Water Conservation Efforts at Pathways, Aravali

On Tuesday, 29^th March, the two student groups inquiring into Water, i.e. The 9 Planet Savers and Care to Share went for a tour of the school campus to find out how Pathways World School, Aravali is conserving water. We were led by Mr. Raj Kumar who is the head of the Maintenance Department. He showed us the bore well which is where the school stores the underground water. There are eight bore wells in Pathways World School. Next we went to the pump room where they soften water and filter it. He explained to us the difference between hard and soft water. Hard water has many minerals like magnesium and calcium and other minerals and this can cause problems in devices or during laundering clothes. Thus, the water is softened to remove these minerals.

We also went to the pump room where we saw the water purifier which takes an hour to purify 600 litres making it fit for consumption. Mr. Raj told us the cost of the purifying plant is Rs. 3-4 lacs and more for maintaining and cleaning it. 

Thereafter, we saw how Pathways World School is practising rain water harvesting. Mr. Raj Kumar showed us the water harvesting line. There are around 100 water harvesting lines in Pathways which is stored in the form of ground water. Currently, 10,000 litres of water is stored. 

Following this, we saw the sewage treatment process (STP) where the used water from washrooms is cleaned and the smell is taken away as much as possible. This water is reused to water the plants and for many other horticultural purposes.

We were impressed to learn about all these efforts the school is making towards responsible use and conservation of water. 

Varun Saran and Keshav Gujral

Getting to know Soil, Rocks and Minerals

We the Global Explorers have recently been exploring about Soil, Rocks and Minerals (SRM) and would like to share some interesting facts with you:

• There are more than fifty types of rocks.
• Just like we have a Life-cycle, there is a also Rock-Cycle which is the slowest cycle on Earth.
• There are more than 2,000 minerals found on Earth.
• Almost everything in our homes are made up of minerals.
• Nearly 100 tonnes of gold -bearing rocks have to be mined to produce just 1Kg. of gold.

We also saw an amazing and fun video which is all about Rocks. We really enjoyed the song and got a few ideas about hoe we can present our work.


The link for the video is attached here. Watch and see how amazing the song really is:

Katyani Mehra

I, Daksh Monga, as part of my research on SRM have found out about these two international organisations working for the conservation of SRM.

Katyani Mehra and Daksh Monga, Global Explorers

Preparing to Find Out... 23rd to 25th March

After the Holi break, the students of each group had brought their information on their assigned topics. Every child shared his/her information within their group. Then the groups planned to go on Field Trips and/or invite guest speakers. The students have also written letters to request the Principal of Primary School to approve of the field trips. In English, we had learnt about formal letter writing and we applied this skill in writing these letters for our field trips. The students of Dusk to Dawn also formed questions for the field trip related to the PYP concepts. The students of Care to Share also learnt to use Google docs to upload and share documents and download videos using YouTube downloader. 

Working to draft a letter

Using Google Docs

Working to decide on Field Trips

Collaborative planning

 

Anushka Lamichhane and Anmol Chawla,

"The 9 Planet Savers"

Water for Life: from local to global!

We the students of the group 'The 9 Planet Savers'  researched during the Holi break on our topic Water. We discussed water crisis around the world when we came back. There is not only water crisis in our local environment, that is the Aravali Hills forest range and Gurgaon city in India, but also around the world.

I, Smriti found out about the problems regarding water in the Aravali Hills forest and of methods to conserve water. I read an article in the Times of India dated the 23^rd March 2011, on the water conservation plans for Aravali. The article talked about the harvesting dams the Gurgaon Forest Department plans to make at the cost of Rs 50 crores. They have also planned to restore and check old dams. KC Meena, conservator of forest said, “The government of Haryana has decided to observe this year as the 'Water Conservation Year'. Presently, the availability of fresh water is becoming difficult in the wake of rapid depletion of fresh water resources. This in turn is ultimately affecting the animal husbandry and agriculture economy."   

I, Belinda found out about the water crisis in Kenya, a country I  visited in 2007. I learnt how the poor people do not  get clean water. This is a reality in nearly almost all developing nations like Pakistan & India . I shared some photos and information of how bad the situation is like in Kenya with the group.

