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Question: How do trees help keep our school playground cool on hot days?
Seven year olds are naturally curious and enjoy learning about the world around them. They can easily observe their surroundings and notice how weather changes affect their daily lives. This research question is designed to help young students understand the role of trees in moderating temperatures and making outdoor environments more comfortable even on hot days. By focusing on a familiar setting like their school playground, the topic becomes more relatable and engaging.
1.Temperature Observation:
How does temperature feel in the shade of a tree compared to areas without trees?
Can students measure temperature differences using simple tools like thermometers?
2.Tree Characteristics:
What types of trees are found on the playground?
How do the leaves and branches of these trees provide shade?
3. Cooling Effect of Trees.
How do trees help cool the air?
Whys is it more comfortable to play under a tree on a hot day
4. Other Benefits.
Discuss additional benefits of trees, such as providing oxygen, homes for animals, and beauty
Discuss the characteristics of each tree, such as leaf shape and size
Five statellites that pass over Ireland are
Sentinel 1 which provides all day weather, day and night radar imagery for land and ocean services.
International Space Station: this is a station that is a space environment research laboratory
NoAA-20, This satellite provides data for weather forecasting, extreme weather predictions and environmental monitoring.
Terra, It carries instruments that monitor Earth’s climate and environment, including the atmosphere, land and oceans and is crucial for understanding ling-term climate change and environmental shifts.
MetOp-B, this is a European meteorological satellite operated by EUMESTAT. It provides data on atmospheric temperature and humidity, ocean surface wind speed and direction and data for climate monitoring and weather forecasting.
‘Home’ by Yann Arthus-Bertrand is a visually stunning and powerful documentary that provides an overview of the environmental challenges facing our planet. With its breathtaking areal footage and poignant narration, the film explores the interconnectedness of Earth’s ecosystems and highlights the impact of human activity on the environment. It’s a compelling call to action for sustainable living and environmental stewardship.
In the classroom, I would begin by explaining that you are going to watch parts of a beautiful film about our planet. Emphasizing that it shows many different places on Earth and talks about how important it is to take care of them. Ask the students if they have ever thought about how all the different parts of the world are connected. For example how the trees in a far away place can affect the air we breathe here.
After showing each part, pause and discuss:
-what did you see?
-How did it make you feel?
-Why is it important?
When introducing climate to 6/7 year olds I would explain that the world’s weather is changing in ways that can sometimes be harmful to people, animals and plants. Use examples like, ‘Have you noticed how some summers are much hotter than other?’ or ‘Sometimes it rains a lot more than usual’. Read stories or show pictures of animals and plants affected by climate change.
I would begin the lesson by showing the children the Paxi video on greenhouse gases, engaging in talk and discussion with the children. I would show pictures of common greenhouse gases like car exhaust, factory smoke and cow methane. We would then do a science experiment to explain how the green house effect works. For this experiment I would place a container under a lamp and cover it with plastic wrap, this will represent greenhouse gases trapping the heat. I would then ask the children to predict the weather. I would give them a blank weather prediction chart for the week. They would then draw a symbol into each box which represent the weather. Each day we would compare their predictions with the weather.
Having reviewed the paper ‘Unravelling STEM: Beyond the acronym of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics’ I can see clearly the STEM that I use in my class and areas where I can introduce STEM and use it cross-curricular. Also the amount of resources that I have now banked from this Module that I plan to incorporate into my lessons next year.
Weather or Climate? I really liked this activity. It works well and straight away the children would learn the difference between weather and climate. When this is made very clear and it allows the children to learn more about each topic without confusion. I would use this daily as a talk and discussion exercise.
Weather Detectives: I like that the children are the ones who are collecting the data. This allows them to have ownership over the exercised and helps retain their interest for longer. The children will also be able to make comparisons between different locations.
Hi Tommy, I like the use of Greta’s TED talk video. I think children will really relate as she herself is a young person.
