Module 5 – Rockets & Alien Chemistry

I have chosen to reflect on the Rockets activity from Module 5. I would introduce the topic by showing the children a picture of a rocket and asking them what they think it is and where it might go. We would talk about space and the different things that rockets can do. I would then read the story Roaring Rockets by Tony Mitton to help introduce the theme in a fun way.

Next, we would make simple paper rockets. Each child would decorate their own rocket before launching it using a straw. Before we started, I would ask the children to guess which rocket they think will travel the furthest and why. After everyone has launched their rockets, we would compare the results and talk about what happened.

To develop the activity further, we could see what happens if we change the size of the rocket or the length of the straw. The children could test their ideas, make simple observations and decide which design worked best. We could measure the distance the rockets travelled using cubes or footsteps.

As a follow-on activity, the children could build a rocket from recycled materials during Aistear. They could use the rocket in imaginative play by pretending to travel to different planets and recording what they “discover” in a simple space journal.

This topic gives children lots of opportunities to ask questions, make predictions, test their ideas and talk about their results. It is a fun way to introduce simple science concepts while encouraging creativity,teamwork and problem solving.

I would use Rocket Mouse in my SET classroom to support pupils in developing early literacy and numeracy skills in a fun and engaging way. The interactive activities help reinforce phonics, letter recognition, blending, sight words, counting, and problem-solving through games that motivate children to participate. I would use Rocket Mouse during small-group instruction or as an independent station, allowing pupils to work at their own pace while receiving immediate feedback. The colourful visuals and interactive format make learning enjoyable and help maintain engagement, particularly for children who benefit from multisensory approaches

coggle link – the coggle includes a very cool link (just one!) that has sent me down rabbit hole…

I hope that these links are going to each stage of the coggle’s development. Anyway – it is an exceptional tool and I am looking froward to using it in all kinds of ways now on.

Classroom Activity

Rocket Building:
I would focus on doing the mouse rocket activity with my class and allow each child to make their own mouse top that could be attached to various types of bottles that we’ve brought in and gathered in our Friday box.

The children would work in pairs (for peer feedback and idea development) but they would each be using their own mouse.

We could integrate other stem topics by taking our mouse rockets outside and measuring which one travels the furthest or which mouse shoots the highest etc.
We would also try to make various adjustments to our rockets in order to get them to work better and might also modify the mouse design on another occasion to see if that has any impact or improvement to offer on how far or how high the mouse rocket could travel.

Prompts and Conclusions:
As a lesson prompt I would read the book ‘Mouse And The Moon’ by Christina Butler. We would come to the conclusion that we want to make a rocket to help mouse get to the moon.

Along with the obvious link to arts subjects such as creating/ making Art and English literacy, I would also conclude the activity by integrating PE and Music through having a simple game of freeze dance to Moon themed songs.

I would integrate Drama by doing a mime activity along to the sounds of, and based around the old song by The Police ‘Walking On The Moon’.

Running the ‘Alien Slime’ and ‘Fizzing & Foaming’ experiments in 2nd Class would be such a fun way to dive into this topic with them. I’d love to try Alien Slime when introducing solids and liquids to really get the kids thinking. I can already picture their faces when squeezing it turns it hard, but letting go melts it straight through their fingers. It seems like a brilliant way to get them questioning how materials behave. For our whole-school SSE focus on STEM, incorporating these hands-on activities would make it easy to practice predicting, testing, and discussing what happens. It’s real scientific inquiry wrapped up in play. Tying it in with the story Bartholomew and the Oobleck would add a fantastic literacy angle.

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=the+clangers+classic&&mid=A415C6270F0DAD031409A415C6270F0DAD031409&churl=&FORM=VRDGAR

you’ve got to include the classic cartoon/show ‘The Clangers’ as a springboard for some lessons 🙂

Space Week Teaching Plan for Senior Infants/First Class
Theme: Exploring Space, Planets, Rockets, Aliens and the Moon

Day 1: Introduction to Space and Rockets
I will begin the week by finding out what the children already know about space. We will have a discussion using questions such as “What do you think space is?” and “Have you ever seen a rocket?” to encourage them to share their ideas and questions.
The children will then make their own rockets using paper or cardboard, decorating them with colours, stickers and stars. Before our pretend rocket launch, I will encourage them to make predictions by asking questions like “What do you think happens when a rocket takes off?”

Day 2: Exploring the Planets
We will explore the planets in our solar system through a story, picture book or a fun planet song such as The Planets of the Solar System Song by Hopscotch. We will talk about some simple facts about each planet, such as its size, colour and how it is different from the others.
The children will then create their own planets using materials such as paper plates, paint, tissue paper or playdough. As they work, we will discuss the different features of the planets and encourage them to explain their ideas.

Day 3: Discovering the Moon
We will begin by reading Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle or watching a short video about the Moon. The children will then take part in a hands-on crater investigation using trays of flour or sand and different-sized balls. They will drop the balls from different heights and observe how craters are formed.
We will introduce vocabulary such as “crater” and talk about the Moon’s surface. To finish, the children will create their own Moon artwork using materials such as grey paper, foil, textured paint or chalk to represent craters and stars.

Day 4: Aliens and Imagination
I will begin with a class discussion about what children think aliens might look like and where they might live. This will allow them to use their imagination while linking back to what they have learned about planets and habitats.
The children will then design and create their own aliens using a range of materials such as playdough, pipe cleaners, googly eyes and coloured paper. We will also include a role-play activity where the children become astronauts meeting aliens for the first time.

Day 5: Space Week Celebration and Review
To finish Space Week, we will reflect on everything we have learned. We will revisit rockets, planets, the Moon and aliens and discuss our favourite activities.
The children will share their favourite creation with the class and explain what they made. We will finish with the space song “Zoom Zoom Zoom, We’re Going to the Moon”, adding actions or instruments. Finally, we will gather in a reflection circle where the children can share what they enjoyed most during Space Week and what they would like to learn more about. I will record their work on Seesaw to share with their parents.

Topic: Rockets

I would begin the lesson by showing the children a video of a space launch and

asking the children what they already know about rockets and what they think makes a rocket move. I would encourage them to share their ideas and predictions before introducing a hands-on investigation. First, I would demonstrate a Rocket Mouse and encourage them to discuss in groups what makes the rocket move. I would ask them how could we get the mouse to go higher. I would allow the children to try different bottes to see what they notice and make predictions from this.

Next, in small groups, the children would build and test balloon rockets by threading string through a straw and attaching an inflated balloon. They would investigate how the amount of air or the angle of the string influences the rocket’s movement, recording their observations and discussing the results. To conclude, the children would reflect on what they discovered about how the rocket moves and suggest ways to improve their rocket designs based on the evidence they gathered.

I love linking picture books with science and I think an Oliver Jeffers book could work really well as a starting point for a science lesson, especially in the junior classes, as his stories encourage curiosity, imagination and questioning. Here We Are would be a lovely link for a space-themed science lesson, as it opens up conversations about Earth, space and the idea of exploring beyond our planet.
Following the story, I would use a few hands-on rocket activities to allow children to investigate and test their ideas. One activity could be making balloon rockets, where children use a balloon attached to a straw on a piece of string to explore how air pushes the rocket forward. They could predict which designs might travel the furthest and test different variables.
Another activity could be designing and building rockets from recycled materials. Children could work like engineers, thinking about the parts a rocket needs, creating their own designs and improving them after testing.
I would also try a paper rocket investigation, where children make simple paper rockets and explore how changing the shape, size or weight affects how far they travel. This would encourage them to make predictions and compare results.
A final activity could be a rocket launch countdown and investigation, using simple materials such as straws and paper rockets, where children record which rocket design reaches the highest or travels the furthest.
The picture book is a great stimulus to move to practical investigations, as it gives children a context for their learning while developing skills such as predicting, observing, testing and explaining.

