Prachi Ranadive
Come rainy season and flooding is quite a common sight in the metro cities of India today. At other times, we also experience severe drought. Tsunamis, hurricanes, cyclones, earthquake, wildfires — the natural disasters that strike not just India but the world are many and human behaviour towards the environment is only increasing their frequency and intensity. Natural disasters lead to both loss of life and property and leave behind significant economic damage besides affecting people in other ways. A knowledge of natural disasters, how to prepare for them and how to mitigate their effects is important learning. Here are suggestions to help you introduce and discuss the topic in class.
Category: Project
WAR – the nadir of human civilization
Sheel
How and why do countries go to war? Can a war really resolve conflict among nations and people? What lessons can students learn from the wars that were fought earlier? This month’s project discusses all these questions and more along with activities that will help students understand the nuances of war and that history is always with us.
Beaches and coastlines: what do you see?
Rachana Rao
Beaches are important ecosystems we need to preserve and protect for our own sakes and for the many life forms that are dependent of them. Like all things in life, it is only when we experience the beach that we will do what is necessary to protect it. So get out and take a walk on the beach, feel the cool breeze and smell the ocean.
What colour do you see?
Sheel
Colours bring our world alive. We are naturally attracted towards them. We are more likely to pick the most orange of carrots on the vegetable cart or the deepest red rose from a bush. Colours impact our moods, colours delight us. The natural world uses colour to both attract and hide. Go on this most fascinating journey of the physics, biology, language and art of colours with your students.
From the fearsome belly of the earth
Sheel
Volcanoes can be dangerous and majestic too. What causes volcanoes to form, erupt or even stay dormant for years? This month’s project takes a close look at volcanoes and outlines activities that teachers can use to help children in middle and high school to learn about them.
Learning about pandemics while living through one
Shruti Singhal
Pandemics are no longer something we used to read about in history. We are living through one right now and perhaps that is why it is also the best time to learn more about them and from them. These are difficult, exhausting and trying times but learning more about pandemics while experiencing one needn’t be hopeless and dark. Here are a few ways of how you can make the subject interesting and worthwhile for your students.
Where does our food come from?
Neha Pradhan Arora
Food nourishes us and keeps us alive. But have you ever thought of the journeys made by the ingredients in our food or the dishes that we eat? Every dish is a culmination of stories, journeys, flavours, aromas and memories from across time and place. That is the beauty and mystery of food. This month’s Project takes you on this food journey.
Energy – the one constant in the Universe!
Madhuri Katti
Energy is all around us, but we cannot see it. From car engines to a hot cup of coffee to even the street lights that shine in the night, to the food that we eat – everything uses up energy. It is something that we cannot do without. But it is also an intriguing and abstract concept, difficult to comprehend and teach at different class levels. Our Project this time is centered on this concept and you can find in this articlesome ideas and activities.
The world of e-waste
Mahak Khanna
Technology is growing and at a fast pace. From the mobile phone in your hand to the computer on your desk, newer models with greater efficiency are released almost every day. And growing at just the same pace is a by-product of this industry – e-waste. Did you know that India is the third largest generator of e-waste in the world? We need solutions to this problem and the first step towards finding one is becoming aware of the problem. Here is a project that runs across levels and subject areas to do with your children.
The Pyramids – a cross-curricular trip
Sunita Biswas
For centuries, the pyramids of Egypt have been a source of wonder because of their size, the complexities in the construction process and about the men who created these enduring marvels. So, in the school curriculum, how can this topic be dealt across all disciplines and not just history? Here is a fascinating insight.