Module 4 – Earth Observation

[Pat Brennan]

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ASSIGNMENT

Choose from the following three ….

1. Download one of the satellite tracking smartphone apps: Satellite Tracker or Orbitrack Alternatively, you can use one of the Satellite tracking websites.
   List 5 satellites that have passed Ireland recently. Post this on the discussion and talk about what these satellites are doing (150 words).
2. Study the EO BROWSER ‘step by step’ guide AND the EO Browser Tutorial, give an ‘elevator pitch ‘ on the EO Browser to a colleague who never heard of it and discuss how you would use it in class (150 words)
3. Download the Teacher Guide & Pupil Activities for the ESA Resource ‘ Nose High Up in The Sky, carry out the pupil activities yourself and post your thoughts on the resource and if you would use it in class. (150 words)

[Colm Bannon]

EO Browser provides easy access to full-resolution satellite images. You can select your area of interest, adjust time ranges, and explore different visualizations. It’s perfect for educators, students, and anyone interested in Earth observation.

In terms of using it in classroom it definite support development of SESE knowledge, when teaching geography you can show pupils real-time satellite imagery of different regions. Discuss land cover changes, urban growth, and natural disasters. If you are a bit more scientific you can look at vegetation health using NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) or monitor deforestation patterns. It links in with the new mathematics curriculum as you can visualise data and compare data from different satellites and investigate phenomena like wildfires or air pollution. If your looking at ice- look at sea ice extent, glacier retreat, and temperature anomalies over time. Honestly, EO Browser is free and user-friendly, making it an excellent resource for both beginners and the techy people.

[Aine Dawson]

I downloaded the ‘Nose up high in the sky’ resource and I enjoyed exploring the different activities.
The first activity of exploring old weather proverbs I found to be an excellent starter into the overall topic. Not only is it fun to explore these proverbs with a classmate and family members, it is also really interesting to learn that proverbs managed to pinpoint different weather forecasts without the use of the technology we use today, which feeds in nicely to activity 2 of using our senses to observe and describe the weather. I think its really important to get across to children today that we can still rely on our senses and own feelings to determine things. Although they may not get a exact answer, generally they come very close. The ending of this activity to compare against an actual weather forecast could prove very rewarding and exciting for some groups.
Finally, I thought activity 3 brings all three activities together. It teaches children the skills of how to measure, the appropriate place to place things in order to get a clear, true reading. It also introduces how to properly record results. Overall I really enjoyed these activities and would love to use them in my classroom.

[Conor Beirne]

I really enjoyed exploring the ‘Nose up high in the sky’ resource, especially the activity with old weather proverbs—it’s a good way to start. Using senses to observe weather ties in well and shows students the value of intuition alongside technology.

[Michelle Mckeever]

Hi Conor,

I also enjoyed the proverbs, especially as only one was known to me.  I think the children would really enjoy learning these and I know that I myself use the red sky at night proverb very regularly.  The children may use these for the rest of their lives-a very pleasant thought.

[Evelyn Geoghegan]

I agree i think the children woukd really enjoy these weather proverbs and it would be a great opportunityto create a home school link and ask them to collect proverbs at home from parents or grandparents

[Fiona Woods]

Hi Evelyn,

I think it is a great resource, it is very well planned and would engage the pupils greatly.  There are many opportunities for integration with mathematics, visual art and as you say languages too.

Your idea of interviewing grandparents to see what weather sayings they may have, or to make this part of Grandparents day would enhance the work greatly.

 

[Brona Cushe]

Lovely idea to link it in with Grandparent’s day and discuss how weather forecasting has changed over the years. Also Grandparent’s weather lore and proverbs would make a lovely discussion point.

[Brona Cushe]

The “Nose High up in the Sky” resources will be a great asset when teaching about weather and climate. The clearly laid out activities and instructions will result in structured lessons but also with lots of hands on activities that will enhance the children’s learning. I think we take it for granted that children in 5th or 6th class know the appropriate vocabulary and can observe weather and describe it appropriately. Building the weather station would really bring this topic to life and could be shared with the whole school. The children could do forecasts and video themselves and perhaps share their videos with the whole school in the mornings.

[Hilary Dunne]

Hi Brona, I agree, some children struggle with explaining weather and it’s vocabulary. Apart of sunny, rainy and cold we need to foster more variety into the daily weather readings.

[Siobhan Ni hiceadha]

Totally agree, loved the old weather proverbs also. I was told these as a child and still remember and use them. I think my class would love this and maybe like myself would remember and use  them as they get older also!

[Muireann Cunniffe]

I loved the weather proverbs, a way of linking the past to the present and I love your idea of linking it with home. It would be a great way to start a discussion between the children and their parents/ grandparents.

[Eleanor Mc Sweeney]

I really enjoyed these too. I thought these would be a fantastic opener/closer to a lesson on climate. In addition to this, it would be great to give pupils the opportunity to make these up themselves.

These is great scope for cross curricular integration with Gaeilge on this topic.

It would be lovely to have these old weather proverbs areound a science board in the hall for the whole school to see. Or maybe pupils could work in groups to design posters for the proverbs

[Catherine Cummins]

Having the weather proverbs on display is a lovely idea. Many of these old sayings are still held in high regard by older farmers etc. I love that the pupils could design posters for them, they could maybe ask an older relation if they are familiar with the sayings.

[Breeda Boland]

Yes, I agree designing posters of these weather proverbs and having them displayed is a great idea. Endless opportunities here for cross curriculum integration- language lessons, drama and SESE for sure.

[Breeda Boland]

I downloaded the satellite tracker ap. I think for 49c a month it is a great resource. I was intrigued by it and I am pretty sure that most students would be too.
I like the way it counts down to the time at which the next pass over my location will take place! Currently its 7 hours to the next pass and my kids have been asking all about it!
The satellites mentioned in my vicinity recently include:
1. ISS
2. Ariane 40 R/B
3. CZ- 4B R/B
4. Cosmos 2084
5. Seasat
6. Achernar
ISS seems to be staffed by mainly Americans. The astronauts involved are even named. These include two women, Tracy Caldwell Dyson and Jeanette Epps.
Cosmos 2084, 4th on the above list, is a Soviet Satellite. Seasat, listed number 5 above, measures sea surface, winds and temperatures, wave heights, atmospheric liquid content, sea ice features and ocean topography.

[Una Halpin]

Hi Breeda

I’m glad that you and your children are getting such enjoyment out of the Satellite Tracker ap. I’m sure your children would love to go outside at the right time on a clear night and see if they can spot the ISS or other satellites passing overhead and that might lead on to them taking some more interest in the astronauts on board the ISS and watching some of the videos of life on board. Exploring the ap with your own children over the summer should give you some great inspiration for introducing it to your class in September.

[Jacinta Murphy]

I found the Satellite tracker to be very engaging. I could imagine the children getting enjoyment out of tracking some of the satellites moving over Ireland.

[Fiona Kelly]

This seems like a really wonderful satellite tracker app Breeda.

[Niamh Kenny]

I agree! This makes an informal and enjoyable link that the children them selves are creating! Also makes a lovely generational link for pupils

[Ann Gilchrest]

Conor, I too enjoyed this lesson and in particular the proverbs. Once again it demonstrates how easy the resource is to use and to integrate with other subject areas eg English, Geography and History.

[Patrick Kenny]

Aine I couldn’t agree more, I found the application to be extremely engaging and easy to use. It has many cross curricular benefits aswell

[Carmel Haynes]

I also loved the proverbs and how they are used inadvertingly in many day to day conversations.

[Anita Glynn]

I really enjoyed  the old weather proverbs also with my children and with my mother who is 81. My mother was familiar with many of them. What a fun way to start an activity on weather. I look forward to using same this year.

[Declan Boylan]

I really enjoyed this resource too Aine. This would be a beneficial as well as a fun resource to explore with the children in the classroom. The use of their senses is important and another cross curricular link that can be seen within this module.