For Space Week, I would plan a Solar System activity with my Junior Infants class, as it is a topic they are naturally curious about and it links well across the curriculum. The main objective would be for the children to begin to understand the scale of the Solar System and the idea that the planets are different distances from the sun.
To introduce the topic, I would use a picturebook such as Whatever Next or How to Catch a Star, as these stories help build interest and give children a simple starting point for talking about space. I would ask the class what they already know about the Solar System to gather prior knowledge and then share some child friendly facts from the Space Week teacher resource kit.
Songs like We Are the Planets (StoryBots) and The Planets Song (Kiboomers) would support learning through music. The children could draw the Solar System and label the planets, and in art we could create 3D models. Different table groups could work on different planets, creating a whole class cooperative project that reinforces teamwork and creativity.

• This reply was modified 3 months ago by Gráinne Dorian.

I choose the theme of rockets in infants. I feel it is such an engaging topic and have endless opportunities for different subjects. I would begin with introducing the story ‘zoom to the moon’ to have the children thinking and exploring. We would have a discussion on rockets, whats involved, how do they work etc. I would show some interactive videos of the rockets in action. We would then allow for our creative side to shine and begin creating our own rockets. Children would be invited to work in pairs or on their own to create a rocket. They each would get a plastic bottle which has an A4 white sheet around it. This allows the children to design, colour add whichever they wish to the rocket. We would then place the rockets on a piece of string, and they would move up and down on either side, having a rocket race (Maths) or using our imaginations to create a class story (Literacy).

Space Week activities suitable for 2nd Class:

Monday – The Moon: The week would begin by exploring the phases of the Moon. The children would examine photographs of the Moon and discuss what they notice before learning why the Moon appears to change shape throughout the month. They would then create the eight Moon phases using biscuits (such as Oreos) or paper circles and place them in the correct order. The lesson would conclude with a discussion about when they have seen the Moon during the day or at night.

Digital Resource Opportunities:

– Stellarium to observe the Moon’s current phase and compare it with children’s own models.

– A short educational video from ESA Kids

Tuesday – Space and the Planets: The children would be introduced to the eight planets of our Solar System through songs, visuals and discussion. Working in small groups, each group would investigate one planet using fact cards before creating a colourful poster including key facts and illustrations. Groups would present their findings to the class, helping to create a collaborative Solar System display.

Digital Resource Opportunities:

– Tablets could be used to explore the planets through Stellarium, NASA Eyes, or National Geographic Kids.

– Children could create digital fact files using Book Creator or Canva for Education.

Wednesday – Rocket STEM Challenge: The children would be challenged to design and build a paper rocket that can travel the greatest distance. Working collaboratively, they would predict which designs might work best before testing their rockets and measuring how far they travel. After testing, the class would discuss the results and identify features that made certain rockets more successful.

Digital Resource Opportunities:

– Tablets could be used to record rocket launches in slow motion so children can observe and evaluate their designs.

– Results could be entered into a simple spreadsheet to create a class graph, while photographs of each team’s rocket could be uploaded to Seesaw or Class Dojo as part of a digital STEM journal.

Thursday – Life as an Astronaut: The children would learn about life aboard the International Space Station by exploring how astronauts eat, sleep, exercise and carry out everyday tasks in space. Following class discussion, they would write and illustrate a diary entry imagining they are spending their first day in space.

Digital Resource Opportunities:

– Children could watch short clips from ESA showing astronauts living and working in space.

– Create a diary entry digitally using Book Creator or Google Doc.

Friday – Plan a Space Mission: To finish the week, the children would work in groups to plan their own space mission. They would choose a destination such as the Moon or Mars, decide what equipment they would need, and explain the purpose of their mission. Each group would create a poster or model before presenting their ideas to the class, encouraging teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills.

Digital Resource Opportunities:

– Use Canva for Education, Google Slides, or Book Creator to design a digital mission poster.

– Use Stellarium to locate their chosen destination.

– Kahoot!, Quizizz, or Blooket space-themed review quiz at the end of the week.

• This reply was modified 3 months ago by Cáit Dunleavy.

Hypathetical Science Week Class Plan : 1st or 2nd Class

Broadly based on the constellations and dark sky modules.

Monday: What are constellations?

We would start the week by having a chat about what the children already know about space. I’d then introduce constellations and explain that they are groups of stars that make patterns in the night sky. We would look at a few famous ones like Orion and the Plough and Orions belt, and talk about how people used them long ago and for storytelling etc. The children would then use black paper and white pencils or chalk to recreate one of the constellations. For homework, I’d ask them to look at the night sky with a parent or guardian and, if they can, take a photo of any stars or constellations they spot. They can upload their photos to ClassDojo for us to look at during the week.

Tuesday: Looking at the night sky

We would begin by looking through the photos the children shared on ClassDojo and talk about what they noticed. We could also discuss why some children might not have seen many stars because of clouds or bright lights. After that, the children would complete a constellation matching activity where they match the star patterns to their names. They would then create their own simple star map using stickers or dot markers.

Wednesday: Design your own constellation

The children would imagine they have discovered a brand new constellation. Using star stickers or white dots on black paper, they would create their own pattern before joining the stars together. They would give their constellation a name and write a few sentences explaining what it is and why they chose that design. I think this would be a lovely way to mix science with a bit of creativity. We might also be able to create a Giant sky on some large sheets to replicate as many stars as possible.

Thursday: Build ( or design even) a space rocket

To link science with STEM, the children would work in small groups to build a paper rocket using materials like paper, straws, cardboard, tape and recycled items. Once they are finished, we would see which rockets can stand the tallest or which design is the strongest. The groups would talk about what worked well and what they might change next time. Its a very simple activity but it gets everyone working together, discussing and solving problems. It can also be done at their own level.

Friday : space celebration

To finish the week, we would look back at everything we have learned about space and constellations. We would create a class display using the children’s constellation drawings, their own constellation designs and any photos shared on ClassDojo. We would finish with a fun space quiz and let the children share what they enjoyed the most during Science Week. I think ending the week this way would give the children a chance to celebrate everything they learned while showing off their work. Maybe let them do 2 stars and a wish and assess each others work.

Module 5

I have always loved bringing Space Week to life in the classroom, and incorporating the ESERO Rocket Activity Set gives the children an unforgettable hands-on STEM experience. For this year’s action plan, I decided to use paper and foam pop-rockets to teach the concepts of forces, propulsion, and gravity in a way that feels like pure play for the kids.

I kicked off the lesson by asking the class how we could travel to the Moon, which immediately got their imaginations going. After exploring pictures of real launches, I split the pupils into small design-and-make groups. Using the ESERO template, I guided them through assembling their paper rocket bodies and launching them using air pressure from squeezed plastic bottles. The sheer buzz in the room when their rockets launched toward the ceiling was brilliant to see.

I then had them test different variables, like altering the fin shapes or the launch angle—to see whose rocket could travel the furthest across the hall. I recorded their predictions and distance measurements on the board, integrating our Maths objectives around length and data handling seamlessly.

Reflecting on the experience, I found the ESERO resources made integrating scientific inquiry completely stress-free. If I were to adapt this next time, I’d set up a designated “launchpad zone” outdoors to manage the excitement and give us more space to measure longer flight paths. Ultimately, it was a fantastic, low-prep lesson that really sparked their curiosity for engineering, and I’ll definitely be submitting it as evidence towards our school’s Curious Minds Award!

