A game-based teaching resource on the exploration of ecosystems<\/p>\n\n\n
We are delighted to share the result of a fruitful collaboration that enriches science teaching on monitoring ecosystem health. Discover the Nexus Island ESA Extension\u2014now available for download.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Ecosystems are biological units made up of organisms and the physical environment they inhabit. Within an ecosystem, organisms interact with each other and their environment in a balanced way which ensures the health of this unit. As such, ecosystems are involved in food and energy production and climate regulation. With anthropogenic activities causing the loss of biodiversity at an unprecedented rate, many ecosystems face major challenges in maintaining their healthy balance. Understanding the complex interplay between the living and non-living components of an ecosystem is critical for the preservation and restoration of these habitats, and in effect, maintaining the health of our planet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The “Nexus Island” teaching resource, inspired by an EMBL-led scientific expedition entitled “TRaversing European Coastlines (TREC)<\/a>“, invites students to re-evaluate their perception of the environment we live in by focusing on the interaction between living organisms, non-living environmental factors and humans, and their dependencies and adaptation strategies. The game-based approach draws special attention to our ecosystems’ biodiversity, specifically on the microscopic level, and to the extent to which microorganisms are vulnerable to the dynamics of a changing environment. Moreover, the role that research plays in providing data -the basis for any further discussions and actions, is highlighted in relation to analysing each element and organism in the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We hope that you\u2019ll feel inspired to use the game and enjoy discovering the “Nexus Island” ecosystem together with your students.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n “Nexus Island” is a game-based resource focused on ecosystem health. The term “Nexus”, meaning “connection”, hints at the core take-home message of the game: this is an island where everything is connected. Similarly, to scientists working in the field, students take part in a scientific voyage to discover the organisms inhabiting the island and explore the connections in place \u2013 between the organisms themselves and their environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The game is played using the map of the island and game cards and is driven by a narrative leading through the game experience. The island is portrayed on a map divided into four quadrants that represent different habitats with varying degrees of human activity: Nature, City, Agriculture and Industry. A deck of game cards is assigned to each quadrant, providing information on the organisms living there. The map shows visual triggers that allow the discovery and identification of the organisms and their characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The game is composed of three main parts that follow a storyline in which the students are explorers of the island. At the beginning of their expedition, students, in groups, survey the island to discover its inhabitants. Next, students identify the potential impact of an environmental change on the island. Finally, students explore strategies to help restore and maintain the health of the island\u2019s ecosystem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Game duration:<\/strong> min 90 minutes<\/p>\n\n\n\n Participants:<\/strong> Between 8 and 24 (divided into teams)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Age of participants:<\/strong> 14-16 years old<\/p>\n\n\n\n Game materials<\/strong>: Story, paper prints of the island quadrants, deck of game cards <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Organisms, sampling, identification & classification, organisms\u2019 ecology, remediation & human intervention, science & society, planetary health<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Students are expected to be familiar with concepts like cell biology, energy flow and conversion, homeostasis and response. Understanding ecology concepts such as competition, adaptation and trophic levels might be helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Nexus Island ESA Extension enhances the original Nexus Island resource by integrating inquiry-based learning with real in-situ and Earth Observation data from the European Space Agency (ESA) satellites. It immerses learners in authentic research practices, mirroring how scientists study ecosystem health, biodiversity, and human impact. Through a game-based exploration of diverse environments- Nature, City, Agriculture, and Industry, students investigate ecological relationships and environmental change using satellite data. The resource supports scientific literacy by connecting classroom learning with real-world environment monitoring and decision-making through the EU\u2019s Copernicus Earth Observation Programme.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n The resource package contains the following materials for preparing and playing the game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The story is used as a narrative to take students through the game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This document contains printable files representing the different quadrants of the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This document contains printable files of the deck of game cards. Teacher\u2019s guide This guide describes the concept of the game and instructions on how you can use it in class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This guide describes the concept of the game and instructions on how you can use it in class. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The fact sheets contain detailed information on the most prominent or abundant organisms on \u201cNexus Island\u201d, highlighting their roles in energy flow and overall relevance in their ecosystems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The worksheet contains \u201cdriving questions\u201d relevant to the different parts of the game and guides the students through the most essential learning aspects of the game. Students can refer to their notes during discussions and you may use them to evaluate their understanding of the information they acquired. For a more immersive and less learning outcome-focused game experience, the worksheets can be omitted.