“Home” by Yann Arthus-Bertrand is a visually stunning and powerful documentary that provides an overview of the environmental challenges facing our planet. With its breathtaking aerial footage and poignant narration, the film explores the interconnectedness of Earth’s ecosystems and highlights the impact of human activity on the environment. It’s a compelling call to action for sustainable living and environmental stewardship.
In the classroom i would begin by explaining that you are going to watch parts of a beautiful film about our planet. Emphasize that it shows many different places on Earth and talks about how important it is to take care of them. Ask the students if they have ever thought about how all the different parts of the world are connected. For example, how the trees in a forest far away can affect the air we breathe here.
After showing each part, pause and discuss:
What Did You See?: Encourage children to describe what they saw in their own words.
How Did It Make You Feel?: Talk about the emotions the footage evoked.
Why Is It Important?: Explain in simple terms why it’s important to take care of the places and animals they saw.
When introducing Climate to 7 year olds I would explain that the world’s weather is changing in ways that can sometimes be harmful to people, animals, and plants. Use examples like “Have you noticed how some summers are much hotter than others?” or “Sometimes it rains a lot more than usual.” Read stories or show pictures of animals and plants affected by climate change.
Question: How do trees help keep our school playground cool on hot days?
Seven-year-olds are naturally curious and enjoy learning about the world around them. They can easily observe their surroundings and notice how weather changes affect their daily lives. This research question is designed to help young students understand the role of trees in moderating temperatures and making outdoor environments more comfortable, even on hot days. By focusing on a familiar setting like their school playground, the topic becomes more relatable and engaging.
Temperature Observation:
How does the temperature feel in the shade of a tree compared to areas without trees?
Can students measure temperature differences using simple tools like thermometers?
Tree Characteristics:
What types of trees are found on the playground?
How do the leaves and branches of these trees provide shade?
Cooling Effect of Trees:
How do trees help cool the air? (Introduce the concept of shade and transpiration in simple terms.)
Why is it more comfortable to play under a tree on a hot day?
Other Benefits of Trees:
Discuss additional benefits of trees, such as providing oxygen, homes for animals, and beauty.
Discuss the characteristics of each tree, such as leaf shape and size.
I chose this activity too Catherine. I find it so interesting to find out what’s up in the sky that we can’t see for ourselves.
Five satellites that have recently passed over Ireland are
International Space Station: this staion is a space environment research laboratory.
Sentinel-1: provides all weather, day and night radar imagery for land and ocean services.
NOAA-20: This satellite provides data for weather forecasting, extremem weather predictions and environmental monitoring.
Terra: It carries instruments that monitor Earth’s climate and environment, including the atmosphere, land, and oceans, and is crucial for understanding long-term climate changes and environmental shifts.
MetOp-B: This is a European meteorological satellite operated by EUMETSAT. It provides data on atmospheric temperature and humidity, ocean surface wind speed and direction, and data for climate monitoring and weather forecasting.
I would begin the lesson by showing the children the Paxi video on greenhouse gases, engaging in talk and discussion with the children. I would show pictures of common greenhouse gases like car exhaust, factory smoke and cow methane. We would then do a science experiment to explain how the green hose effect works. For this experiment I would place a container under a lamp and cover it with plastic wrap, this will represent greenhouse gases trapping the heat. I would then ask the children to predict the weather. I would give them a blank weather prediction chart for the week. They would then draw a symbol into each box which represented the weather. Each day we would compare their predictions with the weather.
Hi Zara, I love the idea of setting up a weather station in the classroom and in the school. We have a lovely garden that this would work well in.
Having review the paper ‘Unravelling STEM: Beyond the acronym of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics’ I can see clearly the STEM that I use in my class and areas where I can introduce STEM to use it cross-curricular. Also the amount of resources that I now have banked from this Module that I plan to incorporate into my lessons next year.
Weather or climate? I really liked this activity. It works well that straight away the children learn the difference between weather and climate. When this is made very clear it allows the children to learn more about each topic without confusion. I would use this daily as a talk and discussion exercise
Weather Detectives: I like that the children are the ones who are collecting the data. This allows them to have ownership over the exercises and helps retain their interest for longer. The children will also be able to make comparisons between different locations.
