Intended End User: Teacher
Age Group: Upper Primary; Lower Secondary
School Curriculum: Social & Environment Science
Themes and Topics: Behaviour & Lifestyle, Collective Action, Environmental Change, Food and Agriculture, Information & Knowledge, Citizenship
Duration: 90 min at school
Type of Resource: Game, Guidelines & Notes, Lesson Plans, Online Tool
Keywords: Biodiversity Conservation; Inquiry-Based Learning; Collaborative Problem-Solving; Human-Environment Interaction; Plenary Discussions
Languages: English
Description
This handbook introduces a mystery-based learning activity designed for teachers to guide students in understanding the ecological challenges surrounding the decline of the lapwing population. Using the “Mystery Method,” this resource enables students aged 10–13 to engage in inquiry-based learning and collaborative problem-solving while exploring biodiversity and the human impact on ecosystems.
Sixth-year students are introduced to an intriguing “mystery game,” a research-based learning activity designed for small groups of 2-4 participants. The game begins with a compelling research question that challenges students to explore the reasons behind the decline in the lapwing population, covering biological, ecological, sociological, and economic factors. To aid in their investigation, students are provided with information cards. These cards offer crucial insights into the lapwing’s situation without directly giving away the answer, encouraging students to think critically and piece together the information themselves.
The cards are deliberately brief and supplemented with graphics, maps, and images to cater to diverse reading preferences and enhance comprehension. During a plenary session, each group shares their proposed solutions, sparking a collaborative discussion on the most persuasive findings and the evidence supporting them. The teacher plays a key role in guiding this discussion, ensuring that it remains focused and productive, and leading students towards the correct conclusion if necessary.
How to use this resource
This resource is a practical guide for implementing a mystery-based learning activity focused on ecology and biodiversity. It provides all the information to get familiar with the method and guides through the lesson. Additionally, it provides the link to an information padlet.com, students can work with online instead of working with printed information cards.
The resources
Mystery Ecology Lapwings (PDF in English and German):
Learning Outcomes
- Elicit prior knowledge and further develop knowledge and comprehension of key Sustainability Citizenship key concepts, challenging established worldviews and values.
- Apply a range of suitable tools and frameworks to promote student Sustainability Citizenship.
- Reflect on practice and examine national curricula to identify opportunities to promote Sustainability Citizenship in interdisciplinary ways and engage with external stakeholders.
- Collaboratively synthesise the knowledge, tools and frameworks to create educational materials and lessons plans adapted to their own local context.
Green Competencies
- Embodying Sustainable Values: Supporting Fairness; Promoting Nature
- Embracing Complexity in Sustainability: Systems Thinking; Critical Thinking; Problem Framing
- Acting for Sustainability: Collective Action; Individual Initiative
Creative Commons
Permission is granted under a Creative Commons Attribution License to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon this resource material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
SDGs
