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Research Question: How is climate change affecting the weather in Dublin, and what can we do to help the environment?
Climate change is already having noticeable effects on Dublin’s weather patterns. Some of the key impacts include:
Increased Temperatures:
Warmer Summers: Dublin has experienced higher summer temperatures, which can lead to heatwaves. This not only affects human health but also stresses water resources and infrastructure.
Milder Winters: While this might seem beneficial, milder winters can disrupt ecosystems, agriculture, and lead to increased pest and disease prevalence.
Altered Precipitation Patterns:
More Intense Rainfall: Dublin is seeing more frequent and intense rainfall events, leading to increased risk of flooding. The city’s drainage systems can become overwhelmed, causing damage to property and infrastructure.
Drier Periods: Conversely, there can be longer periods of dry weather, which can affect water supply and agricultural productivity.
Sea Level Rise:
Coastal Erosion and Flooding: Rising sea levels pose a threat to Dublin’s coastal areas, leading to increased erosion and a higher risk of coastal flooding. This can impact homes, businesses, and important infrastructure near the coast.
Extreme Weather Events:
Storms: The frequency and intensity of storms may increase, leading to more damage from wind and flooding.
Actions to Help the Environment in DublinAddressing climate change requires a combination of individual actions, community efforts, and policy changes. Here are some steps that can be taken:
Reduce Carbon Footprint:
Public Transport and Cycling: Use public transportation, cycle, or walk instead of driving. Dublin has been expanding its cycling infrastructure to support this.
Energy Efficiency: Improve energy efficiency at home by using energy-saving appliances, insulating homes, and using smart thermostats.
Renewable Energy: Install solar panels or switch to green energy providers.
Sustainable Practices:
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Follow the three Rs to minimize waste. Dublin has facilities and programs to support recycling and composting.
Conserve Water: Use water-saving fixtures and practice water conservation techniques, such as collecting rainwater for gardening.Tracking satellites over a specific region, like Ireland, involves accessing data from satellite tracking tools and databases. Some common types of satellites that often pass over Ireland include communication satellites, weather satellites, Earth observation satellites, and navigation satellites. Here are examples of satellite categories that frequently pass over Ireland:
International Space Station (ISS)
The ISS orbits the Earth approximately every 90 minutes and is visible from many locations worldwide, including Ireland, at certain times.
NOAA Weather Satellites (e.g., NOAA-19)
These satellites provide valuable data for weather forecasting and environmental monitoring. They frequently pass over various parts of the world, including Ireland.
Sentinel Satellites (e.g., Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2)
Part of the European Space Agency’s Copernicus program, these satellites are designed for Earth observation and environmental monitoring.
Iridium Satellites
Part of the Iridium satellite constellation, these satellites provide global communications coverage. They pass over regions worldwide, including Ireland.
Landsat Satellites (e.g., Landsat 8)
These Earth observation satellites provide detailed imagery of the Earth’s surface, useful for monitoring land use, agriculture, forestry, and more.Introducing climate change facts to children requires a thoughtful and age-appropriate approach to ensure they understand the concepts without feeling overwhelmed or scared. Some strategies: (Ages 4-7)
Simple Concepts and Visuals:
Use Stories and Picture Books: Choose books that explain climate change through engaging stories and colorful illustrations.
Relate to Everyday Life: Explain how taking care of the Earth is like taking care of their home or toys. For example, “When we recycle, we help keep our planet clean and happy.”
Interactive Activities:
Nature Walks: Take them on walks to observe nature. Talk about how trees and plants help clean the air.
Crafts and Projects: Make art from recycled materials or create posters about saving water and energy.
Positive Actions:
Simple Actions: Teach them small, positive actions they can take, like turning off lights when leaving a room or not wasting water.
Gardening: Plant a tree or a small garden together to show how plants grow and contribute to the environment.(Ages 8-11)
Basic Science Concepts:
Explain the Greenhouse Effect: Use simple analogies like a blanket keeping the Earth warm to explain how greenhouse gases work.
Talk About Weather vs. Climate: Explain the difference between daily weather and long-term climate patterns.
Hands-On Learning:
Experiments: Conduct simple science experiments, like showing how ice melts faster in warm water to represent polar ice melting.
Educational Videos: Watch age-appropriate documentaries or educational videos that explain climate change.
Involvement in Solutions:
Energy Saving: Teach them to save energy by using energy-efficient bulbs and turning off electronics when not in use.
Recycling and Composting: Involve them in recycling at home and explain how composting helps reduce waste.Activity 3 Watch the Paxi video on greenhouse gases and use the tool for predicting future temperatures. A range of resources from climate reporters make temperature change prediction interesting and thrilling. This is a topic that offers a wealth of exploration opportunities and abilities that the class can apply. I would start the discussion by playing the Paxi video as a relatable and visual introduction to the subject. In addition to giving the students a concise, understandable explanation of the greenhouse effect with loads of vivid imagery, this would aid in their familiarization with the concept. I particularly liked the video’s optimistic conclusion, which offered suggestions for how we may modify our behavior to lessen the impact. At the start of the school year, the Green School Committee should plan or execute this fantastic lesson at the school. Their conclusions might be applied and shared to the entire school to lower its carbon footprint for the upcoming academic year.