[Martina McEntee]

I agree with you Aine that teaching the children old weather proverbs is an engaging way to start this topic. I think this activity could be extended as a homework activity where students may ask their parents or grandparents about any known weather proverbs to them. This could be done as a whole class padlet or a seesaw activity. At the end I’m sure there would be a varied collection of weather proverbs and I think this is something that students would remember forever.

[Marian Gleeson]

I agree also and found the proverbs very interesting. It would definitely spark up some interesting conversation both inside and outside the classroom.

 

[Patricia Campion]

Bringing all the skills together in the final activity is key to learning across the curriculum.

[Ciara Reid]

I downloaded the Skyview app and found it fascinating tracking all the satellites. Here are some that passed Ireland recently.

 

ISS- The ISS is a versatile platform that supports scientific research, technology development, international cooperation, and education, all while orbiting Earth at an altitude of approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles).

Starlink – This is a constellation of small satellites launched by SpaceX to provide global internet coverage. These satellites are usually seen in groups.

Envisat- A European Space Agency satellite that was used to monitor the earths environment. Although no longer operational it remains in orbit.

Terra- A NASA Earth observation satellite that focussed on water cycle- related data.

Sentinel Satellites- part of the European Union’s Copernicus program, used for environmental monitoring.

Fascinating information and I think I may have found a new hobby.

 

 

 

[Freda McEvoy]

I agree it is fascinating. Thanks for the explanation on the Starlink satellites. That explains why there are so many of them!

[Gráinne Ní Dhuinnín]

The weather proverbs are really interesting and would be really enjoyed by my 6th class.

[Niamh Kenny]

Hi Aine, I agree that exploring old weather proverbs is a lovely way to engage children. I think weather superstitions/sayings are something that children find interesting/can relate to. I know having engaged in these discussions that children will often bring sayings that they have heard to it-e.g. their grandparents telling them that cows lying down means rain etc. It brings a bit of fun to the topic.

[Eleanor Mc Sweeney]

I thought the ESA resource “Nose High up in the Sky” to be really well designed to help students understand the importance of air quality and how it can be measured using various tools and techniques.

I thought it would be a great result to allow pupils from a senior class to complete various activities on this topic.

For example: they could focus on Air quality measurement. Using simple tools like diffusion tubes or digital sensors to measure pollutants such as No2.

Pupils could record air quality data over time and compare results from different locations.

It would be of great benefit to then engage all pupils in discussions about their findings and the implications for their communities.

 

I think this resource is of great educational value and provides a solid foundation in understanding air pollution and its effects. It alligns well with the science curriculum.

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[Niamh Keogh]

I agree. This is a great resource with lots of scope for extension. You could use the diffusion tubes or digital sensors to compare pollutants on different day of the week and link it to initiatives like bike week and Walk on Wednesday.

[Sharon Coyne]

Download the Teacher Guide & Pupil Activities for the ESA Resource ‘ Nose High Up in The Sky, carry out the pupil activities yourself and post your thoughts on the resource and if you would use it in class. (150 words

The activity I selected was   “High Up in the Sky”. I carried out the activities.

Activity 1: Examined the Earth seen from the ISS. It looks at the international space centre. We would discuss what we think Earth would look like from space to astronauts. How the space station would look. We would watch videos and get information about the space station, astronauts’ daily lives in space. We would look at how they eat, drink, where they sleep, brush their hair, gravity and how they exercise. in space. The children love to learn about astronauts in space and their life. We would use the resources of the teach with space and the astronaut’s logbook.

Activity 2: Match the photos

We will examine photographs of space taken by astronauts on the international space station. We will match pictures taken on the ground of landscapes and attempt to match them with the pictures taken from space. The children will also look at maps from google earth and zoom in from a country and keep zooming until you get to a street.

Activity 3:

Photos taken from Satellites orbiting the earth. The children will again match photos and we can use their address to how their home or area. Children will love to look at Earth from another perspective.

 

 

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[Alyson O Rourke]

These sound like great ideas! There are also many links to make to Aistear when exploring the topic of Space. It provides many opportunities for cross curriculum integreation!

[Caroline Murphy]

This activity would be very beneficial  for all classes however I can really see the senior classes really enjoy it

[Ann Gilchrest]

The EO Browser is an incredibly user-friendly tool that provides access to a huge collection of satellite images which would be absolutely fascinating for young children to observe. Looking back on my own years in Primary School, I can only imagine how mind blowing this imagery must be. There are so many ways in which this could be used in the classroom from observing changes in the environment, to tracking natural disasters and monitoring happenings across the globe.

If I was to use this tool with my class, I would begin by guiding them through the tutorial to ensure they were comfortable and confident using it. After that I would use some of the images to get the children to enter into discussion in groups and encourage them to question and begin thinking about the issues. They could then begin to engage in research for a project. This would lend itself well to integration with Geography where they could identify a particular area and contrast images over time. With the EO Browser they have access to real world data which allows them hands on experience.

 

[Clodagh Jackman]

I had a look at the EO Browser too and I agree it is very user-friendly. I could just imagine kids looking for their own house or for places they’ve been to on holiday. An added bonus to using the EO Browser in class is that it feels like such a treat for the kids to be able to get out their computers or iPads to explore even though they are learning!

[aoife phillips]

I agree Ann and feel it is an extremely user-friendly tool. I look forward to using it with my class next year.

[Marie Crowley]

Yes, I agree it is a very user friendly app, and with a bit of practice could bring many a lesson to life in the classroom.

[Lorna Oneill]

I downloaded the Satellite tracker by ‘Star Walk’. I selected Dublin, Ireland as the location whereby the satellites passed. I selected Satellites Live. You could see a view of the next satellite to pass from space. You can drag the image of the satellite and look at it from 3-d perspective. You can see the the people on board and the countries they represent. You can also select a view whereby you can see your location and the satellites location.

ISIS 1: Norad ID 3669, passed by in 5:07

SL-16 R/B, Norad ID 19120, passed  in 5:08

SL-16 R/B, Norad ID 20625, 5:08

COSMOS 1812, NORAD ID 17295 05:09

SL-14 R/B NORAD ID 19574, 05:11

 

This is an excellent app to track live coverage of apps, from space. It also shows images of the satellite to make it easier for children to visualise. It might be a good idea to teach children location co-ordinates in Geography. A lot of room for integration with maths and Geography.

[Amy Doyle]

I love the idea of linking this activity with teaching children location co-ordinates in Geography. It provides lots of room for meaningful integration with real-world maths.

[Gráinne Ní Dhuinnín]

I really like your idea of using it during geography lessons to look at vegetation.

[Orla rogers]

I used the website Satellite Tracker 3D where you can select a country (in this case Ireland) and you can pick the Satellites which gives latitude, longitude etc. This is a great resource probably aimed at older students. You can interact with the app by moving around, zooming, and selecting satellites using your mouse or touch. Upon selection, the app displays satellite geographic coordinates and speed, and draws the selected satellite’s orbit around Earth. You can also toggle between viewing the earth and your selected satellite.

 

COSMOS 643

Latitude: 51.11°

Longitude: -5.70°

Height: 1462.28 km

Speed: 7.12 km/s

Speed: 25627.99 km/h

 

CZ-6A DEB

Latitude: 52.94°

Longitude: -7.45°

Height: 806.02 km

Speed: 7.42 km/s

Speed: 26708.58 km/h

 

SL-8 DEB *

Latitude: 54.06°

Longitude: -7.48°

Height: 665.43 km

Speed: 7.53 km/s

Speed: 27115.62 km/h

 

ONEWEB-0427

Latitude: 52.39°

Longitude: -6.41°

Height: 1196.90 km

Speed: 7.26 km/s

Speed: 26139.42 km/h

STARLINK-1734

Latitude: 52.67°

Longitude: -6.22°

Height: 552.63 km

Speed: 7.59 km/s

Speed: 27332.13 km/h

 

 

[Anita Glynn]

I downloaded Nose High in the Sky and carried out the activities. It is an excellent resource which I look forward to using in the coming year. I really enjoyed the old weather proverbs and my family and 81 year old mother loved them and was familiar with many . My children loved them so I know my class will find them enjoyable and it will be a great way to start a lesson on weather and integrate with english and history . Activity 2 matching and identifying locations from Space and Earth will be very interesting and fun. Teach with Space is also an excellent  resource which I will use and the astronaut Logbook will be fascinating for children to compare like on earth with life in space. The photos from the ISS will be a great stimulus for children to initiate conversation about Space and make observations from what they see. The scope for integration is fantastic. I also look forward doing hands on activities and making rain guages, anemometers etc in the coming year and making our own weather station will be so exciting.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Anita,

Welcome to the course and thank you for sharing your thoughts on the resource in this module. I also really like the link with History to explore proverbs and weather lore. There are so many from area to area and an ideal opportunity to link with older family members also.

