Em Portugal, através do projeto LIFE Imperial há uma equipa de especialistas a trabalhar para aumentar a população desta espécie no país. 

A águia-imperial-ibérica perdeu território em Portugal, foi afetada pela perturbação e destruição do habitat pelo ser humano.

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Iberian imperial eagle: an endangered species

The Iberian Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti), one of the rarest birds of prey in the world, was extinct in Portugal until in 2003, it began breeding again in our country.

In Portugal, through the LIFE Imperial project, there is an expert team working to increase the population of this species in the country.

The Iberian Imperial Eagle lost territory in Portugal and was affected by the disturbance and destruction of its habitat by humans.

·     a pesca insustentável;

·     as alterações climáticas;

·     a poluição;

·     a urbanização das zonas costeiras;

·     a disseminação de espécies invasoras.

Segundo o Sistema de Informação sobre Biodiversidade para a Europa, em Portugal, a percentagem de habitats marinhos em estado de conservação DESFAVORAVEL pode chegar aos 75%.

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Portugal is an oceanic country with an extensive maritime area of ​​incalculable natural value

Biodiversity in the Portuguese sea is in decline. The loss of marine biodiversity results from the cumulative effects of human pressures such as:

· unsustainable fishing;

· climate change;

· pollution;

· the urbanization of coastal areas;

· the spread of invasive species.

According to the Biodiversity Information System for Europe, in Portugal, the percentage of marine habitats in an UNFAVORABLE conservation status can reach 75%.

Mas, podemos contribuir para a sua preservação usando comportamentos sustentáveis como: reduzir o uso do plástico, participar e organizar limpezas das praias e participar em programas educacionais que ampliem o alcance das mensagens de conservação e inspirem outras pessoas a agir.

Juntos podemos ajudar as tartarugas no caminho da sua sobrevivência.

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Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are biological treasures in our oceans. However, several factors put its existence at risk, such as climate change and human activities that favor the pollution of beaches and the sea.

But, we can contribute to its preservation by using sustainable behaviors such as: reducing the use of plastic, participating in and organizing beach cleanups, and participating in educational programs that expand the reach of conservation messages and inspire others to take action.

Together, we can help turtles on the path to survival.

(Pre A room)

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Did you know that we can find out whether chicks are roosters or hens by the size of their wing feathers?

If the wing feathers are the same size, we have a rooster. If the feathers are different sizes, we have a chicken.

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Did you know that using an eggscope you can see inside an egg?

The eggscope is a light that when placed against the egg, you can see what is inside. To make an eggscope, just use a closed box, with a light inside. You make a small hole at the top, where you place the egg.

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Did you know that the size of a blue whale's heart is the same as the size of a car?

As it is the largest living being on our planet, it has a huge heart. The blue whale's heart is bigger than a Smart car and 660 times bigger than a human heart. You can see a blue whale heart at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada.

---------------------------------------------- Did you know that chicks cry and get sad when they are left alone?

Chicks are social beings and like to live with other chicks. When they feel alone, they cry (they chirp a lot and very loudly), and they can even die of sadness if they have no company.

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Did you know that if you combine all the veins in the human body into one, its length is so great that it can go around the planet Earth 2.5 times?

The blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries) of a human being, together, are around 100 thousand kilometers long. If we put them together, we would travel two and a half turns around the world!

* É o continente onde existem mais países: 54!

* O rio mais comprido do mundo, o Nilo, fica em África.

* Há desertos enormes, como o Saara, onde quase nunca chove!

América

* Na América do Sul, está a floresta Amazónica, a maior floresta tropical do mundo!

* A América do Norte tem um dos lugares mais frios do mundo: o Alasca.

* A América é o único continente que se estende de um Polo (Ártico) até quase o outro (Antártico)!

Ásia

* É o maior continente de todos!

* O Monte Evereste, a montanha mais alta do mundo, fica na Ásia!

* Há animais únicos como os pandas (na China) e os tigres-de-bengala (na Índia).

Europa

* É o continente onde nós vivemos!

* A montanha mais alta da Europa é o Monte Elbrus, na Rússia.

* Muitos contos de fadas famosos foram inspirados em castelos e florestas da Europa.

Oceânia

* É o menor continente.

* Aqui fica o maior organismo vivo: a Grande Barreira de Coral!

* É o continente com mais ilhas espalhadas pelo Oceano Pacífico.

