lee's classroom

Last week we looked at the pieces of an apple to understand the ‘land where people can live, but do not necessarily grow the food needed for life’. (If you want to show your family this exercise go to: http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/socstud/frame_found_sr2/tns/tn-31.pdf)

As we peeled away the skin we learnt how small the amount of the Earth’s land is that is suitable to grow food.

For the next step we want you to reflect on the activity and describe what we all can do to help conserve and improve soils. The following films highlight the importance of good soil and the role of a soil scientist.

http://splash.abc.net.au/home#!/media/104056/soil-healthy-dirt-makes-healthy-plants

https://open.abc.net.au/explore/44260

Schools can also play a part. Check out Darwin’s Girraween Primary School’s worm farm and how it has benefited their school. ‘How-to-Guide. Building a worm farm…it’s fun and easy!’.

For this year’s science week we want you to undertake some ‘scientific research’ in this important area of creating a more sustainable world. This means how do we use the Earth’s resources in a way that is fair, equal and will ensure they are there for future generations.

Think about Lucy’s world (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aQVQbGDojo&feature=youtu.be)

What solutions could you come up to attain a sustainable ‘Future Earth’ for children who live in places like Uganda. Ask yourself ‘What’s the one thing you would do to change the world and make it more sustainable?’

Discuss the question with your family and friends, go online see what ideas others have. You’ll probably notice the different actions and responses could be grouped in areas similar to the following examples:

• soil conservation ideas
• water conservation ideas
• sustainable ways to grow food
• ideas to improve people’s health and well-being
• ideas to change lives and the Earth

Using these ideas try to visualise a sustainable ‘Future Earth’. What might it look like? What might it sound like? How might it feel like?

What possible solutions can you come up with for achieving a sustainable ‘Future Earth’.

Finally we want you to present your solutions using a pop up display method called a ‘triorama’. Use this to tell others how they might help others work towards a sustainable ‘Future Earth’. In the top of the triorama your model a model to demonstrate, while at the base you place your words.

(Note: A simple triorama could consist of one triangle which shows one of your solutions. While you can also join four together to make a larger one showing several suggested solutions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYpRO6q3rX8)