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Your focus on local beach erosion is an excellent choice, as it directly relates to the students’ experiences and community. Starting with what the pupils already know and have observed is a great way to engage them and make the project more meaningful. Involving parents and grandparents is a fantastic idea, as their firsthand accounts can provide valuable historical context.
Question: How does urban development in Carrickmines, Dublin, affect local temperature and air quality compared to surrounding rural areas?
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 the differences between urban and rural environments and how urban development can impact climate factors such as temperature and air quality.
To make the project engaging, I would organize hands-on activities where students collect data from various locations in Carrickmines and nearby rural areas. We could use tools like thermometers and air quality sensors to measure temperature and pollutant levels. By involving students in data collection, analysis, and comparison, they would gain practical experience in scientific research.
Additionally, I would integrate technology by using apps to visualize data and create presentations. Encouraging collaboration and group discussions would help students feel more invested in the project. Finally, sharing our findings with the school community through presentations or a school newsletter would highlight the importance of their work and motivate them to continue exploring climate issues.
Using the Satellite Tracker App, I discovered that five satellites have recently passed over Ireland: Snoopi, BurstCube, Curtis, the International Space Station (ISS), and Kashiwa.
Snoopi: This satellite is focused on studying cosmic phenomena. It’s collecting data on cosmic rays, helping scientists understand more about high-energy particles from space.
BurstCube: BurstCube is designed to detect and analyze gamma-ray bursts. These bursts are the most energetic events in the universe, and BurstCube helps track them to gain insights into their origins and behavior.
Curtis: Curtis is an Earth observation satellite. It monitors environmental changes, such as deforestation and urban development, providing crucial data for environmental conservation efforts.
International Space Station (ISS): The ISS serves as a space laboratory where astronauts conduct scientific research in microgravity. It supports a wide range of experiments, from biology to materials science, benefiting numerous fields of study.
Kashiwa: Kashiwa focuses on agricultural monitoring. It collects data on crop health and soil conditions, aiding farmers in making informed decisions to improve crop yields and sustainability.
These satellites play a vital role in advancing our understanding of space and improving life on Earth through various research and monitoring activities.
The film Home, along with the other video clips in this module, powerfully highlight the urgent need to address climate change. Home visually demonstrates how beautiful and fragile our planet is, emphasizing how human activities are threatening ecosystems and biodiversity. The Climate Aid 2020 video and Greta Thunberg’s TED Talk further emphasize the significance of immediate action and the role of young people in driving change.
To introduce these climate change facts to my 5th class students, I would start with a discussion on what climate change is and why it matters, using clips from Home to illustrate the impact visually. Next, we would explore the Paris Agreement and Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, breaking down key points in a way that’s easy for them to understand. Activities like calculating our carbon footprints and comparing them to other countries will help make the information relatable. Additionally, we’d watch Greta Thunberg’s TED Talk to inspire and show them that young voices can make a difference. Including hands-on projects, like creating posters or presentations about what they’ve learned, will help reinforce the importance of taking action to protect our planet.
After watching the Paxi video on greenhouse gases and using the tool to predict future temperatures, I feel Activity 3 – Climate Reporters would be highly engaging and purposeful for my 5th class students. The Paxi video does an excellent job of explaining complex concepts in a way that’s easy for young students to understand, making it a great introduction to the topic.
Using the tealtool.earth tool allows students to visualize how greenhouse gases impact future temperatures. This hands-on approach not only makes the learning experience interactive but also helps students grasp the real-world implications of climate change.
I would plan to incorporate a group discussion where students can share their predictions and reflect on what they learned. Including a creative component, such as having students design posters or presentations about their climate predictions, can also enhance their engagement and understanding.
Overall, Activity 3 is a fantastic way to deepen students’ knowledge about climate change and foster their analytical and presentation skills.
Great ideas Veronica. Setting up a weather station that the whole school can use is a brilliant idea. I love how you’re planning to incorporate both proper equipment and student-made instruments—comparing the results will be a great learning experience. Making this a regular part of your routine will definitely keep STEM engaging and relevant. Plus, involving students of all ages is a wonderful way to build a sense of community and shared learning.
Liston’s paper “Unravelling STEM: Beyond the Acronym of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics” (2018) talks about how important it is to mix STEM subjects together to show how they work in the real world. In my classroom, I try to do this by creating projects that cross over different subjects and get students involved in hands-on activities. For example, we recently worked on designing and testing simple machines. This project had students using ideas from science, engineering, and maths, while also using technology to collect and analyse data.
The hands-on approach of the “Nose Up High in the Sky” activity helps students understand the importance of accurate weather instruments in forecasting. This activity is engaging and practical, and improves observation skills, data collection, and analysis. I would record definitely record their findings digitally in order to enable sharing their results with other classes or schools.
This set of activities “Weather VS Climate” distinguishes between weather and climate, helping students understand the concept of climate zones and the importance of long-term data collection. The activities of data collection, analysis, and reporting, are crucial STEM skills that greatly enhance the children’s learning.