Antártida

* É o continente mais frio de todos. Está coberto de gelo!

* Só vivem lá cientistas e muitos pinguins.

* É tão fria que quase nada cresce lá!

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Interesting facts about the continents

Africa

* It is the continent with the most countries: 54!

* The longest river in the world, the Nile, is in Africa.

* There are huge deserts, like the Sahara, where it almost never rains!

America

* In South America, there is the Amazon rainforest, the largest tropical forest in the world!

* North America has one of the coldest places in the world: Alaska.

* America is the only continent that stretches from one Pole (Arctic) to almost the other (Antarctic)!

Asia

* It is the largest continent of all!

* Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, is in Asia!

* There are unique animals like pandas (in China) and Bengal tigers (in India). Europe

* It is the continent where we live!

* The highest mountain in Europe is Mount Elbrus, in Russia.

* Many famous fairy tales were inspired by castles and forests in Europe.

Oceania

* It is the smallest continent.

* It is home to the largest living organism: the Great Barrier Reef!

• It is the continent with the most islands spread across the Pacific Ocean. Antarctica

* It is the coldest continent of all. It is covered in ice!

* Only scientists and many penguins live there.

* It is so cold that almost nothing grows there!

Ao longo de todo o seu percurso, o rio desempenha um papel fundamental na modelação da paisagem, no transporte de nutrientes e na sustentação de diversos ecossistemas.

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Did you know that a river is a journey?

The course of rivers generally begins in the highest areas of the relief (hills or mountains), known as sources. A small river that joins a larger river is called a mead. As rivers descend to reach the valleys, it is common to find waterfalls, cataracts and deep "V"-shaped valleys (gorge) carved by the water and its force as it descends the slopes. As the river advances towards the flatter areas, it becomes wider and slower, favouring the deposition of sediments and the formation of river islands and alluvial plains. The final destination of large rivers is the sea (mouth), often forming deltas or estuaries. Along their entire course, the river plays a fundamental role in shaping the landscape, transporting nutrients and sustaining various ecosystems.

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Did you know that a river is a memory and that living fossils can be found in it?

Rivers hold ancient secrets, such as living fossils, which are organisms “from the time of the dinosaurs”, which have undergone virtually no significant changes in their shape or structure over millions of years, maintaining characteristics very similar to those of their ancestors known only through fossils. These living beings are considered true “survivors” of evolution, as they have managed to adapt and resist major environmental changes over time. In Pre C we have an example of these living beings, the Aqua Dragons, other examples are the Dragonfly and the Ginkgo Biloba tree.

Mas a viagem da água não acaba aqui, para chegar às nossas torneiras ainda lhe falta viajar uma longa distância pelos canos que estão por baixo do chão!

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Did you know that water has already traveled a long way before it reaches your tap?

Water is collected from rivers and reservoirs and sent to the WTP (Water Treatment Plant), where the water goes through different stages of treatment that make it suitable for human consumption. Such as dredging (removal of sticks, stones and leaves), pre-oxidation (prepares the water for the following stages), remineralization (ensures that the pH and calcium in the water are adequate), coagulation (groups small particles together), flocculation (removes suspended particles), decantation (waste sinks into the decanter so it can be removed), flotation (waste floats and is removed from the surface with mechanical help), filtration (removes impurities, particles and microorganisms through sand filters), disinfection (using chlorine to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms that can be harmful to health). Throughout these processes, thousands of laboratory tests are carried out to ensure that the water is suitable for human consumption. But the water's journey doesn't end there. Before it reaches our taps, it still has to travel a long distance through the pipes that run underground!

Para poupar água podemos fazer várias coisas: Fechar a torneira quando lavamos os dentes; Tomar duche rápido e não tomar banho de banheira; Fechar bem a torneira; Lavar a louça na máquina (cada lavagem à mão gasta 8/12L de água por minuto, 1 lavagem na máquina gasta 10/14L de água); Aproveitar a água de cozinhar os legumes para fazer sopa ou arroz ou regar; Reaproveitar água da chuva para regar.

Para não poluir podemos: Separar o lixo, usar os ecopontos; Não deitar lixo no chão; Não deitar lixo das fábricas para o rio.

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Did you know that we can all protect rivers?