Smriti Singh and Belinda Ndabarasa,
"The 9 Planet Savers"

Nitty Gritties of Planning and Research – 15th & 16th March, 2011

Yesterday was an exciting day as all the groups got their topic for the PYP Exhibition. The topics which were given to us were related to the central idea and with sharing and conserving finite resources. Every group got one of the four issues identified by us as a whole class:

·        Water

·        Soil, Rocks and Minerals

·        Forests

·        Fossil Fuels

After getting the topic, we reframed the general lines of inquiry according to our own topic. Based on the lines of inquiry, we framed questions that would help us find information. In our own groups, we planned how to find the information and discussed the ways we will present our findings during the exhibition. We also went to the library to explore different resources such as books, magazines and CD’s.  In connection to the task of making pairs in our respective groups for the research work, we were narrated a story to guide us to make wise and informed choices.

A few days ago, we had discussed and made essential agreements for the exhibition as a whole class. Today we individually read those essential agreements and signed ‘The Exhibition Promise’. We planned the resources that we would need for the research work. We divided the work between ourselves for the long ‘Holi’ break ahead so that we can do our own individual research, gain understanding and collate the information gathered, after the break.           

Here is wishing everyone a safe, happy and environment friendly Holi!

Pallavi and Kartik
'Mother's Children'

Lines of Inquiry - 14th March, 2011

Today, we discussed the lines of inquiry related to the central idea. We first began with discussions in our respective groups, reflected on the most appropriate line of inquiry and then shared it with the whole class. Everyone was very enthusiastic and excited to share their opinions, which added to the high noise level. After lots and lots of brainstorming and exchange of ideas, we arrived at the final lines of inquiry for the eight key concepts. We are very pleased with the work done by us today and are now looking forward to our research work. 

So, here they go...

CENTRAL IDEA: 
 

Conserving and using finite resources efficiently can contribute to a clean and green future.

LINES OF INQUIRY:

• the different kinds of finite resources (FORM)
• the need for finite resources (FUNCTION)
• the reasons for the depletion of finite resources (CAUSATION)
• the relationship between the use of finite resources and the environment (CONNECTION)
• the ways the use of finite resources have changed over time (CHANGE)
• the different points of view on the use and conservation of finite resources (PERSPECTIVE)
• the evidences of a clean and green future (REFLECTION)
• our contribution towards a clean and green future (RESPONSIBILITY)

 Anshika Singh and Ayati Mehta
'Dusk to Dawn'

Weekend Work - 12th March

Study the final Central Idea and create lines of inquiry for the concepts:

Connection, Change, Perspective and Reflection 

We will discuss these and finalise them in class on Monday!

Central Ideas, 9th and 10th March

The students worked further on their Central Ideas, refining it based on the four key characteristics of it being Significant, Engaging, Relevant and Challenging. They also shared their Central Ideas with other groups and noted them down. Thus, the five Central Ideas were:

1.     Care to Share: Renewable resources can be used efficiently for a longer life for the planet and us.

2.     Global explorers: Our responsibility towards saving our resources can make a big difference now and in the future. 

3.     The Nine Planet Savers: Conserving finite resources can contribute to a clean and green future.

4.     Mother’s Children: Our responsibility towards/against rigorous deforestation for the protection of endangered species can help us make a difference in future.

5.     Dusk to Dawn: Finite resources need to be conserved for future generations.

A whole class discussion led by Ms. Monica and Mr. Abhimanyu had all the students trying to merge the different central ideas into one and after extensive discussion and rewording the following was unanimously chosen by the students as the final Central Idea which was:

“Conserving and using finite resources efficiently can contribute to a clean and green future.”

As a whole class, we brainstormed a few lines of inquiry as an example and the students were asked to individually come up with different lines of inquiry based on the eight key concepts, during their extended weekend.

