Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
I agree with your hands on approach Colin and think children would really enjoy it. It is very active and I certainly believe it’d be beneficial
To encourage pupils to participate, I would start by engaging them with thought-provoking questions about the importance of forests and the impacts of human activities on the environment. I would incorporate visuals like maps, photos, and videos to illustrate deforestation and climate change effects. Group discussions and brainstorming sessions would help pupils develop curiosity and critical thinking skills. I would also assign simple research tasks, such as examining local tree planting initiatives or investigating how deforestation affects weather patterns. Hands-on activities, like creating models or simulations, could make the learning process more interactive. I believe fostering a supportive environment where pupils feel their ideas are valued will motivate them to actively participate. Additionally, linking the topic to their everyday lives—such as how climate change impacts their community—can make the issue more relevant and inspiring action.
I also think this is a very useful resource Colin. It is very easy to use and would really captivate students in my opinion. I think the activity you suggested is very interesting and engaging. It is also connected to real life issues. Critical thinking is clearly efficent which will benefit children’s learning.
I have reviewed the ESA resource ‘Nose High Up in The Sky,’ including the teacher guide and pupil activities. The activities are engaging and well-structured, encouraging students to explore the properties of the atmosphere and the role of weather balloons. As I carried out the activities, I found them effective in fostering curiosity, scientific inquiry, and understanding of how scientists gather atmospheric data. The hands-on approach, such as simulating balloon experiments, helps make abstract concepts more tangible for learners. I believe this resource is highly suitable for classroom use, especially for promoting experiential learning and critical thinking about weather, climate, and science careers. To enhance the activities, I would add more opportunities for students to design their own experiments or explore real-world applications of atmospheric data. Overall, this resource is a valuable tool for making STEM concepts accessible and exciting for pupils.
I agree with your thoughts Colin on how this film can be an effective teaching resource. Along with the other clips in this module, they clearly show the catasrophic impact of humans on the planet. I think it is a great idea to get students to think of ways to reduce their carbon footprint. They are being proactive
The film HOME presents a powerful visual narrative about the planet’s environmental challenges, highlighting the impact of human activity on Earth’s ecosystems. It effectively combines striking imagery with compelling facts, making the issue of climate change urgent and relatable. The other video clips in the module complement this message by illustrating real-world examples of climate change effects, such as rising sea levels and deforestation. To introduce these facts to my pupils, I would start with age-appropriate discussions about the environment, using clips from HOME to capture their attention and evoke empathy. I would encourage students to reflect on their own actions and explore simple ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Integrating interactive activities, such as investigations or projects on local climate issues, would make the learning more engaging and meaningful. Overall, these videos serve as a vital tool to raise awareness and inspire action among young learners.
I also think creating a class poster is a really nice idea. It allows the children to have this idea prominent and visible in the classroom and be proud of their work. Children have the opportunity to respond to the video and showcase their thoughts. This is definitely a worthwhile activity.
Activity 3 is a very useful resource that I could definitely see myself using with my class. The video is very thorough and explains it very well. This would work particulary well for visual learners. The video provides plenty of room for discussion and quesioning. TEAL is a tool that can be used to predict future temperatures which allows children to grasp the impact of some of our actions on the plan and how it could affect their lives in the future. Children could discuss and display impacts of rising temperatures in groups on a local, national and international level. Groups could comment on each other’s work and then an action project could be undertaken to analyse how we can limit the effects of climate change. This activity also provides room for differentiation within each activity. Overall, I think this activity really engages children in the topic and allows them to opportunity to delve into it deeper.
I think a school weather station is a great idea Elaine. It makes children more interested and engaged in their learning and it also gives them ownership over their learning. Having a different weather station for each class levels also allows for varying level of difficulty and differentiation and allows children to see progress in their learning.
After reviewing the “Unravelling STEM” article and engaging with the Weather and Climate resource, I see that STEM education in my classroom emphasizes inquiry, critical thinking, and real-world applications. Activities 1 and 2 effectively promote understanding of weather and climate concepts through hands-on investigation. I plan to use these activities to engage students actively in STEM by integrating technology, such as using digital weather tools or data logging apps. One area for improvement could be providing more differentiated tasks to support diverse learner needs. Additionally, including activities that explore climate change impacts could deepen understanding. Overall, these activities are practical, engaging, and aligned with STEM principles, helping students develop essential skills while making science relevant to their everyday lives.