Ramila Ramamurty

Climate Action-Sensitization

Climate Action Project

Though aware of the words,I was curious to know about the 6 weeks programme.When our School Principal informed us about the project ,I decided to go ahead with it.Initially we thought of selecting few students( 25 approx.) and 2 teachers.We informed all the students from Grade 3to 9 regarding the projects.For selection of students, we uploaded the Google forms in all the classrooms, so that interested students can give their name.We were surprised to see the response.It was 150+ for Grade 5-9 and 88+ for Grade 3 and 4. After getting the green signal from our facilitator, we increased the number of students.We started our project with 8 teachers and 150 students with an opinion that each child is unique and may have the ability to present their views in a different way.A brief idea about the project was shared durin their regular classes. We had the first zoom session with them on Thursday, 1st October,2020.This session proved to be an ice breaker since the participants belonged to different Grades.Everyone got a chance to share their views.All were excited and eager to know more.Week-1 Questions were discussed with them through presentation and videos.There was an active participation by all the pupils.2nd meeting was scheduled on 2nd October,2020.We were amazed to see their overwhelming response.Each one of them was ready with their answers through different activities like drawing, poster, videos and powerpoint presentation.One child cameout with an unique idea of showing Climate change through dance and few made their You Tube videos.All had done a wonderful work by going through the references and come out with their views.We never thought ,they can produce such wonderful work within a short span of time.On Saturday,3rd October,2020, a final session was arranged.The students were asked what had they gained in these few days.This session was arranged basically to sensitize the lower Grade students who had joined late in the project due to the ongoing assessments.We could see the spark in their eyes to take the project ahead and make an impact.'Climate Action Project'-Though aware of the words,I was curious to know about the 6 weeks programme.When our School Principal informed us about the project ,I decided to go ahead with it.Initially we thought of selecting few students( 25 approx.) and 2 teachers.We informed all the students from Grade 3to 9 regarding the projects.For selection of students, we uploaded the Google forms in all the classrooms, so that interested students can give their name.We were surprised to see the response.It was 150+ for Grade 5-9 and 88+ for Grade 3 and 4. After getting the green signal from our facilitator, we increased the number of students.We started our project with 8 teachers and 150 students with an opinion that each child is unique and may have the ability to present their views in a different way.A brief idea about the project was shared durin their regular classes. We had the first zoom session with them on Thursday, 1st October,2020.This session proved to be an ice breaker since the participants belonged to different Grades.Everyone got a chance to share their views.All were excited and eager to know more.Week-1 Questions were discussed with them through presentation and videos.There was an active participation by all the pupils.2nd meeting was scheduled on 2nd October,2020.We were amazed to see their overwhelming response.Each one of them was ready with their answers through different activities like drawing, poster, videos and powerpoint presentation.One child cameout with an unique idea of showing Climate change through dance and few made their You Tube videos.( Shared the URL Link [https://youtu.be/cpLtz7fyURg]of one child's video of week 1 in Video on You Tube).All had done a wonderful work by going through the references and come out with their views.We never thought ,they can produce such wonderful work within a short span of time.On Saturday,3rd October,2020, a final session was arranged.The students were asked what had they gained in these few days.This session was arranged basically to sensitize the lower Grade students who had joined late in the project due to the ongoing assessments.We could see the spark in their eyes to take the project ahead and make an impact.Powerpoint Presentatation added by compiling students' work.

Climate Action-Sensitization

Week 2-Effects of Climate Change

AGENDA FOR WEEK 2

DAY 1-MONDAY (5/10/2020)

Time Duration 1 Hour-All the Grades involved were supposed to attend the session.

Sharing of week 2 plan via presentation. Discussion of week 2 questions and explanation giving examples.
Students were asked to make use of prior learning (Causes of Climate Change) for this week’s findings.
They were supposed to refer the resources to find evidences for their findings.
They could present their work through presentations, video, poster, drawings and write ups.
Launching of PlantED programme. Explanation of how tree planting can be done even during Lockdown.

