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Hey Sean,
This is a lovely idea, and very relevant. I think it very worthwhile to encourage pupils to reflect on how our actions have consequences, and that a small positive change in our classroom can lead to greater changes in time.
Research Question: How do changes in temperature and weather affect bees and the blooming times of flowers in Ireland? To encourage pupils to participate in investigating how changes in temperature and weather affect bees and the blooming times of flowers in Ireland, I would create an engaging and interactive project that combines outdoor activities with classroom learning.
Outdoor Activities: Observation Walks: I would organise to take students on regular walks to local parks or gardens to observe and record temperatures, bee activity, and blooming flowers. Provide them with notebooks and simple data sheets to jot down their observations.
Bee Watch: I would facilitate the class to set up a “bee watch duty” where students can count the number of bees they see in the school garden or nearby areas. with a bit of luck they can also note what flowers the bees are visiting.
Classroom Activities: Weather Stations: Create a simple weather station in the classroom where students can measure temperature and track weather patterns daily. This will help them understand how weather changes over time.
Flower and Bee Charts: Have students create charts and drawings to display their findings on flower blooming times and bee activity. They can use colors and stickers to make it fun and visually appealing.Guest Speakers: I would be a good idea to invite local gardeners or beekeepers to talk about the importance of bees and how weather affects plants and bees. This will provide real-world context to their observations.
Group Discussions: Through out the duration of the project I would organise group discussions where students can share their findings and results about how weather changes are impacting bees and flowers.
By making the project hands-on and integrating it with real-world experiences, students will be more engaged and motivated to participate actively in the research.I used the Orbitrace app and 5 satelites that I learned about were
Sentinel-2A: This satellite primary focus is on Earth observation. Sentinel-2A focused on capturing detailed images of the landscape, which are essential for monitoring land use, vegetation health, and coastal dynamics. The data collected helps in managing natural resources, planning agricultural activities, and assessing environmental changes.
NOAA-20: This satellite is focused on Weather observation. NOAA-20 plays a critical role in weather forecasting and climate monitoring. As it passed over Ireland, NOAA-20 gathered data on atmospheric conditions, including temperature, humidity, and cloud cover. The data collected helps meteorologists predict weather patterns, understand climate variability, and issue warnings for extreme weather events.
Aqua: This satellite gathers data on climate research. Aqua is dedicated to studying the Earth’s water cycle. During its recent orbit over Ireland, Aqua measured various environmental parameters such as ocean temperature, water vapor, and land cover changes. These measurements are vital for understanding the global water cycle, climate change, and the interactions between different components of the Earth system.
Terra: Another satellite focused on Earth Observation.
Activity: Terra provides multi-disciplinary data to study the Earth’s climate and environment. As it passed over Ireland, Terra collected information on surface temperatures, atmospheric conditions, and land cover changes. This data is crucial for understanding climate dynamics, monitoring environmental changes, and managing natural resources.COSMO-SkyMed Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Imaging. During its recent pass over Ireland, COSMO-SkyMed focused on capturing radar images to support disaster management, agricultural monitoring, and infrastructure analysis. SAR technology allows it to penetrate clouds and collect data even during nighttime.
These five satellites—Sentinel-2A, NOAA-20, Aqua, Terra, and COSMO-SkyMed—play important roles in enhancing our understanding of the planet and improving resource management, disaster response, and environmental monitoring.
A very comprehensive lesson here Irene, some lovely ideas acnd I could easily be differentiated for older or younger classes.
Using the video “Home” by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, I would introduce climate change facts to my pupils through a structured and interactive lesson plan. I would start with a brief introduction to the video “Home,” explaining its focus on the interconnectedness of life on Earth and the impact of human activities on the environment. Then I would explain that the video provides a comprehensive look at the Earth’s history, highlighting how life has evolved over 4 billion years, with humans appearing only 200,000 years ago.
I would show the class carefully selected segments of the video that illustrate key climate change facts and concepts. I would incorportae visual aids such as charts, graphs, and images to reinforce the concepts discussed.
Following this I would introduce the interactive climate model tool that allows students to see the impact of different human activities on future temperatures and carbon dioxide emissions. It would be relevant to incorporate some inclass experiments to show the Greenhouse Effect.
Het Conor,
I like the idea to do a hands on experiment to demonstrate the greenhouse effect. it would really bring home the lesson in a very clear manner.
Activity 3: This is a very interesting lesson. If I was using this with my class I would first elicit any prior knowledge the pupils have of their understanding of climate change. I would discuss how pupils think Ireland has changes over the last 60 years, in terms of industry farming etc. then I would Watch the Paxi video on greenhouse gases and discuss the it in relation to what we had just discussed.
Following this I would use the tool for predicting future temperatures and I would look at for example the carbon dioxide emissions in Ireland in 1960 (11.17) and track how it has changed over the years until now. By 2021 the carbon dioxide emissions had increased to 37.55, which is over treble the emissions over 60 years. considering we are a small country its frightening, and bigger countries will have even larger increases. it is a very effective toolI love the idea of the weather station. So many opportunities for learning across a wide range of skills.
Liston’s (2018) paper, Unravelling STEM: Beyond the acronym of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, examines the multifaceted nature of STEM education. The paper argues for a more holistic approach, emphasizing interdisciplinary learning and the importance of integrating real-world problems into the curriculum. Liston suggests that a true STEM education goes beyond mere content knowledge, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.
In my classroom, STEM education we try to cover Liston’s vision by promoting project-based learning where students engage in hands-on activities that bridge the four disciplines. For instance, students might design and build a sustainable model house, integrating principles of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This approach not only helps them understand the interconnectedness of these fields but also develops essential skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation. By aligning with Liston’s recommendations, my classroom aims to prepare students for the complexities of the modern world.
After reviewing the Weather vs. Climate teacher guide, I found it quite engaging and practical for classroom implementation. The structured activities and included worksheets are particularly helpful. By modifying the materials appropriately for different levels, it can ensure that all students gain at the very minimum, a foundational understanding of weather and climate concepts.