Curriculum Links

Key stage 2 Science

• Explore the requirements of plants for life and growth
• Recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things
• Make systematic and careful observations
• Set up simple practical enquiries
  

Key stage 2 Geography

• Develop knowledge of globally significant marine places as well as the polar regions

Preparation

If you have never joined a live lesson before, see the guidance hub, where you will find technical and educational support.

This live lesson is based around two activities, How holey is ice? and Polar photosynthesis, both part of the Frozen Oceans STEAM activity collection.

The lesson assumes no prior knowledge of the Arctic, but students may find it useful to have worked through a preparatory lesson.

Questions generated by your class can be submitted via the Encounter Live tab in your Encounter Edu profile.

Session steps

1. Introduction (10 mins)

Jamie will open the lesson with a welcome to the amazing Arctic.

2. Holey ice activity (5 mins)

This activity looks at the nature of sea ice compared to ice made from freshwater. This lays an important foundation for the next activity, that looks at what life might grow in the ice.

3. Polar photosynthesis activity (15 mins)

While students at key stage 2 may not be familiar with the process of photosynthesis, they will cover what plants require for life and growth. These requirements are no different for algae in the Arctic sea ice, to flowers in a garden or crops in a field. Students will be set a challenge to work out which ‘ice core samples’ come from which seasonal conditions.

4. Q&A and conclusion (15 mins)

After completing the activity Jamie will be able to answer pre-submitted questions and take part in the live chat. At the end of the broadcast, Jamie will suggest some other activities you might like to try and what's coming up in the rest of Arctic Live 2021.