The activity that I have chosen from Module 5 is from the activity set Alien Chemistry, (Fizzing and Solids, Liquids and Gases). The activity I have chosen from this activity set is the Dancing Raisins activity. I think this activity would work well with Junior or Senior Infant classes as well as First or Second classes

As an introduction to this lesson I would use a previous lesson on floating and sinking. Investigating which materials will float and which will sink. I would then ask the children to suggest what might happen with the raisins in the water a fizzy drink such as 7UP.
In small groups the students would investigate what happens when raisins are dropped into water or when they’re dropped into the fizzy drink. Each group could record their results pictorially on worksheets.
I would go over the results as a whole class and then ask the children to suggest reasons why the raisins move up and down in the fizzy drink before discussing the science behind the experiment with the class.
7UP contains bubbles of carbon dioxide. When added to water raisins will sink because they are heavier than water. The raisins will also sink to the bottom of 7UP, but at the bottom they collect bubbles of carbon dioxide. The raisins and the bubbles are then lighter than the drink, so they rise to the surface. When they reach the surface, the gas bubbles burst and the raisins sink to the bottom where they collect more gas bubbles and so on and so on until the drink loses its fizz.

This lesson will support my school’s School Self Evaluation by developing science practice in the school and to find ways to improve science teaching and learning.

Activity – Rockets

I would introduce the topic by reading the picture book ‘The Darkest Dark’ by Chris Hadfield.

We would then brainstorm what we know about rockets in outer space and the various space organisations that are involved – NASA, SpaceX etc.

I would teach a brief history lesson on the most famous missions into space – the moon landing, ISS, Mars Rover, Artemis 2.

We would then focus on what it must be like to be an astronaut in outer space. We would explore the training involved and what life aboard must be like. We would use the fantastic videos that are available online.

As a hands on activity I would get the children to design a rocketship using recyclable materials.

To integrate with language I would get the children to pretend they are an astronaut in outer space and to write a letter/blog/email to their loved ones at home, detailing their day and explaining how they are getting on with their mission.

I would choose the ‘Dancing Raisins’ activity as I think it would be a fun and simple experiment to do with my First Class children. I think the children would be really interested to see raisins ‘dancing’ up and down in a fizzy drink. I would begin by showing the children the raisins and asking them what they think will happen when they are placed in the water and fizzy drink. They could make their own predictions before we start the experiment. I would first place some raisins into a jar of water and then into a jar of freshly opened fizzy drink. The children could observe what happens and talk about the differences they notice. I would ask questions such as why they think the raisins are sinking and then rising to the top. I would explain that bubbles of carbon dioxide stick to the raisins and make them rise to the surface. I think this would be a great hands-on activity as it encourages the children to observe, ask questions and make predictions.

The activity that I have chosen to discuss and reflect on is the fizzing and foaming activity that was part of the OneDrive files. The dancing raisins will be very enjoyable for younger children to see. They will discuss what they think will happen when we drop the raisins into the water and when we drink the raisins into the fizzy liquid. They would get great enjoyment out of seeing the raisins bounce up and down. The children would also really enjoy the glittery explosion activity. The result being a colourful glittery explosion would be fascinating for the children and I know they would just love the colour and chance to choose this as well. We could also use these fizzing experiments when we are learning about volcanos as the children can seethe explosions and it would feel real to them after learning all about volcanoes as part of sese lessons.

For this assignment, I have chosen to look at the rocket-based activities. I would introduce the lesson by reading Aliens in Underpants Save the World, as I think using a fun book with colorful images is a great way to get children interested and engaged.

We would then discuss how we could make our own rocket using simple materials such as string, a straw, scissors, tape, a balloon and a peg. I would ask the children to come up with their own ideas first and record some of their suggestions on the board. I would then show them the Marvin and Milo cartoon where they create a balloon rocket.

The children would then work in groups to make their own balloon rockets. We could extend the activity by investigating whether the size of the balloon and the amount of air inside it affects how fast or how far the rocket travels along the string. We could ask questions such as, Does more air create more force? Does a bigger balloon make the rocket travel faster? Does the length or angle of the string make a difference?

The children could record their results and share their findings with the class. I think this would be a fun, hands-on STEM activity that encourages children to predict, investigate, problem-solve and work together, while introducing them to the idea of force and movement.

I would choose the rocket activity. I will be teaching Second Class and I think this would be a very engaging hands-on STEM activity because children are naturally fascinated by rockets, astronauts and space travel. It encourages development of curiosity and all the shile doing it through practical investigation.
I would begin by talking to the children about rockets and asking questions such as, “What makes a rocket move?” and “What do you think a rocket needs to travel into space?” We would look at pictures of different rockets and discuss their shape and purpose. The children would then be asked to design and create their own rockets using materials such as cardboard tubes, paper, card, straws. They could draw their design first before building it.
Once the rockets were completed, we could test them and investigate which designs travelled the furthest or moved the fastest. The children would make predictions before testing and then discuss what happened. We would then explore how changing the design might affect the rocket’s movement.
I would extend the activity throughout Space Week by incorporating space stories, songs, artwork and role play. Some examples are Paxi on the ISS, Rocket Song.
The rocket activity would provide a meaningful way for pupils to explore space while developing skills that can be applied across the curriculum.

Once again another great module with such great ideas for next years teaching.

I am going to do the hand on activities Rockets.

I would read the book Aliens in Underpants to the children to get them engage in the new topic. I would move on to the rockets and show them a picture or a 3D model of a rocket. I would make sure the children understand the concept of rocket.

than i would collect different size bottles and show the children how to make mouse rockets. the children will experiment with the different size bottle and see how far the mouse will go further with what bottle.

If the children were highly motivated i would also do the balloon rocket and do the same concept and see does the size of the bottle matter for the rocket to go further.

I love the fact that the children are always hands on and learning at the same time

The activity I would choose is the Rocket Mice from module 5.
To start the lesson, I would use the storybook by Sadie Sprocket, Builds a Rocket. We will discuss what we know about rockets. We will discuss our knowledge of space.

As the rockets could be difficult for the young children, we would link with 5th and 6th class to make these. Children will be given the supplies to create a simple rocket. Using the straws and newly made rockets, children will make their rockets fly. When every child has their rocket made, for a bit pf fun, we will test put how far each rocket will go.

Using a template from Teachers Pay Teachers, the children will design and cut out their own rocket. This cutout will be stuck to coloured card. This will be our art lesson.

A STEM lesson would be creating rockets using recycled materials. Children will describe their creation to the class, working on their oral language skills.

This activity allows for the students to question, predict, make, test and discuss their rockets. Children will be given the opportunity to collaborate, problem-solve snd be creative. This lesson will be fun and will be nice for our youngest children to work with our oldest children.

I would use the Alien Chemistry activity set because First Class pupils always enjoy practical experiments, especially when there is a bit of fizzing and bubbling involved. I would introduce the lesson by telling the children that we are pretending to be scientists on another planet. We would carry out a simple fizzing experiment and encourage the children to observe carefully what they can see and hear. They could make predictions before the experiment and then talk about whether their ideas were correct afterwards.
I think this activity would help the children develop important science skills like observing, predicting and recording results. It would also give them lots of opportunities to work with a partner and explain their thinking. I would finish the lesson by asking the children to draw and label what happened during the experiment and explain it in their own words. I think this topic would create lots of excitement in the classroom while helping the children understand science through hands-on learning. It is definitely an activity I would use again.

Space week plan for First Class

For Space Week I would plan a variety of activities covering many topics about space, giving the children a broad learning experience and understanding.  I have tried to create an interactive cross-curricular set of activities for First Class. It introduces students to outer space through a mix of storytelling, active movement, and hands-on art.

(I work in a Junior School and do think it would also be worthwhile if each year group took a specific topic to explore. e.g. Junior Infants – Stars,  Senior Infants – Planets etc.)

Monday – Introduction to space and planets

Gather the children on the rug. Ask what they already know about space, the moon, and stars. Show pictures or a short clip of the Earth viewed from space.

Read a short space-themed picture book aloud (e.g., Man on the Moon or Roaring Rockets)

Sing an active space song together with actions, such as Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, We’re Going to the Moon or Five Little Men in a Flying Sauce.