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The game is composed of three main parts that are driven by a narrative in the form of a story which aims to facilitate an immersive learning experience. Move to the \u201cStory\u201d section for the full story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We encourage you to adapt the game to your students’ knowledge and interests. As an optional activity, you may start and end with an association game to probe for students’ perceptions related to ecology and biodiversity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This short activity can be used as a conversation starter and allow you to understand what associations your students currently have with some concepts related to ecology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Students divide into four teams. Each team explores the island\u2019s ecosystem of one quadrant assigned to them using the game cards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In this first part of the game students in their teams will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n All teams then come together to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the second part of the game, each team explores how a change in the environmental conditions of the island might affect life in their respective quadrant. The students also evaluate the impact of this change on the organisms. To make informed decisions, students use the information they collected during the first part of the game (noted in their worksheets).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, all students gather as a group to discuss their findings. Having in mind that on the “Nexus Island” everything is connected, students are prompted to predict with a reason how and to what extent the whole island has been affected by the sudden change in environmental conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the second part of the game, students in their teams will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n All teams then come together to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the third part of the game, all students explore measures to mitigate the effects of the sudden environmental change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the third part of the game, students will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The game can be closed by a second round of the association game. The activity can help identify if and how the students\u2019 association with relevant concepts has changed and if any new knowledge has been picked up.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n Your feedback on using the “Nexus Island” teaching resource is invaluable to us! Please take a moment to share your thoughts using this link: https:\/\/www.surveymonkey.com\/r\/NI_EN<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nOverview<\/h2>\n
By playing the game, students will:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Topics covered<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Big ideas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Prerequisite knowledge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Links to curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Curriculum<\/strong><\/td> Content<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> International Baccalaureate<\/td> 4.1, 4.2, 4.3<\/td><\/tr> GCSE-AQA<\/td> 4.7.1, 4.7.2, 4.7.3, 4.7.4, 4.7.5<\/td><\/tr> AP Biology<\/td> 8.2, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Nexus Island ESA Extension<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Resource package<\/h2>\n
Preparing the game<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Story<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Island map <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Deck of game cards<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Playing the game<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Teacher’s guide<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Fact sheets <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Worksheet & Answer key <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Game structure<\/h2>\n
Story<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Narrative and game structure <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Optional – Association Game, round 1 (5 minutes) <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Part 1: Organisms of Nexus Island<\/strong> (30-40 minutes)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Part 2: Sudden change in the environment<\/strong> (20 minutes)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Part 3: Mitigation efforts to help the ecosystem recover<\/strong> (20 minutes)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Optional – Association Game, round 2<\/strong> (5 minutes)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Materials to download<\/h2>\n
\nNexus Island_Booklet<\/summary>\n
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\n\nNexus Island Resource Booklet_Bulgarian<\/a>\n
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\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\nNexus Island_Map<\/summary>\n
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\n\nNexus Island Map A3 size<\/a>\n\n
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\n\nNexus Island Map A2 size<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\nNexus Island_Game cards<\/summary>\n
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\n\n\nNexus Island Game Cards_German<\/a>
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\n\n\n\n\nNexus Island Game Cards_Dutch<\/a>
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\n\nNexus Island Game Cards_French<\/a>
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\n\nNexus Island Game Cards_Greek<\/a>
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\n\nNexus Island Game Cards_Italian<\/a>
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\n\nNexus Island Game Cards_Polish<\/a>
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\n\nNexus Island Game Cards_Portuguese<\/a>
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\n\nNexus Island Game Cards_Spanish<\/a>
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\n\nNexus Island Game Cards_Bulgarian<\/a>
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\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\nNexus Island_ESA Extension<\/summary>\n
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\n\n\nNexus Island_ESA extension_Cards_English<\/a>
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