I also really like the photos in this pack and have used them with my own senior class, there was great opportunities for critical thinking and class discussion to share their own thoughts and what they have learned. There are many great learning opportunities and resources across this course, I hope you enjoy using them with your own class in September.

[Emily Kiernan]

Hi Anita,

Like yourself, I really enjoyed looking at the old weather proverbs. Haven’t heard some of them in years.

[Enda O Connor]

The EO Browser is like a window to the Earth from space. It lets you explore satellite images of our planet, helping us understand the world in a whole new way. It’s like having a bird’s eye view from high above, seeing forests, oceans, and cities from space. In class, primary students can use the EO Browser to learn about different environments, weather patterns, and changes on Earth’s surface. They can track how forests grow, watch how rivers change shape, and even see how cities expand over time. By making learning fun and interactive, students can develop curiosity about the world around them and gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of our planet through the EO Browser. It incorporates aspects of the new primary language curriculum making use of increased adjective description and making use of a stimulus for language learning.

[Sarah Boylan]

The EO Browser seems like a great tool that would be very beneficial in the classroom. The children can learn so much as well as tracking weather variables. This fun learning will engage the children and in turn hopefully enable them to want to learn about the topic.

[Laura Brehon]

I agree that the EO Browser is like a window to the Earth from space.  I think it is a fantastic resource that children would love using. I look forward to using it with my class in September.

[Colin Reidy]

“Imagine having the power to explore and analyse satellite imagery from all over the world, right at your fingertips. That’s what the EO Browser offers. It’s an incredibly user-friendly tool that provides access to a vast repository of satellite images, which you can use to observe changes in the environment, monitor urban development, track natural disasters, and much more. It’s perfect for educational settings, allowing students to engage with real-world data and develop skills in remote sensing and geographic analysis.” In class, I would use the EO Browser to teach students about environmental changes and geographic phenomena. For instance, during a unit on climate change, students could use the tool to examine deforestation in the Amazon or ice melt in the Arctic over time. By assigning projects where they compare satellite images from different years, students can visually grasp the impact of human activities and natural events on our planet. This hands-on experience not only enhances their learning but also fosters critical thinking and analytical skills. Additionally, I would guide them through the EO Browser tutorial to ensure they are proficient in using the tool, making their learning experience both educational and empowering.

[Christine Quirke]

I agree Colin, it is very user friendly and gives children the opportunity to see the world and space much more closely. Ideal for the middle to senior classroom environment.

[Orla O’Connor]

In the classroom, the EO Browser can revolutionize how students learn about geography, environmental science, and climate change. For instance, students can compare satellite images over time to observe deforestation, urban growth, or the effects of natural disasters. They can also analyze vegetation health, water quality, and land use changes using different spectral indices. By engaging with real-world data, students develop critical thinking and data analysis skills while gaining a deeper understanding of global environmental issues. This hands-on approach makes learning interactive, relevant, and impactful.

I have reviewed the “Nose High Up in The Sky” Teacher Guide and Pupil Activities from the ESA.Carrying out the pupil activities myself, I found them well-structured and accessible, with clear instructions and visual aids that make complex concepts understandable for students. Activities such as building simple models of satellites and analyzing satellite images help students grasp the applications and importance of Earth observation.

[Jane Shimizu]

I think the EO Browser can be an amazing tool for use in the classroom. I think that for the younger students the making and then using a weather station is a much more relevant activity, especially when combined with the understand of the information we can get from a weather forecast. I too found the ESA resources very well structured and accessible and look forward to using them again in class.

[Padraic Waldron]

Task 2 – Elevator Pitch

 

The EO Browser is a user-friendly tool that offers easy access to full-resolution satellite images, enabling teachers and students to explore Earth’s surface in real time. By selecting areas of interest and adjusting time ranges, users can visualize various environmental changes and phenomena. In the classroom, EO Browser can enhance geography, environmental science, and climate change lessons. Students can compare satellite images over time to observe deforestation, urban growth, or the impact of natural disasters. They can analyze vegetation health using NDVI, monitor water quality, and track land use changes. This interactive approach promotes critical thinking, data analysis skills, and a deeper understanding of global environmental issues. By incorporating EO Browser, lessons become more engaging and relevant, making complex concepts more accessible and concrete. The app also supports the new mathematics curriculum through data analysis. Overall, EO Browser is an invaluable, freee resource that can hugely enhance classroom learning.

[Emma Ruttledge]

The EO Browser is a tool which provides a wealth of data that can be used in the classroom to enhance lessons on climate and space. With this tool children can see first hand how the environment around them is changing. By using this tool in your classroom you are giving your students the opportunity to gain practical experience in satellite data analysis which leads to an enhanced understanding of Earth’s systems and the impacts of human activity. This tool can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom. If I was to use this tool in my classroom I would use some of the images as a stimulus to get the children talking and thinking on a deeper level about the issue at hand. I would also use it for hands on projects and research for example I might get the children to pick a specific area and detail the changes that have occurred in that area over a specified period of time.

[Ciara Cullinan]

I agree the EO Browser would be a great resource for the classroom. Although it takes some getting used to , I could see the senior classes master it and use it for project works in Geography, this combined with the ESA resource ” From the Ground to the Sky” would work well together. Giving the children the chance to use investigative skills and work independently perhaps. I loved the fact you can save down your satellite images from the EO Browser and these could be used for comparisons over time or add to the childrens projects.

[Sharon Coyne]

I agree the EO browser is very user friendly and is a great resource to have in a classroom

[Jane Shimizu]

Having downloaded the Teacher Guide & Pupil Activities for the ESA Resource ‘ Nose High Up in The Sky, I carried out the pupil activities myself. Talking to family and friends about weather proverbs is fascinating. I was familiar with few (red sky at night, seagulls on land, ring around the moon), and it wonderful to see some explanations for those proverbs. I think my students would really enjoy the challenge of trying to find as many weather proverbs as they could, hopefully with the help of older family members.
I think that my students will be really engaged in analysing a weather forecast. Weather forecasts are shown every day on TV, decoding these forecasts can be very interesting, especially in advance of our school tour, our sports day etc. Recording our own weather forecast, either in English or in Irish, would be a lovely extension activity here.
I have made weather stations with my students. A lesson in reading the thermometer and the rain gauge overlaps nicely with mathematical learning, as does the recording of anemometer data, taken within short periods of time. I found the home-made anemometers to be rather unreliable, but it might be nice to compare readings from a home-made anemometer with a commercial one. Designing and making a rain gauge is a great way to practise engineering skills, while using data from satellites incorporates IT learning.
Designing, making and using a weather station is a true STEM activity for students of all ages.
I also really like that this resource also helps differentiate for younger students. As a teacher in a junior school, it can often be difficult to find suitable resources for our very youngest students.

[Valerie Ryan]

Hi Jane,

I agree re the lessons. I like your idea of comparing the home made anemometer and rain measurement device with commercial ones. The pupils would find that so interesting!

[Eric Duggan]

Love the idea of the weather proverbs. So many I wasn’t aware of of their meaning. Will definitely be incorporating into my lessons moving forward. Can link cross-curricular too.

[Aisling Kenny]

I also agree with the fact that the EO Browser is so user friendly. I am pleasantly surprised at just how straight forward it is to use.

Having said that, I would be more inclined to use this resource in the higher classes. They would be well able for the challenge

[Shauna Murray]

Jane, I completely agree too about the lessons. I have recorded weather forecasts before in English and the children loved it! I think doing it in Irish is a great idea too I will try that this year.