To protect rivers, we can do two things: SAVE WATER and DON'T POLLUTE! To save water, we can do several things: Turn off the tap when brushing our teeth; Take a quick shower and don't take a bath; Turn off the tap tightly; Wash the dishes in the dishwasher (each hand wash uses 8/12L of water per minute, 1 wash in the dishwasher uses 10/14L of water); Use the water from cooking vegetables to make soup or rice or to water; Reuse rainwater for watering. To avoid pollution, we can: Separate our rubbish, use recycling bins; Don't throw rubbish on the ground; Don't throw rubbish from factories into the river.

Bugalhos são estruturas que se formam a partir da interação entre certos insetos, como vespas  e a árvore hospedeira. Quando a vespa deposita os seus ovos nos tecidos da árvore, ela desencadeia uma reação que leva à formação do bugalho — uma espécie de "abrigo vivo" onde as larvas podem crescer protegidas. Essa relação é um exemplo fascinante de coevolução, onde espécies diferentes desenvolvem adaptações interligadas ao longo do tempo.

Do ponto de vista ambiental, os bugalhos são indicadores da saúde dos ecossistemas. A sua presença está ligada à biodiversidade, pois a sua formação depende de cadeias ecológicas equilibradas entre insetos, árvores e outros organismos. Eles servem também de abrigo e alimento para diversas espécies, desempenhando um papel discreto, mas fundamental, na manutenção da vida em florestas nativas.

Em tempos em que se discute tanto a importância de práticas sustentáveis e o uso racional dos recursos naturais, o bugalho surge como um exemplo de como pequenas estruturas naturais podem oferecer soluções ecológicas e sustentáveis. Valorizar esses elementos é também reconhecer a importância da conservação das florestas e dos seus ciclos naturais.

Portanto, o bugalho, apesar de ser muitas vezes ignorado, é um símbolo da interdependência entre as espécies, da sabedoria da natureza e do potencial de soluções sustentáveis escondidas nos detalhes do mundo natural.

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The gall may seem like nothing more than an anomaly that appears on certain trees, especially oaks. However, this small plant growth holds a wealth of ecological and historical meanings that are worth exploring.
Galls are structures formed through the interaction between certain insects, such as wasps, and the host tree. When a wasp lays its eggs in the tree’s tissues, it triggers a reaction that leads to the formation of the gall — a kind of “living shelter” where the larvae can grow safely. This relationship is a fascinating example of coevolution, where different species develop interconnected adaptations over time.
From an environmental perspective, galls are indicators of ecosystem health. Their presence is linked to biodiversity, as their formation depends on balanced ecological chains between insects, trees, and other organisms. They also provide shelter and food for many species, playing a subtle yet vital role in maintaining life in native forests.
At a time when the importance of sustainable practices and the rational use of natural resources is being widely discussed, the gall stands as an example of how small natural structures can offer ecological and sustainable solutions. Valuing these elements also means recognizing the importance of preserving forests and their natural cycles.
Therefore, the gall, though often overlooked, is a symbol of the interdependence between species, the wisdom of nature, and the potential for sustainable solutions hidden in the details of the natural world.

Além disso, estas experiências estimulam a coordenação motora, a curiosidade e a compreensão das relações causa-efeito, como, por exemplo, saberem que se saltarem para uma poça, sujam tudo o que está ao seu redor. O contacto direto com elementos naturais também favorece a ligação ao meio ambiente e a descoberta do mundo que as rodeia.

Para os mais crescidos, a lama pode ter benefícios adicionais. Rica em minerais, é frequentemente utilizada em contextos de bem-estar, já que pode contribuir para a hidratação e cuidado da pele.

Assim, brincar na lama não é apenas uma atividade divertida: é uma forma simples e completa de apoiar o desenvolvimento das crianças e, ao mesmo tempo, valorizar os recursos naturais que a natureza nos oferece.

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Did you know that mud is great for play and so much more?

Mud is a natural element that offers a wide range of learning and developmental opportunities in early childhood. When children aged 1 and 2 play with mud, they explore different textures, temperatures, and consistencies, which helps develop their tactile sensitivity and sensory perception.

In addition, these experiences stimulate motor coordination, curiosity, and an understanding of cause-and-effect relationships—for example, realizing that if they jump into a puddle, everything around them gets splashed. Direct contact with natural elements also fosters a connection with the environment and supports their discovery of the world around them.

For older children, mud can offer additional benefits. Rich in minerals, it is often used in wellness contexts, as it may help hydrate and care for the skin.

So, playing in the mud is not just a fun activity it is a simple and holistic way to support children’s development while also valuing the natural resources that nature provides.

