As part of their DLE project, 5I have investigated how people from different countries deal with problems associated with flooding.  In Bangladesh, a country that regularly floods, an ingenious solution has been found to the problem of crops being destroyed during the floods.  Plots of floating land are constructed on which families grow their crops.

5I were set a challenge to design and build their own floating gardens within their small teams.  As the weeks have progressed, designs have been altered so that each team was confident that their garden could float and withstand a ‘flood situation’.

Last Friday, the final designs were floated on the school pond and tested for the length of time they could float with weights being added, and finally being subjected to an improvised flood.  The results were very interesting and the pupils successfully analysed the reasons why some were better than others.

It was a really exciting project which kept all pupils fully engaged.  I am confident that they will take with them improved teamwork skills and a knowledge of design and build strategies.