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Starlink Satellite; it orbits the earth and provides internet connections to homes and businesses. They work together as a large network sending signals between space and ground stations around the world. They can often be seen in the sky at night. Thousands of these orbit the earth and provide high speed internet from space.
Sentinel 1c: is an earth observation satellite and is part of the copernicus programme. It uses radar to observe the earths surface and can do so at night and through clouds.
It helps scientist monitor sea ice, land changes and environmental changes across Europe.Sentinel 2c: takes detailed photos and measurements of land vegetation and water. This information then in turn helps scientists to monitor agriculture, forests, coastlines and also emergency response across Europe.
Landsat 5 : is an earth observation satellite that collects data and detailed information about changing landscapes . Scientists use the images to study crops, water, forests, wildfires, glaciers and coastlines.
ISS ( international Space station) is a large aircraft that orbits the earth,many experiments are carried out here by astronauts live there and carry out studies about space and the earth. They also test new technology and learn how humans can life in space.
How can we reduce the amount of single-use plastic waste produced in our school, and what impact could this have on our local environment?
I chose this because I find so much of the plastic cannot be recycled at home.I think the above question could be extended to home. Teaching the children to read labels on wrapping correctly as to whether they can be recycled or not. Many say take them to your local re cycling centre. Educating the children to be ‘plastic detectives’ so that only the correct type goes in our bin , but what of the rest? One suggestion would be having a collection point for single use plastics similar to collections that are organised intermittently for disposal of farm plastic. Or as I saw in a seaside town a large cage like a bin in the shape of a fish /dolphin that people can dispose of plastic bottles and cans.
We have made it the norm in our school for children to all have re useable water bottles of their own. Juice cartons are discouraged and children are encouraged to drink water as their only drink.
Exploring with the children what can be used instead of single use plastics – not using cling film in lunches, choosing to buy fruit and veg that isnt wrapped in plastic and is loose on the shelves.
Perhaps it would be a good idea to get the children to contact local supermarkets asking them not to stock or at least reduce single use plastic on food.I generally work in the Junior classes so I would start to introduce the topic by chatting with the children about what home means and their different perspectives on homes in different countries and places. Then I would move on to talk about animal homes and habitats.
The topics covered are quite serious so I would take some images/short clips from the film to generate a discussion on how the world is our home.
Questions such as :
-How can we look after our world /home ?
-How can we make it safe and healthy for all its inhabitants- humans and animals
– who is responsible for looking after it?
From this I would help to instill a sense of their personal responsibility to look after our planet. Bringing the concept back to their level by looking at how we can do things in our class, school and homes to help.
They can conduct a survey on what we are currently doing, make graphs or pictures to show their findings. For example , 10 childrens homes have solar panels, 5 recycle rain water , 12 have electric cars, etc
An older class can do a school survey and then revisit / check back after a set period – 2 weeks – having given classes a challenge to do more to help.
Giving ideas such as –
-turn off lights
-save water
-reduce food waste
-reuse rather than throw away
-walk or cycle rather than drive
-look after wildlife
-plant a tree
The children could have a chance to come up with slogans to help such as ‘ we all share the same home ‘ or small actions make a difference’
Showing pictures/ satelite images such as the recent ones seen on TV about the droughts in major european rivers- Danube and the Loire – to show the children how the effects are being felt more recently.
Letting the children see and learn that their actions can make a significant change to what is happening to our planet is the way to make a difference.Hi
My second class this year loved the work we did in class on space exploration. I did a similiar course last summer which gave me tbe ideas and resources. The children were excited to learn and do the lessons and Im looking foward to using this with my class this year .
I agree with others who say that age appropriate information is best. While some children will be fascinated with the concepts of climate change and saving our planet, there are some children who will find the serious nature of climate change and environmental destruction a source of anxiety. The extreme heat waves, fires and high temperatures we are experiencing this summer are unprecedented and unnerving for adults not to mention children.
Pax Video clip uses in class- I think this clip is an excellent way to introduce children to the concept of Green house gases and its effects on our climate. It is engaging and explained clearly as it can be a difficult concept to grasp. Children in all primary classes from Junior infants to sixth classes would find this clip informative. It is explained clearly in simple steps for the children to gain a clear understanding greenhouse gases and their effects. It also explains how humans can and are working together to help reduce greenhouses gases in our atmosphere.
I will have junior infants this year and I think it will be a very useful resource is helping to show the children why caring for our environment is so important. Children can be very influential in encouraging adults and their parents to do the right thing for our environment and this video will give a clear picture of the harm that’s done and how it can be addressed.
The prediction tool would be useful in classes from 2nd class upwards. It gives a good illustration of the climate /weather changes that have taken place over the last 100 years.
Classes could work in groups and take a topic and study /examine the changes that have taken place. It would be interesting for them also to explore the consequences being suffered in some countries brought on by greed, over farming and industrialisation in first world countries.I agree , I think the children will have a much clearer understanding if we can relate it to something happening in their area or lives , it makes it more meaningful to them
I have always found teaching science to be challenging in my class. Reading Listons article it mentions ‘removing the barriers’ to STEM and not treating it as separate subjects.
I think if I focus more on integrating a topic or theme across other subjects it will be much more beneficial to the children.
For example teaching about climate and weather. In the infant classes, a class chat about different types of weather we experience and also in other countries. Elicit from the children why they think some parts of the world get more sun /snow than we do.
From this we could explore how we as humans adapt to the weather eg the clothes we wear , foods we heat, heating our homes etc
How animals adapt to changes in weather is something that all class levels would enjoy investigating. This provides the children with links to geography ( learning about other countries & cultures) SPHE ( our world around us )english ( wealth of oral language opportunities)
A class weather journal could be used to support the topic of weather in Irish language lessons.
Giving the children opportunities to watch weather forecasts TV /radio, asking questions about what they have heard. Providing weather report play opportunities during aistear/roleplay time.
Other ways to explore with the children could be setting up a weather station and measuring rainfall, comparing accuracy of weather reports to what the weather turned out to be.
Finally and most importantly educating the children on how we in our school can slow down climate change and the negative effects it is having on our planet.