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Climate Detectives (investigation category)

Team: Planet protectors

Greece 11 years old   15 /

Project title:

Exploring Our Flooded City: Unraveling River Changes and Climate Impact

Research question

How has a specific city area experienced flooding twice in the past 100 years, and what role have changes in the river route and climate change played in these incidents?

Identify the local environmental/climate problem you want to investigate

The river that runs through the city flooded for the second time over the last 100 years causing much damage. We will investigate what was the reason behind this recent flood.

Project topic

Floods & droughts

Describe how you plan to investigate the problem identified and which data you plan to analyse.

Historical Research:
Conduct interviews with local residents, especially the elderly, to gather historical accounts and personal experiences of the two flooding incidents.
Visit local libraries and archives to explore old newspaper articles, photographs, and documents related to the flooding events.
River Route Mapping:
Utilize maps and satellite imagery to trace the changes in the river route over the past century.
Create visual aids such as posters or digital presentations to illustrate the alterations in the river course and how it may have contributed to flooding.
Climate Change Analysis:
Collaborate with local meteorologists or climate experts to understand the broader climate patterns in the region over the past 100 years.
Collect and analyze weather data to identify any trends or anomalies that may be linked to the flooding incidents.
Field Observations:
Organize field trips to the affected city area to observe the current state of the river, its surroundings, and flood-prone zones.
Engage in hands-on activities such as water quality testing and sediment analysis to understand the environmental conditions.
Community Surveys:
Design and distribute surveys to the local community to gather information on their perceptions of climate change, their awareness of flood risks, and any preventive measures taken.
Analyze survey responses to identify common themes and concerns related to flooding.
Modeling and Simulation:
Use simple models or simulations (e.g., dioramas, clay models) to depict how changes in the river route, combined with weather patterns, can lead to flooding.
Discuss and refine the models with the help of teachers, local experts, or online resources.
Interview Experts:
Arrange virtual or in-person interviews with experts in hydrology, urban planning, and climate science to gain insights into the factors contributing to flooding in urban areas.
Creative Presentations:
Encourage students to express their findings through creative means such as drawings, poems, or short skits to enhance their understanding and presentation skills.
Host a community event or school assembly to showcase the children’s work and raise awareness about the importance of understanding local environmental challenges.
Collaborative Reporting:
Assign different aspects of the research to small groups of students (e.g., river changes, climate analysis, community surveys) and have them collaborate on a comprehensive report.
Foster teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills throughout the project.
Encourage students to maintain individual journals documenting their thoughts, challenges, and discoveries throughout the project.
Conclude the project with a reflection session, allowing each student to share their personal insights and the lessons they learned from the research.


Your feedback

Expert feedback Phase 1 - 2023-2024
Is the suggested problem a problem that the students can actually investigate? Is it feasible, realistic? Please explain why or why not. Is the relation with climate/local environment worked out? Where necessary indicate the wider scientific context to which the identified problem belongs.