[Valerie Ryan]

I have opted for part 3 of this assignment – carrying out the activities myself – as I love something practical.

We live in a coastal area and the red sky at night proverb is for fishermen rather than shepherds. I find this so interesting as I didn’t grow up by the coast. We would have known red sky at night, shepherd’s delight. I only heard red sky at night, fisherman’s delight when I moved to fabulous Co. Wexford! I think this aspect of the proverbs part of the activity would be wonderful as it might throw up all sorts of variations when pupils ask at home. Then there are some universal ones – when cows are in a huddle, expect a big puddle – I’ve heard this in the US as well as at home.

The possibilities for integration in this activity are super. Oak before ash, we’re in for a splash or Ash before oak, we’re in for a soak – these two proverbs which I have heard locally here, could spark a hunt for ash or oak buds on the trees in the area and could form part of a wider study of trees. Similarly, I have also heard here that when crows build high, it’s a good sign for weather which could spark an exploration of birdlife in the area.

The anemometer would need to be sturdier than my attempt I have to say! Depending on the age group, a little more preparation and help would be needed but I think the pupils would really enjoy working in groups to make them and working in groups to count the rotations, integrating maths into the activity. They would be so much more aware of wind speed even in the space of one week on yard.

[Catherine Howe]

Valerie, I really liked your ideas for the Nose High Up in the Sky resource. I did not complete this task but will definitely be looking at it for my classroom. I loved the activity you outlined about proverbs. This could be linked with so many things like English and History aswell. My class are great at hands-on activities so the would also really enjoy a task like the anemometer.

[Conor Beirne]

Task 3 – High in the Sky with ‘Nose’

I found the module to be packed with useful content, and I learned a great deal from it. While it appears to be more geared towards senior classes, the resource ‘Nose High up in the Sky’ includes many activities that I believe would be suitable for older students. These resources encourage active learning and engagement, which I think would truly captivate the interest of children. I will certainly recommend these activities to my colleagues.

One activity that particularly caught my attention was the second one, where students match and identify locations from both space and Earth. This lesson promises to be very exciting for children and could lead to discussions about different perspectives and how things appear from the International Space Station (ISS). I am also eager to share with students the pictures taken by astronauts aboard the ISS. Personally, I found them very thought-provoking, and I believe the children will find them equally fascinating as they gain a new perspective on Earth.

Additionally, I explored some of the recommended resources listed at the end of ‘Nose High up in the Sky’. These included various website links, among which I discovered ‘Teach with Space’ and the ‘Astronaut’s Logbook’ . I found this to be an extremely practical resource that I plan to integrate into next year’s curriculum. It provides comprehensive information about the space station, astronauts’ daily lives—including their activities, diet, and exercise routines—and offers many child-friendly activities as well.

[Tom Clyne]

That’s a really good summary, High in the Sky with ‘Nose’ sounds great.   I’ll definitely look at it in future.

[Laura Brehon]

3. Nose High Up In The Sky is a great resource that I definitely intend on using with my class in September. I think they will find this resource fun and interesting. Children will love seeing the photographs of Earth taken from Space. I think it is a great way to start the lesson. The visual resources included are great and the activity of matching the photos to the different landscapes take from the ground will be interesting. The third activity then of learning about how a satellite works and how it is different to a space station will allow for some interesting discussions in the class. It is a great lesson as it provides children with the opportunity to see different perspectives which they usually wouldn’t get to experience in other lessons. It is a great resource to get children interested in delving deeper into the topic and hopefully doing some further research.

[Declan Boylan]

Assignment 3 – ‘Nose High Up in The Sky’.

I decided to download the teacher guide and pupil activities for the ESA Resource ‘Nose High Up in The Sky’. I carried out the three pupil activities. I found the first activity to be very interesting and I think the pupils will enjoy this one as they can learn about how the Earth is seen from space.  The comparison to a football field will already grab the attention of so many of the children. The children have the opportunity to discuss how they think it will look which they enjoy using their imaginations. The second activity allows the children opportunity to compare and contrast a picture taken from earth and a picture taken from space of the same thing and this will create conversation among the children as they complete it. Similarly, activity three contains images taken from earth and from space, once more engaging the children as they examine these.

[Sarah Boylan]

Task 1 -Satellite Tracking

I used the website ‘Havens Above’ to look at the satellites that are currently orbiting the Earth. The following 5 satellites all passed over Ireland during the timeframe in which I was watching the satellites moving live:

STARLINK – 4530 (53393)

STARLINK – 3958 (52535)

STARLINK – 2166 (48558)

STARLINK – 3795 (52264)

STARLINK – 2738 (48668)

Each of the above satellites crossed over Ireland as the travelled from west to east. I couldn’t find much information about the satellites on this website other than the position they were in and the degree in which they were orbiting, however I loved the live element and how you could see exactly where the satellites were moving in real time. This website would be excellent to use with the children in school as they can zoom in and out and move the screen around the Earth as they look at the different satellites travelling in real time.

[Orla Holm]

Sarah, I also found the website heavens above useful.  I was surprised that the information wasn’t more readily available.

[Orla Holm]

I was drawn to this assignment as I love to look at things like space and the stars in real time. However, I did not find it as easy as I had first hoped! I downloaded the Satellite Tracker app on my phone and while this gave lists of all the satellites passing over my location, it did not give any information about them. Not discouraged, I went online with the names of the satellites I had seen on line and did some research. I found these websites useful:
https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/
https://www.heavens-above.com/
2yo.com/space-station/
1. Starlink 23031 – Discpline: Communications
2. USA 81 – Discpline: Signals Intelligence
3. Cosmos 1763 Rocket – Discipline: operates as a mailbox, remembers received messages and resends them after a scheduled time or when instructed
4. Starlink 2229 – Discipline: Communications
5. ISS – Astronauts live on the International Space Station. They typically spend a mission period of around six months conducting various science experiments and maintaining and repairing the ISS.

[Lorna Oneill]

This app looks good too.  I think the children would like to research more information about each satellite, what country it is from, who created it, what the mission is about etc. I did find it difficult to find a satellite tracker app which did not include subscriptions.  A lot had ads included also.

[Eric Duggan]

Assignment 1:

Using a satellite tracking website, here are five satellites that have recently passed over Ireland in July 2024:

International Space Station (ISS): This is a space station where astronauts live and do experiments. It helps us learn more about living in space.

NOAA-20: This satellite monitors weather and the environment. It helps predict the weather and track climate changes.

Landsat 9: This satellite takes detailed pictures of Earth’s surface. It helps scientists study forests, cities, and farmland.

Hubble Space Telescope: This satellite takes amazing pictures of space, helping us understand the universe.

Sentinel-2A: This satellite monitors Earth’s land and water. It helps in agriculture and managing natural disasters.

We can link this with children’s learning by exploring topics like space, weather, and the environment. Activities could include tracking satellites online, creating models of satellites, and discussing their roles. This helps children understand how technology helps us learn about and take care of our world.

[John Buckley]

I explored a few of the apps outlined but in the end I used the Satellite tracker app. I found it quite interesting observing the various satellites and was particularly surprised to see how quickly they were travelling. Some of the satellites I came across were:

1. Cosmos 1867 at an altitude of 804 Km, Launched in 1987 by the Soviet union to monitor the oceans for naval and merchant vessels.
2. Cosmos 1321 at an altitude of 1490 KM which was launched in 1981
3. Aqua was launched by the United States on 4th May 2002. It is an afternoon equator-crossing platform which includes a suite of sensors designed to study the diurnal properties of cloud and aerosol radiative fluxes, cloud formation, and precipitation.
4. Cosmos 794 at an altitude of 1501Km launched in 1976 used for communication.
5.Starlink 41 at an altitude of 295Km. This was launched by the USA in 2019 by SpaceX. The aim of the Starlink constellation of satellites is to develop a new space based internet communication system. By the time I googled this satellite a few minutes after it being over Ireland it was off the east coast of Africa.
All in all its actually good fun looking at these satellites and the googling them to see what their purpose is. I believe the kids in my class would be fascinated by it also.