View the planets song on Youtube and explore what the children have learned about the solar system

Tuesday – The Earth as a Sphere

Introduce the penguin and polar bear at the top and bottom of the globe and ask why they do not fall off. Exploring the concept of gravity and magnetic forces. Draw Earth Mosaics and piece together the children’s drawings. Follow up discussion.

Wednesday – Stars and Constellations

Focus on the sky today. Discuss using pictures stars and what they look like. Observe the constellations and do dot-to-dot picture shapes in the sky like the Big Dipper or Orion. Observe the patterns. Create telescopes and constellations from match sticks and playdough or use mini marshmallows and toothpicks to build 3D shapes of star groups.

Thursday – Rockets and Astronauts

Engage with a picture of a rocket. Explore a variety of materials and plan a design to make a rocket. Build a rocket out of material that is hard/soft, light/heavy, floats/sinks or is waterproof. Explore changing forces and show their creations to the rest of the class.

Astronaut Training – Clear a space in the room for a quick physical game. Pretend to float like weightless astronauts in zero gravity. Practice a countdown from 10 to 1, followed by a soft, slow-motion blast-off back to seats

Friday – Aliens

Observe the planets through pictures. Discuss the characteristics of the planets. Look at Funny Little Monsters on RTE junior for ideas and inspiration. Place the 8 planets on different tables in the classroom. Children chose a planet and then design and make with clay ‘My Alien’. This lends itself to further literacy lessons e.g. a Fact file for the Alien.

Create Alien Slime: by mixing fragranced shampoo or conditioner and cornflour together to create a consistency that is neither a solid or liquid.

I would choose the building rockets activity and use it as part of a Space Week in my Junior Infant classroom. I think this would be a great opportunity for four-year-olds to explore space through play, creativity and hands-on learning.

To introduce the topic, I would use something familiar to the children, such as Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story. Many of the children may already know Buzz as a space ranger, which would provide an engaging starting point for talking about astronauts, rockets and space. I would show the children the official Toy Story website and use the short “Buzz” video available there. I would then ask questions such as, “Who is Buzz?”, “Where does Buzz say he comes from?” and “What would we need if we wanted to travel into space? I would ask the children if they would like to build a rocket for him?.

For the main activity, the children would work together to build their own rockets for buzz using cardboard tubes, boxes, paper, foil and other recycled materials. I would encourage them to experiment with different materials and designs rather than giving them a model to copy.

During the activity, I would ask open-ended questions such as, “What do you think will happen?”, “How could you make your rocket stronger?” and “What could you change?” This would develop early STEM skills including problem-solving, communication, teamwork, creativity and making predictions.

As part of Space Week, we could also explore the Moon, stars and planets through stories, songs, artwork and simple investigations. I would take photographs of the children’s rockets and record their comments and ideas on Seesaw so that families could see their learning.

I think using Buzz Lightyear alongside real-life space resources would make the topic exciting and relatable for four-year-olds, while also encouraging them to link imaginative play to learning about real space, rockets and astronauts.

I would like to try the alien chemistry activity – Fizzing and foaming. I would start the lesson with a fun story like ‘Aliens love underpants’. We would then have a discussion on what they thought an alien might look like, sound like, etc. This would be a fun topic for them to explore. I would integrate with art here and have them design their alien and the planet it lives on.
Then we would discuss how we could get to the aliens’ planets, leading to a discussion on rockets. This would lead nicely into the fizzing rocket activity. I would ask the children to estivmate how long they thought it would take for the rocket to launch. It is a fun activity as a conclusion to the lesson and all the children would enjoy it.

I would choose to create a class plan to engage with Space Week as I think it would provide pupils with an exciting opportunity to explore science through practical, inquiry-based learning. I would introduce Space Week by asking pupils what they already know about space and what questions they would like to find answers to. This would allow me to identify their existing knowledge and use their questions to guide the activities throughout the week.
Across the week, I would incorporate different subjects. In Science, pupils could explore the Solar System, the Moon, planets and the Sun. In Geography, they could investigate Earth’s position in space and compare planets. In English, pupils could write a space-themed story or explanation, while in Art they could create models or artwork of the Solar System. I would also include a STEM challenge where pupils work in groups to design and build a spacecraft or lunar lander using classroom materials.
I would use photographs, pupil work and reflections as digital records of the week. Overall, I think Space Week would encourage curiosity, creativity, teamwork and problem-solving while helping pupils develop a greater interest in STEM.

• This reply was modified 2 months, 3 weeks ago by Aine Carr.

Science Week – Infant Classes

I would do some simple daily activities with infant classes for 5 days for science week.

Monday:

We would begin the week by talking about space and discussing what the children already know. The children could create their own planet earth using paint, crayons or collage materials. Their work would be displayed together to create a class space display. We could also look at our class globe.

Tuesday: Stars Day

We would learn about stars and the night sky – looking at some constellations, their names etc. The children could create star pictures using black paper and star stickers or chalk. They could also explore a space-themed play area and sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star with actions.

Wednesday: Alien Day

The children could imagine an alien has visited our classroom. What questions would they ask the alien? Hot seating etc might work well. They would design and create their own alien and give it a name. We would display all the aliens together to create an alien planet.

Thursday: Astronaut Day

The children would take part in astronaut training challenges such as moon jumps and a space crawl. They would then build simple rockets using paper, cardboard and recycled materials and test out their designs.

Friday: Space Day

We would look back at everything we learned during the week. The children would visit our space display to view all of their work and take part in a fun space quiz I would make on kahoot. We would finish the week by sharing our favourite activities and facts.

It would be nice to incorporate some stories, such as The Smeds, I love you to the Moon and Back. Also we could incorporate some youtube clips abou space.

I would like to organise a Space Week in my classroom as I think it would be a great way to bring together lots of the activities from this course. I would start the week by asking the children what they already know about space and what they would like to find out. We could make a class display of their questions and add to it during the week.
During the week, we could explore the planets, stars and the Moon through stories, videos and simple hands-on activities. We could make rockets using different materials and see which ones travel the furthest. We could also make our own constellations using black paper and chalk and explore shadows outside if the weather is suitable.
I would use the interactive whiteboard to explore space using online resources and Stellarium. The children could draw pictures, make models and talk about what they have learned. We could take photographs throughout the week and use them to make a Space Week display.
I think Space Week would be a fun way to encourage curiosity, questioning and creativity while bringing Science, Maths, Art, English and STEM together.

• This reply was modified 2 months, 3 weeks ago by Katriona Cummins.

Cross-Curricular Space-Themed Learning
These cross-curricular activities would be carried out over a fortnight with my Junior or Senior Infants, alongside Space-themed Aistear play stations.
I would begin by introducing the new topic, Space, and completing a KWL chart with the children to explore what they already know and what they would like to find out. Throughout the fortnight, I would update a Space-themed display board with the children’s work and new learning.
Literacy
• Teach “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”
• Read The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield, Busy People: Astronaut by Lucy M. George and How It Works: Rocket by Amelia Hepworth.
• Discuss the books, focusing on what the children learned, their favourite parts and whether they would like to become astronauts.
• Read The Smeds and the Smoos by Julia Donaldson and discuss what an alien might look like.
Maths
• Count backwards from 10 for a rocket countdown and blast-off.
• Create and continue patterns by cutting and sticking shapes to a rocket.
History
• Watch age-appropriate videos of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the Moon in 1969 and discuss the first Moon landing.
Geography
• Identify and discuss the Sun, Moon and stars and explore the differences between day and night.
Science
• Explore how shadows are formed and go outside to trace the children’s shadows with chalk.
Drama
• Pretend to be astronauts in Space and explore how they might walk on the Moon, move without gravity, wear a spacesuit, breathe and communicate.
Art
• Children colour an astronaut outline. Take a photograph of each child and place their face inside the astronaut’s helmet to create their own astronaut picture.
Play
Role-play: Set up a Space Travel Agency where children can buy tickets and travel to different planets.
Art and crafts: Design and create 2D and 3D aliens using materials such as playdough, clay, wire, tinfoil, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, fabric, wool and cardboard.
Sensory play: Make coloured slime and add googly eyes or beads.
Playdough: Use Space-themed mats to make stars, asteroids, Saturn’s rings, moon craters, rockets, aliens and planets.
Sand/Water: Create a Space-themed small-world area using astronauts, rockets, aliens, planets, stars, the Moon and asteroids.
Construction: Use LEGO or magnetic tiles to design and build rocket ships.

