Summer Learning Journey End

Sadly the Summer Learning Journey has come to an end. So it is time to reflect on everything that we have learned about the environment and, particularly, about how we could protect and preserve it. I learned a lot of animals are going extinct. One thing that surprised me was that Sir David Attenborough saved ten endangered animals. But one thing that concerned me was that there is a lot of waste in the ocean. One thing me and my family could do to help the environment is walking more instead of driving.

Adoption

I learned that in the World Wildlife Fund you can adopt an animal. But it doesn't mean you take it home. It means you pay the fee and they will use that money to provide it food and water. So for this activity we had to Visit the WWF site and take a look at the animals who are available for adoption. Then we had to Choose your ‘top three’ animals from the website. Then had to compare and contrast them. What is are the differences and similarities.

My favourite three are:

1. Snowy Owl
2. Loggerhead turtle
3. Polar Bear

Differences:

1. They all live in different areas
2. One can fly, other walks, and the other swims
3. They are all different types of aninmals

Similarities:

1. They are all animals
2. They all need water and food
3. They all can move

Environment Day

On our blog we had to tell three things that we could do to help save the planet, and keep it safe and healthy. I learned that there is a day in the world called World Environment Day. On World Environment Day it is to help save the planet. This year we are focusing on reducing water bottles and plastic bags. What we would do to help save the planet is:

1. Walk more instead of driving
2. Reuse materials
3. Put rubbish in the bin

Restricted Access

On our blog, we had to tell what we think about the government’s decision to restrict the number of tourists to be able to visit Machu Piccu? We had to say if we agreed with that decision or not. Machu Piccu is an ancient city that was built in Peru, South America. I do agree with the governments decision because it is an ancient city, and it should be taken care of.

Plastic Pledge

For some time, New Zealands beaches have become dump grounds. There is so much waste. Also almost 80% of the waste is plastic items. So Countdown has made a decision to stop giving out plastic bags. I think that is a great idea because that will reduce the amount of plastic. I asked my Mum and she also agrees, she says that we should bring our own bags.

Slogan

For this activity we had to imagine making a new slogan for a company. I picked adidas because they have good quality shoes, and I like them. A slogan is a short catchphrase for advertisment. I also learned that people used slogans to advertise. My slogan is "It's the real thing". I have drawn the adidas logo. 

Extinction Saver

Sir David Attenborough is a famous TV presenter from England who loves nature. He has spent his career filming documentaries about the planet and working hard to protect it. Sir David Attenborough has saved 10 species from extinction. They are:

1. Black Lion Tamarin

2. Sumatran Rhino

3. Solenodon

4. Olm Salamander

5. Spatuletail Hummingbird

6. Darwin’s Frog

7. Sunda pangolin

8. Priam’s Birding Butterfly

9. Northern Quoll

10. Venus’s Flower Basket

On our blog, we had to list 10 species (animals or plants) that we would protect from extinction. For each one, we had to give a reason as to why we think it is important to protect.

1. Green Peafowl
2. Asian Elephants
3. Snow Leopard
4. White Tiger
5. Black Panther
6. Wolves
7. Lions
8. Swallowtail Butterfly
9. Gorilla
10. Tonkin Snub-Nosed Monkey

Fact or Fiction?

I learned that a sea creature in New Zealand as important as the Kiwi is on the verge to being extinct. There is an estimated amount of 63 of this creature. This creature is called the "Maui Dolphin". People predict that the "Maui Dolphin" would be extincted in 2033. So for this activity we post three facts that we learned about the "Maui Dolphin". Then, using our imagination, we had to create three more statements about Māui dolphins that are not true.

True Facts:

1. The Maui Dolphins use echolocation
2. Maui Dolphins might only be able to grow their population by 2% a year. That means that a population of approximately 55 can only increase by 1 individual per year.
3. Maui Dolphins feed on a variety of species of fish, such as red cod, āhuru, and sole. They feed throughout the water column, on both bottom-dwelling fish and free swimming prey.

Real or False Facts:

1. Females grow to 1.7 m long and weigh up to 50 kg. Males are slightly smaller and lighter.
2. The Maui Dolphins are the biggest dolphins in the world
3. Maui Dolphins can live up to 45 years

A Call To Arms

I learned that there is currently a company which is trying to get rid of predators from New Zealand. Predators are animals that in some way damage the natural environment. The company is called "Predator Free 2050". So for this activity we had to pick one of three videos and pick which one is the best and why. My favourite is called "Cacophony Project". It is because there is a man who makes inventions to trap predators. But the inventions are not made from luxurious materials. He made them from scratch. He used a plastic box, card board and more.

Video of Cacophony Project: https://vimeo.com/224005468

FFI

I learned that there is an international wildlife conservation organisation that is called "FFI". Which stands for "Fauna & Flora International". The FFI is the oldest international wildlife conservation organisation. The FFI supports a lot of projects around the world. So for this activity we had to pick one of the projects the FFI have done and pick which is the favourite and why.

