Nexus Island ESA Extension in the classroom

With the Nexus Island ESA Extension, students are introduced to the role Earth Observation satellites play on monitoring biodiversity and different ecosystems, providing essential information on their health. Students will investigate how satellite data contribute to analysing, researching and mitigating the effects of natural and man-made events on Nexus Island, such as algae blooms. They will also understand the relevance of the European Union's Earth Observation Copernicus Programme in monitoring our planet and its environment, with the aim of benefiting all European citizens.

Nexus Island in a nutshell

• Type of resource: Game-based teaching resource
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Participants: 8–24 students, working in teams
• Age Groups: 14–16; 16-19 years old
• Resource package
• Languages: The Nexus Island ESA Extension is currently available in English, more translations to come

Learning objectives of the Nexus Island ESA Extension

In addition to the Nexus Island resource objectives, by using the materials of the Nexus Island ESA extension, students will:

• Explain the termin-situ measurements and describe how algae blooms can be investigated locally from the ground.
• Identify how in-situ measurements and satellite data work together and why it is essential for validating satellite data, for monitoring ecosystem health.
• Communicate and collaborate as a group.
• Discover how Earth Observation satellites monitor ecosystems.
• Associate Earth Observation satellite monitoring with the principle of the different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum.
• Understand the relevance of the European Union's Copernicus Programme in monitoring our planet and its environment, with the aim of benefiting all European citizens.

Links to the curriculum

Subjects

Related topics

Biology, chemistry, Earth sciences, ecology, geography, physics, social sciences, technology.

Biodiversity, organism classification, sampling, ecosystem dynamics, adaptation. Water quality, coastal protection, marine pollution, ocean currents. Algae, Phosphorous/Nitrogen cycle in a lake/water body, Nitrogen and Phosphorous as nutrients, eutrophication, food chain. Earth observation, space and technology, satellites, remote sensing, electromagnetic spectrum. The human eye. Planetary health and sustainability, sustainable cities and sustainable development, human impact, climate change, risks.

What’s included in the resource package?

The resource package includes:

• Story – A narrative script that guides the entire Nexus Island game
• Island map – Printable files of four island quadrants consisting of Nature, City, Agriculture, and Industry
• Deck of game cards – Information-rich cards linked to each habitat and Deck of ESA Extension Cards, introducing satellites and how space can contribute to monitor and solve environmental issues
• Teacher’s guide Nexus Island –Instructions for setup and facilitation including fact sheets, worksheets and answer keys and Teacher’s Guide ESA Extension, with detailed instruction on how to use the ESA Extension including background knowledge, fact sheets, worksheets and answer keys

Game structure and flow

The game’s story guides students through exploring Nexus Island and learning about Earth Observation data from satellites, helping them understand how this data addresses events like algal blooms, oil spills, or seagrass die-offs.

The game is structured into three parts, driven by a narrative that supports deep engagement.

In the first part, students are divided into four teams, each exploring one quadrant of the island using the game cards. Instructions for using these cards are provided in the EMBL Nexus Island Teacher Guide (page 18 onward) and the ESA Extension guide.

The cards use is flexible and can be adapted for different teaching needs. Students identify organisms and investigate their adaptations and ecological roles and discuss cross-quadrant similarities and anthropogenic impacts (30-40 min).

In the second part of the game, a sudden environmental event is introduced, and students evaluate the impact of it on their quadrant. They try to predict how these changes might affect the ecosystem on Nexus Island and present their findings. In this second part, the ESA Extension cards can find their place. They can be easily printed and used with the other items of the Nexus Island resource package Students will discuss which Earth Observation satellite might provide useful data about the events happening in the island and how to use this data to understand and address the issues. The game can focus on one event or cover multiple events to highlight their interactions (20 min).

In the third and conclusive part, students collaborate and propose solutions to help balancing the ecosystem and reflect on the role of humans in ecosystem recovery by using data from Earth observation satellites (20 min).

Delivery tips

1. Introduce the island and its story: Start by engaging students with Nexus Island’s narrative. Use cards and the carpet to spark curiosity, ask questions like “What would you do if you were stranded on a mysterious island?” or “How can humans impact an ecosystem?”
2. Explore and study the environment: Use the materials while following the storyline to navigate the island, investigating flora, fauna, and environmental issues. Employ the study during this phase by guiding students to analyse data, answer comprehension questions, or discuss cause-effect relationships related to ecosystem health.
3. Problem-solve and make decisions: As students encounter events on Nexus Island, they can apply their knowledge in decision-making tasks. This knowledge could also come from satellite data included in the ESA Extension cards that monitoring ecosystem can be used for providing solution to the issues encountered on the Island.
4. Collaborate and reflect: Encourage teamwork by having students share their strategies and reflect on the consequences of their choices. This phase reinforces learning through peer interaction and critical reflection