Hello everyone, my name is Grace and I am a support teacher working with senior infants. I was scrolling through Instagram shorts last night and I found a space fact that I’m not sure is true, but it got me thinking anyway – scientists do not know where RH blood type came from, perhaps from somewhere else in space?
Using an inquiry-based space activity for senior infants would be a highly engaging and educational experience, fostering curiosity and critical thinking. I would create a “Space Explorer Mission.” I would set the stage with a story about a mission to a new planet. Provide children with simple, questions to guide their exploration, such as “What do you think we might find on this new planet?” or “How do astronauts travel to space?”
Next, create hands-on activities where the children can explore these questions. For example, set up different stations with various space-themed activities: a craft station to build model rockets, a sensory bin with “moon sand” and hidden “space rocks,” and a station with picture books about planets and space travel.
Encourage children to ask their own questions during these activities. Prompt them to think about how astronauts live in space, what planets are like, and how rockets work. Facilitate discussions where they can share their ideas and hypotheses.
Wrap up the activity with a “Mission Debrief,” where each child can share what they discovered or created. This debriefing session helps them process their learning, articulate their thoughts, and listen to others, reinforcing the inquiry-based approach. Through this method, children develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and a love for learning about space.