334: EncounterEdu - a new unit on the Oceans and Climate

EncounterEdu (formerly Digital Explorer) have produced some excellent resources over the years - I know because I wrote some of them back in the day. One of them even won a GA Award.

They have now launched a new free resource.

The resources have been created in collaboration with the team behind the Convex Seascape Survey.

This comprehensive unit aligns with the KS3 geography programme and introduces important aspects of the ocean and science. Topics include the carbon cycle, causes, evidence, and impacts of climate change, ocean biodiversity and its protection, alongside intersections of human and physical geography through mapping, ecosystem services, and coastal livelihoods.

With the ocean covering 70% of the Earth's surface, absorbing over 90% of excess heat from global warming, and the source of livelihoods and food for billions, this unit provides students with an engaging journey into one of the most important issues of the 21st Century.

Here are the 9 units that are included in the unit.

#333: Tropics Day

Today is apparently Tropics Day.

The Tropics host 80% of the world’s biodiversity - and face severe challenges - including climate change, deforestation, urbanisation and demographic shifts.

Saturday is #TropicsDay.https://t.co/8sR4YNfQ1O #ForNature pic.twitter.com/y8cuBiICIR

— UNESCO 🏛️ #Education #Sciences #Culture 🇺🇳 (@UNESCO) June 29, 2024

Today is International #TropicsDay 🍍🐒🌴🦜🌧️🐠

On this day, @UN celebrates the extraordinary diversity of the Tropics while highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities nations of the Tropics face.#WeAreTheTropics pic.twitter.com/aa9EvYZ08C

— ipbes (@IPBES) June 29, 2022

#332: Take a Nature Break

Biodiversity—the variety of all life on Earth—supports the health and wealth of our societies.

Take a 2 minute nature break with an animated video about how nature improves your health:🌍🌿

Via @nature_org pic.twitter.com/WjsiirNk77

— UN Biodiversity (@UNBiodiversity) June 25, 2024

The video is made by the Nature Conservancy. 

#331: UN Biodiversity

Another Twitter feed worth following is that of UN Biodiversity.

Learning about #biodiversity in your classroom? Check out this colorful infographic by @CanGeo
about the layers of life found in an old growth forest.
🌳🌲🌳
Find the full version here➡️https://t.co/iD3Pk3H3Eu

Via @CanGeoEdu pic.twitter.com/VFGVWBXicz

— UN Biodiversity (@UNBiodiversity) June 22, 2024

#330: Wildlife Trusts and Living Landscapes: Cley Marshes

Cley Marshes Reserve is managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. 

It is an important place in the history of British birdwatching and conservation.

Its education centre was opened by Sir David Attenborough, who described the place as being particularly significant in these respects.

It also has a rather wonderful view of the reserve and hides heading out to the shingle beach, which can be enjoyed with a cheese and tomato toastie if you're feeling peckish.

There's a good visitor centre space with a series of different art exhibitions and several purchasing opportunities.

The reserve talks about this landscape being a "living landscape" and "a living coast".

It changes twice a day with the tide.

Follow them on Twitter here.

#329: Today's march in London

Will be interesting to see what stance the specification will take on the ability to include events like this in the teaching, or will this be classed as 'political'... The logos on the bottom suggest that this is something a lot of important nature conservation groups take very seriously.

Best wishes to all those making their way to London today.

#328: NENP: 'Weather and Seasons'

The National Education Nature Park (NENP) is making good progress. 

Over 1000 schools are signed up now, although that means there are many thousands still to sign up. 

🌤️ The National Education Nature Park's 'Weather and Seasons: Explore' activity encourages students to observe and compare the four seasons in the UK, helping them understand the impact of various aspects of our lives.

Learn about this free resource 👉 https://t.co/8JwbOWp331 pic.twitter.com/kTntneAKRn

— RGS-IBG Schools (@RGS_IBGschools) March 9, 2024

The Weather and Seasons activity is worth checking out.  It's designed for KS1

It will be interesting to see where the National Education Nature Park and Climate Awards fit in with wider developments of the GCE Natural Histoty.

#327: Teaching Times article from Mary Colwell gives an update

A new article in 'Teaching Times' by Mary Colwell gives a bit of an update into the state of the GCSE Natural History, and its possible introduction in 2026.

She mentions the assessment as being based on coursework and fieldwork - I think that is very unlikely.

The Subject Criteria have now been written and were signed off by Damien Hinds, who is the current Minister of State for Schools. However, it became mired in the political process before the general election was called, and it has not yet gone to public consultation. We wait to see if the next government will revive it and make it a reality for first teaching in 2026 (at the earliest). 

There is a long way to go still; the public consultation will need to be taken on board, Ofqual will need to produce its requirements and the exam boards will need to write their exam content, which must be approved again by Ofqual. Textbooks will need to be written and teacher training and resource provisions put in place. 

There is a lot to do even for a 2026 introduction.

Natural history requires specialist knowledge and support must be found for schools that want to train teachers or take on new staff. Resources must also be available to help schools with trips and equipment.

#326: Lower Otter Restoration

Retired Geography teacher Paul Berry writes a blog called Devon Geography.

A recent post explores the project to allow the restoration of the lower reaches of the River Otter in Devon, as it approaches Budleigh Salterton, through managed realignment.

It's an area I know well. I've been visiting the town each summer for at least 15 years - staying in a range of holiday homes and with family.

Image: Otter Restoration Project

The blog post would be useful as it includes an area where there have been attempts to reintroduce beavers (not otters) into the river to assist with flood management.

The area is changing rapidly as the scheme starts to take shape.

Here's an image of the mouth of the distinctive trees at the mouth of the river. 

It's one of a number in my Flickr album entitled: GCSE Natural History, which is growing (now up over 100 images) and which everyone is free to use once resources start to be developed as an additional offering from our suite of resources.

#325: No hedges, no hogs...

This Cambridge News piece reminds us that if there are no hedges, there will be no hedgehogs... and hedges are being lost from farms, despite attempts to restore them now, with new targets for planting new hedges. 

Some are being planted in the fields around the village where I live in Norfolk. We need more hedges for sure.

#324: New for Pride Month: A Little Gay Natural History

This is an intriguing books, which can be purchased from the Natural History Museum shop.

🌈It's #Pride Month!🌈

Which means my ✨debut book✨ is now in the wild! A Little Gay Natural History has been a bit of a labour of love, and I hope you'll all enjoy it!

Get your hot little hands on a copy exclusively from the Natural History Museum 👇 https://t.co/0jotz9Pcdf pic.twitter.com/tm5yBZfWgH

— Josh Luke Davis 🏳️‍🌈 (@JoshLukeDavis) June 1, 2024

Packed with colourful imagery and fascinating insight, A Little Gay Natural History celebrates the astonishing diversity of sexual behaviour, biology and reproduction found in nature. Or, as Stephen Fry describes it, ‘A very welcome slap on the wrist for those who claim that same-sex love, intimacy and bonding are “unnatural”. Josh Davis’s splendid book will be a most useful settler of arguments and silencer of bigots.’

Davis considers how, in both animals and plants, sexual reproduction and determination rely on a complex interaction between genes, hormones, environment and chance. Meet turtles whose sex is set by the incubation temperature of their eggs and a butterfly that embodies male and female biological tissue.

He also reveals behaviours in nature that have previously been covered up and explains how same-sex courtship is more widespread than many realise - encouraging readers to rethink any assumptions. Expect to be informed, surprised and entertained.