Water Project
(pupils from 10 to 12 years old)
Aim:
The aim of this project is to compare different water-related environments
in order to discover and understand what factors are responsible for this
environment (what role climate, man, harnessing the environment etc. play)
The co-operation between the different schools on the one hand and Tecfa
(University of Geneva) on the other will be pedagogical and interactive.
1st term
a) September: getting to know all the schools (e-mail)
b) Individual work on water in each class
c) November: presentation of work via internet (web pages, MOO (Multi-user
Object-Oriented programme) meetings etc.)
2nd term
a) Group work (classes, school etc.) on a more selective matter tied in with
water, plus study of problems arising from agreements and differences of
opinion
b) Consolidation of work
c) Presentation of work over internet (e-mail, web pages, MOO meetings)
3rd term
a) Move from the chosen study-consolidation re water towards a concrete
application &endash; model
b) Presentation by the pupils of their model and answers to above-mentioned
questions.
Exhibition (video conferences via webcam, MOO meeting, use of web pages)
Evaluation
Development
To carry out this project, we will use IT communication tools, exploiting
online activities (e-mail, Internet, videoconferences, MOO etc.)
At the end of each term, the html (or other) pages will be uploaded to the
Pangea-Mosaïca site, and an online exchange of the various experiences and
work carried out will be organised on Mosaïca Island.
The outcome will be an open exhibition of the models created.
1st term
a) Schools getting to know each other (September)
Presentation of each school by the pupils (location, number of
pupils/classes, level … via e-mail or web page…)
b) Individual work concerning water in each class
Example of individual work:
- water cycle, water distribution, water pollution, ground water…
- daily domestic use, consumption, saving water, what happens to bath water…
- drinking water, water circulation, pumping and purification
- use of water in industry and agriculture
- energy, dams, transport, locks…
Example of classwork:
- filtering, water analysis, the different states of water, rain gauges,
water weight, pumping, purification, distillation…
A selection of resource sites (in french):
http://www.perigord.tm.fr/~eclsciences/index.htm
http://www.cieau.com/toutpubl/sommaire/index.htm
http://www.eau-rhin-meuse.fr/patrimoine/cyclo00.htm
http://www.ec.gc.ca/water/fr/info/pubs/f_teach.htm
c) November: presentation of work over internet (web pages, MOO meetings)
Each group (class…) will present the activities carried out in class either
by web page or e-mail. There will also be the possibility of meeting by MOO
to debate water-related matters
Synthesis: differences of opinions and agreements over theme studied.
2nd and 3rd terms
After comparing the different environments, the children will go more
thoroughly into a particular water-related subject with the aim of creating
a model.
The subject will have to be oriented towards some local situation. For
example, an on-site visit could be organised. Thereafter, consolidation work
on the subject will lead to the creation of a model.
End of May
Organisation of an exhibition in Geneva:
Outside schools will take part by sending photographs of their work and
their models, webcam animations … Local schools will exhibit their work and
models in public.