My favourite project is that the FFI are conserving the Tonkin Snub-nosed monkey in Vietnam. It is my favourite because they are looking after and protecting the Tonkin Snub-Nosed monkey that are being extinct. Plus I want to see this monkey in the future.

My Garden

For this activity we had to list 10 fruit or veggies we would plant in our garden. I also learned that plants can act as filters, absorbing some of the chemicals (pollutants) that are moving across the land then to the rivers. 

My Edible Garden will contain:

1. Watermelon
2. Strawberry's
3. Carrots
4. Broccoli 
5. Onions
6. Cucumbers
7. Pumpkin
8. Lettuce
9. Pineapples
10. Mango

A Flying Fox

For this activity we had to tell how we would feel about going ziplining in Rotorua. We had to try to use some descriptive words (adjectives) and action words (verbs) in our post! In Rotorua there are really beautiful forests. But when walking through the forest it damages the plants. So an eco-tourism company in Rotorua had an idea to create a zipline to transport you from one section to the other.

I my heart was beating twice the speed. I had adrenaline racing. I was super ecstatic but super nervous. It looked really fun but I was my heart was still racing. I was sweating from head to toe. I got on and I was sweating like there was water poured on me.

Chinese Poem

For this activity we had to write a poem about being in Beijing with all the bad air pollution. The air pollution in Beijing, China is so bad that the roads are closed, flights are cancelled, and more. The air pollution is also bringing big deadly effects. Approximately 1.1 million people died in 2017. 

Poem About Beijing Air Pollution:

Bad air spreading everywhere

Mask had to be on

Uncomfortable I swear

I was just sad

With the breezy cold air

Taniwha

For this activity I had to say whether or not I believed in the Taniwha. I do believe in it because the Taniwha lived in Waikato River. Then the video at Waikato River with those strange bubbles popping up. I don't think any other sea creature would be able to do that other than the Taniwha. The Taniwha is a mythical water spirit guarding and living in the sea.

WOW Interview

I learned that the idea of reusing materials was created by a woman in New Zealand named "Dame Suzie Moncrieff". Thirty years ago in New Zealand Dame made an art project called the "World of WearableArts". Or you can call it WOW. So for this activity we had to imagine that we were invited to this year’s WOW awards and we were able to interview the creator. We had to list five interview questions to Dame Suzie Moncrieff.

My Questions to Dame Suzie Moncrieff are:

1. Why did you want to create this art project?
2. What is your favourite food?
3. When is your birthday?
4. What is your nationality?
5. Where did this idea come from?

Let It Rain

For this activity we had to imagine that New Zealand was hit by a massive acid rain storm. Acidic rain fell for three days and three nights. When the rain fell, I stayed inside with my friends and family. When it stopped, however, me and my family decided to go for a walk outside. I opened the door and...

I opened the door and it looked like there was a war that just happened. Plants have all been dried up. Animals lying down on the floor dead. We were shocked at what happened. Smiles have turned into frowns. New Zealand was destroyed. Once a happy, healthy place then to a acidic - made chaos. New Zealand was destroyed and ruined by the acidic rain.

Rainy Day Activities

What I would do in a rainy day would be playing indoor games with family members, watch a movie, or cook some food. But mostly I would stay in my room and read books for a couple of hours. I also learned that rain in New Zealand is getting even bigger. Climate change is also bad news because the weather is getting warmer. So it would melt huge glaciers and then flooding would happen and more rain.

Air Pollution

For this activity we watched a video about air pollution and had to write three interesting facts from the video. I also learned that in 2016 the World Health Organisation announced Timaru, a small town in New Zealand had the highest record of air pollution.

My three interesting facts are:

1. Some air pollution's are made from natural events (volcano eruptions, fire, etc) 
2. Most air pollution's come from human activity (energy use, agriculture, etc)
3. There are three different types of human made air pollution's (smog, toxic pollutants, greenhouse gases)

Crazy Cool Clouds

I learned somethings about clouds. Clouds are formed by water. There are three types of water. Solid, Liquid, and Gas. There is ice which is the solid, water which is the liquid. The gas is a little complicated. Its when the water evaporates. The it goes up and sticks with some stuff up and forms. So for this activity we had to tell what we see in the photo. What shapes do we see?

In the photo I see a tornado like cloud. I think this picture of the cloud is a Cumulus Cloud which is a think and dense cloud. Other than a tornado it kind of looks like a UFO if the bottom half was cut off.

Seven Stars of Matariki

For this activity we had to write a short summary of the story "Seven Stars of Matariki". So in the middle of winter a group of stars appear in sky in May or June to start the Maori New Year. People write stories and songs about the "Seven Stars of Matariki".