The activity I would choose for my class would be the rocket making activity.

I think that it would be a very effective, hands on lesson that would engage the children and be enjoyable.

I would introduce the lesson by reading the book “Maisy’s Rocket”. We would then discuss what we know about rockets, see what parts we can name, how they get to space etc..

I would then tell the children that today we are going to design our own rockets. We would use the interactive whiteboard to brain storm some ideas for what our rocket ship would look like. Each child would be given a sheet and colours to design their own rocket.

The children would then be given a variety of different materials; bottles, plastic cups, straws, sellotape, pipe cleaners, buttons, caps, etc.. and they would be given free reign to design a rocket ship based on their planning drawing.

I would give the children an opportunity to present their rocket ship to the class. I would then hang strings from the ceiling and display their creations as if they were blasting off to the moon.

These lessons would integrate across all the STEAM areas.

Timetable for celebrating Space Week with Senior Infants:

Monday: Blast Off & SESE (Science)
•The Launch: Read The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers. Use a spaceship countdown (10 down to 1) to line up or transition.
•Shadow Investigation: Head to the school yard to trace and measure shadows using chalk, exploring how our star (the Sun) changes position.

Tuesday: Math & Planet Exploration
• System Order: Sing a planet song to learn the order and names of the planets.
• Alien Counting: Use laminated cards of goofy aliens with different numbers of eyes, fingers, and antennae to practice counting in 2s, 5s, and 10s.

Wednesday: English & Creative Writing
•Postcard from Space: Have students imagine they landed on the Moon. Write a short, simple three-sentence postcard describing what they see and feel.
•Read-Aloud: Share Back to Earth with a Bump and discuss what it feels like to float

Thursday: Arts & Crafts (Visual Arts)
•Papier-Mâché Planets: Work in small groups to cover inflated balloons with papier-mâché paste and newspaper strips, setting them aside to dry for a hanging classroom solar system.
•Constellation Art: Paint dark blue card with sponge stars and connect white chalk dots to invent brand-new imaginary star shapes.

Friday: PE & Mission Celebration
•Moon Walk PE: Set up a low-gravity obstacle course in the hall where children move in slow motion, leap over “moon rocks,” and crawl through a tunnel “airlock.”
•Rocket Showcase: Display the week’s art and invite another junior class in the school to view the cosmic exhibition

Rainy Day or Supplementary Activities:
SESE Science (Replaces Monday’s Yard Shadows)
•Flashlight Eclipse: Close the classroom blinds and turn off the lights.
•Shadow Puppets: Use torches (flashlights) and plastic space toys to project giant alien shadows onto the whiteboard.
•Size Investigation: Move the torches closer and further away to observe how shadow sizes change.

PE & Movement (Replaces Friday’s Hall Obstacle Course)
•Cosmic Yoga: Follow a space-themed story yoga session on the interactive whiteboard (like Cosmic Kids Yoga).
•Astronaut Training: Play “Simon Says” with active space actions like “float in zero gravity,” “spin like an asteroid,” or “blast off into a tuck jump.”
•Space Freeze: Play space music and have the children freeze like frozen planets when the music stops.

Creative Play & Breaks (Rainy Lunch Breaks)
•Constellation Building: Give students mini-marshmallows and toothpicks to build 3D star constellations at their desks.
•Space Junk Models: Use clean recycling materials (cardboard tubes, tinfoil, plastic lids) to build tabletop rocket models.

I chose the “Making Rockets” activity for Junior and Senior Infants. I think this would be a fun and engaging way to introduce children to STEM and space while also developing their creativity and problem-solving skills.
I would begin by talking to the children about rockets and asking what they know about space and how rockets travel into the sky. We could look at pictures or a short video of rockets launching and discuss what they need to do to reach space. I would then provide the children with a range of simple materials, such as cardboard tubes, paper, card, foil, tape and recycled materials, and allow them to design and create their own rockets.
The children could work individually or in small groups, making predictions about which rockets might travel the furthest. We could test their designs and discuss what happened. This would encourage them to explore, experiment, make observations and improve their designs.
I would also link the activity to Space Week by displaying the children’s rockets and photographs of their work in the classroom. This would celebrate their learning and encourage further interest in STEM and space.

• This reply was modified 2 months, 3 weeks ago by Alison Earle.

I would use a hands-on activity for rockets with Junior Infants.

I would start the lesson by showing the children a video of a rocket launch to build interest and curiosity. We would have a discussion about rockets, about what is happening in the video and how rockets move. Following on from that I would read them the story ‘Edward Built a Rocketship’. I would brainstorm with the class: what would make a good rocket ship? How would your rocket ship move? I would provide the children with materials to build their own rocket ships in small groups in order to develop problem-solving and teamwork. The children will have a range of materials that they can use to launch their rocket ships. The children will present and launch their rockets to the class. As a closure to the lesson, I would bring the children outside and do the baking soda and vinegar rocket ship experiment.

I would like to teach some lessons from the activity set ‘Alien Chemistry’. I have done the Dancing Raisins experiment in the past with Junior and Senior infants classes. What works well is discussing the materials that we are going to use and predicting what will happen when the raisins are put into the water. The children can draw their predictions before we test it out. I enjoy hearing them predict that the raisins will explode and drawing their prediction! After we observe the raisins moving up and down, I explain the reason behind it. I compare the bubbles to armbands and that’s what helps the raisins to float to the top before the bubbles pop. Afterwards, the children draw the result of the experiment and compare it to their prediction. I would like to try the Alka seltzer experiment with my 2nd class children this year. I would use the Marvin and Milo comic style instructions as the layout is appealing, but I would blank out the last box with the results. Before doing the experiment, I would ask the children how I could make a balloon take up more space. I would blow up a balloon and we would discuss what is in the balloon and if it uses space even though we can’t see it. The children would make predictions on what they think will happen to the tube when the tablet mixes with the water. I think that the element of messiness when the tube pops would be engaging for the children. Later on, we would complete the same experiment again but this time using cold water, room temperature water and warm water. Again, the children would predict what type of water would work the quickest before testing it out. We would discuss the importance of a fair test and ensuring the same variable is changed. This experiment would provide the children with an opportunity to ask questions, predict, observe, measure, record, review, amend and retest.<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>

I would use these activities as fun, hands-on science lessons to introduce solids, liquids and gases. They would work really well for Science Stations for Science week. I would begin by asking pupils what they know about fizzy drinks and bubbles, encouraging predictions. We would then carry out the Dancing Raisins demonstration, followed by the vinegar and baking soda experiment to observe carbon dioxide being produced. Pupils would work in small groups to make a foaming “volcano” and discuss their observations. Finally, they would create alien slime (oobleck) to investigate non-Newtonian materials. Throughout the lesson, pupils would record predictions, observations and conclusions, developing scientific inquiry and teamwork skills.

I chose the Paper Rockets activity because I think it would be a fun and engaging activity for the children while also developing their science skills. I would begin by showing the children different types of rockets and talking about how rockets are launched. I would then ask them to design and make their own paper rocket.

Before launching them, I would encourage the children to make a prediction about which rocket they think will travel the furthest and why. They could then launch their rockets and measure the distances travelled, recording their results. We could compare the results and discuss why some rockets travelled further than others.

I like this activity because the children are actively involved in the learning. They are designing, making, testing and improving their rockets rather than just learning about rockets from a book. It would also give them an opportunity to work together and share ideas.

