Session 1
We will start this challenge with a video lesson in which wildlife presenter, Michaela Strachan will introduce you to the challenge.
Pupils from across the UK will be taking part and there are prizes to be won, including a top prize of £3000. There are 2 age categories (9-11 and 11-14). You can enter individually, or if you have a brother or sister in the same age category you could work together as a team.
As we go through the sections of the video, you will need to refer to this worksheet.
(You don’t need to print this sheet – you can just refer to the questions as we work through the lesson).
About The Challenge
Watch this introduction here:
So, the theme for the challenge is biodiversity and in these lessons you are going to learn more about biodiversity. As we have been looking at in our Science, we know that a species is a group of plants or animals whose members have the same main features and are able to breed with each other.
Look at the definition of biodiversity at the top of the activity sheet and make sure you understand this.
Activity
Give yourself 2 minutes to try to record as many plant and animal species as you can. Record your list on the activity sheet (or a bit of paper).
Finished? You probably didn’t get them all as scientists believe that there are around 8.7 million species of plants and animals on Earth and they all depend on each other.
What’s biodiversity and why does it matter?
In this clip you are going to learn more about biodiversity and
why it’s important to life on Earth.
Activity
On your activity sheet, fill in question 2: Why does diversity matter?
What’s Happening to biodiversity?
You are now ready to watch the third part of the video lesson:
There were some shocking facts in that video. We found out that number of animals has fallen by nearly two thirds in the last fifty years; 1 million global plant and animal species, a quarter of all UK mammals and half of birds, are at risk of extinction; and scientists are calling this a period of mass extinction.
Have think if you are aware of wildlife disappearing in your local area. Have you noticed any changes during lockdown?
Activity
Complete question 3 ‘What is happening to biodiversity?’ on your activity sheet.
What can we do to improve biodiversity?
Activity
Now answer question 4 on the activity sheet.
Have you seen any natural or technological solutions for improving biodiversity, in their own area, online or on TV? Have you already got some good ideas about how you might increase biodiversity in your local area?
The Challenge
Having watched the video, the first part of the session is now finished. In the next part, you will be coming up with a design for a ‘home for nature’.
Activity
Complete this Homework Task which will guide you through the planning steps for the next stage of the Challenge
You may like to research more information through these weblinks:
Here are some useful links:
- RSPB’s planting plans for wildlife gardens- useful advice and tips for increasing biodiversity in your local area
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/gardening-for-wildlife/plants-for-wildlife/plantingplan-for-wildlife-gardens/ - WWF Biodiversity explainer – facts and figures
https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/202002/WWF_Biodiversity_Schools_Explainer_0.pdf - Biodiversity in schools
https://www.biodiversityinschools.com/ - Extinction: The Facts – TV special from David Attenborough
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000mn4n - Anthropocene, the age of humans, from the Natural History Museum
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/anthropocene.html
Session 2
Before moving onto this session, make sure that you completed the Homework task from the previous session.
In order to arrive at your final idea for your design, have a think about these questions:
- What part of your local area will you choose for your home for nature?
- Will you choose your own garden, balcony or roof?
- Will you choose part of the school grounds or a piece of neglected land in your local community?
- Or maybe you’ve identified an area next to a construction site?
- What plant and animal species are already living there, and which new
ones would you like to introduce? - Why have you chosen them?
- Will you use any technologies to identify and monitor species?
- How will you help all of these species flourish in their new home?
- Will you use natural solutions, structures or new technologies?
- Or maybe you’ve got ideas for new inventions of your own?
You will need to download an entry form:
You can draw a sketch, a plan, a labelled diagram, a painting or a computer
model. Bear in mind that some of these (such as the plan, labelled diagram
and computer model) give more technical detail like scale, measurements, materials etc. and may be more likely to impress the judges.
Read these judging criteria carefully – this tells you exactly what the judges will use to assess your work against all the other competitors. Everything you design and write should be focussed around these.
Submit your entry form
When you have finished, to be in with a chance for that top prize of £3,000 prize to spend on creating their home for nature (or be one of the category winners who will receive £1,000 each) you must submit your entry. You can read the terms and conditions here.
Complete the information on the last page of the entry form.
There are 3 ways to submit your work (which must be on the provided entry form):
• Email: bpusc@nationalschoolspartnership.com
• Fax: 020 7509 6651
• Freepost: We Are Futures, Ultimate STEM Challenge, 1-2 Paris Garden, London, SE1 8ND (you can use the Freepost label below)