Monsoon proof roof: Global Learning

The GLP is funded by The UK Government

Page 1

MONSOON PROOF ROOF Mehrab Mollah is nine years old.

He lives in Bangladesh with his mum Shahana.

 Every year there are very heavy rains called the

monsoon

.

 These rains make the rivers in Bangladesh flood.

 Mehrab’s family are afraid that their home could get washed away in the floods.

His family are building a new home on raised ground.

This will keep it above the flood waters.

©PrimaryUpd8: To subscribe, visit www.primaryupd8.org.uk The GLP is funded by the UK government Image courtesy: Practical Action Bangladesh

Page 2

THE BIG QUESTION Buildings in Mehrab’s village have straw roofs.

Big question

What material do you think Mehrab should suggest his parents use for the roof of their new home?

©PrimaryUpd8: To subscribe, visit www.primaryupd8.org.uk The GLP is funded by the UK government Images courtesy: Practical Action Bangladesh

Page 3

DISCUSS

What material has been used for each roof?

Why has that material been chosen?

©PrimaryUpd8: To subscribe, visit www.primaryupd8.org.uk Could a different material be used?

The GLP is funded by the UK government

Page 4

RAINFALL DATA

A graph to show the average rainfall each month in Bangladesh

600 500 400 300 200 100 0

A graph to show the average rainfall each month in the UK

600 500 400 300 200 100 0

A graph to show daily rainfall in Chittagong, Bangladesh

20 15 10 5 40 35 30 25 0 0 5 10 15 Date in July 20 ©PrimaryUpd8: To subscribe, visit www.primaryupd8.org.uk 25 30 The GLP is funded by the UK government

Page 5

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT...?

Mehrab’s new roof is made of

corrugated iron.

This was quite cheap to buy and is more waterproof than his old straw roof.

Raised platform to keep Mehrab’s home above the flood waters.

Mehrab says it is now quite noisy when it rains but his family feel a lot safer.

©PrimaryUpd8: To subscribe, visit www.primaryupd8.org.uk The GLP is funded by the UK government Images courtesy: Practical Action Bangladesh

Page 6

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This activity was produced by the

Association for Science Education

in partnership with

Practical Action

as part of the

Global Learning Programme

.

Promoting Excellence in Science Teaching and Learning

The GLP is a ground-breaking programme which is building a national network of like-minded schools, committed to equipping their students to succeed in a globalised world. The GLP helps teachers in Primary, Secondary and Special schools to deliver effective teaching and learning about international development and global issues at Key Stages 2 and 3.

ASE is providing the science education support for the Global Learning Programme which is funded by the UK government. This activity can be found on the Global Learning Programme www.glp-e.org.uk

, ASE Primary upd8 primaryupd8.org.uk

and Practical Action practicalaction.org.uk/schools websites.

Thank you to the children of

Year 6

at

Camp Primary and Nursery School, St. Albans

for sharing their ideas and to their teachers for making time available for this project.

The GLP is funded by the UK government ©PrimaryUpd8: To subscribe, visit www.primaryupd8.org.uk