Topic outline

  • General

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    • Module 4 aims to study ecosystems and discuss human impact, environmental problems, and climate change within the context of ecosystems.

      The creation of Module 4 content was coordinated by the LeMOON project partners from Turkiye.

      The European Commission's support for the production of this Module does not constitute an endorsement of its contents, which reflect the views only of the authors. The Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

  • 1. Ecosystem complexity (roles - relationships - population dynamics)

    This Module part was prepared by Céline CORNEILLE, Paul FERNANDEZ, Frédéric GUILLERAY, Marine ROBINI and Ervan ROUSSEL Lycée Louis Jouvet de Taverny, France

    • Lesson 1: Ecosystem complexity

      1. ENGAGE: Who wins? (discover the complexity of ecosystems)
      2. EXPLORE: Endangered kudus (use a model about population dynamics)
      3. EXPLAIN: A tweet from James Bullock (explain the link between complexity and functions)
      4. EXTEND: Bugs in abundance (Calculate the complexity of ecosystems)

      You can find the evaluation part directly at the end of the lessons (in the uploaded doc).

    • File icon
      Module 4 - Part 1 - Lesson - Ecosystem complexity File

  • 2. Aquatic/Marine Ecosystems

    This Module part is prepared by Lydmila Zadorozhnya, Móðurmál, Iceland

    • Lesson 1 (1 hour)

      1. ENGAGE: Initial representation and recall
      2. EXPLORE: The Earth, a set of ecosystems (watch a video, if there is time, do Internet research and a short presentation)
      3. EXPLAIN: Ecosystems, communities of interacting living beings (work in groups to complete a table)

      Lesson 2 (1 hour)

      1. EXTEND: You’re an exobiologist (create an imaginary ecosystem)
      2. EVALUATE: Give feedback through anonymous surveys and/or classroom discussions. Answer a puzzle-themed marine ecosystem

    • File icon
      Module 4- Part 2 - Lesson 1 and 2 ( 2 hours) - Aquatic/Marine Ecosystems File

      This document shows the whole lesson scenario within the course template. It is the reference document. Anyone interested is likely to study the lesson scenario by following this document.


  • 3. Terrestrial Ecosystems (Land Use Change and Forestry; Agriculture; Food Supply)

    This Module part was prepared by Justyna Pająk-Jaroszewska, Martyna Florkowska-Kardasz, IRSIE, Poland

    • Lesson 1. Terrestrial ecosystems, their characteristics and human impact.

      1. ENGAGE: Introduction to the topic: a definition of a terrestrial ecosystem.
      2. EXPLORE: Characteristics of particular terrestrial ecosystems (group work)
      3. EXPLAIN: Class presentations / peer-teaching (sharing knowledge got on particular terrestrial ecosystems)
      4. EXTEND: Students’ reflections on the key issues of the lesson.

      Lesson 2. Exploring terrestrial ecosystems. Developing a sustainability action project.

      1. ENGAGE: Group discussions to revise the information from the previous lesson.
      2. EXPLORE: Land Use Time Travel – playing a game during which the students are to become time travellers on a mission to investigate changes in land use in Europe and the world over the centuries. They will travel through different historical periods (1800s, 1900s, 2000s, and the future), analyse land use data, and report their findings.
      3. EXPLAIN: Groups present their "time travel reports" to the class
      4. EXTEND: Students design a sustainability action project.

    • File icon
      Lesson 2: Exploring terrestrial ecosystems. Developing a sustainability action project. File
    • File icon
      Terrestrial ecosystems - attachment presenting data File
    • File icon
      Lesson 1: Terrestial ecosystems, their characteristics and human impact. File

  • 4. Freshwater Ecosystems (Water Cycle; Water Use; Hydrology)

    This Module part was prepared by Lubomír Hájek and Petra Garay, Tauferova střední odborná škola veterinární Kroměříž, Czech Republic

    • Lesson 1: Freshwater Ecosystems

      1. ENGAGE: What is Hydrology? The benefits of water for the human body
      2. EXPLORE: Water for everybody
      3. EXPLAIN: Water cycle and other terminology
      4. EXTEND: The usage of water

      Lesson 2: Design a water project

      1. EXPLORE: Water project instructions, choosing a project
      2. ENGAGE: Planning a project, collecting data
      3. EVALUATION: Presenting findings, reflecting and evaluating
      4. EXTEND: 10 examples of water projects – inspiration for students, useful links

      Lesson 2 is an extended part itself and requires long-term preparation and development.


    • File icon
      Module 4 - Part 4 - Lesson 1 - Water Cycle; Water Use; Hydrology File
    • File icon
      Module 4 - Part 4 - Lesson 2 - Design a water project File

  • 5. Human impact on ecosystem (Human Settlement & Infrastructure)

    This Module part was prepared by Güray Karakaya, contributed by Murat Senger, AFAD, Turkiye

    • Lesson 1 (1 hour)

      1. Ice Breaker: Visit the poetry website and choose a poem about trees to read in front of the class.
      2. ENGAGE: Look at the photo and answer questions about it
      3. EXPLORE: Tell that the photo is from the rainforests. Answer some more questions for discussion about the usage of rainforests.
      4. EXPLAIN: Visit the websites. Study the texts and define ecosystems and rainforests as an ecosystem.

      Lesson 2 (1 hour)

      1. EXTEND: Study the materials delivered. Create a short presentation outlining the causes and effects of the chosen impact. Present your findings to the class.
      2. EVALUATE: Share what you found most surprising or impactful during the lesson. Tell about the importance of human impacts on ecosystems and the need for responsible environmental stewardship.
      3. Write a reflective assignment and explain how your own daily choices may contribute to or mitigate human impact on ecosystems in the context of human settlement and infrastructure.

    • File icon
      Module 4- Part 5 - Lesson 1 and 2 ( 2 hours) - Human impact on ecosystem (Human Settlement & Infrastructure) File

      This document shows the whole lesson scenario within the course template. It is the reference document. Anyone interested is likely to study the lesson scenario by following this document.


  • WORKSHOP. Ecosystem services

    This Workshop was designed by Tatjana Christelbauer, Contributors: Tamara Tomasevic and Geraldine Fitoussi-Hoffmann, ACD, Austrian team

    Thematic Units for Week-Long Workshop Sessions: Inquiry-Based Integrated Learning Workshop Series on the Intersection of Arts, Science, and Policy