{"id":99764,"date":"2019-09-05T16:23:01","date_gmt":"2019-09-05T16:23:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.microsoft.com\/?p=434246"},"modified":"2019-09-05T16:23:01","modified_gmt":"2019-09-05T16:23:01","slug":"teachers-bring-world-wildlife-fund-experts-into-your-classroom-via-skype-and-access-their-minecraft-biodiversity-curriculum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/2019\/09\/05\/teachers-bring-world-wildlife-fund-experts-into-your-classroom-via-skype-and-access-their-minecraft-biodiversity-curriculum\/","title":{"rendered":"Teachers: Bring World Wildlife Fund experts into your classroom via Skype and access their Minecraft Biodiversity Curriculum"},"content":{"rendered":"

We are excited to be partnering with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to bring teachers the <\/em>Our Planet Live collection<\/em><\/a><\/strong> of activities for teachers to join live via Skype. The collection consists of experts and scientists from around the world who can give a deeper insight into the species, locations, issues and solutions introduced by the \u201cOur Planet\u201d series and website. The series explores rich natural wonders, iconic species and wildlife spectacles that still remain and reveals the key issues that urgently threaten their existence. <\/em><\/p>\n

We spoke to Matt Larsen-Daw, WWF-UK<\/strong><\/p>\n

Matt is Education Manager for \u201cOur Planet\u201d and a member of the Education Leadership Group for the WWF Global Network. His background is as a campaigner, trainer and consultant in participatory community development. Matt is also Chair of socio-educational charity HVP Nepal-UK.<\/em> <\/em><\/p>\n

Tell us a bit about \u201cOur Planet\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

WWF\u2019s 2018 Living Planet Report<\/strong> revealed the scale of human impact on our precious natural world. \u201cOur Planet,\u201d launched on Netflix in April, takes the story further. The eight-part series, voiced by David Attenborough, reveals the natural wonders that remain and explores what we need to do to ensure a future in which nature and people thrive.<\/p>\n

Why is it important to WWF to involve students in this?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Today\u2019s young people will be the stewards of our planet in the years to come, and the future of all life depends on them gaining the knowledge, skills and passion for nature necessary to transform humanity\u2019s relationship with the natural world and build a more sustainable future. With just 10 years to bring huge changes to lifestyles and business practices worldwide if we are to avoid global environmental collapse, young people will be faced with a turbulent and challenging world as they move into adulthood and make decisions about their own personal and professional futures. <\/strong><\/p>\n

How can teachers get their students involved?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Students have a great opportunity to connect in real time with the experts behind the series\u2014you can request a free session via the Skype in the Classroom collection<\/a><\/strong>\u2014you can filter by subject, location and availability to find the right expert for your students to engage with. In addition to the live experience, you can support their learning with a range of resources and activities for schools and young people that build on \u201cOur Planet\u201d and ensure that the important subjects and messages in the series can be accessed by a wide spectrum of young people around the world. We are empowering educators in primary and secondary schools to draw on the incredible wealth of free high-quality video resources on ourplanet.com<\/a><\/strong> to delve into the key issues of our time with their students.<\/p>\n

What are some examples of the sorts of connections teachers can make?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"polar<\/p>\n

\"polarThrough his own personal story, polar expert Rod Downie will give students an insight into what it\u2019s really like to visit the frozen Arctic and come face to face with a polar bear.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/education.microsoft.com\/wwfpolar<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"bat<\/p>\n

\"bat<\/p>\n

You could meet a film producer from Silverback Films\u2014the talented team behind \u201cOur Planet\u201d\u2014and learn about the highs and lows of capturing breath-taking footage of the natural world.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/education.microsoft.com\/wwffilming<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"headshot<\/p>\n

\"headshot<\/p>\n

You could connect with bestselling nature author Nicola Davies and explore how fiction can encourage a connection with nature.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/education.microsoft.com\/NatureOnThePage<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Collaborate with classes in schools around the world as you explore your local biodiversity and take action to protect and restore nature in your area, guided by the Our Planet LAB toolkit. Find out more and register your interest here: https:\/\/education.microsoft.com\/ourplanetlab<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

More experts and educators are joining each month throughout 2019\u2014bookmark the page and look out for exciting opportunities to gain new insight on our planet and the fight for its future.<\/p>\n

Extra Resources for you and your classroom<\/h3>\n