[Ciara Cullinan]

I studied the ESA resource “ From the Ground to the Sky “( as this was   in slide 19). It is another super resource and very easy to use.  The activities are about Matching Earth Landscapes from Different Perspectives. The children are introduced to the concept of remote observation of the Earth from space, emphasizing how different landscapes appear from the ground, from the International Space Station (ISS), and from Earth Observation satellites like Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2.

There are some lovely Photographs of landscapes taken from the ground, Photographs of the same landscapes taken from the ISS , Photographs of the same landscapes taken by Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellites. I would recommend also that the children have their Atlas at their side when doing this activity.  The children can look at different landscapes including mountains, lakes, rivers, cities, islands, deserts.  It has lovely activity sheet to go with activity and it allows for collaboration and lots of discussion with their classmates.  Discussions on similarities and differences. The children become aware of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2, missions that have been developed by ESA as part of the I would download photos relevant to Ireland and have the children find and locate different regions and discuss landscape, compare to other countries, photos from the past and satellite images.

[Tom Clyne]

The EO browser is a powerful and user friendly web application that provides access to an array of satellite.  With this browser, you can visualize, download and view up to date images from around the world.  This is an essential tool for any classroom and the pupils can do so much with it. It is a user friendly too.  Students have the ability to compare satellite images such as deforestation, natural disasters and urban growth.  This resource is essential for the development of children’s understanding of how the world changes.  This interactive experience promotes critical thinking and affords the children the opportunity to learn in a fun way gaining a deeper appreciation of the wonderful world in which we live. I have to say, EO browser is one of the best interactive tools I have used and you need to get it.

[Michelle Mckeever]

I downloaded the teacher guide and pupil activities for the ESA resource ‘Nose up in the sky’ and I really enjoyed carrying out the activities to put myself in the place of the pupils. I will say initially that I was disappointed that the activities were targeted for children age 8-10 because I do feel that the content could be simplified and modified for younger children. I started with the proverbs and could relate to the one; red sky at night, shepherds delight, red sky in the morning shepherds warning’ I noticed the different with sailors and shepherds and wonder if this is local to where I live. I especially love ‘Seagull, seagull sit on the sand. It’s never good weather when you’re on the land’. I had never heard this before and think it is one I will use again.
Sensing the weather could be completed by children of all ages and I can imagine this fitting in nicely to a literacy lesson also.
Lastly the weather station activities were excellent but I wonder if we could make a class weather station with all children participating.

[Grainne Murphy]

Hi Michelle,

I also liked and could relate to the proverbs activity. It is something that the children will use for the rest of their lives.

[Kathleen Tan]

Michelle I was disappointed also when I saw the age range but once I started researching the ESA ‘Nose high in the sky’ resources I was quite satisfied that it was suitable for 5th and 6th class also.  The resources are excellent and give me great guidance for my class for September.

[Aine Quinn]

I carried out the ESA activity ‘From the Ground and From The Sky’ -analysing and understanding images of planet earth taken from space. its a great activity for the classroom. the worksheet is very clearly laid out, colourful and engaging. In this activity, pupils are asked to discuss and match photographs of the Earth from space. There is a nice variation of different landscapes to talk to the children about. (mountains, lakes, rivers, cities, islands, and deserts). I would encourage discussion about each place and what life would be like in each. The matching activity is very interesting as photos of the same places photographed on earth are also taken by astronauts onboard the International Space Station and by Earth Observation satellites.

I felt that the quality of the images and photographs taken were very good and the labels from the international space station would be very exciting for the children. I especially enjoyed looking at the images of the photographs taken by astronauts from the international space station and looking through all their Flicker accounts. This made the topic very relatable and would encourage the students in my classroom to explore these accounts also.

The ‘Did you Know’ section of the student’s worksheet was very interesting. It depicted a satellite image of a glacier taken over the course of seven weeks. The grey area was where the glacier hadn’t changed, and the coloured section was where the glacier had changed. I tried to imagine myself as a student in a classroom and during an activity I felt that an interesting piece of information like this added to the learning experience.

I would use this resource in a classroom as it easily generates discussion and different points of view. The matching activity also requires lots of observation skills.

[Michelle Greene]

Hi Aine, I agree with you, the photos taken by the astronauts from the ISS were amazing and I do think that children will find these photos enthralling to look at as well as looking through their flicker accounts it would be so relatable to the children.

[Sarah Rabbitt]

I totally agree Áine, I loved looking at the photos on the astronauts had on their flickr and I would definitely use those in the classroom aswell to show the class images from space and have a small insight into the work of an astronaut.

[Séamus Ó Teimhneáin]

For Satellite observation, I used the website in-the-sky.org. It was amazing to see how many satellites are in the Earth’s orbit at any one time. I can understand, how this will pose a problem if the end-of-life process for satellites is not adhered to. I recall hearing about space junk and the recent situation where astronauts had to wait in the safety module of the ISS due to a satellite break-up. The satellites I observed over Ireland were mainly GPS and Musk’s STARLINK satellites. I found it interesting how Starlink in particular has already made an impact in wars on the continent. We must be aware that there are alternative uses for satellites such as in conflict situations. TIANZHOU-7 an unmanned cargo spacecraft was another craft that passed over on it’s way to resupply the Chinese Space Station.

[Séamus Ó Teimhneáin]

The EO browser is a user friendly and useful web application that allows the user to access data provided from the many satellites in Earth’s orbit. With this tool, pupils can sort, filter and download data and satellite images which can be used offline to supplement a science or STEM lesson. There is a huge amount of data available both historical and current. If discussing climate change, doing a project on a particular country or even the weather, this tool facilitates and promotes critical thinking, inquiry-based learning and at no cost to the school. I think it brings information from videos, textbooks and teacher discussions to life and provides tangible evidence to points being made. Overall the interactivity lends itself to creativity and hand-on learning, which means fun to the children. I cannot recommend it enough for your class and practise.

[Eoghan O Neill]

Using the Satellite Tracker App, I discovered that five satellites have recently passed over Ireland: Snoopi, BurstCube, Curtis, the International Space Station (ISS), and Kashiwa.

Snoopi: This satellite is focused on studying cosmic phenomena. It’s collecting data on cosmic rays, helping scientists understand more about high-energy particles from space.

BurstCube: BurstCube is designed to detect and analyze gamma-ray bursts. These bursts are the most energetic events in the universe, and BurstCube helps track them to gain insights into their origins and behavior.

Curtis: Curtis is an Earth observation satellite. It monitors environmental changes, such as deforestation and urban development, providing crucial data for environmental conservation efforts.

International Space Station (ISS): The ISS serves as a space laboratory where astronauts conduct scientific research in microgravity. It supports a wide range of experiments, from biology to materials science, benefiting numerous fields of study.

Kashiwa: Kashiwa focuses on agricultural monitoring. It collects data on crop health and soil conditions, aiding farmers in making informed decisions to improve crop yields and sustainability.

These satellites play a vital role in advancing our understanding of space and improving life on Earth through various research and monitoring activities.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by Eoghan O Neill.

[yvonne Boylan]

This is very interesting, I didn’t complete this section of the assignment as I found the site I went to a bit confusing but it’s fascinating to see here all the different satellites which have recently passed Ireland and also what they are all doing. I will definitely try this again using some of the tools mentioned here instead of the one that I tried, which seemed to only show the data for current satellites passing or about to pass.

[Triona Sheridan]

I agree that the navigation of this activity was a bit confusing initially. It took me a few downloads to find an app that gave me the information I needed for this assignment. However, in pursuit of this information I found one app that I will definitely use in the classroom. It was very simple in its application and use, tracking only the ISS but giving fabulously clear images and allowing for easy manipulation of Earth from the viewpoint of ISS

[Grainne Murphy]

I have chosen to complete the third assignment. I downloaded the resource ‘Nose High Up in the Sky’ and I found it to be very well designed. I enjoyed going through the various activities in the resource and the teacher guide. The first activity that appealed to me was the exploration of old weather proverbs. This is a fantastic way of introducing the topic and something that most children, particularly in the older classes, will have prior knowledge on. I can see myself using this in the classroom, and asking children to chat about it at home, developing a nice home school link. I also would use activity three in the classroom. The children will be enabled to learn lots of different skills like getting a true reading, how to accurately measure, the best way to record results and so on from this activity. It links in very will with the SESE curriculum.