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Butterflies

The 2nd grade class discovered an interesting fact about butterflies. We learned that butterflies have taste receptors on their feet, which allow them to “taste” plants. With these receptors, butterflies can tell whether a plant is suitable for feeding or for laying their eggs.

A partir desta leitura nasceu um projeto que envolveu várias atividades e deu origem a diferentes produtos. Vimos documentários, lemos textos informativos, observámos e desenhámos pirilampos a partir de ilustrações científicas, construímos pirilampos reutilizando materiais, organizámos informação em cartazes, que foram usados para comunicar à turma o que tínhamos aprendido.

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Firefly

The 2nd grade class started from the story “The First Firefly in the World” by José Eduardo Agualusa to learn more about this insect that sparked so much curiosity.

From this reading, a project emerged that involved various activities and resulted in different outcomes. We watched documentaries, read informational texts, observed and drew fireflies based on scientific illustrations, built fireflies using recycled materials, and organized information into posters, which were used to share what we had learned with the class.

As formigas são muito pequeninas, mas fazem coisas muito importantes. Constroem as suas casas debaixo da terra, armazenam folhas e comida, e ajudam a cuidar da floresta!  Os buracos que fazem na terra deixam o ar e a água passar, tornando a terra mais viva.

Lá dentro, existe um verdadeiro “mundo” escondido! Cada formiga tem a sua tarefa e todas trabalham juntas em equipa. Elas ensinam-nos que, quando ajudamos uns aos outros tudo corre melhor!

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Do ants store food underground?

During a trip to the forest, we observed many interesting details in nature. The ground was covered with dry leaves, small and large branches, and little mounds of soil. When we looked more closely, we noticed that these mounds had holes made by ants—anthills!

Ants are very small, but they do very important things. They build their homes underground, store leaves and food, and help take care of the forest! The holes they make in the soil allow air and water to pass through, making the soil more alive.

Inside, there is a whole hidden “world”! Each ant has its own task, and they all work together as a team. They teach us that when we help one another, everything works better!

Sabias que...

Escala de Mohs quantifica a dureza dos minerais, isto é, a resistência que um determinado mineral?

O diamante risca o vidro, portanto, é mais duro que o vidro?

Esta escala foi criada em 1812 pelo mineralogista alemão Friedrich Vilar Mohs com dez minerais de diferentes durezas existentes na crosta terrestre?

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Rocks and Minerals
Did you know…
The Mohs scale measures the hardness of minerals, that is, how resistant a mineral is?
A diamond can scratch glass, which means it is harder than glass.

This scale was created in 1812 by the German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs, using ten minerals with different hardness levels found in the Earth’s crust.

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Problemas ambientais

Sabias que...

Normalmente as pessoas deitam fora um saco de plástico passados quinze minutos da sua utilização?

Em 2050 vai haver mais plástico do que peixes?

Há mais mortes causadas pela poluição do ar do que por acidentes rodoviários?

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Environmental Issues
Did you know…
People usually throw away a plastic bag just fifteen minutes after using it?
By 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the oceans?
Air pollution causes more deaths than road accidents?

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Espaço

O K12 é um planeta semelhante ao planeta Terra mas é 8 vezes maior?

Valentina Tereshkova foi a primeira mulher a ir ao espaço? Foi em 1963!

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Space
Did you know…
K12 is a planet similar to Earth, but it is 8 times bigger?
Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman to go to space? It was in 1963!

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Ciência

Sabias que...

A Marie Curie foi a primeira mulher a receber um prémio Nobel?

Albert Einstein foi um cientista muito importante? É considerado um génio!

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Science
Did you know…
Marie Curie was the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize?
Albert Einstein was a very important scientist? He is considered a genius!

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Animais e plantas

Sabias que...

O tubarão mais pequeno é o tubarão-lanterna-anão?

Existem cerca de 10 000 espécies de aves  no mundo?

A aranha-caçadora-gigante é a maior aranha do mundo?

Os crocodilos não limpam os dentes? Os seus dentes são substituídos por novos!

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Animals and Plants
Did you know…
The smallest shark is the dwarf lanternshark?
There are about 10,000 species of birds in the world?
The giant huntsman spider is the largest spider in the world?
Crocodiles do not clean their teeth? Their teeth are replaced with new ones!