Having reviewed the paper ‘Unravelling STEM: Beyond the acronym of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics’, it is evident that critical thinking, active learning and a hands on approach is vital for children to progress in the area of STEM. In addition to finding many areas in which I can advance and promote STEM in my classroom so that the kids can learn via cooperative problem solving, I have also been able to discover specific STEM-related activities that I implement in my classroom.
Activity two – Weather Detectives. The fact that this resource allowed the kids to go outside made me truly like it. It’s fantastic that they can create their own weather instruments using common household items. It also allows them to get outdoors checking the rain, gauge, the wind speed and also the temperature using a thermometer. Children enjoy doing independent research and doing hands-on activities. The notion of keeping a weather journal to track the temperature over a week or two is one that I really like.
The sustainable development goal I have chosen is ‘Zero Hunger’. World hunger is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects millions of people around the globe. It refers to the lack of access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life. This issue is particularly severe in developing countries but also exists in various forms in developed nations. As a teacher in a DEIS school, I have witnessed first-hand the initiatives that have been taken to support children in these disadvantaged areas. Every child in my school gets free lunches and the vast majority of children in the school avail of this service. Children often come in to school hunger and without any breakfast. The school lunches also provide breakfast bars and pancakes to challenge this problem. It is routine in my classroom that if you are hungry or haven’t had breakfast you can have a pancake or breakfast bar which are kept in a cupboard in my room.
Hi Alexine, as a teacher in the senior end of the school I find this very intriguing you made some great points here. I agree that Development Education teaching can create a more inclusive learning environment.
Climate change is impacting Dublin in various ways, with implications for the environment, economy, and quality of life. Some key impacts include:
1. Rising Sea Levels
Flooding: Dublin, like other coastal cities, faces increased risk of coastal flooding due to rising sea levels. This threatens low-lying areas, critical infrastructure, and residential areas.
Erosion: Coastal erosion is becoming more pronounced, affecting beaches and coastal habitats, as well as infrastructure such as roads and buildings near the coast.2. Extreme Weather Events
Storms and Heavy Rainfall: Increased frequency and intensity of storms and heavy rainfall lead to more frequent and severe flooding. This puts a strain on drainage systems and increases the risk of damage to property and infrastructure.
4. Environmental and Ecological Changes
Biodiversity Loss: Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can disrupt local ecosystems, leading to loss of biodiversity. Species that are unable to adapt may decline or disappear.
Water Quality: Increased rainfall and flooding can lead to contamination of water bodies with pollutants, affecting water quality and aquatic life.5. Economic Impacts
Property Damage: Flooding and extreme weather events can cause significant damage to property, leading to high repair costs and increased insurance premiums.
Tourism: Changes in climate can affect tourism patterns. While warmer weather may attract more tourists in some seasons, extreme weather and flooding can deter visitors and damage tourism infrastructure.
ConclusionClimate change poses significant challenges for Dublin, affecting everything from infrastructure and economy to public health and the environment. Addressing these impacts requires a coordinated effort involving government policies, community engagement, and investment in sustainable and resilient infrastructure. By taking proactive steps to mitigate and adapt to climate change, Dublin can better protect its residents and ensure a sustainable future.
The term “sustainable” is used more often now than it was when I was a child. I believe that kids nowadays are more conscious of the need to care for the environment and preserve it for coming generations. It is hoped that increasing public awareness of the need to live more sustainably will lower the rate of global warming.
How my school can be more sustainable – We could be more energy efficient and replace incandescent bulbs with energy efficient lighting. We could promote turning off light switches in the school by running a poster competition about saving electricity. We could run a return program to recycle plastic bottles; recycle paper; compost fruit peels, pencil shavings, and apple cores; maintain track of the ways that students get to school; install basins in every classroom sink to conserve water, which is then used to wash paintbrushes; provide advice on sustainability in the school’s newsletter and website.
I found the ARC lessons very child friendly and I really enjoyed this module. I am excited to use these lessons in my classroom next year. There are many topics in these lessons that I think the children in my class would enjoy discussing. I have no doubt that the children in my class and children all over the country will find learning from a resource like this much more intriguing than learning direct from a textbook. I look forward to sharing these resources with other staff members in my school. The idea of utilizing “The Salmon of Knowledge” really appealed to me because it skillfully connects the topics of literacy and nutrition. My knowledge of the various job options in marine farming has increased as a result of this module, and I’m now curious to find out how we might arrange a field trip to help the kids’ comprehension grow even more.
I have learned that aquaculture offers numerous benefits to local communities.
