Monthly Archives: April 2012

Somewhere, by Miadox. Beautiful timelapse of nature & industry.

Apr 19

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Just in time for Earth Day, here’s a lovely Vimeo video by Miadox. Timelapse images of human impacts and influences, mingled with nature.

I saw this on Twitter from the QI Elves. They also posted this great clip of an eagle owl. Follow them!

Posted in Human Impacts, Photography & Galleries, The Natural World

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One World: Formative Assessment Video Discussion Task

Apr 10

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In this one or two-lesson task, students watch one of the videos below as an introduction to science as a solution to a problem in a global context. They then work together to produce a mind-map poster of the issue and its solution, covering the main ideas of the One World criterion.

Here are the videos:

United Nations University Our World 2.0: Plastic to Oil Fantastic

TED Talk: Michael Pritchard’s Lifesaver Bottle

Posted in Formative Assessment, Human Ingenuity, MYP, One World

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One World: Coversheet, Submission Checklist and Research/ Writing Frame

Apr 10

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This is for my MYP 4-5 classes in Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science. The aim here is to encourage self-assessment at all stages of the research and writing process.

The front page is a standard submission coversheet, which is attached to work before it is submitted to Turnitin. Students need to self-assess their work by highlighting the statements which they feel best fit. The second page is a checklist to help them structure and present the essay or article, in 7 sections. The final two pages is something which could be given digitally or printed and blown up to A3 and used as a research/ writing frame.

Posted in Assessment, Formative Assessment, MYP, One World

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The Secret Life of Plankton [TED-Ed]

Apr 3

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Here’s a nice 6-minute clip, using high-quality videos of zooplankton and phytoplankton to give an overview of the microscopic world in the ocean.

“A teaspoon of seawater can contain a million living organisms.”

A nice link to food chains and webs, as well as classification.

Posted in Ecology & Conservation (Core and Options), TED talks

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Save the Panda? Group research, database and discussion task.

Apr 3

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This task is based on Chris Packham’s comments on Panda conservation and is intended to give students an insight into conservation issues and use of the IUCN Red List database. Here is a quick news clip with him defending his comments, and the activity is embedded below.

By the end of this session, students should be able to:

  • Distinguish between keystone and flagship species, with examples of each
  • Access and use the IUCN Red List database
  • Appreciate that threats to one species often threaten other species in the same area
  • Discuss the benefits of whole-ecosystem conservation
…..o0O0o………

Once this is complete, watch one of these TED Talks on active conservation management techniques and their successes. Conservation really is inspiration!

Dan Barber: How I fell in love with a fish

John Kasaona: How rhino poachers became caretakers

Willie Smits: How we regrew a rainforest

Wow!

Posted in Conservation, Ecology & Conservation (Core and Options), Endangered Species, Environments, Ethics, MYP, Science News

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