Education News
Grade 5/6 classes event
Philosothon at Scienceworks
On 12th September, selected students from 5/6 classes participated in an event called a Philosothon at Scienceworks in Spotswood with eight other schools. We were split up into mixed groups where there were approximately two students from each school in a ten student group.
After that we went and watched a planetarium show called ‘The Living Planet’, then had philosophical discussions about the show in our mixed-school groups. Next, each group saw different exhibits and had another philosophical discussion about the exhibits they saw. After lunch, each school presented their learning's from the day before we headed home on the train.
Our school decided that a common theme running through our philosophical discussions was the question ‘What does it mean to be alive?’
- Some of our groups discussed if we met an alien that did the same things as you, had the same emotions as you, and thought the same as you, would it be considered a person?
- Others decided that it was how you chose to live your life that made you a person, so aliens would be people if they acted similar enough to us.
- Another one of our groups inquired into how you should live your life, arguing that if you’re just sitting on the couch all day wasting away, you’re not really living a life.
- Finally, we also discussed whether emotions were necessary to count as a person. This group asked whether a robot with programmed emotions identical to yours would count as a person, or whether the fact that the emotions were programmed means that it doesn’t?
By Annika, Ruby, Lara, Bella, Finn, Kaan, Thomas, Harry, Angus, Josh, and Jeremy
You can find out more about the value of Philosophy in Schools by reading Ben’s article here.
Our Inquiry
For the 5/6 classrooms’ inquiry we have been learning about animals and how they adapt to survive. As we progressed in our learning we found out about why animals are endangered – we (human beings) are the main contributors. Every day many species are becoming extinct from global warming and pollution. By burning fossil fuels, we create carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are harmful to our atmosphere because they store the sun’s heat more efficiently and longer than oxygen. This means the world’s climate gets hotter and hotter and because of this process many species are dying out. The sea level is rising due to melting polar ice caps, and the sea is warming, making it impossible for coral to survive. Without coral, other species die out. Glaciers are melting giving polar bears nowhere to live; longer and more intense droughts are occurring, leaving animals with no water source. These things are terrible, but we have the power to change this. There are a few simple things you can do to help the environment and save animals: use public transport or cycling when commuting rather than travelling in a car; go on road trips and cruises rather than flying to reduce your carbon footprint; reduce your waste (make sure rubbish is disposed of responsibly and where possible, recycled); make sure the food you buy doesn’t affect the environment (for example, many products contain palm oil, the production of which involves a very destructive method of farming). You can also attend protests to share your opinion about how we need to stop harming the environment and our climate. Protesting is an effective way of raising awareness about climate change. My family are attending the global climate strike on September 20th 2:00 PM Treasury Gardens Melbourne, to raise awareness, share and express our opinions on climate change. It would be great to see some M.P.W.P.S students and families attending.
By Magnus CF
Celebrating Dyslexia Awareness Month
