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My research question is ”How does the amount of rainfall in our local area affect the health of plants in our school garden?”.
To engage my 6th class pupils in this research project, I would begin by introducing them to the concept of climate and weather, focusing on something they encounter daily – rain. We would start with a simple discussion about why plants need water and what might happen if they get too much or too little.
Next, I’d involve the students (possibly green schools’ committee) in setting up a school garden, where they can plant a variety of flowers, vegetables, and herbs. Each week, we would measure the amount of rainfall using a rain gauge and observe how the plants are growing. The students could keep journals to track their observations, drawing pictures, and writing about what they see.
By involving them in hands-on activities, like planting, watering, and measuring rainfall, the students would feel a personal connection to the project. I’d also emphasise how their work can help us understand bigger climate issues and how changes in weather patterns can affect the world around us. This approach makes the learning process fun and meaningful, encouraging curiosity and a sense of responsibility towards the environment.These five satellites have passed over Ireland recently.
International Space Station (ISS) – The ISS is a giant space laboratory where astronauts live and work. They carry out experiments to learn more about space and how it affects the human body.
Hubble Space Telescope – Hubble is like a giant camera in space. It takes amazing pictures of stars, planets, and galaxies far away, helping scientists learn more about our universe.
Landsat 8 – This satellite takes pictures of Earth to help monitor forests, oceans, and cities. It’s like a camera in the sky that helps keep track of changes on our planet.
Aqua – Aqua studies Earth’s water, like oceans, lakes, and even clouds. It helps us understand weather patterns and how water moves around our planet.
Sentinel-2 – Part of the Copernicus program, it takes pictures of Earth to monitor things like agriculture and forests. It’s important for keeping our planet healthy!
These satellites do important jobs, like taking pictures and studying Earth, to help scientists understand our world better.”HOME” really is a visually stunning documentary. I look forward to using clips from it with my 6th class and eagerly await their thoughts.
The video “HOME,” directed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, is a visually stunning documentary that explores the intricate relationship between Earth’s natural systems and human impact, particularly focusing on climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. The film is part of a broader educational module that includes various video clips aimed at illustrating the urgency and scale of climate change.
To introduce these climate change facts to 6th class students, I would start with a brief discussion to assess their existing knowledge and concerns about the environment. I would introduce the video ‘’Climate aid 2020’’ to my class to encourage a discussion on what is leading to such changes in our climate and the horrific natural disasters witnessed in the video. Using selected clips from “HOME,” I would guide students through the key themes, such as the beauty of our planet, the consequences of human activities, and the importance of sustainability. I’d follow up with activities that encourage reflection, such as group discussions, creative projects such as posters or short presentations, and hands-on experiments that demonstrate climate concepts for example the greenhouse effect.
To make the material more relatable, I would connect the global issues discussed in the film to local examples, such as changes in Irish weather patterns or the impact on local wildlife. Additionally, I would incorporate interactive elements, like using online resources or simulations, to make the learning process more engaging and tangible for my students.Activity 3, “Climate Reporters,” is a valuable resource for my 6th class students, encouraging them to engage with the concepts of weather and climate through research and reporting. The activity promotes critical thinking by having students investigate current climate issues and present their findings, enhancing both scientific literacy and communication skills.
In my classroom, this activity could be highly effective by allowing students to explore local climate patterns and changes, connecting global concepts to their immediate environment. Incorporating national data or case studies, such as the impact of climate change on local agriculture or coastal regions, would make the activity more relevant.
To enhance the activity, I would suggest using online databases or news sources for research, and perhaps creating digital presentations or videos rather than just written reports. This would not only make the task more engaging but also help develop digital literacy which is a goal in my school.
Providing clear guidelines for the reporting process could help students understand expectations and improve the quality of their work. Including peer review sessions where students give and receive feedback on their reports would also add a collaborative element, encouraging critical evaluation and discussion among classmates.Ann this is a great lesson outline. I know my class would really enjoy it and I look forward to using the lesson with them during the year.
The paper Unravelling STEM: Beyond the acronym of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (Liston 2018) critically examines the limitations of the STEM acronym, advocating for an integrated approach that emphasises interdisciplinary connections and real-world applications. The importance of context and creativity in STEM education, urging educators to move beyond isolated subject silos.In my 6th class classroom, STEM education is about fostering curiosity through hands-on projects that blend science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We focus on problem-solving and encourage pupils to see the connections between different STEM fields. Activities 1 and 2 are well structured for introducing students to the differences between weather and climate. They promote critical thinking and engagement through practical tasks like identifying weather patterns and analysing data. However, I would add a collaborative component, such as group discussions or presentations, to enhance peer learning. Additionally, incorporating technology, like weather apps or online data tools, could make the activities more interactive and relevant for my pupils.
I agree Carmel re eco-anxiety. It is about finding a happy balance for the children as I see with my own nieces and nephews, when they hear about the impact of increased temperature they get very worried. I know when I was a child I would have been similar so how we approach the teaching of these topics is very important.
I really like how clear and concise this is Ann. My 6th class would really enjoy this lesson and your plan.
I love the idea of the weather station. I’m trying to think of a location in our school we could put one but unfortunately like alot of schools outside space is limited when not the yard.
Consider how many Songs / Poems /Art can you think of to connect us with the Night Sky? For example: Look up President Michael D Higgins’ “Stardust”
Exploring songs, poems, and artworks that connect us with the night sky can provide a rich and inspiring context for understanding the importance of dark skies and the impacts of light pollution. There are so many songs, poems and artworks that come to my mind when I think of the night sky. Yellow by Coldplay contains the famous line “Look at the stars, look how they shine for you,” celebrating the wonder of the night sky. Space Oddit by David Bowie captures the imagination of space exploration and the vastness of the universe. Counting Stars by OneRepublic uses the imagery of stars to convey hopes and dreams. These are songs that frequent my Spotify playlist. As a first time mother, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is now a frequent tune in my home also. The Starry Night by Van Gogh is one of the most famous depictions of the night sky in art. Starry Night by Edvard Munch is a different artist’s interpretation of the night sky. These are two pieces of artwork I explore each year with my 6th classes. Stardust by President Michael D. Higgins reflects on our connection to the universe and the stardust that makes up all of us. The Starlight Night by Gerard Manley Hopkins celebrates the beauty of the night sky. Stars by Sara Teasdale is a short poem that marvels at the beauty and tranquillity of the night sky.