AGENDA FOR WEEK 2

DAY 2-THURSDAY MEETING (08/10/2020)

(Same for all grades)

Time Duration- 45 Min

15 min. discussion on list of effects of climate change (maximum number of students should participate.
Finalise the list.
Polls were launched to decide the 4 major effects of climate change. (5-6 major effects to be given and 4 to be selected according to the percentage of poll).
Next 15 min. were utilized to finalise the interview questions.5 Questions relevant to the topic were selected.
Last 15 min. Interaction with students to solve their query on PlantED program, uploading… etc.
Before concluding a common question on What is your experience in this 2 week session? (They will have to prepare 1-2 min. speech). Based on this they were selected for interacting with students from other countries.

Note: Separate sessions to be conducted for 3 categories that is Grade 3 and 4 ,5 and 6 And Grade 7-9.

AGENDA FOR WEEK 2

DAY 3-SATURDAY MEETING (10/10/2020)

Time Duration: Half an hour for all the grades (Gr.3-9)

Students shared their experiences.
Discussion of Week 3 plan- Preparation for Virtual Interaction with Students of other countries.
Based on the interaction, selection to be done for next week.

After 3 days of interaction, huge responses were received from students end. They started making presentations, You tube videos and many other activities. We realized that students really started getting sensitized and started contributing to the cause. We booked a virtual interaction with the school from Brazil. Students are already excited. Hoping to have a wonderful interacting session.

Sharing the URL link of a video made by our Student of Grade 8-Master Raghuram Vedantam -https://youtu.be/jciVmuiiNVA

*****************

Climate Action-Local to Global

Climate Action Project- Week 3

Topic: Climate Action: Local to Global

Questions for the week:

- How can I build on prior learning to connect to new ideas?

- What are the effects of climate change on our planet?

- How can data be used to predict the future impact of climate change?

Note: Some sources of data and information on possible future effects of climate change:● IPCC - Global Warming of 1.5 degree C● Long Term Effects of Climate Change● NASA: Why Global Temperatures Matter

2. What’s at stake if we don’t act? Review this WWF resource and information on the Paris Agreement

Consider the effects on plants, animals, weather patterns, and human activity you identified in Week 2. Begin to consider specific actions that could help prevent further problems and effects in those four areas.

*******

Agenda based on the lesson plan for Week-3.

Day-1-Monday (12.10.2020)-Discussion of week 3 questions and preparation for Virtual interactions with other schools within the country and abroad.

Separate sessions were arranged for 3 separate categories-

Grade 3 and 4
Grade 5 and 6
Grade 7,8 and 9

Day 2-Tuesday (13.10.2020)- Session for only Grade 3 and 4 for a finalising the flow of the first international virtual interaction between our school (PPSD) and Brazilian school after finalising the session with Mrs.Milena Bartizar and her students of Grade 1 and 2.

Day 3-Wednesday (14,10.2020)-First CAP Collaboration with Brazil.

Day 4-Thursday (15.10.2020)- Preparation for the virtual interactions for Grade 5-9.

Day 5-Saturday (16.10.2020)- CAP Collaboration with Turkey for Grade 7-9 and with Indian School (Sanjeevani International School) for Grade 5 and 6.

*******

Overall, all the sessions were very fruitful. Students discussed about the causes, effects and possible solutions for Climate Change. They even discussed about the possible actions that can be taken for bringing a change. They got an international platform to put forth their views. We could see the spark to make a difference. Few links for the videos made by students are given below:

WEEK 3 Video links Grade 3 and 4

1.Aditya Pund

Video link

https://youtu.be/FpsANBB29E4

2.Darsh Jadhav

https://youtu.be/B2ozbLYxF5w

3.Nidhi Nikamb

https://youtu.be/TKP5tslRor4

4. Nishna Sawant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74sm4fTT-7g&feature=emb_logo

5. Rohan Kumbhare

https://youtu.be/_tAd9cmdl2g

6. Sejal Subodh Srivastava

https://youtu.be/4lUeHlgk5KI

Climate Action-Solutions

Climate Action Project Week 4

Topic: Climate Change Solutions

Questions for the week were discussed:

- How can I build on prior learning to connect to new ideas?