There are lots of opportunities for cross-curricular learning too, particularly through maths when measuring and recording distances. The children could also redesign their rockets after seeing the results and test them again. This would help them understand that making mistakes and trying again is an important part of scientific investigation. Overall, I think this activity would be a fun way to develop curiosity, problem-solving and teamwork.

For this module, I chose the Rocket Mouse activity as one that I would like to use in my classroom. I think it would be an engaging way of introducing children to the idea of forces and how rockets are launched, while also developing their skills in predicting, investigating and recording results.
I would begin by showing the children the Rocket Mouse and asking them what they think will happen when it is launched. The children could make predictions before carrying out the investigation. In groups, they could then make and test their own Rocket Mouse, changing one variable at a time and measuring how far it travels. This would provide a good opportunity to discuss what makes an investigation a fair test and why it is important to keep some factors the same.
I particularly like this activity because it allows for cross-curricular learning. Mathematics could be incorporated through measuring and comparing distances and recording results in tables or graphs. There are also opportunities for oral language as children discuss their predictions, observations and conclusions.
I think the hands-on nature of the activity would encourage curiosity and active participation. It would also allow children to learn from unsuccessful attempts and make improvements to their designs. Overall, I feel Rocket Mouse would be a fun and accessible way to make science meaningful while developing problem-solving, collaboration and investigation skills.

Using Space Activities in Second Class
I would choose one of the space activities from this module and use it with my Second Class pupils. I think space is a topic that naturally interests children and gives them plenty of opportunities to ask questions, make predictions and investigate.
I would begin by discussing what the pupils already know about space, including the Sun, Moon, stars and planets. I would then use a hands-on activity to allow them to explore the topic rather than just learning facts. For example, pupils could investigate the phases of the Moon using different objects to represent the Earth, Moon and Sun. They could observe how the Moon appears to change depending on its position.
I would encourage the children to work in small groups and explain their ideas to each other. I could also use videos, photographs and an interactive resource on the whiteboard to support pupils who learn better through visual methods.
To record their learning, pupils could draw and label what they discovered or create a short digital page using Book Creator. This would allow them to show their understanding in different ways. I think these activities would make learning about space enjoyable, practical and memorable for Second Class.

For Space Week, I would like to base my activities around the idea of “Alien Scientists” and use some of the experiments from the Alien Chemistry activities. I think this would work really well with First Class as the children would be able to learn through doing, exploring and having fun.

On Monday, I would introduce the children to the idea of aliens and ask them what they think an alien might look like and what kind of experiments they might do on another planet. We would design our own aliens and talk about what a scientist does. This would introduce the children to making predictions and observing things carefully.

On Tuesday, we would do Messy Mixtures, where the children could explore what happens when different materials are mixed together. We would talk about what they notice and introduce simple ideas about solids and liquids. On Wednesday, we would move on to Fizzing and Foaming. The children would make predictions about what might happen when the materials are mixed and then observe the fizzing and bubbles. This would build their understanding that materials can react and change.

On Thursday, we would do Dancing Raisins, which would be the main experiment of the week. I would show the children a glass of fizzy drink and some raisins and ask them what they think will happen when we put the raisins in. We would record their predictions before starting. We would then drop a few raisins into the fizzy drink and watch closely. The raisins will initially sink, but bubbles from the fizzy drink attach to the raisins and make them rise. When the bubbles pop at the surface, the raisins sink again, making them look like they are “dancing”. We could count how many raisins are dancing and talk about what we can see happening.

On Friday, we would bring everything together. The children could design their own alien planet and create it using recyclable materials. We could talk about their favourite experiment from the week and what they discovered.

I think this would be a fun way to celebrate Space Week while developing important Science skills such as predicting, observing, questioning and investigating. Most importantly, the children would get to have fun, get messy and enjoy Science!

Hands-on activity: Rockets

To begin this lesson I would read the story ‘The way back home’ to the class. We would then have a class discussion about Space and how people can go to Space from Earth. I will ask the children what they know about rockets and how they work or what makes them fly. I will then show the class clips on YouTube of NASA rocket launches. Following this I will explain we will make our own rockets using the rocket mouse activity. The children will choose a empty plastic bottle and will get a cut out sheet. Here they will cut out their paper, design them and roll and stick them into a cone shape. They will then place the cone on top of the empty bottle and squeeze the bottle to launch their rocket. We will then have a discussion about what happened and why it happened, how far they fly and why etc. The children will then be encouraged to investigate how to make them fly further. They can test this by using different sized plastic bottles and amounts of force used when squeezing the bottle. In groups the children can use Non-Standard units of measurement to measure of how far their rocket fly when using different bottles and force. They can then relay this information to the class at the end.

I would choose the Rockets activity set as I think it would be a really fun and engaging activity to use with 6th Class. The module gives a number of different ideas for exploring rockets, including paper rockets, balloon rockets, foam rockets and Rocket Mouse.I would start the lesson by showing the pupils a video of a rocket launch and asking them what they already know about rockets and how they move. The children would then work in groups to design and create their own paper rockets. Before testing them, they would predict which designs they think will travel the furthest and explain why. We would then bring the rockets outside to launch them. Pupils could measure the distance each rocket travels and record their results. Afterwards, they could make changes to their designs and test them again to see if they could improve them. This would also introduce the idea of carrying out a fair test, which is highlighted in the module. I think this would be a great activity because it is very hands-on and pupil-led. It also naturally combines Science and Maths, which is one of the key aims of the module. It would give the children a chance to work together, problem-solve and learn through trial and error, while making Space Week enjoyable and memorable.

• This reply was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by Aisling Byrne.

I would choose to do some lessons on rockets, it was  a very popular topic this year in my Early Start class .I would start of by reading the story Zoom to the Moon by Pat-a Cake, it is a bright colourful book with simple text and lots of sounds to make which the children love to repeat. Using such a simple story is a great way to introduce very young children to lots of new space related vocabulary. We would then have a group discussion on how we could get to the moon and  I would show the children various photos\videos of rockets, the moon ,astronauts etc. For a movement break we would  each find a space within our class and pretend we are rockets launching into space by counting down 5,4,3,2,1 blast off. Repeating this several times by gradually making the countdown quieter/louder or slower\faster.

There are some excellent educational videos from cbbc on space available online including Tim Peake and Miss Mouse on the international space station and cbeebies stargazing-learning about the solar system.

A great hands on activity that we have done over the years is to invite parents in to make a rocket with their child. We collect up various materials like bottles, cardboard boxes {big and small], cardboard tubes,  paper, markers, crayons ,glue, stickers, orange\red\yellow card for flames. It is just brilliant to see the children and parents working together, parental involvement is a massive part of the Early Start program. The children really enjoy telling their parents about all they have learned about rockets. A shared learning experience like this help children explore rockets through conversation and creative play while developing imagination, social skills, early numeracy and language.

For Space Week I would choose the Rocket Activity and adapt it for my Junior Infant class. I think this would be a fun activity that would let the kids explore forces, movement and cause and effect while learning about rockets. I’d start by showing them how to make the paper rocket that sits on top of a plastic bottle. The kids could decorate their rockets and we’d then use different sized bottles and ask the children to make predictions about which rocket they think will travel the furthest. They could take turns squeezing the bottles and watching their rockets fly. I would encourage the children to ask questions and we could compare our results and talk about why some rockets travelled further than others. This would be particularly suitable for Junior Infants because it involves play. Id also ask them what makes the rocket come back down reminding them of gravity.

Hi keith

I really like how you’ve made the activity so hands on and fun, especially using the story and NASA videos, making and decorating the rockets, and then letting the children test different bottles and see how far their rockets can fly.

For this assignment, I have chosen to look at the rocket based activities. I would introduce the lesson by reading Aliens in Underpants Save the World, as I think a fun story with colourful pictures would be a great way to capture the children’s attention and get them interested in the topic.

