Aims
- To empathise with those whose homes have been flooded
- To reflect on the similarities and differences of experiencing flooding in different parts of the world
- To consider how these effects might be worse for some communities than others
What you need
Print a copy of the worksheet per pupil or pair
What to do
- Start by asking the pupils if there is anywhere close to their home that gets flooded? Is there anywhere in Scotland or the UK they know that gets flooded?
- Working in small groups, ask the pupils to look at the photos on the worksheet. They all show images of people whose lives have been affected by flooding around the world. They need to cut out the pictures and place them on the world map indicating where they are from.
- Which of the people in these photographs do they think would be most devastated by flooding? Why?
- What do they notice about where the pictures are across the world map? Are all countries prone to floods?
Choose one picture from Europe and one picture from a developing country. Ask the pupils to discuss:
- What would life be like for the people in these pictures whose homes have been flooded?
- Who do you think is most devastated by the effects of the flooding?
In a plenary session draw out the similarities and differences in experiencing flooding in different parts of the world.
Reflection and evaluation
People living in poverty are worst affected and suffer most from the effects of flooding. Living in poverty makes it more difficult for people to cope with flooding and recover from the effects as they have less money to rebuild their lives. With the effects of climate change now being felt by communities across the world, it is often those who are poor that are most vulnerable to its effects like flooding.
This is an introductory activity for the STEM challenge Beat the Flood – view the full challenge online www.practicalaction.org/schools
