Floating Garden Challenge
Challenge students to find a solution to a real problem in Bangladesh
A fun hands on investigation suitable for KS 2-5 (age 7-19) pupils
The problem: as a result of climate change there is more rain in Bangladesh than ever before. Land where farmers used to grow their crops is now flooded on a regular basis. The result is families go hungry.
The challenge: to design and build a model structure that will enable farmers to grow crops even in an area that may become flooded.
The challenge can provide a focus for National Science and Engineering Week, be used as a STEM or science club activity, enhance a lesson on floating and sinking, form the basis of an enrichment day, provide an activity for SEAL and PLTS and be the starting point for a range of cross-curricular activities.
This activity is accredited by the British Science Association as suitable to count towards a CREST Star Investigators SuperStar award. For more information about the scheme please visit their website
Please request one of our beautiful A2 posters (Uk only) or download below
A presentation to introduce and support the Floating garden challenge for primary and secondary schools.
Notes for teacher's to help make the most of the presentation to introduce and run the Floating garden challenge.
Starter activity image sheets
Images of flooding and drought in the UK and Bangladesh to prompt discussion around global changing weather patterns.
Student worksheets that enable primary and secondary students to record their design ideas.
Student congratulations certificates
Certificates awarded to the group of pupils whose floating garden has supported the most weight.
Student well done certificates
Certificates awarded to pupils who've completed the Floating garden challenge.
Floating garden challenge poster
Floating garden challenge English poster with EC logo
This project is funded
by the European Union.
Video showing how floating gardens help families during the floods
Images to support the Floating Garden Challenge
You're welcome to use our any of our great pictures from our project work in Bangladesh to support the challenge. We've uploaded them to Flickr for you to access here.
To find out more about floating gardens in Bangladesh please go to our main website practicalaction.org/floating-gardens
For a technical brief on how to make a real floating garden go to Floating Gardens in Bangladesh
To help students explore the concept of technology justice further we have range of short group activities practicalaction.org/schoolstechnologyjustice
To find more about how schools are using the Floating Garden Challenge visit our Challenges in Schools site.