We would then talk about how we could make our own rocket using simple materials such as string, a straw, scissors, tape, a balloon and a peg. Before showing the children how to make it, I would give them the opportunity to share their own ideas and make predictions. We could record some of their suggestions on the board and discuss what they think might happen.

I would then show the children the Marvin and Milo cartoon where they create a balloon rocket. The children could work in small groups to make and test their own balloon rockets.

We could extend the activity by changing different things and seeing what effect they have. For example, we could investigate whether the size of the balloon or the amount of air in it affects how far or how quickly the rocket travels. We could also explore whether the length or angle of the string makes a difference.

The children could record their results in a simple table or drawing and then share what they discovered with the class. I think this would be a fun and engaging STEM activity as it gives the children the opportunity to predict, test, observe, problem-solve and work together, while introducing the idea of force and movement in a way that is enjoyable and suitable for young children.

• This reply was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by Oonagh Campbell.

The activity I have chosen to discuss is “Rocket Mice”. I think this is such a fun and engaging way to get children involved in their learning, while also giving them the opportunity to use their imagination and get creative. I would begin by showing the children a video of a real rocket launching from Earth. I would question them and ask them what they think makes a rocket move. I would explain that rockets move because air and gases are pushed in one direction, which creates a force that pushes the rocket in the opposite direction. Each child will then get the opportunity to make and design their own “Rocket Mouse”. Once the “Rocket Mice” are ready, using the milk cartons as our launching system, children will get ready to launch their rockets into space! Before each launch, I would ask the children to make a prediction about how far they think their “Rocket Mouse” will travel. We could then observe what happens and compare the results. This would encourage them to develop skills in predicting, observing, measuring and making conclusions while having lots of fun.

The activity which I would love to run in my classroom is the dancing raisin activity. I have used a similar lesson in the past to teach the force of sound vibrations using raisins and a speaker. I would love to use this lesson in conjunction with the dancing raisins gas and liquid lesson so that children can discover a range of forces acting on the raisins.

To begin the lesson and spark curiosity, the children will discover a mysterious letter from the class puppet Murph. The puppet will explain that he has heard about “dancing raisins” but cannot understand how raisins can move without being touched. The puppet will ask the children to become scientists and investigate the mystery. This will create curiosity and give the children a clear purpose for the activity.

The children will discuss what they think might happen and make predictions about what will happen when a raisin is placed in fizzy drink compared with still water. Children will think, pair and share and also record their predictions in their science journals. They will then work in small groups to carry out the investigation themselves. Each group will place raisins into both liquids and carefully observe what happens, looking closely at the bubbles and the movement of the raisins. They will discuss their observations and record their findings through drawings or simple sentences in their science journals.

During the investigation, I will encourage children to think about what they can see by asking questions such as, “What do you notice?”, “Why do you think the raisin is moving?” and “What is different about the fizzy drink?” Afterwards, the children will share their findings with the class. I can then introduce the simple idea that the fizzy drink contains carbon dioxide gas, which forms bubbles. The bubbles attach to the raisins and help them rise. When the bubbles reach the surface and disappear, the raisins sink again, making them appear to “dance.”

There is lots of opportunity here for cross-curricular links. Children could write a letter back to the puppet Murph explaining their findings. For Art, children could create drawings of the investigation, showing the raisins rising and sinking. For Maths, children could count the bubbles or raisins and compare their observations, while oral language could be developed as children discuss their predictions and findings within their groups.

For my Module 5 assignment, I have chosen to reflect on the Rockets activity. I would use this activity with an Infant class, as I think it would really capture the children’s interest and provide lots of opportunities for learning through play and exploration.

I would begin by showing the children a picture of a rocket and asking them what they think it is. I would ask simple questions such as, “Where do you think a rocket goes?” and “What do you think is in space?” We could talk about the moon, stars and planets. To introduce the topic in a fun way, I would read the story Roaring Rockets by Tony Mitton.

Next, the children would make their own simple paper rockets. They could decorate their rockets using crayons, markers and stickers, allowing them to be creative and make their own designs. Before launching the rockets, I would ask the children to make predictions about what might happen. For example, I might ask, “Which rocket do you think will go the furthest?”

The children would then launch their paper rockets using straws. After everyone has had a turn, we would look at where the rockets landed and talk about what happened. We could use simple language such as near and far, long and short, and higher and lower, linking the activity with early Maths learning.

To develop the activity further, we could try making rockets in different sizes. The children could investigate whether a bigger or smaller rocket travels further. Rather than using formal measuring tools, the children could measure the distance travelled using cubes, footsteps or hand spans. They could compare the results and discuss which rocket travelled the furthest and which travelled the shortest distance.

As a follow-on activity during Aistear, the children could work together to build a large rocket using recycled materials such as cardboard boxes, plastic bottles and tubes. They could use the rocket during imaginative play and pretend that they are travelling into space. The children could visit different planets and draw pictures of what they imagine they might discover.

I think this activity would be very suitable for Infant classes because it is practical, playful and exciting. The children would have opportunities to ask questions, make predictions, test their ideas and talk about what they observe. It would also encourage creativity, communication, teamwork and problem-solving. The simple measuring activities would provide a meaningful link with Maths, while the topic of rockets and space would introduce the children to early scientific investigation in a fun and engaging way.

• This reply was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by Sarah Bacon.

Reflective Learning Assignment – Teaching Space in Junior Classes

Taking part in the Teaching Space in Junior Classes course has been a very enjoyable and valuable learning experience for me. Before completing the course, I would have associated teaching about space mainly with learning facts about planets, the moon and rockets. However, throughout the different modules, I learned that space can be used as a very engaging theme to develop children’s curiosity, creativity, scientific skills and understanding through practical and play-based learning.

One of the most important things I learned throughout the course was the value of allowing children to explore and investigate for themselves. Rather than simply giving children information, many of the activities encourage them to ask questions, make predictions, test their ideas and discuss what they observe. I feel that this approach is particularly suitable for Infant classes, as young children learn best when they are actively involved in their learning.

The first module helped me to think about STEM inquiry and how children’s natural curiosity can be used as a starting point for learning. I learned that even simple questions can lead to meaningful scientific exploration. In my classroom, I would like to give children more opportunities to ask questions and share their own ideas before I explain a topic. For example, when introducing space, I could show the children a picture of the moon, a rocket or the Earth and ask them what they think it is, what they already know and what they would like to find out.

The different modules also provided many practical resources and activities that I could use in my classroom. I particularly liked the activities based around the moon, the stars, the Earth and rockets. These topics could easily be linked with other areas of the curriculum. For example, learning about the moon and stars could be connected with art, oral language and storytelling. The children could create pictures of space, listen to stories and use new vocabulary such as moon, stars, planet, rocket, near, far, big and small.

The Rockets activity from Module 5 was one of my favourite activities. I think it would be particularly exciting for Infant children and would encourage lots of learning through play. I would begin by showing the children a picture of a rocket and asking them where they think it might go. We could discuss space, the moon and the planets. I could also read a space-themed story, such as Roaring Rockets, to introduce the topic in a fun and engaging way.

The children could then make and decorate their own simple paper rockets. Before launching them, I would encourage the children to make predictions by asking questions such as, “Which rocket do you think will go the furthest?” After launching the rockets, we could compare where they landed and discuss what happened. This would provide a simple introduction to scientific investigation.

The Rockets activity would also create a meaningful link with Maths. The children could compare which rocket travelled the furthest and which travelled the shortest distance. They could use informal units such as cubes, blocks or footsteps to measure the distance travelled. This would allow them to explore mathematical language in a practical context. I think this is particularly valuable for younger children because they can see a real purpose for measuring and comparing.

