„Analemma"

 

Implementer: Chocianów Primary School

 

Problem: As a result of the „Switch from a swallow to a barometre" project, the primary school and local educational institutions created an allotment as a site for outdoor lessons. The allotment, however, was not being used to its full potential and school leaders thought that setting up an analemmatic sundial could make school outdoor activities more interesting.  

 

Objective: The objective of the project was to get the school community: pupils, parents, local groups and organisations involved and excited about creating a model nature garden with an analemmatic sundial.

 

Project implementation and results: Project work involved the following:

1. Physics learning activities at school, at the allotment and at the planetarium in Görlitz with a focus on the history of sundials in Lower Silesia and Saxony.

2. School projects related to the sundial, including a PowerPoint presentation and dedicated websites placed on the school server.

3. Creating an analemmatic sundial in the nature garden.

4. Preparation by the pupils of dual-language (Polish and German) weather observation calendars; exhibition of the most interesting ones on the „Hope" Allotment's Announcements Board.

5. Repairing of damaged benches, installation of new benches, renovation of swings and playground ladders.

6. Building a small garden house for storing garden tools and equipment. This included:

- an interschool competition for a garden house design,

- pupils with adults supervisors constructing and painting the garden house,

- making a decorative pergola and planting next to it climbing plants.

7. Building a well and purchasing the necessary equipment for the well and the associated electrical apparatus.

8. A series of meetings for teachers from the „Land of Heather" region to approve a timetable and schedule for educational activities taking place in the garden as part of the „Four seasons of the year in the garden" programme, including teaching lesson plans and summaries.

9. Joint celebrations of Earth Day, Allotment Holder Day, Children's Day, the harvest festival, competitions etc.

 

Project partners:

·         Chocianów City Hall and Municipality Office,

·         Administration of the „Hope" Allotment,

·         Chocianów Primary School Parents Council,

·         Drewbud Construction Co., 

·         Agro - Świt Company, 

·         Chocianów Forest District Office,

·         WM Chudy Trading Co.,

·         Discoverers of Polish Copper Gymnasium,

·         John Paul II Primary School in Szklary Dolne,

·         Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Gospodarki Mieszkaniowej i Komunalnej, ( MPGMiK)

·         Astronomical Observatory in Görlitz (Germany),

·         „Marbud" Construction Co.,

·         „Land of Heather" Local Action Group,

·         Bory Dolnośląskie Landscape Conservation Association

·         Green Action Environmental Foundation.

 

Grant amount, other sources of funding: