PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

LEARNING INTENTION

To understand students prior knowledge of their local moana.  

ACTIVITY

1. What do you know about your local marine environment?

Reviewing what you know about your local marine environment is important before you visit the club or moana to complete citizen science work. Investigate the key features of the landscape and how these have changed over time. Think about how you use the marine environment and how the ocean has influenced the lives of your local community.

Brainstorm:

  • What does the ocean contribute to your lives? E.g. food, recreation

  • What marine animals / plants have you seen on the seashore?

  • Find 3-5 words to describe your coastal environment.

  • What questions do you have about your coastal environment?

  • What concerns do you have about your local coastline?


2. What do your whanau/family and community know about the local marine environment?

As we know, there is much to learn from others who have come before us. This is your opportunity to learn from your parents, grandparents, neighbours and others in your local community. Use the same questions that you used as part of your brainstorming in Activity 1. Interview/survey at least 2 adults and then share your findings with your class.

Make sure you use your manners and take the time to listen carefully to what they are saying. Take notes as they speak or ask them if it is ok to record the conversation and take notes later.​​​​​​​

Before you report back to the class, what similarities or differences did you notice?

Did they have a good understanding of the local marine environment?​​​​​​​

As a class think about how you are going to collate and display the information you have collected from the community.


3. Who are the local experts on your marine environment? What do they know? What projects are in place?

(This can be done next, or after you have collected your data from your local marine environment)

Now that you have got some knowledge from adults you know locally, it is time to dive a bit deeper!

Research answers to the same questions asked of you, and the adults you have surveyed.

  • Who are the local kaumatua, science experts, organisations, community groups that you think would be useful to consult with?
  • Look online at the local council or science organisations (e.g. NIWA, DOC) websites
  • Are there any coastal protection or citizen science projects currently happening in your region? Who is leading them? Is there a project your class could contribute to?