Modifying SLH discussions: Shifting the focus of discourse
In a unique approach to science education, a Year 5 and 6 teacher named Mila adapted an activity for a science unit on the New Zealand longfin eel, transforming the classroom into an "Eel hotel" for an immersive learning experience.
The 'Eel hotel' activity, inspired by the 'Bird hotel' activity, involved students acting out the various stages of the longfin eel's life cycle outside on the school court, with hula hoops representing different life stages and habitats. As the students/eels traveled through the life cycle, Mila would blow a whistle, and the students would freeze. At these moments, Mila would read out a scenario, presenting the students with challenges that the longfin eel faces in its natural environment.
The negative scenarios in the game involved hoops being removed, symbolising threats to the eel's habitat, while the positive scenarios involved hoops being added, representing conservation efforts and a healthier environment. If students could not find space in a hoop or were mid-journey, they were considered "dead eels" and eliminated from the game, emphasising the difficulties faced by the longfin eel in navigating its life cycle.
Mila's specific learning outcomes for the unit included students becoming experts on the longfin eel, explaining and drawing the life cycle, building awareness of the eel, naming the threats endangering the eel, and describing the culturally specific relationships between Māori and the eel. By blending drama with researched content on the longfin eel’s ecology and cultural importance, teachers create an immersive learning experience that promotes curiosity, empathy, and a nuanced understanding of environmental science.
The students found the game to be engaging and memorable, with Emery (10 years) commenting that it showed how hard it is for the longfin eel to navigate its life cycle. Mila felt that the adaptation to 'Eel hotel' was successful, stating that it helped students understand the urgency and build empathy for the longfin eel, which is facing extinction due to a sharp decline in numbers.
This research project focused on investigating how teachers used and adapted Science Learning Hub (SLH) resources for their science teaching, involving six teachers from four schools. By effectively adapting external science activities to incorporate drama-based strategies, teachers can engage students and deepen their understanding of scientific concepts, making learning both enjoyable and impactful.
- Mila's unique classroom project offers a fusion of 'science education' and 'drama-based strategies' aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the longfin eel's life cycle.
- In the process of exploring 'health-and-wellness' issues concerning the longfin eel, students can embark on a journey of 'personal growth' and 'learning' about the eel's habitat and cultural significance.
- Teachers who adopt innovative 'education-and-self-development' methods like Mila's 'Eel hotel' activity can facilitate not only 'fitness-and-exercise' in students' minds but also cultivate empathy and awareness for environmental 'learning' and conservation efforts.
