Hi Sinead!
I love your enthusiasm for space and materials science! Mars being our next destination for exploration is such an exciting concept, especially with its seasons that might be similar to Earth’s. It makes the idea of traveling to Mars feel even more real and tangible.
Your inquiry-based activity with Junior Infants sounds fantastic! Investigating materials for a teddy bear’s raincoat or umbrella is a wonderful hands-on approach to learning. The variety of materials you’ve provided—tin foil, paper towels, blue roll, plastic, and felt—gives the children a great opportunity to experiment and discover which ones are most effective at keeping teddy dry. I think it’s especially engaging to have the children not only test these materials but also think critically about why some work better than others, tapping into their creativity and problem-solving skills.