The article below, published in the weekend edition of the local Rhein-Neckar Zeitung, is a celebration of those 3 students who won prizes for their newspaper articles.
Students from various schools in Heidelberg submitted newspaper articles, that were then published by the RNZ. The RNZ journalists chose 3 articles, whose authors won prizes for their fantastic effort. Among the winners is H.I.S. student Vedikaa, Grade 9. Well done!
poster: Joaquin, Gr 11
poster: Livia, Gr 11
Sibylle Riedmiller, a German social scientist, has given an online talk to the grade ten class on Chumbe Island, an award-winning private nature reserve based on an uninhabited island off Zanzibar.
The nature reserve was founded in 1991 and includes a coral reef sanctuary, a forest reserve, historical monuments, nature walks and a small eco-lodge. Ms Riedmiller gave a presentation on the island, followed by a questions and answers session online.
The talk was a part of the grade ten I&S unit Development and Population Change. Emphasis of the unit is on sustainable development as well as environmental and population issues. The class has started working on a sustainable development project, which they should complete by mid-May. Ms Riedmiller highlighted in her talk how education was a big part of her development work in Tanzania.
The students showed particular interest in how the project was set up and developed over time. There were also some questions on the impact of the current corona pandemic on conditions in Africa. The class found the talk interesting, in particular as it highlighted the complexity of development issues and how cultural understanding was a big part of
successful collaboration between different stakeholders.
The class has also been doing work on development issues in Science earlier this school year.
KG
Exhibition Heidelberg Universitätsplatz (23 April – 7 May)
Students from GLL grade 9/10 and GL grade 11 follow the accompanying E-Learning-Modul in German class this week, supported by online tutors from the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung.
GEGEN DAS VERGESSEN is the memorial project created by Luigi Toscano from Mannheim. The photographer and filmmaker has been traveling the world to meet and portrait survivors of the Nazi persecution since 2014. So far, more than 400 of these encounters have taken place in Germany, The United States, Austria, Ukraine, Russia, Israel the Netherlands, France and Belarus. The number of portraits is still growing, but time is running out: It won’t be long until there will no remaining survivors.
Instead of exhibiting them in a museum or a gallery, Luigi Toscano always presents the larger-than-live portraits in public places, such as parks, squares or on facades, so they are accessible to everyone, independent of origin, age or education. By now, more than one million people worldwide have experienced the exhibition. The current installation in Heidelberg features about 100 portraits.
The Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung offers an additional educational E-Learning programme, which is sophisticated and sensitive. The content includes interactive modules, interviews with survivors, historic background information and research material. The students have the possibility to contact tutors, to comment on the content and to ask questions at each stage of the project.
It is a very special exhibition. The following quote of the introductive exhibition text reflects:
“Special acknowledgement is given to those portrayed, without whom the exhibition would not have been possible. Their strength is incomparable, their trust immeasurable.”
BK
poster: Louis, Gr 11
We were delighted to bring back experts, Frau Kegler and Herr Bubenitzschek with Digitale Medien, to deliver a workshop for our Grade 7 students over Zoom last Thursday.
Grade 7s discussed healthy habits regarding access to social media platforms, review of age ratings, German laws and legal advice, healthy amounts of screen time, the social structures that precipitate cyberbullying and potential abuses, video scenarios around responsibility, and the possible exploitation and risks involved when meeting new people virtually.
A special THANKS to Charlotte who graciously provided translation for our guest speakers when needed.
Here are some helpful weblinks that provide details around these valuable topics.
English language websites:
https://www.childnet.com/
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/privacy-and-internet-safety/age/teens
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
German websites:
https://www.klicksafe.de/
http://www.jugendschutz.net/
https://www.nummergegenkummer.de/
https://www.juuuport.de/beratung
https://www.polizei-beratung.de/medienangebot/detail/41-im-netz-der-neuen-medien/
Photo: LF
Many Congratulations to the Grade 10 students for the completion of their Personal Projects; a milestone that indicates that they have finished an important part of their education.
The Personal Project is a very important aspect of the MYP, and the process the students have gone through these past months has helped them gain skills that will support and prepare them for some of the challenges that they may face in the Diploma Programme.
Despite not being able to have a Personal Project Evening, many students still shared their products by presenting via zoom classes. We were treated to virtual presentations on Belarusian culture and the Holocaust, live music, by a student who wrote and composed his own song as well as a short movie full of suspense and a video on digital art.
Other topics included:
poster: Giulia, Gr 11
Grade 12 students had their last day of school today, before they return to sit their final exams in May. In many ways the day was colourful and special.
It is an H.I.S. tradition for the youngest students to give chocolate ladybirds and cards to Grade 12 students on their last day.
In order to keep their distance, Early Primary students hid the ladybirds and placed the cards to be found and picked up by Grade 12.
Good luck with your exams Class of 2021!
The students in grade 8 have been studying interactions between populations, communities and ecosystems as part of their Unit “Silent Spring”.
This unit takes its name from an environmental science book published in 1962 by Rachel Carson. This book helped everyday people see the dramatic ways our impact on the environment, through the use of pesticides, could ripple through ecosystems, worsening over time, and helped ignite a movement for greater conservation efforts.
Grade 8 took a break from their screens last week to observe their local environment and document examples of interdependence and interactions within populations communities and ecosystems.
One student observed:
“The largest green tree is an apple tree, the tree with the white blossom is cherry, the smaller plants with the yellow flowers are wolfbane and the leafy green bush is a pink and wite rose.
There are many plants in the small space which leaves them all competing for space. Even though the plants are struggling for room, they each bring something to the garden.
The wolfsbane sap burns flesh so it stops any cats or people walking through the roses have thorns which stops people from accessing the apples which means they can drop their seeds easily.
The trees and plants give out O2 and breathe in CO2, and the blossoms have a beautiful smell which attracts many bees and butterflies in summer.”
“There is a pine tree, a second cherry tree and a wild pear tree. These three trees each take up a rather big space.
Pine is incredibly tall, cherry’s branches spread out and lastly wild pear has stayed slightly small because it is benign blocked by the two other trees.
The pine casts a huge shadow down on the ground and makes the soil slightly more acidic when the pine cones rot down. Which is the perfect easy for many plants to grow such as; clover, rose, and dandelions.
All three trees give out O2 and take in significant amounts of CO2.”
Wishing everyone time to enjoy the final arrival of spring this weekend!