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Another busy week for me, starting with a virtual trip to the Arctic. On board today was an enthusiastic bunch of more than 230 Upper Key Stage 2 pupils and their teachers from three schools, namely The Olive School in Blackburn, Lancashire (https://www.oliveblackburn.com/), Buxton Junior School in Derbyshire (https://www.buxtonjuniorschool.co.uk/) and Millfield Primary School near Tamworth in Staffordshire (https://www.millfield.staffs.sch.uk/). Rhianna Davies-Smith, Director at Wicked Weather Watch, also joined us from her new home city of Stockholm in Sweden. On their arrival into the Zoom meeting, each class was given the name of a well-known Arctic explorer and their ‘claim to fame’ revealed.
Over the course of the day, we explored the following enquiry question together: ‘What is so cool about the Arctic?‘.
After I had formally welcomed and introduced everyone, I took the opportunity to develop pupils’ (and teachers’) locational knowledge by using Digimap for Schools (DfS) to pinpoint where we all were. I then shared the learning objectives and format of the day so that our intentions were very clear; we had plenty to get through within the space of six hours!
We swiftly moved onto the ‘starter’. I launched Google Earth Pro to transport pupils and teachers virtually to Svalbard in Norway and posed a number of questions to them relating to distance, direction, means of transport, cost, time and sustainability. Students were given the chance to access Google Earth Pro themselves and the historical imagery button on the toolbar to see how Svalbard has changed over time. Otherwise, they could watch my screen to observe the changes and then add their comments to the chat feed. I threw a few questions at pupils to gauge their perceptions of the Arctic, before showing a short movie clip about this fantastic region (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx8sDJ1LMHA). Pupils (and teachers) were also surprised to discover that there are actually four North Poles!
During the ‘main’ session, we looked at what the Arctic is like through a continuum line and true/false activity, zooming in on the tundra biome, identifying animals that live there, analysing and interpreting a climate graph for Longyearbyen, Svalbard, as well as investigating what the weather was like in Longyearbyen, Svalbard today and how it was similar/different to our location and the reasons for this.
After a short break, we attempted to spot changes to the Lillihöök Glacier in Svalbard between 2019 and 2022, firstly by detailed observation and later via a 5Ws+ how? activity.
Next, we considered what we mean by indigenous communities, how they rely upon the Arctic and how climate change is affecting the people that are living there during ‘trios’, an oracy activity.
I showed a short movie clip of a chum site. Afterwards, I drip-fed information to the children. I played the movie clip once again, but this time paused it half-way through. Youngsters were asked to form small groups, with each person taking on the role of one of the individuals in the still. They reenacted the scene and conversation taking place between the individuals (imagining that it was translated into English). Once pupils had practised this in their small group, they were invited to share their short drama piece with the rest of the class and the teacher then selected the best one/s to perform to the wider audience.
It was then time for a change of state and spot of creativity. Rhianna launched the sugar cube igloo challenge. Rhianna proposed that pupils worked in small groups within their classrooms and, using the template and a box of sugar cubes provided, tried to construct an igloo. Some images of the children in action and their creations can be viewed below. Photographs of their final designs will shortly be uploaded to Wicked Weather Watch’s website to enable an online vote to take place. The winning design will receive some goodies from Wicked Weather Watch.
On their return from lunch and whilst registers were being taken, students were invited to write down three intriguing and rather different questions that they would like to ask a ‘real life’ explorer. The afternoon resumed with a visit from Nanou Blair Gould, who has travelled to the High Arctic Archipelago by tall ship. Among many extraordinary things, she witnessed the effects of global warming first-hand. Nanou was so invigorated by the adventure, e.g. the people; life outdoors; the sense of purpose, that she rejoined the ship, working among the small crew for almost four months. She talked about her Arctic experience and answered the youngsters’ questions confidently and comprehensively.
Rhianna posed a number of questions to pupils afterwards, which they answered thoughtfully.
The event concluded with pupils contemplating how they might reduce their carbon footprint. We can all have a positive impact upon our planet. Sustainability is certainly important for the climate of the UK, the Arctic and the world.
Some of our favourite quotes from the day were:
Will the Arctic exist in 50 years’ time?
- No – it might have all melted!
- Considering the changes over the last 30 years, most of the ice will have disappeared.
- We hope so, but humans are not helping with global warming.
Why is the Arctic so appealing?
- Because of the beautiful landscape.
- It’s incredibly unique and different to where we live. The animals are fascinating.
- It looks lovely, and we’d like to go that far north.
Why will climate change continue to warm the Arctic?
- Because we are still polluting the Earth, inducing climate change.
How can we stop this happening?
- Using public transport, electric cars and renewable energy sources.
- Reduce our carbon footprint and walk where possible.
- Recycle more and use less fossil fuels.
Questions for Nanou:
- Can the Northern Lights be seen clearly with the naked eye or is it only clear through a camera lens?
- How many colours can you see at once in the Northern Lights?
- Is the ground slippery in the Arctic?
- As a vegetarian, what did you eat on board the ship?
- What’s the most beautiful place you went to in the Arctic and how long would you stay there if you were allowed to stay as long as you want?
What surprised you the most?
- The amount of rubbish found in the Arctic and the amount of animals killed by eating it.
- We were surprised she was able to swim in the water and that the polar bears play in the snow.
- Surprised she was able to get so close to nature.
Would you like to explore the poles?
- 26/30 say ‘yes’ from Buxton Junior School!
- 1/3 say ‘no’ because of seasickness, fear of animals and we like the warmth.
- 2/3 would like to explore and slide down the snow like a polar bear, and to see the wonderful scenery and animals.
Some of staff and pupils’ ‘concluding comments‘ can be found below:
Thank you so much for a wonderful day. We have learnt lots! It has been an incredible learning journey for the children. We look forward to joining in with more of these sessions!
Thank you for hosting such an insightful super learning day on the Arctic. The children were thoroughly engaged and really enjoyed all aspects of it.
Our next virtual adventure to the Arctic is scheduled for early December 2024. Do get in touch if you wish to be involved; it would be great to have you on board (contact Rhianna Davies-Smith: schools@wickedweatherwatch.org.uk).