over time. We can simply look at counties summer temperatures now compared to long ago to see the increase. Look at forest fires or fires caused by heat. Then we can discuss the changes the temperature will have such as extreme weather or impact on farming and wildlife.
Fully agree with your response. I feel having the equipment for measuring weather is very important. Children need to see these items and use them so they can understand how they work and to record the results.
Weather versus climate.
We began this module by being asked to read and review the paper unravelling stem- beyond the acronym of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The children need to start by knowing the differences between weather and climate.
Therefore I would start by teaching what we weather is. I would ask the children to observe the weather outside the window and we would discuss the weather- daily observations in junior schools. Then we would learn about the weather through Songs, videos, and class discussions. The children would learn the weather vocabulary and understand the meanings.
Then the children would explore weather instruments, including thermometers and rain gauges, and learned how weather is measured and recorded. They also examined weather forecasts and maps to understand how forecasts help people make everyday decisions.
The concept of climate will be introduced by exploring the Earth’s different climate zones. Children compared climates in locations such as Australia and Antarctica, identifying similarities and differences while developing an understanding of long-term weather patterns.
Throughout the module, children engaged in collaborative, inquiry-based learning by collecting and recording weather data, working in pairs as “weather detectives,” and discussing their findings.
The children investigate weather and climates in pairs and in groups.
Then they record their results using lots of different approaches- writing, graphs, maps.
The children are encouraged to role-play being a newsreader discussing climate or weather person informing others about the weather. including presenting weather forecasts and acting as climate reporters,
A simple experiment but one that allows the children to easily observe the results of the experiment
I love the lesson of allowing the children to create their dream rooms and homes. It allows the children to discuss the plans- allow them to very very creative- a zero gravity room, slides to go downstairs, etc
The plough is always a famous group of stars. I would love to learn more about the stars and looking through telescopes at the different star patterns
I love the idea of doing alien slime with the children as I love hands on activities that the children are eager to complete
I would love to introduce Space Week in my school and teach this lesson. I feel space is a topic that really fascinates children. I would introduce a Space Week in my school to encourage curiosity, creativity, and scientific thinking.
We would begin by reading stories such as Way Back Home, Far Side of the Moon, and Aliens Love Underpants. We would also look at photographs of rockets from Kennedy Space Center and discuss rockets, astronauts, and the Moon.
The children would investigate different types of rockets by designing and making paper rockets, foam rockets, and balloon rockets. We would discuss how each rocket is launched and ask the children to predict which design they think will travel the furthest.
The children would work in pairs to design, make, and test their rockets in the PE hall. Afterwards, we would compare the results with our predictions and discuss why some rockets travelled further than others.