There were a bunch of handsome brothers who find a cluster of beautiful girls. The brothers suddenly all fall in love with the girls. But one of the brothers who was Maui realises they are fairy woman. But the brotehrs wouldn't listen. Then the boys started paying attention only to the girls. So they became skinny, they pretty much became skeletons. So then Maui spied on the girls and tried to look at what they were doing. The girls had a plan to starve the brothers to death. So then he told his brothers, and they captured the girls with a magical net.

Acrostic Poem

I learned that once in a while there is a special event in New Zealand that happens. It is called the "Southern Lights". Or "Aurora Australis". The Southern Light is similar to the Northern Light which can be seen in Canada, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. So for this activity I had to make an acrostic poem about the Southern Lights. I also have to use the word lights.

Lights are beautiful
It is amazing
Great lights
Holiday is great
To good

Animal Facts: Bats

For this activity we had to pick one animal from a website, that tells you a bunch of Flying animals. Then we had to make a DLO (Digital Learning Object) about that animal. The animal I picked was a bat. On our DLO (Digital Learning Object) we had to include three interesting facts about the animal we have picked.

Link to Bat DLO: https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/e/2PACX-1vSc8AZAPbUiTUnsuKOKwxSQSl8jHA12_nWa_L3SpqWEpzNxDQAzzHcnCjuQWoP1fnES1QK5ZaX2YS28/pub?w=1022&h=721

Link to Top 10 Flying Animals Website: https://earthnworld.com/top-10-best-flying-animals-in-the-world/

Superpowers

I learned that in New Zealand we have a native bat. But in Australia there is the biggest bat in the world. The bat is called "Flying Fox". The wingspan (size of wings) of the flying fox is six feet or two metres which is bigger than the average person. Their "superpower" is that they have great hearing. So for this activity I had to pick what superpower I could have. A superpower I would love to have is super speed. It is because I can always arrive on time, or I could travel around the earth with my speed.

Black Robin

I learned that New Zealand is home to many different species of birds. But sadly ⅓ the species is about to go extinct. Each year New Zealand holds "Bird of the Year". So for this activity we had to find a bird on the Bird of the Year Website. Then write a short description of the bird. Also where does the bird normally live? What does the bird normally eat. The bird I picked was the Black Robin.

The Black Robin is completely black, it is pretty small. It also has really thin legs. The Black Robin normally lives in Chatham Islands off the east coast of New Zealand. The Black Robin normally eats grubs, worms, cockroaches, and weta.

Photo by schmechf / (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Fungi Problem

For this activity we had a math problem to solve. The problem was: that we tested the air in our classroom and found 7 different kinds of mould. The cleaner says that it takes 5 days for each mould to be removed. If the school had to remove each mould one at a time, how long would it take to remove all the mould from the classroom? So each mould takes five days to remove, and theirs seven moulds in the class. So we just have to multiply five and seven.

5 x 7 = 35 days - 5 weeks

Food Sink

I learned that everyday there is a chemical compound being produced and then released. It is called Carbon Dioxide. If it isn't removed it can be toxic to humans. But carbon dioxide is removed in places like forests, and oceans. They are called "Carbon Sinks" because like a sink it gathers, clean, and drain things that we don't want. So for this activity I have to imagine that I could design a sink that could gather up and then drain away any foods that I don’t like. So on my blog, I had to tell what I would put in my special sink. The food I would throw in the sink would be tomatoes, sardines, and mushrooms.

Bee Informed

• The word ‘bumblebee’ is a compound word (bumble + bee). The word ‘bumble’ means to hum, buzz, and drone.
• Bumblebees can fly very quickly. They can reach ground speeds of 54 kilometres per hour (km/h).
• Bumblebees are very strong! They carry up to 90 percent of their body weight in food with them to avoid starvation.
• Bumblebees can do more work and carry more pollen than other bees, including honeybees. In fact, they can do up to 50 times as much work as a normal honeybee.
• The number of bumblebees is declining in New Zealand due to a number of factors, including the removal of wildflowers and flowering trees, habitat loss, and extensive use of pesticides.

For this activity we had five sentences about bees. In each sentence their was a blank we had to fill in. We got

the information from a website called NZ Bumblebee Conservation Trust. I also learned that bees are actually

really important. They actually take care of thirty three percent of human food.

Burning Up

                         

For this activity I we made a graph of the hottest temperatures from cities chosen from the Summer Learning Journey Site. They also gave us the hottest recorded temperatures from each city chosen. The cities chosen were: Dallol (Ethiopia), Dasht-e Loot (Iran), Tirat Zvi (Israel), Kabili (Tunisia) and Bandar-e Mahshahr (Iran). The hottest temperature of each city is: Dallol: 41oC; Dasht-e Loot: 71oC; Tirat Zvi: 54oC; Kabili: 55oC; Bandar-e Mahshahr: 51oC. We had to use that information and turn it into a graph.