Walrus from Space
Optional intro goes here
Meet the Walrus
Action Challenge
10 - 15 minutes / Inside
Discuss how satellite imagery helps scientists monitor walrus populations and the importance of this research while making Walrus masks.
Learning outcome: Pupils will deepen understanding of climate change and conservation through visual media and creative communication, developing empathy and informed perspectives on global biodiversity.
HBN FAQ Slice
Instructions
- Prepare crafting supplies including paper, scissors, colouring pencils or paints
- Introduce the activity and show the class the video stimuli
- Reinforce that satellite imagery helps scientists monitor walrus populations and the importance of this research
- Ask pupils to think about how climate change might affect the walrus habitat
- Create walrus masks, posters, or magazine spread depending on the age and ability of your group. The goal is to share your new knowledge about Walrus with others.
- These could be turned into a wall display or shared within a school newsletter. If making masks, consider taking part in Wear it Wild; wear wildlife-inspired clothing and help bring our world back to life by fundraising for WWF
Adaptations
- Work in pairs/groups
- Teacher/teaching assistants to also create masks, providing an example for pupils to follow
Extensions
- If you have the Happy By Nature wall map, locate where different polar animals live on a map, as well as Walrus
- Pupils prepare a news report – ‘Live from the Arctic’ – sharing an update on Walrus populations
- Build into a research task, investigating species who share a habitat with walrus
Spot the Walrus
Creative Challenge
15 - 20 minutes / Inside and outside
Take part in a conservation science project, becoming ‘Walrus Detectives’ to help WWF to gather data on Walrus populations.
Learning outcome: Pupils will apply observation and data-handling skills in a real-world conservation context, promoting numeracy skills, scientific enquiry, critical thinking, and global citizenship.
Instructions
- Watch the video as a class
- Let the class know they are going to participate in Walrus from Space, becoming Walrus Detectives right here from the classroom
- Show satellite images of Walrus provided and count how many you can see
- Submit your findings to WWF by emailing them to {EMAIL TBC}
Adaptations
- Complete just one image
- Pause and discuss at regular intervals while watching the video / use only a section of it.
Extensions
- Share Walrus in Space with wider community and create a class/school leaderboard or totaliser – who has spotted the most Walrus?
- Link to Mathematics learning, such as coordinates/latitude and longitude/data handling
- Find further extension ideas for pupils 7-12-years-old within our Walrus From Space resource pack , developed with British Antarctic Survey.
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