Olympus Mons, Planet Mars
In an ambitious move to integrate interdisciplinary themes, our Senior Leadership Team challenged each department to develop project-based learning (PBL) lessons focused on Space for mixed-age classes comprising Year 6 to Year 9 students. Despite not currently teaching Key Stage 3 Geography, I eagerly took on the task of creating geographical resources for this initiative.
It was great to get the creative ideas sparking, and collaborating with a fellow educator sparked a plethora of additional innovative ideas. I opted to centre the PBL geography project on Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in our solar system, situated on Mars. This unique project aimed to lead students through an immersive in-class expedition, providing them with the opportunity to devise strategies for reaching the volcano's crater.
One of the standout features of this project is its role-playing game (RPG) elements, designed to promote group work and collective problem-solving. Students are assigned roles within their groups to simulate a Mars colony's journey from the base of Olympus Mons to its summit. Each student had a distinct responsibility contributing to the collective mission with roles, ranks and awards. This not only made the learning process more engaging but also encourages teamwork, communication, and the practical application of geographical knowledge.
The task is enriched with activities aimed at allowing students to unleash their imagination as they plan routes, overcome Martian topographical challenges, and manage resources for the ascent. Each group must work collaboratively to tackle various obstacles such as sandstorms, rocky terrain, and steep inclines, all while considering the logistical aspects of their journey. This makes the learning experience not only more realistic but also highly interactive, engaging, and enjoyable for the students.
Incorporating differentiation for students with English as an Additional Language (EAL) was a key consideration, including two versions of the mission brief depending on reading ability. While feedback suggested that some EAL students still found the assignment challenging in my post-PBL evaluation, this was very instructive for me as a teacher to know that after several years of teaching higher level geography, I still have a lot to learn in adapting my ideas to KS3 students after a period of lack of practice. The pitch of my lessons can be too high - therefore closer collaboration with KS3 colleagues is necessary for any future PBL initiatives I embark on!
That said, these materials are great to build upon if you are looking for a PBL idea. The power of imagination and RPG elements allow this PBL project to transcend traditional teaching methods, offering a dynamic way for students to immerse themselves in the awe-inspiring journey from the base to the summit of Olympus Mons. The resources used for this project, detailed below, are intended to be adaptable, allowing teachers to modify them to best fit their specific classroom environments.
The PBL resources can be accessed below.
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