Supervisors info:
Αποστολία Γαλάνη, Καθηγήτρια, ΠΤΔΕ ΕΚΠΑ
Ευαγγελία Μαυρικάκη, Καθηγήτρια, ΠΤΔΕ ΕΚΠΑ
Κωνσταντίνα Στεφανίδου, Ε.ΔΙ.Π, ΠΤΔΕ ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Climate crisis, as reflected in the literature, affects the duration and intensity of natural hazards in Europe (United Nations, 2023). Heatwaves, which are directly connected to climate crisis, are of utmost importance as: (a) they relate to fatalities. According to the European Union (2020), heatwaves caused the loss of 77,637 lives, representing 85% of deaths related to natural hazards, (b) they impact on ecosystems, as heatwaves extensively affect natural ecosystems, significantly influencing biodiversity (IPCC, 2023), (c) they lead to reduction in crop yields, worsening food security (Yale Climate Connections, 2022).
In urban environments, heatwaves heighten scientific concern, as cities are 3-8°C warmer than rural areas, where most of the population and human activities are concentrated in Western societies (Hulley, 2019). Consequently, it is necessary to find solutions to address this pressing issue. UNICEF suggests that an early introduction to climate change education helps children to develop key competencies that can result in lifelong sustainable capabilities (UNICEF, 2021).
The presenting thesis focuses on identifying and modifying primary school students' ideas of heatwaves in urban environments. To approach this, the research process was divided into three stages: (a) pre-research, (b) implementation, (c) post-research (Marsden & Torgerson, 2012).
During the pre-research students completed a digital questionnaire about their ideas on heatwaves and how to address them in urban environments. Additionally, they created sketches presenting ways the urban environment could be designed to combat heatwaves. This initial data provided empirical evidence of the students' ideas and determined the implementation framework of the intervention.
The intervention was conducted through the "HEATWAVE CITY" online game with corresponding worksheets tailored to each stage of the game. These data were used as material to conduct the formative assessment of the students.
During the post-research, students re-completed the initial digital questionnaire, as well as designing new sketches representing ways that the urban environment could be shaped to address heatwaves.
The research results indicate that students' ideas about heatwaves in urban environments confirm the existing literature regarding their connection with the greenhouse effect, the ozone hole, and the definition of heatwaves. However, regarding the relationship between climate crisis and heatwaves, it is interesting that students, contrary to the existing literature, recognize the direct correlation between the two. Concerning ways to address heatwaves in urban environments, students identified that increasing vegetation and open water sources, reducing energy consumption, and passive cooling contribute as countermeasures, though they did not include urban planning or other factors highlighted in the "HEATWAVE CITY" online game. The research implied that students' ideas could be modified or improved after the practical implementation of the "HEATWAVE CITY" online game.
