As part of their unit of inquiry “Sharing the Planet”, the TKS Early Years students recently undertook a 10-week exploration of the natural world. Focused on the theme of understanding and caring for our environment, the unit encourages our young learners to investigate the world around them through hands-on experiences, meaningful connections, and the development of responsibility. In the classroom, the students investigated key questions like:
- How do we explore and connect with nature?
- What new understandings can we gain about our environment?
These inquiries were brought to life through activities, including observing natural materials (leave and rocks), and experimenting with scientific tools like magnifying glasses and microscopes.
As part of this unit, the children embarked on inspiring trips – to the KAUST Coastal and Marine Operations Research (CMOR) facility, and to the KAUST mangroves. On the trip to CMOR, they had the privilege of learning from KAUST marine scientists Helena Villela, Vera Costa, and Adam Barno, who generously shared their expertise about coral restoration and fish life in the Red Sea. The students were captivated as the scientists explained how the Red Sea’s biodiversity is studied and protected, how coral reefs are restored, and why coral reefs are critical to marine life. KAUST scientist, Marika Panagiotou, a Biodiversity Specialist, hosted our young learners at the KAUST mangroves, where her passion and expertise brought the mangroves to life, helping the children explore the vital role they play in our environment. The hands-on learning and insightful discussion, the students discovered the beauty and importance of mangroves and other sea life around us.
Seeing the mangroves, fish tanks, and learning about the connections between marine animals and their habitats, really brought the classroom discussions to life in an unforgettable way, and these field trips enabled students to see firsthand the vital work being done to preserve marine ecosystems, and provided a practical extension of the concepts explored in the classroom.
The unit fosters skills in communication, research, and critical thinking, while also nurturing a sense of empathy and responsibility. The strong relationship between KAUST researchers and TKS provides our students with invaluable opportunities to witness real-world applications of their learning. By bridging the classroom with the local environment, we empower our youngest learners to appreciate, respect, and care for the natural world around them. Through these experiences, our students are developing a lifelong curiosity and commitment to protecting the planet they share.
Pictures of the visit can be found here.