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Ehigie’s The Role of Global Citizens in Today’s World reinforces the value of Development Education in fostering not only knowledge but also key dispositions like empathy, global awareness, and social responsibility. As global challenges such as climate disruption, inequality, and displacement increasingly affect young people, education must help them understand global interdependence and their capacity to contribute positively.
In my classroom, I aim to embed Development Education through topics that cut across subjects, like sustainability, equity, and human rights, making space for critical thinking and real-world relevance. Inquiry-based projects and discussions on current global issues can deepen pupils’ understanding and promote meaningful engagement.
To promote whole school involvement, I would encourage shared planning for events like Global Goals Week or Intercultural Week, and use guest speakers or digital tools to bring diverse perspectives into the school. Development Education also links well with school improvement goals, supporting inclusion, wellbeing, and active student voice through reflective, participatory practices.
I think the research question, ‘How does climate affect all animals?’, is a particularly good one as it appeals to children. Most pupils in my school come from farming backgrounds or may have animals as pets. Other children have a general interest in animals, using this interest as part of the research question inspires interest before the lesson even begins.
Research idea: How Deforestation Impacts Local Weather Patterns and Wildlife.
To encourage pupils to participate in this research project, I would start by explaining the significance of understanding climate issues at a local level. We would begin with a discussion on local weather patterns and wildlife and why or why not they think deforestation might affect these things.
To further engage children in the research I would use the EO browser mentioned in the previous module to show how areas with deforestation have changed over time. Focusing on how the landscape and possibly the weather patterns have been affected. We would then discuss the impact on wildlife, for example, loss of food and habitat through deforestation.
Finally, I would have the class brainstorm solutions using their ipads and explaining how each solution impacts the research topic.
I must download this app myself, even though I did activity 3. It is an app I would find really interesting to look at every now and again in my own time. I love the idea that Elon Musk’s satellites are flying over Ireland too.
The EO Browser offers straightforward access to high-resolution satellite imagery, allowing users to pinpoint specific locations, adjust time-frames, and explore various visualizations. It’s an excellent tool for teachers, pupils or anyone interested in observing the Earth in space.
Whilst using it in the classroom, it integrates well into the SESE curriculum as it provides an interactive learning experience. Students can explore satellite images of their own area or of other parts of the world. By visualizing the Earth in this way, children can greater understand geographical concepts, weather patterns and environmental changes. The browser can also be used to show natural events such as floods and wildfires, connecting the lessons to real-world events. With deforestation for example, children can compare and contrast images from different times to show change. In this way, the browser can also be used to integrate maths and data interpretation, measuring distances and calculating changes over time.I agree that it is a useful tool when used with senior classes, younger learners could be engaged also by pausing the video at key moments to discuss what they observe and encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings. Eco anxiety is an interesting concept, although we need to highlight the issue of th environment with children, it is important to do it in a way that does not cause stress or anxiety.
“HOME” by Yann Arthus-Bertrand is an interesting documentary that highlights the effects human beings are having on the planet. The documentary conveys the connections between life on Earth and the consequences of our exploitation of natural resources, making it a powerful tool for environmental education. It introduces facts to convey messages about climate change and its effects on the planet.
Some of the most interesting facts explored are that of water scarcity, the documentary discusses this issue and addresses how water shortages are becoming increasingly common in many parts of the world, affecting agriculture, human health, and ecosystems. It also explores the issue of deforestation and how this contributes to the loss of biodiversity, disrupting ecosystems, and accelerates climate change by reducing the planet’s ability to absorb CO2.
Home can be an invaluable resource for teaching students about the importance of protecting the environment. As the video is quite long, I would show different parts of the film that introduce different topics such as biodiversity, deforestation, and climate change. The video could then be paused at key moments to what has been observed. Following observation, this could lead to activities such as creating posters, or written activities that illustrate the environmental issues observed.I completely agree that the teacher should really emphasise that climate change is a present problem. Too often we look at data and predictions as to what will happen in the future instead of focusing on present solutions to present problems.
This activity involves predicting future temperatures based on greenhouse gas emissions, this activity can be a highly interactive and engaging topic for children to engage in. It will build on their awareness of the environmental and global warming and also lead to discussion on how best to look after the environment.
To incorporate this into my class, I would begin by showing the Paxi video as my stimulus, this would open up discussion on the concept of greenhouse gases. Tar éis é seo, I would guide students through the use of a simulation tool, allowing them to adjust variables and observe how these changes affect temperature predictions. This interactive, hands-on approach would help deepen their understanding of climate change and the impact of global warming.
To further enrich the activity, I would show children real world data and statistical trends on temperature increases and then have children propose solutions.It really is a great initiative for the Green Shools committee to take on. Each classes representatives could provide feedback to their respective classes on how the weather stations are developing and progressing.
The ESA resources offer excellent activities for classroom use, with a clear and practical layout. If I were to incorporate these into my teaching, I would begin by exploring the distinction between weather and climate. Although this difference may be clear to adults, it’s a concept that young children could benefit from understanding more deeply.
Weather station – I would aim to establish a weather station in the school sensory garden. The first step would be to assemble my class and the classes of those collaborating. Collaborating in this way not only fosters teamwork and cooperation, but also broadens the effectiveness of the activity, allowing more students to engage in the learning.
Instruments such as a thermometer, rain gauge, and wind vane are essential to the activity. These items would be discussed with children beforehand, how they work and what their functions are. Once the instruments are in place, we would start collecting and recording data. We would also have some parents or members of the local community centre to work with the children, fostering collaboration and relationships between school and community.
The idea of the follow up art activity is a great idea for the mouse rocket building task as it makes the learning a fully immersive experience for the children. Look at the NASA kids website for ideas on how you want children to design/build their space crafts.
I would design a spacecraft for my class.
At first, we would discuss what we know about spacecrafts and who travels in them, we would delve deeper by discussing the different types of a spacecraft using a visual, for example, the cargo hold, the crew module and the service module.
I would attempt to get a guest speaker in or online to discuss the important features of a spacecraft, such as the communication systems, life support systems, the windows and protective features. This would conclude the first lesson on designing a spacecraft.
For the second part of the lesson we would discuss spacecraft designs, eventually moving onto designing our own ones on paper, labeling the different parts and materials in the process. I would encourage children to add certain features in their designs such as windows, solar panels, the cargo hold and an antenna. I would ensure the children design their space crafts on paper, taking into account what materials from around the classroom they could use.
For our final lesson on designing a spacecraft, we would gather what materials we need and construct our spacecraft using art materials from home and around the class. Once finished, we would engage in talk and discussion regarding the names of our spacecrafts.They are some great ideas, you should also have a look at NASA kids website for information and interactive games. They also have a great channel you should check out on YouTube.
Online resources and tools
There are many excellent online resources and tools that can make teaching science to primary school kids engaging and interactive.
One of the websites I have used in the past is the NASA kids club, not only does it show age based videos to children, it also has some interactive games and educational activities that compliment the learning. NASA also has an excellent YouTube channel for kids which explains missions and has videos of astronauts giving talks on astronaut life.
National Geographic also has lots of videos, games, and activities on a wide range of scientific topics including space.
The European Space Agency’s site for kids is excellent as it involves educational content about space missions and the universe.