[Susan McMahon]

I explored the ESA resource Nose Up High in the Sky and completed the pupil activities myself. This resource is excellent for engaging pupils with practical, hands-on learning about weather conditions. It includes activities where pupils use their senses to observe weather, build a meteorological station, and measure rain, wind speed, and air temperature. The activities are well-structured and suitable for 5th and 6th class pupils, promoting skills in Geography, Mathematics, and Science. Given the relevance and interactive nature of the tasks, I would definitely incorporate this resource into my lessons to enhance my pupils’ understanding of weather and climate.

Additionally, integrating a satellite tracking app like Satellite Tracker can further enrich the learning experience. By using this app, pupils could observe real-time data from weather satellites, making the connection between ground-based observations and satellite data more tangible. This could spark discussions on how satellites contribute to weather forecasting and climate studies, providing a comprehensive learning experience.

[Veronica Ward]

I agree the ESA resource “Nose Up High in the Sky” is a resource that will engage pupils with practical and hands-on learning activities focused on weather conditions. By observing weather with their senses, building a weather station, and measuring various elements like rain, wind speed, and air temperature, pupils can develop essential skills in Geography, Maths, and Science in a fun and interactive way.

I see the value in all the resources presented in this module and I think linking the ESA resource with the EO browser would give the children a wonderful experience of assuming the role of meteorologists providing a tangible connection between their ground-based observations and the data collected from space. Such an integration can ignite curiosity and foster deeper discussions on the role of satellites in weather forecasting and climate studies, ultimately offering a more comprehensive and engaging learning experience.

[Orla Kenny]

I downloaded one or two satellite tracking apps but found they were not very easy to navigate.  I have tracked the ISS before and pupils have found it, but I found it difficult to find out what a lot of the satellites actually do.  Maybe someone else had more luck?

[Micheál Murphy]

I have selected the third assignment on the different activities. The resource I interacted with was ‘Nose High Up in the Sky’. I found this resource to be exceptionally well structured and quite interesting to engage with. I loved interacting with the old weather proverbs and I believe this would really capture the children’s interest and they would find these very enjoyable to learn about. The children could also be asked to discuss them with their parents before moving onto the second activity which is all about making use of our different senses to accurately look at and discuss the weather. Children will do reasonably well in this activity, and comparing to actual weather forecasts at the end will be of great interest and excitement to the children. The third and final activity perfectly connects and brings all three activities together for the group. I would use all these activities as it teaches the children various skills on how to measure, set up and record weather data in an appropriate and correct fashion.

[Martina McEntee]

After downloading the resource ‘High Up in the sky’ and examining the teacher and pupil guides I feel this resource would be really useful in the classroom. Firstly, I would open up conversation around what Earth might look like from space. The children may have done some pre work on space stations and astronauts. They could draw their visualisations and then use this resource to analyse and understand the different images of Earth from space. I would show the students some images of the Earth taken from the ISS by astronauts. Children could then describe these in their best words.
I would then move onto getting the children to examine and match the photos with this resource. Again this would lead to some interesting observations and debates. The children would compare and contrast the photos taken on the ground of landscapes and match these to the pictures taken from space.
The next lesson would lead to children examining photos taken from satellites orbiting the earth. The children could match photos and think of advantages and disadvantages of using these photos.

[Irene Lynch]

Hi Martina, I really like your idea of getting the children to match the photos to the resource, this sounds like a really enjoyable lesson.

[Katie O Sullivan]

This was the activity I choose too Martina, and I like the process you went through before beginning the activity. This would definitely make the activity even more meaningful and relevant

[Maria Gallagher]

Hi Martina, thank you – you have great suggestions which I will be using in my class!

[Edwina Cahill]

Question 3- Having gone through the resource Nose high to the sky, I think this is a great set of lessons, which will help the children see with relationship between space and earth, and identify how they relate to one another. It allows the children to see different angles, and perspectives where they look at photos of the earth from observation satellites, photos taken from astronauts onboard the international space station, and also from the ground. They can look at these pictures and compare and contrast them. I think it will help the children see the importance of satellites in space, which allow us to watch over the earth. They will be able to see the advantages for each particular set of photographs. For example the observation satellite pictures allow you to see the atmosphere as well as the ground, gives you a different view of the Earth. Photographs from the ground are useful if you’re looking for something more specific like one building or one thing. Again, they will be able to identify that photos taken from space, give an entire picture if they wanted to look at an entire city or a desert this type of photography also allows you to monitor in area over a number of weeks and months and perhaps make predictions about weather. Overall I feel it is a very worth while resource that I would use in the classroom.

[Veronica Ward]

The EO Browser provides easy access to full-resolution satellite images, enabling you to select areas of interest, adjust time ranges, and explore various visualizations. It’s ideal for teachers, students, and anyone interested in Earth observation.

Classroom Application:

The EO Browser is an excellent tool for enhancing SESE knowledge. In geography lessons, you can use real-time satellite imagery to show students different regions and discuss land cover changes, urban growth, and natural disasters. For more scientific inquiries, you can analyse vegetation health using NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) or monitor deforestation patterns. It ties into the new maths curriculum by allowing data visualisation, comparison from different satellites, and investigation of phenomena like wildfires or air pollution. For topics like studying ice, you can examine sea ice extent, glacier retreat, and temperature anomalies over time.

This tool is free and user-friendly, making it accessible for both beginners and those more familiar with technology.

How to Use It With Students:

1. Start by guiding students through the tutorial to ensure they are comfortable using the tool.

2. Use satellite images to initiate discussions in groups, encouraging students to think critically about environmental issues.

3. Assign research projects where students can select an area and compare images over time, fostering integration with geography lessons.

4. Give students hands-on experience with real-world data, helping them understand and visualise global phenomena.

The EO Browser is like a window to the Earth from space, offering a bird’s eye view of forests, oceans, and cities. It makes learning fun and interactive, sparking curiosity about the world and deepening appreciation for our planet’s beauty and complexity. This tool also supports the new primary language curriculum by encouraging descriptive language and using satellite imagery as a stimulus for learning.

[Maurice O’Doherty]

I think the vegetation health will become a huge visual indicator for climate change, especially as there is mass forest die off around the globe. Would be interesting to compare vegetation at different times of the year historically vs recently as well.

[Irene Lynch]

EO Browser

[Irene Lynch]

The EO Browser (Earth Observation Browser) is an online tool that provides access to satellite imagery and data from various Earth observation missions. It is developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Sinergise through the Sentinel Hub. The browser allows users to explore satellite images, create custom visualizations, and analyze environmental changes over time.

Key features of the EO Browser include:

Access to Multiple Data Sources: Users can access imagery from Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, Sentinel-3, Landsat 8, and other satellite missions.
Customizable Visualizations: The platform offers various visualization options such as true color, false color, and custom band combinations to highlight different features.
Time-Lapse and Time-Series Analysis: Users can create time-lapse animations to observe changes over specific periods.
User-Friendly Interface: The tool is designed to be accessible to a broad audience, including those without specialized knowledge in remote sensing or GIS (Geographic Information Systems).

Using the EO Browser in primary school can enhance learning by providing interactive and visual experiences related to geography, science, environmental studies, and technology. Here are some practical ways to integrate the EO Browser into primary school lessons.

[Katie O Sullivan]

Download the Teacher Guide & Pupil Activities for the ESA Resource ‘ Nose High Up in The Sky, carry out the pupil activities yourself and post your thoughts on the resource and if you would use it in class. (150 words

I studied some of the activities in ‘Nose High Up in the Sky’ and found activity 2 particularly interesting.

