Esero / School projects / Climate Detective Kids

Be part of the solution!

As a teacher, you can take part with your Cycle 3 and 4 pupils (aged 8-12) in the Climate Detectives Junior school project, an adapted version of the European Climate Detectives program run by the European Space Agency (ESA).

Together, your students carry out a real scientific investigation into local environmental issues. Their mission: to observe, measure, analyze and propose concrete solutions for the environment!

An exciting educational project that raises youngsters’ awareness of sustainable development issues through practical, accessible activities.

Why take part?

  • Raising students’ awareness of the environment and environmental change
  • To develop their scientific skills, critical thinking and autonomy
  • A motivating, practical and collaborative class project
  • To benefit from free support and professional equipment

a 4-stage project

Together with your students, you :

The most innovative ideas are rewarded and showcased!

1. Choose a local environmental issue

2. Collect data in the field or via satellite observation

3. Analyze the results

4. Suggest concrete solutions to improve the situation

Activity 1: Temperature trends in your community

objective

Measure temperature changes around the school and understand their link with environmental change. Students compare temperatures on the ground, under a tree and historical data from Meteolux (since 1941) and at European level (since 1850).

 

we provide you with

  • 1 to 2 weather stations per school
  • Teaching aids
  • Comparative data
  • Satellite images of the region
  • Personalized support

Planning

Timetable Steps
April


Gathering prior knowledge: Students gather their ideas and knowledge on the theme of climate and create a poster/mental map.

Purpose: to document the learning of the class. Ability to add and remove questions and set your own priorities.

Introducing the common research question: Can our measurements confirm that the average temperature in our school has risen since 1850? Possible partial question: how much cooler is it under a tree at the same time?
April-May/June


Data collection: in all schools, data is collected regularly (twice a week at the same time, preferably at midday or in the afternoon). Classes that wish to do so will take temperatures at 2 different locations (once at the school building and once under a tree).

Data will be recorded and compared with historical data 1. since 1941 by Meteolux and 2. since 1850 at the European level.
June/July


Data analysis & discussion: the collected data are evaluated and analyzed to answer the research questions, and then compared more precisely with Meteolux’s historical data: What is the April-May/June temperature on our site? Are there differences between the temperatures directly on the school building and on a tree? Where might these differences come from, if they are measurable?

Prepare results & develop solutions: Ideas on the theme of environmental change will be developed. Classes will brainstorm concrete ideas or planting plans to draw attention to and address the issue of environmental change.

Optional


Implementation of individual ideas, exchange between schools, presentation of results and examples of implementation , and definition of new projects for the coming school year, theme: sustainability and environmental change.

 

Activity 2: The evolution of precipitation in your community

Objective

Measure weekly rainfall amounts and compare results with data from the last 20 years.

Students will also discover :

  • How the drinking water supply works
  • The cost of water
  • The consequences of heavy rain or drought

we provide you with

  • 1 rain gauge per school
  • Data from Meteolux
  • Satellite images
  • Teaching aids
  • A workshop with IFEN (optional)

 

Timetable Steps
April


Introduction of the common research question: what are the rainiest weeks? What differences can we see when we compare data from the last 20 years?
May – July


Data collection: at the school, the amount of precipitation is recorded 1x per week. The data is noted and compared to Meteolux historical data.
Parallel: how is drinking water produced in Luxembourg? Where does the commune get its drinking water? What is the cost of providing drinking water? What are the consequences of a prolonged absence of rain? What happens in case of heavy rain?
July


Prepare results & develop solutions: Ideas on the theme of environmental change will be developed. Classes will brainstorm concrete ideas or water use and how to draw attention to and counter the problem of environmental change.

Presentation of results: results and documentation are presented to another class (intercycle), as part of the school fête, etc.

Ready to turn your students into climate heroes? Register now with your class!

For further information: https://climatedetectives.esa.int/kids/

Primary School Registration

Registration opens: Monday, September 15, 2025

Educational resources and tutorials

ON THE TRACKS of the climate detectives