- What are actions individuals can take to address the climate crisis?

- What are actions organizations and governments can take to address the climate crisis?

Brief Discription about Indo-Brazilain Virtual Meet:

In week 4 a meeting was conducted with the students on Monday 19.10.2020. Discussion was done regarding the meeting with the students of Brazil. We decided on discussing the topics like Floods, Heat Wave and the effect on marine life due to climate change. Teams were formed. Each team was given a particular topic. They had to discuss about the causes, effects and solutions and actions.

The interaction with the students of Brazil was done on Tuesday, 20.10.2020 Introduction regarding India and our school was shown through a Power Point Presentation. The children of Brazil were very excited and amazed. to know about India. They were very eager to visit India. Our students shared the views on the above mentioned topics. The Students of Brazil shared their problems and solutions on topics like Forest Fire in the Amazon Basin.

Solutions provided by the students were: Use Public transport, walk short distances, do not cut trees and plant more trees. After sharing their views they were more eager to know about the Public transport, subways and the largest forest in India. A small Quiz was conducted by our students based on climate change and the Brazilian students enjoyed it very much. 29 students from PPSD were present in this Meet. Teachers from both the countries appreciated the efforts taken by the students.

Climate Action-Solutions through interactions

We started with our climate action project journey from basic understanding of climate change and in week 4 and 5 we have reached the goal of how to approach these changes at local level.

I think the interaction with Brazilan students was a great exposure for our students. They have learned so many things like they have not only appreciated the other students, but they realized they are the same, they are equal, and they have great ideas as well and everyone wants the same solution to help our mother earth.
Students have come up with innovative solutions which will help us at the local level . A good part is students have started adopting to these changes at their individual level.
In week 5 they have started approaching other students of their class, friends and family members by sensitization towards climate change. Compost making through kitchen waste is one the activity they have in Week 5-AMeeting was conducted on Thursday, 29 .10.2020. Explanation of the procedure of making compost was done.Students were already informed to keep the materials like : an old box, a little soil, some vegetable peels, curd mixed with water, etc.

It was announced that there will be a webinar on 5.11.2020 conducted by various dignitaries. Students were asked to send questions to the speakers. The names of the dignitaries were given to the students. They were asked to search about their work.

*****

Climate Action-Actions!

Climate Action Project-Week 6

Week 6 was full of enthusiasm,ready to take action.All the students of Climate Action Project who were working on various tasks were ready to sensitize their classmates for Tree Plantation Programme.Since its lockdown, we all decided to have a virtual Campaign for creating awareness. Students from Grade3-8 used the information ,they had gathered during the last few weeks to make their friends understand the importance of growing plants in their surrounding and the importance of increasing green cover in their locality.At the same time ,initiatives were taken to emphasise on growing native plants to bring back the lost biodiversity.

Students used their interaction time to convey the message to the class, which will be continued throughout the year, to bring in more and more students in the drive.Simultaneously few students worked on singing an environmental song, whose lyrics were written by our very own Fine Arts Teacher.A small step towards big goal!!

The most thrilling experience by all of us was to attend Climate Action Day!Eight and a half hours Webinar,but not even we had a feeling that we are getting bored.An amazing experience and lots to learn from the webinar.We were priveleged to meet all the experts on the same platform.

We have provided a wonderful video made by our student Mst.Himabhas Dhuru of Grade.7.(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HTJqMCjY2w&feature=emb_logo).Please do watch. Its a glimpse of 6 week project. from students perspective.

The journey to be continued.......