Discover Climate and Space
[uo_time course-id=”3897″]
Ireland’s European Space Education & Resource (ESERO) and SFI’s Curious Minds Programme offers you a unique opportunity to participate in our on-line summer course for teachers of 2nd to 6th classes. This course will give you the knowledge and confidence to teach students the difference between weather and climate using classroom resources from the European Space Agency (ESA). Causes and effects of climate change can be investigated in your classroom and you will be equipped to lead your students through The ESAs Climate Detectives project should you wish to?
Technical Requirements
All our courses require broadband Internet access and participants need to be familiar with using the internet, downloading and installing software.
Course Objectives
This course is designed to introduce teachers to creative ways of exploring climate and climate change with their pupils. The course elements include:
- A variety of classroom activities focussed on weather, climate and climate change.
- Introduction to Earth observation and use of the EO Browser based on ESA satellite images.
- Use of inquiry based teaching and learning to support practical investigations in the classroom.
- Introduction to the Climate Detectives programme for schools.
- Reflection and self-assessment activities prompting teachers to consider how they approach STEM in the classroom.
Equally the course will provide participants with the opportunity to connect with other educators and expand their own professional learning networks. The sessions are designed to be interactive with activities and tasks incorporated throughout. In order to continue the learning process beyond the course time frame.
- A variety of software to support teaching and learning activities available via web browsers and mobile applications.
- Reflection and self-assessment activities prompting teachers to consider their use of ICT in their practice, encouraging teachers to contrast how often technology is used as a teaching aid against how often it is used by students to support their own learning and the development of their 21st century skills.
Expected Outcomes
The course is designed to promote pupil centred inquiry learning within SESE curriculum areas. Inquiry learning requires students to be actively involved in making observations, collecting and analysing information, synthesizing information, and drawing conclusions. Teachers will be introduced to innovative ways to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Teachers will have the opportunity to improve their understanding of the STEM through the lens of climate change.
Engagement in the course will improve the quality of teaching by introducing participants to a range of online resources, methodologies and knowledge that will support teaching and provide the opportunity to embed digital learning into teaching, learning and assessment practices.
Course Duration
Delivered online, this course can be taken anytime between July 1st and August 16th, 2024. Participants are required to engage meaningfully with online content for approximately 20 hours. Whilst participation and engagement with the course content will be primarily judged on the quality of their contributions, an attendance roll will be kept and a log of their time spent working online.
Course Author
Catherine Daly is a retired science teacher based in County Kerry. Catherine is very passionate about STEM and is very active in supporting STEM teaching and learning in primary schools. She was a teacher in Killarney National Park before her retirement and has been working with SFI Curious Minds, SEAI, Heritage in Schools, and ESERO for many years both developing and delivering STEM courses. Catherine will guide you through the course and will be on-hand to moderate any queries you many have.
