This trip to GIR was my second trip to the same place. Both the times I was accompanied by my friends. I was super excited about the trip but this time the motive varied than the previous one. This time the aim was to take a small step to save lions by covering the wells. We decided to make 2 well covering because of time and resource limitations. Each well was to made by the scratch but with the help of experts in cutting, welding and shaping the metals available. We also went for trekking in the night to explore the wildlife with some fun in the pool present.

LO2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

I used to be afraid of the sparks which come out of the machines while cutting and welding metals. I used to think they might burn my skin but when I tried cutting for the first time with proper equipments I easily was able to overcome my fear. So here not only I was able to overcome my fear but as time passed I was able to cut and weld easily and was able to find out a new skill which I might be helpful in future. The challenge of cutting the metals first despite the fear of sparks made me understand that no job in the world is difficult nor risky, everything can be done only if you have the proper equipments and in the right manner. I also learned that learning a new skill is good as it might help you anytime in future and the skill might save you. The new skill learned made me very proud of myself because I was able to overcome my fear and learned something which other students of my age won’t know or might be afraid of.

LO4: Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

This and many other tasks have made me realize that in any activity commitment and perseverance is required even if it is a pinch. The whole project required perseverance and commitment because making the whole well covering covered many stages and not few. We all know that our work will be successful only if one even one lion is saved from falling in the well and still we are unknown that if a lion was saved because of our covering. Also, welding was the task which requires a lot of commitment because the sparks from welding were very harmful to our eyes. And hence, we had to wear highly translucent glasses which did not allow us to see what were we welding and instincts and trial and error method helped us to weld which needed a lot of patience.

LO5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

Covering the whole well was surely not one man’s work and we had to make only 2 covers and hence we were divided into 2 teams and had to make separate covers. Each cover making covered a numerous number of cuts and welding and removing the extra weld. And after trying each task we were able to identify which task we were able to do in the most efficient way and divided our task accordingly to make sure that the covering was made on time. The skill of each member was the only reason we were able to make the covering on time which made me realize each person have a different skill set and working collaboratively allows us to complete the task on time with at most perfection.

LO6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

The issue targeted in this task was saving endangered species which in this case were lions. The issue was of global significance because lions are nowadays on the verge of extinction and Gir forest is the only home to the Asiatic lion which has a total population of around 500. The knowledge of this issue makes me more aware about the seriousness of this issue and the extinction of one species will adversely affect the food web which I can easily relate to my subject environment systems and societies.

LO7: Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

The trip made me realize the importance of wildlife and when connected to my subject ESS it also made me interpret the severeness of the issue. The decision of this trip was itself very ethical as it was a minute step to save an endangered species from extinction. Also, the covering was durable enough and was checked again and again to avoid any damage to lions.

The learner profiles catered in this activity were Inquirers, Reflective, Balanced and Risk Takers. Inquirers because we learned a new set of skills like welding and cutting and also expert knowledge about the forest and lions. Reflective because we identified one problem of lions dying because of open wells and worked upon that. Balanced because this activity included trekking also which was one of the physical activity which we do. Risk taker because we stepped out of our comfort zone and also did risky jobs like cutting and welding which might hurt someone.

I was able to relate the activity with my subject ESS because we have learned the importance of each consumer and producer in food chains and extinction of one might create a huge problem and this was one step to avoid the extinction of Asiatic lions. Also, this CAS activity made me realize the importance of safety equipment because one of my classmate burned his hand by the welding stick as he was not wearing the safety glove. I wish to contribute to society in small ways like this if not in any big way. Also, I believe the skills learned will surely benefit me or any other person in the future.