 

Activity 2: Match the photos

This activity explores photographs of space taken by astronauts on the international space station. The aim of the activity is to match the photos with the corresponding photograph taken on the ground. The children will use clues from the space photographs to find landmarks, features etc. to match the photos. This activity will help teach the children about the different perspectives of photographs, as well as what these landmarks and features look like from Space. I think this is a very interesting activity as it is very accessible to all ages, and uses a variety of problem solving and inferring skills to complete.

I would definitely consider using this activity, particularly in a digital format, where the children would be able to use zoom, and Google Earth as a reference, to match the images,

[Andrea Lyons]

In Module 4, students delve into Earth observation, covering ground data collection methods, satellite remote sensing, and using tools like the EO Browser. This module aims to enhance understanding of how satellite data informs our understanding of Earth’s dynamics and supports various applications.

Discussing recent satellite passes over Ireland can spark curiosity and practical engagement. For instance, five recent satellites include Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, Landsat 8, Aqua, and Terra. Sentinel-1 monitors land and ocean surfaces, essential for disaster management and maritime surveillance. Sentinel-2 captures high-resolution optical images for agriculture and land use monitoring. Landsat 8 provides multispectral data for environmental monitoring. Aqua and Terra focus on Earth’s water cycle and climate system dynamics.

Encouraging students to explore these satellites’ roles fosters appreciation for Earth observation’s broad impact on environmental stewardship and sustainable development. It also invites them to consider future careers in STEM fields related to satellite technology and environmental science.

[yvonne Boylan]

This is a really interesting idea. It is always exciting when things can be seen from space, and some of the children may have recently heard about the Northern lights being visible here etc. These tools really bring space to life for children. It’s amazing to see just how many satellites there are and to be able to track their movements like this.

[Tommy Lyons]

The EO Browser is an online tool that lets you explore satellite images of Earth in an easy way. It’s like Google Earth but specifically for satellite data. You can see different places on Earth and how they look from space. For example, you can check how forests change over time or track changes in water bodies like rivers and lakes.

In class, I would use the EO Browser to teach students about environmental changes. We could study deforestation by comparing satellite images from different years. This helps students understand how human activities impact forests. We could also monitor coastal erosion or study urban growth by analyzing satellite data over time. This hands-on approach makes learning about geography and environmental science more engaging and real for students. It encourages them to think critically about how our planet is changing and why it’s important to protect it. The EO Browser is a powerful tool to bring satellite technology into the classroom and inspire curiosity about Earth’s landscapes and ecosystems.

[Una Halpin]

Hi Tommy

I like your ideas for using the EO Browser to study geographical processes such as erosion and also the effects of human activities on our environment. It would certainly help to explain concepts such as urban growth and deforestation when the children have a visual images to show them the changes in an area over time. A lot of these concepts can seem very abstract if you can’t demonstrate evidence and seeing the images should help to stimulate questioning and discussion in your class.

[Orla Kenny]

The “Nose Up High in the Sky” is a great resource for introducing children to weather recording and analysis. The lesson on proverbs is a lovely way to incorporate the history of weather forecasting in an informal way. It highlights also how people long ago were able to predict reasonably accurately what weather conditions were going to be like without any of the technology we have now, relying solely on signs in nature.
It is a great way of getting them to involve older family members in their research and can help create an awareness and appreciation of how resourceful and smart people were in the past, making use of the meagre resources they had.
It can also enable them to make their own predictions, based on these proverbs.
This is a very good resource that is simple to use and is relevant from Junior Infants up to sixth class.

[Una Halpin]

Hi Orla

As you said the “Nose Up High in The Sky” is a lovely resource for highlighting the history of weather recording and the use of weather proverbs.  It is a nice way of discussing the changes in weather forecasting methods and assessing what methods have changed and what have stayed the same and how the uses of technology such as satellite imagery and more accurate instruments have enabled better long term forecasting. As you said, it is a great way for the children to connect with older family members and to see how people were more attuned with their surroundings and with nature in the past. I wonder would these older methods of forecasting be as reliable today, given that our climate is much more unstable and extreme weather events have become more frequent?

[Chloe McKenzie]

The EO Browser offers an incredible view of Earth from space, allowing us to explore satellite images and gain new insights into our planet. It’s like having a high-altitude bird’s eye view, showing forests, oceans, and cities from above. In the classroom, primary students can use the EO Browser to study various environments, weather patterns, and surface changes. They can observe forest growth, river evolution, and city expansion over time. This interactive tool makes learning engaging and fosters curiosity about the world, while also enhancing language skills through descriptive activities and stimulating discussions. By incorporating the EO Browser into lessons, students can experience firsthand the dynamic changes happening on Earth and develop a deeper appreciation for environmental science. Additionally, it aligns well with the new primary language curriculum, encouraging the use of descriptive language and providing a stimulating visual aid for language learning. This integration of technology and curriculum supports a comprehensive educational experience that combines scientific inquiry with language development.

[Karena Hanly]

I agree that EO Browser is a wonderful tool, which has lots of possibilities. It’s fantastic that it can give such a close view of locations on Earth. It would be a great idea to incorporate the EO Browser with the PLC by using it as a visual aid.

[Kate Cosgrove]

I agree that the EO browser has great opportunities to incorporate literacy skills with the use of images to promotes descriptive language.

[Michelle Greene]

After downloading the “From the ground and from the sky” (Slide 19 as referred to in the assignment) I carried out the following activities:

Activity 1: The Earth seen from ISS
In this activity I would use a video of ISS as a “trigger” to stimulate conversation and discussion about a typical day in the life of an astronaut living in the ISS. I would use role play –”hot seat” to see if the children could step into the astronaut’s shoes and give an account of his/her life in space and also to describe what he/she can see from the ISS. We would then examine some photographs taken from the ISS in groups and feedback to the class what they think the photos are of.

Activity 2 : Match the photos (taken from the ground and by astronauts)
I think that this is an excellent activity to use for a groupwork activity too. Children would be encouraged to use their geographical skills here to locate where the image was taken. To make this lesson more interesting I think I would create a Kahoot quiz using all the photographs . The children would really enjoy this.

Activity 3 : Higher Up! (taken from the ground and by satellites)
Again I would use a Kahoot quiz for the matching part of this activity but I would also encourage the children to use some software/apps where they can view satellite imagery “live” so that they are given a real-life opportunity to witness the footage of our satellites

• This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by Michelle Greene.

[Catherine Howe]

Task 1
I used the satellite tracker app and tracked the following 5 satellites

International Space Station (ISS) : The ISS is the largest ever built space station which carries out experiments on microgravity and space environment. It can carry a crew of 7 astronauts. It came about with the collaboration of five space agencies and their contractors: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA(Europe), and CSA (Canada)

Helios 1B: The Helios program is Europe’s military optical reconnaissance system consisting of both a space and a ground segment, which commenced service in 1995. However Helios 1B suffered a breakdown of its power supply system in October 2004 and could no longer perform any work.

QUESS: Quantum Science Experiment Satellite’), is a Chinese research project in the field of quantum physics. QUESS was launched on 15 August 2016.

OKEAN 3: is a Russian satellite launched in 1991. The Okean series of satellites are all-weather radar oceanographic systems primarily designed to monitor sea-ice conditions in the Arctic Seas.

ARIANE 40 R/B: ARIANE 40 R/B is space debris originally from a launch in September 1993. It was launched from the French Guiana (FRGUI) by France. This is a rocket body.

[Karen Walsh]

I chose this activity too Catherine. I find it so interesting to find out what’s up in the sky that we can’t see for ourselves.

[yvonne Boylan]

I thought the Nose High up in the Sky activities were great. My favourite is the weather proverbs. Having heard these for years, I’ve never been sure which ones if any are accurate, and if so, why. These proverbs are explained really well, but they are also lovely things to learn as well, as proverbs could be a lovely lesson in general. The weather forecast analysis also was useful for me to understand the terminology more clearly, a lot of the phrases used in weather are used a lot without people really knowing what they mean. It would be great for children to be able to explain these at home when they listen to the weather forecast. The practical hands on tasks of making tools to measure the wind speed are great, as the children will be able to recreate these at home. The tools are useful also as they measure aspects of weather that are very important day to day, and that he children will see mentioned on the weather forecast. Overall  I really liked all these resources and after trying out these activities, I feel they would be suitable for the age level. For the wind speed tool, I would have then children work on this in small groups working together or complete it when there are more adults in the room to help, as it is a bit more complicated.