1. Economic Development
Job Creation: Aquaculture creates direct employment opportunities in fish farming, processing, distribution, and related services. Indirect jobs are also generated in areas such as equipment supply and maintenance, feed production, and transportation.
2. Food SecurityLocal Food Supply: Aquaculture provides a reliable and sustainable source of protein and other essential nutrients, helping to enhance food security and reduce dependence on wild fisheries.
3. Sustainable Resource UseEfficient Land Use: Aquaculture can be practiced on land unsuitable for traditional agriculture, such as coastal areas and saline soils, making it a versatile and efficient use of available space.
4. Community DevelopmentInfrastructure Improvement: The establishment of aquaculture operations often leads to improvements in local infrastructure, such as roads, electricity, and water supply, benefiting the entire community.
5. Environmental BenefitsHabitat Restoration: Some forms of aquaculture, like shellfish and seaweed farming, can help restore natural habitats by improving water quality and providing habitats for other marine species.
Waste Utilization: Integrated aquaculture systems can utilize waste from one species as a resource for another, promoting more sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices.Aquaculture offers a wide range of benefits to local communities, from economic development and job creation to enhanced food security and environmental sustainability. By investing in aquaculture, communities can build a more resilient and prosperous future, leveraging local resources and skills to meet global demands for sustainable seafood.
I am fascinated by the amount of resources available in the area of Aquaculture and I will ensure I use these resources in my classroom when teaching the topic of Aquaculture. I look forward to teaching the children in my class Aquaculture as I have not seen it been taught in my school before. The videos on this module were a pleasure to watch; they were brief, descriptive and interesting. They would sustain the attention of my students. As a whole school, Aquaculture is not a topic that we cover in SESE. This module has informed me as to how we could implement it within our whole school planning.
Learning about nutrition from an early age is crucial for several reasons, all of which contribute to the overall well-being and development of children. Some key points highlighting the importance of early nutrition education: 1.Establishing Healthy Eating Habits
Long-term Benefits: Early education on nutrition helps children develop healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime, reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Preference Formation: Young children are more open to trying new foods, making it an ideal time to introduce a variety of healthy options that can shape their preferences.
2. Physical Growth and Development
Optimal Growth: Proper nutrition is essential for physical growth, bone development, and muscle formation. Nutrient deficiencies during childhood can lead to stunted growth and developmental delays.
Energy Levels: Adequate nutrition ensures that children have the energy needed for daily activities, including play, learning, and sports.
3. Cognitive Development
Brain Health: Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and vitamins are critical for brain development and cognitive function. Poor nutrition can negatively impact a child’s ability to concentrate and learn.
Academic Performance: Studies have shown a direct correlation between good nutrition and improved academic performance, as well-nourished children tend to have better attention spans and memory retention.Learning about nutrition from an early age sets the foundation for a healthy and productive life. It is essential for physical and cognitive development, disease prevention, and fostering lifelong healthy habits. By incorporating nutrition education into early childhood education, parents, educators, and communities can significantly contribute to the well-being of future generations.
Supporting and welcoming refugees into the school community requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses their unique needs and challenges.
Here are some effective strategies schools can implement:
1. Creating a Welcoming Environment
Cultural Sensitivity Training: Provide training for teachers, staff, and students on cultural sensitivity and awareness to foster an inclusive atmosphere.
Buddy Systems: Pair refugee students with local students who can help them navigate the new school setting and develop social connections.2. Providing Language Support
ESL (English as a Second Language) Programs: Offer tailored language classes to help refugee students improve their English proficiency.
Language Resources: Provide resources such as dictionaries, language apps, and language clubs to aid in language learning.3. Addressing Academic Needs
Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): Develop IEPs for refugee students to address their specific academic needs and track their progress.
Tutoring and Homework Help: Offer after-school tutoring and homework assistance programs to help refugee students catch up with their peers.
Flexible Curriculum: Adapt the curriculum to include content that is relevant and accessible to refugee students, considering their previous education and experiences.4. Engaging with Families and the Community
Family Outreach: Conduct home visits and regular meetings with refugee families to understand their needs and involve them in their children’s education.
Community Partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations, NGOs, and community groups that support refugees to provide additional resources and support.
Cultural Events: Organize cultural events and activities that celebrate the diverse backgrounds of refugee students and promote cross-cultural understanding.
By implementing these strategies, schools can create a supportive and inclusive environment that helps refugee students and their families feel welcomed and valued. This holistic approach not only addresses the immediate needs of refugee students but also promotes long-term academic success and social integration.The sustainable development goal I have chosen is ‘Zero Hunger’. As a teacher in a DEIS school, I have witnessed first-hand the initiatives that have been taken to support children in these disadvantaged areas. Every child in my school gets free lunches and the vast majority of children in the school avail of this service. Children often come in to school hunger and without any breakfast. The school lunches also provide breakfast bars and pancakes to challenge this problem. It is routine in my classroom that if you are hungry or haven’t had breakfast you can have a pancake or breakfast bar which are kept in a cupboard in my room.