I would also extend the learning through Aistear. The children could work together to build a large rocket using recycled materials such as cardboard boxes, tubes and plastic containers. They could then use the rocket in imaginative play and pretend that they are astronauts travelling to the moon or different planets. A space-themed small world area, role-play area or construction area could encourage further discussion and creativity. The children could draw pictures of the places they visit or create a simple class “space journal” to record their discoveries.

One of the key things I will take from this course is the importance of using simple and accessible materials. Many of the activities do not require expensive equipment and could be adapted using materials already available in the classroom. Paper, card, straws, recycled materials and other everyday objects can be used to create meaningful STEM activities. This has given me more confidence to try practical science activities with younger children.

The course has also made me think about the importance of integrating different areas of learning. Space is not only a Science topic. It can be linked with Maths through measuring and comparing, with literacy through stories and discussion, with Art through designing rockets and planets, and with Aistear through imaginative and collaborative play. I would like to use more integrated themes in my teaching, as I feel this makes learning more meaningful and enjoyable for children.

There are some concerns I would need to consider when using these activities in my classroom. As I would be working with Infant children, clear instructions and adult support would be important, particularly during practical activities. I would also need to ensure that all materials are safe and suitable for the age group. Activities would need to be kept simple and adapted to suit the children’s level of understanding. However, I feel that these challenges can be managed through good planning, group work and careful preparation.

Overall, this course has increased my confidence in teaching STEM and using space as a theme for learning. I have learned that young children are capable of engaging in scientific enquiry when activities are presented in an accessible and playful way. They can make predictions, observe, compare, discuss and test their ideas, even if they are not yet using formal scientific language.

As a result of completing this course, I plan to introduce more inquiry-based and hands-on learning opportunities into my classroom. I would like to use the Rockets activity as part of a wider Space Week or space-themed Aistear unit. I will encourage the children to ask more questions, share their ideas and learn through exploration rather than always providing them with the answers.

The course has also encouraged me to reflect on my own teaching and how I can continue to develop my use of STEM and digital learning. I can see how digital resources, such as short videos, photographs and interactive activities, can help to introduce a topic and stimulate children’s interest. However, I would use these resources to support practical learning rather than replace it.

In conclusion, my learning journey throughout this course has shown me that teaching space can be exciting, creative and accessible, particularly in the junior classes. The resources and activities from the modules have given me practical ideas that I can bring directly into my classroom. Most importantly, the course has reminded me that children learn best when they are curious, actively involved and given opportunities to explore. I look forward to using these ideas in my own classroom and developing engaging STEM experiences that encourage children to question, investigate, create and learn through play.

• This reply was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by Sarah Bacon.

I would engage with the Rockets activity with my infant classes.I would use the Aliens In Underpants story as a prompt to engage the children.I would also include a movement activity such a Blast Off where the children could pretend to be rockets taking off at different speeds and directions to teachers countdown.Using the school yard would be great for this.Then we would explore making rockets.I would use Marvins and Milos ballon rocket suggestion as the cartoon is engaging and poses questions for children to wonder about.To investigate further I would encourage the children to consider how we might make the rocket move further along the string,maybe blowing balloon up really big and getting them to predict how far it might travel on the string or comparing two different shaped balloons.Taking the next step I would encourage the children to think of other object moved by the foce of air such a sailboat.I would finish the lesson with a reflection on what the children learned during the lesson.The Penny Rocket and Rocket Mice are also very suitable ideas for use with infants

Next year, I’m planning to use the “Design and Make a Paper Rocket” activity from the ESERO module with my Senior Infants. I. The past I have built heavier plastic bottle rockets with older classes which the kids have always enjoyed. Paper rockets are much safer, easier to handle, and perfect for senior infants. I would introduce the lesson by watching a short, exciting clip of a real rocket launch. Then, the children will decorate pre-cut templates to personalise their own rockets, which is brilliant for their fine motor skills. We’ll attach a drinking straw to the back, and the children will blow through it to launch them. This fits perfectly into the “Energy and Forces” part of the curriculum. We could use links, cubes or similar to see whose rocket travels furthest,  comparing the results and discussing how we might improve for our next launch!! We can use whiteboards to record how far the rockets travel.

I would use the rockets lesson with my second class. I would show the class some short videos on the moon landing (Apollo 11) as a stimulus. We could discuss how to make our own rockets; using paper, foam, balloons, or empty milk bottles. Through talk and discussion along with some exploration of the materials we could discuss how each of the rockets would launch. The children could make predictions about which materials might work best and explain their ideas to their classmates before beginning the activity.

We would then make our own rockets! It would be great if the children could have a choice of materials – between making paper rockets or rocket mice with the empty milk containers. Once completed we can then have a challenge between which rocket can launch the highest. This would bring in a more mathematical element too. The children could measure and compare the height or distance travelled by each rocket, record their results, and discuss what made some rockets more successful than others.

I would introduce rockets to the children by showing them a short video of a rocket launch. I think seeing a rocket actually launch into the sky would immediately spark their curiosity and lead to lots of questions. I would ask, “How do you think the rocket gets off the ground?” and “What makes it travel so far?” We would discuss their ideas before introducing the concept of forces and how rockets are launched. The children would then have the opportunity to design and create their own model rockets using recycled materials. They could experiment with different-sized bottles and designs, giving them ownership over how their rocket looks. Before testing them, each child would estimate which rocket they think will travel the furthest and explain why. We would then launch the rockets and compare our results with our predictions. I think this would be a fun, hands-on activity that encourages curiosity, creativity, teamwork and scientific thinking.  Give the children time to look at their first rocket and discuss what they could change: the size of the bottle, shape, fins, nose cone, etc. They then redesign their rocket and test it again.

Class plan for Space Week
I plan to use the following resources and activities to engage with Space Week with my group this year:

Gravity & Forces (Module 1): Using the Curious Minds planning guide, pupils begin with open-ended drop investigations using a variety of objects to build predicting and recording skills.

The Moon & Cycles (Module 2): Observing monthly lunar phases over four weeks and sculpting 3D moon models, supported by vocabulary word banks (e.g., crescent, full moon).

Space & Aliens (Module 3): Adapting the ‘Design a Martian’ task from the Mars Classroom Booklet by combining 2D shape identification in Maths with tactile play-doh/clay construction in Science.

Digital Sky Exploration (Module 4): Utilizing Stellarium on the interactive whiteboard and school iPads to track constellations like the Plough and predict night-sky movements.

I really enjoyed reading your idea. I think starting with a real rocket launch video is a fantastic way to capture the children’s attention and get them excited about the topic. I also love that you are using a real air-powered rocket to encourage the children to make predictions and test their ideas. Giving them opportunities to change the force they use and compare the results is a great way to develop scientific thinking in a fun and meaningful way.

Finishing with the Rocket Mouse activity is an excellent idea as it allows every child to design and launch their own rocket. It is a wonderful lesson that combines curiosity, hands-on learning and problem-solving. I’m sure the children would be fully engaged from start to finish!

I really enjoyed reading about this activity. It is a simple but highly engaging way to introduce scientific concepts throughShooting a rocket into the air activity

I would use this fun and hands-on activity in my classroom to introduce basic scientific concepts such as air pressure, force, and gravity. We would begin by decorating empty milk cartons, which instantly engages the children and gives them ownership over their “launchers.” Then, using rolled-up pieces of paper as “rockets,” we would take turns pressing down on the sides of the milk cartons to launch the paper into the air.

Hi Siobhán,

I love that tour school has an annual rocket making competition. Introducing lanching of rockets is a great way to extend on this fantastic tradition.

these activities are all fun hands on activities, my own daughter was in 1st class this year and her teacher did all these activities and she still talks about them

I like your idea Geraldine of letting the children design their own rockets. Ownership during an activity is very important for children and leads them to being more focused on the task at hand.

What a fantastic idea! Definitely one to borrow for my own school.

I agree using a real rocket launch will definitely capture the children’s attention.