Nas paredes das grutas, desenhavam animais, pessoas, cenas de caça e até símbolos com significados especiais. Estes desenhos são chamados de pinturas rupestres e ajudavam a registar acontecimentos importantes do seu dia a dia.

Hoje, estas pinturas são muito importantes, pois permitem-nos conhecer melhor como viviam os primeiros seres humanos e compreender a sua forma de pensar e comunicar.

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Did you know the first human communities used stones to draw and “write” on the walls of caves?

Long before notebooks, pencils, or computers existed, humans already felt the need to communicate and tell stories. To do this, they used sharp stones, charcoal, and natural pigments made from plants and minerals.

On cave walls, they drew animals, people, hunting scenes, and even symbols with special meanings. These drawings are called cave paintings and helped record important events from their daily lives.

Today, these paintings are very important, as they allow us to better understand how early humans lived and how they thought and communicated.

1. O que é o mosquito?

·        Inseto voador muito comum em ambientes húmidos e florestais

·        Existem milhares de espécies diferentes

·        Apenas as fêmeas de algumas espécies picam para obter sangue

2. Onde vivem na floresta?

·        Zonas com água parada (poças, lagos, folhas com água)

·        Áreas húmidas e sombreadas

·        Entre plantas e vegetação densa

3. Papel no ecossistema

·        Fonte de alimento: servem de comida para aves, morcegos, peixes e outros insetos

·        Polinização: algumas espécies ajudam a polinizar plantas

·        Equilíbrio natural: fazem parte da cadeia alimentar

4. Importância para o impacto ambiental

·        Mantêm o equilíbrio entre espécies

·        Ajudam na reprodução de plantas

·        Funcionam como indicadores ambientais (a sua presença pode indicar humidade ou alterações no ambiente)

5. Impactos negativos

·        Podem transmitir doenças (como malária ou dengue)

·        Podem causar incómodo aos humanos e animais

6. Conclusão

Apesar de serem muitas vezes considerados apenas incómodos, os mosquitos desempenham um papel importante no equilíbrio dos ecossistemas florestais. A sua existência contribui para a cadeia alimentar e para a manutenção da biodiversidade.

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Mosquito in the Forest: Small, but Essential

During our visit to the forest, the children from the Pré B classroom noticed that there were many mosquitoes. Some children were even “bitten.” We decided to research this insect and discovered that it is essential to our ecosystem.

1. What is a mosquito?
• A flying insect very common in humid and forest environments
• There are thousands of different species
• Only the females of some species bite to obtain blood

2. Where do they live in the forest?
• Areas with standing water (puddles, lakes, leaves holding water)
• Humid and shaded areas
• Among plants and dense vegetation

3. Role in the ecosystem
• Food source: they serve as food for birds, bats, fish, and other insects
• Pollination: some species help pollinate plants
• Natural balance: they are part of the food chain

4. Importance for environmental impact
• They help maintain balance between species
• They contribute to plant reproduction
• They act as environmental indicators (their presence can indicate humidity or environmental changes)

5. Negative impacts
• They can transmit diseases (such as malaria or dengue)
• They can cause discomfort to humans and animals

6. Conclusion
Although they are often considered just a nuisance, mosquitoes play an important role in maintaining the balance of forest ecosystems. Their existence contributes to the food chain and to the preservation of biodiversity.

• O Craveiral já ganhou quatro vezes o Prémio Boa Cama Boa Mesa Sustentabilidade.

• Muitos dos alimentos servidos no restaurante são colhidos ali mesmo, na horta. Ou seja, os legumes vão diretamente da terra para o prato! Os ovos utilizados também vêm das suas galinhas.

• No Craveiral, tentam aproveitar tudo ao máximo! Os restos de comida podem ser utilizados como adubo para as plantas ou para alimentar os animais.

• O Craveiral usa painéis solares para produzir energia limpa e ajudar o planeta.

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• Craveiral is not just a hotel, it is also a farm! Animals such as chickens, goats, and donkeys live there, and we can see them up close, feed them, and learn how to take care of them.
• Craveiral has already won the “Boa Cama Boa Mesa – Sustainability” Award four times.
• Many of the foods served in the restaurant are harvested right there in the garden. This means the vegetables go straight from the soil to the plate! The eggs used also come from their own chickens.
• At Craveiral, they try to make the most of everything! Food leftovers can be used as fertilizer for plants or to feed the animals.
• Craveiral uses solar panels to produce clean energy and help the planet.