Project-based Learning—A Tool to Nurture Curiosity

Introduction:

Children take a lot of interest in learning something when what they learn is something has some relevance in their day-to-day lives. When learning is connected to the issues around them, children tend to be more curious about it and engage completely with the process. The lesson on ecology was planned to be taught to the students through project-based learning in order to develop their conceptual understanding and equip them with the necessary skills required for life.

About the project:

Place of study:

Panithittu is a small village of Bahour Taluk in the Puducherry district. Located about 12 miles away from the city, it is a coastal village having a population of over 2,000 people. In addition to traditional agriculture, the residents of this village are also involved in fishing, which makes up a considerable portion of the village’s economy. Since most of the students in our school reside in this village, this place was chosen as the area of study.

Trees and global warming:

We chose a contemporary issue—pollution and global warming—which has quite a direct effect on the lives of everyone.

Trees are like the lungs of the Earth. They are useful to in ways both direct as well as indirect. Trees not only produce food and purify the air, but they also help us by keeping us cool. However, the increase in human population has resulted in the indiscriminate cutting down of trees for various purposes. In addition to that, emission of greenhouse gases, such as Carbon Dioxide, Nitrous Oxide, Methane, and others, from industries and automobiles has deteriorated the condition of our environment.

The occurrence of natural disasters has been increasing day by day. Having considered all these factors, the main objective of our project was to make people aware of the role that is played by trees in reducing the global temperature.

Objectives of the project:

1. To find out the role played by trees in reducing global warming.
2. To create awareness among the young generations about the benefits of planting trees.
3. To discuss about the greenhouse effect and the effects of greenhouse gases on our environment.
4. To create awareness about the causes and effects of global warming.

Process:

In order to determine the most suitable trees that could be planted in our region for reducing the temperature of our surroundings, we planned our project in four stages. We surveyed the trees that had been growing within the village, and we considered 15 of them for our project. A comparison was made in terms of the efficiency of those 15 trees in terms of reducing temperature and humidity, taking into consideration factors such as atmospheric temperature, soil temperature, and humidity. We also conducted a quadrant study of the flora and fauna to know about the plants and insects that have made the selected trees their habitat. In addition to this, we conducted experiments to find out which trees absorb more particulate matters and carbon dioxide to purify the air and, thereby, reduce pollution.

Findings:

Our study was conducted for a period of 45 days—from 6 August 2017 to 19 September 2017. The students had collected interesting data about the number of trees in Panithittu and the role played by them. The survey of the local flora and fauna revealed that the trees provide a habitat for a number of flora and fauna, such as herbs, shrubs, climbers, creepers, and others. We also surveyed the kind of plants and trees that are able to grow in partial sunlight.

1. Of all the trees that were surveyed, it was found that the Banyan tree, the Peepal tree, the Neem tree, the Portia tree, the Bakula tree, and the Rain tree decreased the atmospheric temperature by 3 °C and the soil surface temperature by 5 °C as compared to the temperature of an open area. Moreover, the trees had increased the relative humidity by 5% as compared to the humidity of an open area..
2. It was found that the Rain tree, the Portia Tree, the Bakula tree, the Neem Tree, and the Banyan tree provided the necessary space to allow the growth of more than 20% plants (flora) than the other trees.
3. The Bakula tree, the Drumstick tree, the Peepal tree, the Amla tree, the Neem tree, and the Almond tree provided 30% more habitat for insects (fauna) as compared to the other trees that were selected.
4. With regard to our search for finding the trees that were effective in absorbing particulate matters, we came up with the following results:
   1. Trees with simple leaves, such as the Banyan tree, the Peepal tree, the Portia tree, and the Teak tree, absorb more than 3 grams of particulate matter.
   2. Trees with compound leaves, such as the Neem tree, the Rain tree, the Amla tree, absorb more than 1 gram of particulate matter.

Reflections:

a) From the Project

Based on the knowledge that we had before starting the project, the knowledge we gathered from experts in various fields, and the data collected by us for the project, we were able to conclude that trees like the Banyan tree, the Peepal tree, the Neem tree, the Portia tree, the Mango tree, the Bakula tree, and the Rain tree are more efficient in reducing the atmospheric temperature, soil temperature, and as compared to the other trees that were studied. They are also more efficient in terms of increasing the humidity. Further, they also purify the air by absorbing particulate matters present in the atmosphere. In addition to all of this, these trees also provide and support the living environment of various organisms.

b) From the team work

The students were very enthusiastic to learn about the local flora and fauna and collect the required data. In the process, they came to know about many natural phenomena. They asked a lot of interesting questions, and the learning was quite scientific.

The students engaged in observation, specimen collection, data collection, tabulation, drawing of inferences, interpretation of data, among other things, which are skills that will come in handy for them throughout their lives and help them in having a scientific outlook.

The acquisition of these knowledge and skills was made possible by probing an everyday environmental problem. Hence, this project was a foundation for empowering these young citizens to solve problems in the future.

The results of their study on pollution have affected them greatly, and it has made them very sensitive towards their environment.

The students learnt that things, which may look ordinary and mundane in the nature, actually have a purpose to serve. They were able to appreciate the fact that the dynamics and functioning of natural systems are very different and generally efficient.

This project helped in imparting life skills, such as problem solving, decision making, etc., to my students. I believe this exercise has equipped them better to face and answer the questions that life throws at them in the future.

Way forward:

We have to start planting trees along the sides of road, on government lands, and drought lands and nurture them. Through this, we believe that our village can be a role model for others with regard to the reduction of pollution. We have planned to research about the trees of the temple forest and add those to our list.

However, we are yet to look at the long-time impact of this project. In order to do that, I will need to work with my students more rigorously and guide them in the right direction.

Author: Gurunathan, GHS Panithittu