Learning Goals
- Activate participants' prior knowledge on climate change mechanisms, causes, and effects
- Fill knowledge gaps through discussion and facilitator explanation
- Build understanding of both scientific processes and social impacts of climate change
- Fill knowledge gaps through discussion and facilitator explanation
- Build understanding of both scientific processes and social impacts of climate change
Description
### Preparation
- Place poster prompts around the room with enough space between them, so participants do not feel crowded when writing
- Have pens ready for all participants
- Ensure posters are at appropriate height for all participants to write
### A. Introduction (5 minutes)
Facilitate introduction to the silent discussion format:
**Facilitator Script:**
> "We all have different knowledge on climate change and its effects on our world. In this exercise, we will give you time to activate this knowledge silently, before going into an exchange with each other and finally presenting your views to the group."
### B. Silent Work - Initial Reactions (10 minutes)
**Task for participants:**
> "In the first round, walk around the room and look at each picture. Write your first thoughts, questions. Stay silent and focus on your personal reflections."
This allows participants to activate their own knowledge without peer pressure.
### C. Silent Reactions (10-15 minutes)
**Prompt:**
> "Take your pen on another journey around the room. Read the notes of others. Answer the question: What does this picture have to do with climate change? You may express agreement, disagreement, or expand on others' ideas. Remain silent."
Participants respond to others' ideas in writing, building a collaborative written dialogue.
### D. Group Discussion (10 minutes)
- Ensure evenly sized groups (if moving to group work)
- **Prompt:**
> "Each of you choose the sheet you find most interesting and move it next to another one you think is connected. Then, discuss with the people around you: How are these two topics related?"
This transition helps participants form natural groups around topics of interest.
### E. Group Work - Naming the Processes (10-15 minutes)
- Form groups of three
- **Prompt:**
> "Come together in groups of three. Discuss and document your results: What are the main processes and effects of climate change? Based on what we've seen and discussed, what causes these processes and which results do these phenomena have for our societies?"
### F. Wrap-up & Final Reflection (15-20 minutes)
**Prompt:**
> "Everyone come together at the board. Let's collect the results of your discussions. Tell me: Which processes make up climate change and which results in society do these phenomena have?"
**Facilitation Tips:**
- Write the group's contributions on the main board or flip chart in two columns
- Invite participants to group contributions into categories themselves
- When the list is filling up, ask: "What areas of society are not touched by these effects?"
- Wrap up by highlighting the systemic character of climate change effects - touching on all parts of life on earth
## Why This Method Works
The silent discussion format allows participants to:
- Process information at their own pace without social pressure
- See multiple perspectives written down before speaking
- Build confidence before contributing to group discussion
- Activate existing knowledge that might otherwise remain hidden
## Modifications
- **For visual learners:** Use pictures alongside or instead of written prompts
- **For mixed literacy levels:** Include visual cues, drawings, or symbols alongside text
- **For online settings:** Use collaborative documents or digital whiteboards instead of physical posters
- **For lower language proficiency:** Simplify prompt language or use visual representations
## Notes for Facilitator
- This method creates a positive, inclusive group dynamic by not putting anyone on the spot
- Avoid evaluating responses—focus on encouraging sharing and engagement
- You can adapt the difficulty or focus depending on the group and age/knowledge level
- Not everyone is comfortable speaking in a big group; watch participation patterns and prompt quieter voices if needed
- The silence in earlier rounds helps participants think deeply and engage authentically
- Place poster prompts around the room with enough space between them, so participants do not feel crowded when writing
- Have pens ready for all participants
- Ensure posters are at appropriate height for all participants to write
### A. Introduction (5 minutes)
Facilitate introduction to the silent discussion format:
**Facilitator Script:**
> "We all have different knowledge on climate change and its effects on our world. In this exercise, we will give you time to activate this knowledge silently, before going into an exchange with each other and finally presenting your views to the group."
### B. Silent Work - Initial Reactions (10 minutes)
**Task for participants:**
> "In the first round, walk around the room and look at each picture. Write your first thoughts, questions. Stay silent and focus on your personal reflections."
This allows participants to activate their own knowledge without peer pressure.
### C. Silent Reactions (10-15 minutes)
**Prompt:**
> "Take your pen on another journey around the room. Read the notes of others. Answer the question: What does this picture have to do with climate change? You may express agreement, disagreement, or expand on others' ideas. Remain silent."
Participants respond to others' ideas in writing, building a collaborative written dialogue.
### D. Group Discussion (10 minutes)
- Ensure evenly sized groups (if moving to group work)
- **Prompt:**
> "Each of you choose the sheet you find most interesting and move it next to another one you think is connected. Then, discuss with the people around you: How are these two topics related?"
This transition helps participants form natural groups around topics of interest.
### E. Group Work - Naming the Processes (10-15 minutes)
- Form groups of three
- **Prompt:**
> "Come together in groups of three. Discuss and document your results: What are the main processes and effects of climate change? Based on what we've seen and discussed, what causes these processes and which results do these phenomena have for our societies?"
### F. Wrap-up & Final Reflection (15-20 minutes)
**Prompt:**
> "Everyone come together at the board. Let's collect the results of your discussions. Tell me: Which processes make up climate change and which results in society do these phenomena have?"
**Facilitation Tips:**
- Write the group's contributions on the main board or flip chart in two columns
- Invite participants to group contributions into categories themselves
- When the list is filling up, ask: "What areas of society are not touched by these effects?"
- Wrap up by highlighting the systemic character of climate change effects - touching on all parts of life on earth
## Why This Method Works
The silent discussion format allows participants to:
- Process information at their own pace without social pressure
- See multiple perspectives written down before speaking
- Build confidence before contributing to group discussion
- Activate existing knowledge that might otherwise remain hidden
## Modifications
- **For visual learners:** Use pictures alongside or instead of written prompts
- **For mixed literacy levels:** Include visual cues, drawings, or symbols alongside text
- **For online settings:** Use collaborative documents or digital whiteboards instead of physical posters
- **For lower language proficiency:** Simplify prompt language or use visual representations
## Notes for Facilitator
- This method creates a positive, inclusive group dynamic by not putting anyone on the spot
- Avoid evaluating responses—focus on encouraging sharing and engagement
- You can adapt the difficulty or focus depending on the group and age/knowledge level
- Not everyone is comfortable speaking in a big group; watch participation patterns and prompt quieter voices if needed
- The silence in earlier rounds helps participants think deeply and engage authentically
Preparation
- Place poster prompts around the room with enough space between them, so participants do not feel crowded when writing
- Have pens ready for all participants
- Ensure posters are at appropriate height for all participants to write
- Have pens ready for all participants
- Ensure posters are at appropriate height for all participants to write
Topics
Climate Science
Systems Thinking
Materials Needed
- Pens for all participants<br /><br /><br />
- Poster prompts with writing space
Contributor
MigLAB