Introduction
Scientists warn that serious declines in the insect population can have devastating consequences for the life of humanity, recalling that we depend on insects for the foods we consume.If we imagine ecology as a machine, then each insect that buzzes, crawls and flies acts as a impeller in this machine. Small, individual efforts bring enormous benefits to the livability of the world.Ways to preserve nature and take advantage of it need to be learned from an early age.Early childhood education is the basis of life. Therefore, at this age, priority should be given to studies related to the love of nature and inspiration from nature.
Exploring the Topic
The students were first asked to investigate an insect of their choice.When we talk about forest fires in the classroom, students’ curiosity about this increases when we talk about the importance of insects for the revival of burning forests. After that, the teacher asks them to investigate a bug they want. Everyone chose their bug and they prepared their bug presentations at home under the guidance of their parents. They got ready for class with a picture of their bugs.
After making a presentation in the classroom, the teacher reads the story of Eric Carle’s Hungry Caterpillar to the students with the interactive book reading technique.After the story of the Hungry Caterpillar, a trip to the “Insect Workshop” was organized in the Tropika Butterfly District of the Seljuk Municipality to learn more about insects. During the trip, the expert introduces the children to the twig beetle after giving them information about the insects. Children who want to take the twig bug in their hands. With the butterfly garden trip, the part of learning about insects is completed.
Selçuklu Municipality Tropical Butterfly Garden Trip – YouTube
Since the topic of insects came out of forest fires, the teacher specifically mentions the dung beetle, which takes an active part in the transportation of seeds. Videos about the dung beetle are viewed. They do rounding emulations like that. The bug rondu is played.
Seed ball design with Dung beetle – YouTube
The prepared seed balls are then left to nature by the children.
Our Workshop
How can you drop seed balls in places inaccessible to people in forest fires? The question will be asked. The answers that came in were usually airplanes, helicopters and robots. Information was given about the location of insects in robot design. Yavuz Özdoğan, Teacher of Information Technologies at our school, was invited to the class. Our guest told the children about the work of robots. He showed me how it works with the Arduino set.
Design Process
The teacher then reads the children a story about setting up an electrical circuit. Set up a circuit i.in salt ceramics are kneaded and the design is made. The completion of the circuit is explained by lighting the LED lamp via the design. It’s time to design a robot insect. Children who draw their designs prepare parts for the teacher that they will make themselves in the design. The teacher supports the children in the difficult parts and the designs are completed.
Electrical circuit building and insect robot design – YouTube
The designs are tested by running them: https://youtu.be/3IbSqMGSyDE
Evaluation
At the end of the study, the children learned about the benefits of insects to nature. They learned the working systems of robots. They acquired skills, related to the installation and operation of electrical circuits.
