Anexo: Laboratorio obtención del monocristal de sulfato doble de Potasio y

The beauty of a blazing sunset experienced even in the harshness of the inner city stuns most of us. The pervading presence of pattern, order and rhythm in the natural world evokes wonder and curiosity which can lead to scientific investigation, aesthetic pleasure and spiritual enrichment . For some this presence of pattern, order and rhythm is a sign of the presence of God and is mirrored in literature, as in the poetic and rhythmic account of Genesis, and art, as in the geometric order of Islamic patterning. And for some the whole of the natural world is experienced as the presence of God.

Christianity:

The first chapters of Genesis, the first Bible book, contains contradictory theologies about the relationship between humans and the planet. On the one hand the familiar injunction to „Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it‟ (Genesis 1:28) has been interpreted by some as a mandate to exploit, and has

eclipsed the description of humans as „put ... in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it‟ (Genesis 2:15). Biblical research suggests that Genesis contains two creation stories. The first (1:1-2:4a) comes from the Priestly Code, composed during Israel‟s exile in Babylon (around 550BCE). This code is marked by it and is concerned with preserving Israelite identity. The second account (2:4b-25), from the Yahweh tradition, is much older, and more rooted in the traditions of an agrarian culture.

Minority voices within the Christian tradition have understood the idea of connectedness to creation. Celtic

Christians such as Columba, Hilda, Caedmon, etc had a radical commitment to finding God in creation. Within the

Catholic tradition Hidegarde of Bingen (1098-1179) was a doctor, pharmacist, playwright, poet, painter musician, mystic, prophet and abbess with a profound ecological concern; St Francis of Assisi (1181-1225) is often associated with caring for the environment and particularly for animals. Francis saw created things as objects of love that point to their Creator. Contemporary Christians have begun to rediscover their God-given mandate to care for the planet.

Harvest, as a celebration of human connectedness, presents a problem for contemporary city dwellers. Harvest

has its biblical origins in the idea that God the Creator provides for all life, and that all life is dependant upon God. (See also Foundation Stage: Festivals and Celebration)

Hinduism:

Planting and caring for trees is important for personal gain as well as for the environment. The Pippal tree is „worshipped‟ as „Vishnu‟s tree‟. The Pippal and Neem trees together represent male and female: they are often grown together, intertwining, showing the fundamental unity and strength of these two aspects of the physical world. The Tulsi plant (like basil) is considered sacred – its leaves are offered to all deities in puja as well as with offering of prashad. It also has some medicinal uses, taking the water from a leaf soaked overnight or chewing a leaf in the morning.

Holi is the main spring festival for Hindus: it takes place in February or March when Hindus look forward to a good

harvest. The word „holaka‟ means half-ripe corn. In India growing crops is an important part of many people‟s lives and Holi gives Hindus a chance to give thanks for the harvest to come. There are several customs associated with Holi: those which stand out most are the bonfire and the jokes and games with coloured water. . Fire is important for farmers because, when it is used in a controlled way, it helps to renew land so that crops can grow afresh. The bonfire also connects with the story of Holika, a female demon whose remains are consumed by a bonfire. Offerings of coconuts, wheat and other grains are thrown into the fire.

Buddhism:

The Buddha achieved his Enlightenment under a Pipal tree. The tree was later known as the Bodhi tree, Bodhi meaning Enlightenment. After his Enlightenment he paid gratitude to the tree for giving him shade and for its beauty by gazing at it in meditation. Pipal trees are often planted by Buddhist temples and stupas as a symbol of the Buddha‟s Enlightenment. They are also venerated following the example of the Buddha, in silent prayer and meditation, by lighting oil lamps and garlanding with prayer flags.

The story of Prince Siddhartha and the swan provides Buddhists with an example of tenderness and concern for animals which they should emulate. When the Buddha was still a young prince he claimed a swan which had been injured by his cousin while hunting. This caused a dispute between the cousins but Siddartha was given the

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swan and set it free after it had recovered.

Islam:

The story of „The Holy Man and the Magic Bowl‟ teaches that human beings‟ „wants‟ are unending, that however much we have we will always feel we don‟t have enough and want more. The obligation to give 2% of income in excess of that needed for basic living, zakah, has several functions. It is a way of „purifying‟ wealth by making the individual conscious of the distinction between need and greed. It also evokes gratitude and appreciation for what an individual, removing the focus from what one might not have. It is important in Islam that all people have the basic necessities for life and zakat spreads wealth and helps to provide the funds to ensure this for the whole community.

The importance in Islam of attending to the needs of all Allah‟s creatures is expressed in the story of the Prophet Muhammad and the camel driver. The Prophet hears a camel wailing, and goes to care for it tenderly. He reprimands the owner of the camel saying, „Allah places animals in our care so that we can love and protect them.‟ The Prophet(pbuh) always ensured that animals were comfortable before himself.

Judaism:

The Torah teaches that trees should be protected. It also says „And when you come into the land and have planted trees, you shall count the fruit as forbidden for three years. In the fourth year the fruit shall be holy, for giving praise to God, but in the fifth year you may eat the fruit.‟ Leviticus 19 For this reason it has been important to keep track of the age of trees: a date was assigned to keep this record. It became Tu b‟Shevat, the New Year for trees. To celebrate it, trees are planted in Israel particularly, but also in other parts of the world, and money is given to support tree planting projects. The Tu B‟Shevat Seder, order of the evening meal, includes eating parts of fifteen different fruits from trees.

Key terms and concepts: natural, managed and built environment, order, pattern, care, reverence, gratitude,

responsibility

Contribution to spiritual and moral development: wonder, respect, care, sensitivity, self-control

Contribution to citizenship: discussion and simple debate, making choices, care for the environment, uses of

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Food