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This week began with a rather ambitious virtual trip to the Arctic. On board today was an enthusiastic bunch of over 330 Upper Key Stage 2 pupils and their teachers from six schools located throughout the UK, namely St. James’ C of E Primary Academy (https://stj.hslt.academy/) and Newland St. John’s C of E Academy, both in Hull, East Yorkshire (https://nsj.hslt.academy/); Hilldene Primary in Romford, Essex (https://hilldene.havering.sch.uk/); St. Edward’s C of E Primary School in Rochdale, Greater Manchester (https://www.stedwardsce.rochdale.sch.uk/); St. Andrew’s C of E Primary School in Wolverhampton, West Midlands (https://www.standrewsceprimary.co.uk/) and Newsham Primary School in Blyth, Northumberland (https://www.newshamprimary.co.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.
Next, in pairs or small groups, pupils attempted a jigsaw puzzle activity, which became rather competitive as they all tried to be the first ones to complete it. Once pupils had pieced it together, they were asked to consider the questions in each of the four boxes on the accompanying sheet and jot down their thoughts. The final box asked them to think about any other questions they might wish to ask about the image; we had obviously initiated a sense of awe and wonder as a long list of questions was generated by the six schools involved.
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:
What is the Arctic like?
- Snowy; dangerous; peaceful; mild; dry; freezing.
- Snowing; dangerous; stormy; tundra.
- Frost; cold; deserted.
- Flowers still bloom even though it’s cold.
Will the Arctic exist in 50 years’ time?
- It depends on us.
- 80% of us think it won’t.
- Not if we carry on living the way we are currently.
Why is climate change continuing to melt Arctic ice?
- We are not making the changes needed to prevent it from happening.
- Humans keep using fossil fuels.
- Climate change won’t stop; people won’t change.
How can we stop this from happening?
- Reduce carbon emissions.
- Stop using plastics.
- Stop wasting electricity; use more renewables.
- Be changemakers.
- Stop destroying our environment.
- Make posters to convince people to care.
- Recycle materials; take care of the world; reduce our carbon footprint; use different types of transport; take action.
Questions for Nanou:
- If you wore normal clothes in the Arctic, how long would it take to get hypothermia?
- How did it feel being so close to whales that were so big?
- Can you touch the Northern Lights?
- Would you go again?
- What would happen if the glaciers melted completely?
- Does the Internet work when the weather is that cold?
- Are the Northern Lights in the south called Southern Lights?
- Did you interact with any indigenous people?
- How many polar bears are left?
- Did you see any animals trapped in fishing nets?
- Is anything being done to clean up the beaches and ocean to get rid of the plastic pollution?
- How old do you need to be to go on expedition?
- 50% of the class are signing up as future explorers!
Why do you think polar exploration is important?
- It shows us how much the regions are changing as a result of global warming and climate change.
- It’s important to help the wildlife there, to explore new things and to understand the changes.
- So we can discover new species of animals and research global warming and see the impact it is having.
- We need to know about the plastic and melting ice so we can change it.
Some of staff and pupils’ ‘concluding comments‘ can be found below:
A whistle stop tour of the Arctic that hooked the children in to find out more.
Interesting and learnt a lot.
We found it very informative. The class really enjoyed it.
Today was adventurous!
Multi-faceted sessions covering a variety of learning points linked to the Arctic and polar region.
Learning about the Arctic and the animals that live there. Looking at how humans have impacted the area and what we can do to make it a better place.
Learning all the different facts and interviewing Nanou for her feedback and knowledge.
Thank you for an enjoyable and informative session.
We all loved learning about the Arctic with professionals.
It was informative and covered much of what we needed. Very well presented.
Really well-planned and timed. Good range of activities and tasks and very engaging given it lasted all day – my class loved it!
The activities were varied and everyone learnt a lot about the Arctic and it improved our awareness of the importance of looking after our environment and world.
Fun, exciting and different.
Thank you! We enjoyed it!
Thank you to all involved in organising the event. It was informative, interesting and thought-provoking. My class have had a great day.
Thanks for a very informative and well organised day.
We have thoroughly enjoyed today’s session. Thank you.
Thank you very much from all of us at Newsham!
Our next virtual adventure to the Arctic is scheduled for mid-March 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).