Many ideas, one in focus, 7th and 8th March, 2011

As we moved on to the 3^rd and 4^th days of the Exhibition, the students gradually immersed themselves further into an academic understanding of the work ahead. The students discussed all the real life issues that they had listed, first in groups and then as a whole class to clearly identify the one strand which seemed most important to them from the description of ‘Sharing the Planet’. It was amazing and thrilling to see how the minds of all these students worked in rhythm as every group highlighted the struggle to share finite resources with people and other living beings, as the one that was most critical! 

The students planned the entire timeline to their Exhibition, with guidance from Ms. Shalini, going backwards and forwards, to accommodate the different stages of the work ahead! They also reflected on their prior knowledge of the Essential Elements and had a discussion to refresh themselves on the same. Soon it was time for them to learn about a Central Idea and considering their preferred strand come up with one that would sum up their concerns the best. This task was challenging to say the least as the students empathised with the work that teachers do, to come up with the whole school Programme of Inquiry.

An identity of our own, 4th March, 2011

 
The groups started bonding from Day 2, especially after the wonderful photo clicked by Mr. Jim, which is now our profile pic and after having discussed and come up the Essential Agreements! Having read through the Student Handbook, the students visually represented their understanding of the Exhibition in the form of charts, concept maps and flow charts. Then it was the time to tune them in into the transdisciplinary theme, ‘Sharing the Planet’, which is the only aspect of the Exhibition, apart from the final dates, that the teachers have decided! So, they were shown a series of newspaper headlines, art work and fashion wear created from recycled material, the video of The Earth Song by Michael Jackson and they were read out to the story ‘Dear Children of the Earth’, in which Mother Earth makes a plea to her children to protect and save her. The students were very easily able to figure out that the theme we were going to explore was ‘Sharing the Planet’. They carried home the challenging task of listing real life issues centred on the theme, after having a discussion with their parents. 

 The students also carved an identity of their own, by naming their groups based on the theme of ‘Sharing the Planet’. Thus, the five groups were:

1. Care to Share 

Teachers: Ms. Shalini and Ms. Mrinalini
Students: 

     i.        Amandeep

    ii.        Hamza

   iii.        Rahul N

   iv.        Deepanshu

    v.        Anirudh

   vi.        Gauri

  vii.        Rahul S

 viii.        Keshav

   ix.        Nandini

2. Mother’s Children

Teachers: Ms. Isha and Ms. Shipra

Students:

     i.        Kengo

    ii.        Yuvraj

   iii.        Bani

   iv.        Shaimay

    v.        Pallavi

   vi.        Sagar

  vii.        Khushi

 viii.        Kartik

   ix.        Aanchal

3. The Nine Planet Savers

Teachers: Mr. Abhimanyu and Mr. Jim

Students:

     i.        Smriti

    ii.        Belinda

   iii.        Raghav

   iv.        Varun

    v.        Anushka

   vi.        Bhav

  vii.        Anmol

 viii.        Karmistha

   ix.        Siddhant

4. Global Explorers

Teachers: Ms. Priti and Ms. Seema

Students:

     i.        Riya

    ii.        Davika

   iii.        Katyani

   iv.        Daksh

    v.        Shai

   vi.        Lakshya

  vii.        Swikriti

 viii.        Sahil B

5. Dusk to Dawn

Teachers: Ms. Monica and Ms. Manjula

Students:

     i.        Ayati

    ii.        Anshika

   iii.        Simran

   iv.        Rohin

    v.        Anisha

   vi.        Pragya

  vii.        Sahil P

 viii.        Yash

   ix.        Isha

A great beginning, 3rd March, 2011

We were able to begin work for the PYP Exhibition on Thursday, 3^rd March, 2011. This year the teachers had brought about some changes, after much reflection on the last 2 successful Exhibitions! Thus, the students had a handbook of their own which detailed the process of the Exhibition and what their and their teachers’ roles would be. It also described the 6 stages of the Exhibition that they needed to follow through. Moreover, we have more teachers involved, which is a great benefit for the students and an exciting learning experience for the teachers who are doing this for the first time. We have roped in officially the specialists for Art, Music, SEN and ESL and hope their presence will enrich the work further! Thus, student groups of 9 along with 2 mentor teachers will enable more one to one interaction and attention. We hope this journey is filled with learning which will enable the Grade 5 students in taking meaningful action!