[Pat Waldron]

Agree with you about the proverbs and have used them in lessons before. As a follow on we looked at the unusual behaviours of animals/birds before weather events and they really enjoyed this too.

[Grainne Gannon]

I like your idea of observing unusual behaviours of animals and birds before weather events Pat!  I can imagine that this would make for great discussion in class.

[Clodagh Jackman]

I downloaded the Teacher Guide & Pupil Activities for the ESA Resource ‘Nose High Up in The Sky.

Activity 1 – The Earth seen from the ISS. I really liked how the first question in this activity gives children a chance to use their imagination when they have to describe what they think Earth looks like from space. This also allows for a great whole class discussion when discussing the children’s answers to the question. I predict that some children will have varying answers so it will be good to discuss their thinking. I might include a walking debate whilst discussing this topic in the classroom. Another part of question 1 is looking at photographs from the International Space Station. This is obviously incredibly interesting for kids – I found it very interesting myself. There is lots of room for questioning here. There is also great integration with English through the use of descriptive words.

Activity 2 and 3: Match the Photos. and Higher Up! I like both of these activities as they get the children thinking for themselves. They also support the use of subject-specific vocabulary when discusses, which I feel is important for any subject. The activity is interesting and stimulating. I enjoyed the questions when I did it, I didn’t find the questions to be boring or pointless which I think can turn children off of the generic ‘answer the questions’ sometimes. The questions are thought provoking and are not straight forward.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Clodagh,

I hope you have enjoyed the modules so far and thank you for sharing your thoughts on these resources.

I have used the Nose High Up in the Sky resource with my own class last year and the pictures were really engaging for them and as you said there is lots of subject specific vocabulary within the lesson also.

Children love to learn about space and it is easily linked with other curricular areas such as English as you have mentioned. I hope you find lots of resources across the course that you can use with your class next year.

[Karen Walsh]

Five satellites that have recently passed over Ireland are

International Space Station: this staion is a space environment research laboratory.

Sentinel-1: provides all weather, day and night radar imagery for land and ocean services.

NOAA-20: This satellite provides data for weather forecasting, extremem weather predictions and environmental monitoring.

Terra: It carries instruments that monitor Earth’s climate and environment, including the atmosphere, land, and oceans, and is crucial for understanding long-term climate changes and environmental shifts.

MetOp-B: This is a European meteorological satellite operated by EUMETSAT. It provides data on atmospheric temperature and humidity, ocean surface wind speed and direction, and data for climate monitoring and weather forecasting.

[Catherine Howe]

Being a teacher in a strong agricultural area the research question I would pose is:
Has climate change had an impact on how farmers work?
I would encourage the children to look at ways that changes in our weather have impacted local farmers and how they work.
Students can collect weather data focusing on rainfall levels and temperature levels. The student scan also look at storm frequency and if this has changed. How could this affect farming?
The school has strong links with the local community so the students could visit a local farm and interview the farmer about any changes they have had to make due to climate change.
The children can discuss crop choices, crop yields, animal welfare such as feed and shelter, animal birthing times.
Finally the children could conduct a weather comparison study on a chosen season. They can look at weather data from a number of past years and then collect their own data for the chosen season and compare their results, draw conclusions and present their results. The children could make their own weather apparatus for this study.

[Brendan Curtin]

I love the idea of bringing an agricultural slant into the lessons. It is surely one of the most obvious ways Ireland has changed over time with land being used for housing rather than the once traditional agricultural use. Living and working on the outskirts of a major city, I feel this would resonate with my students.

[Catherine Cummins]

I also downloaded the Teacher Guide & Pupil Activities for the ESA Resource ‘Nose High Up in The Sky.

Activity 1 – The Earth seen from the ISS. The children in my 3rd class last year were fascinated by the ISS and they loved being able to eatch some of the youtube videos posted by the astronauts. I think this lesson would really add to what they have already done.as it encourages the  children  to use their imagination when they have to describe what they think Earth looks like from space. This would also form the basis for a nice art lesson.  The phptpgraphs from the ISS are hugely interesting also – I There is lots of room for questioning here. There is also great opportunities for integration with language lessons

Activity 2 and 3: Match the Photos. and Higher Up!  This activity encourages the children to use higher order thinking. This acivity also promotes the use of disciplinary literacy as the children will need to to utilise very specific vocab when describing what they are looking at. The questions are thought provoking and will require proper analysis.

[Sean Finlay]

Assignment 1 – List 5 satellites that have passed Ireland recently and talk about what these satellites are doing. I found this very interesting and informative and used the Satellite Tracker app.

1. Sentinel-1A: Part of the Copernicus Program, this satellite provides radar imagery for environmental monitoring and disaster management. It frequently passes over Ireland to monitor soil moisture, forest cover, and flood events.

2. NOAA-20: This satellite, operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, collects data on weather, climate, and environmental conditions. Passing over Ireland, it assists in weather forecasting, sea surface temperature measurement, and atmospheric composition analysis.

3. Terra: A NASA satellite part of the Earth Observing System, Terra captures multi-spectral data for studying Earth’s climate and environmental changes. It monitors Ireland’s land use, vegetation health, and air pollution levels.

4. Aqua: Also part of NASA’s Earth Observing System, Aqua focuses on the water cycle, including evaporation, clouds, and precipitation. Its data is crucial for understanding weather patterns, including those affecting Ireland.

5. MetOp-B: A European meteorological satellite providing data for weather forecasting. It monitors atmospheric temperature, humidity, and trace gases over Ireland, contributing to accurate weather predictions and climate research.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by Sean Finlay.

[Simon Moloney]

Hi Sean, I was scrolling to see who else used the satellite tracking. It was interesting to see how much is orbiting and how much of it that’s considered debris too.

[Aisling Kenny]

I chose to do Activity 3 which focused on analysing and understanding images of Earth that have been taken from Space. I found this resource very interesting and thoroughly enjoyed carrying out each activity that has been designed for our pupils to tackle.

ACTIVITY 1: The Earth Seen from The International Space Station

This was a lovely activity to do. I loved the fact that the ISS was compared to a football field  in size and this immediately grabbed my attention and interest. The thought of something this large moving around in space is mind boggling and totally captured my imagination from the very beginning.

I also found it fascinating to think of the ISS circling around the Earth 16 times a day. In my mind the ISS really is going at some speed to be able to capture 16 sun rises and sunsets every single day!

The photos of the Earth look so different when taken from the ISS compared to how the pictures look from on the ground. Also, photos taken on the ground look way different from the pictures astronauts take, even though they are often taken of the same locations!

This activity is excellent as a discussion starter and one on which every child will have an opinion. It lends itself to many talking settings from whole class discussions, to paired interviewing to small group talk and discussions. The possibilities are endless.

 

ACTIVITY 2: Match the Photos

In the second activity, the task is to look at and examine photos taken of Earth from the ISS Matching these photos of different landscapes in this activity was an interesting task to tackle and opened the mind to the possibility of various perspectives. The images we have in our minds of these places are no longer set in stone as the only image out there. This attention on varying perspectives really does help to broaden the mind. I have no doubt that children will find this activity very interesting and totally outside of anything they would ever have imagined. It would make a fabulous art lesson too!

Activity 3: Higher Up

The third activity really was the most fascinating exercise of all. The thought of these images been taken from satellites orbiting the Earth. Matching the images taken from the ground and also from the satellites really was challenging and I would imagine the older classes really getting stuck into this activity. It opens up the possibilities of other perspectives on the same landmarks. I have no doubt that the more senior classes will enjoy this activity.

[Aine Fitzpatrick]

I enjoyed engaging in the third activity too, I found the challenging aspect of it really engaging! I could see older classes loving i

[Niamh Costello]

Aisling, I also found these activities very interesting and fun.  I loved the different facts about the ISS which will make it very relatable for the children.

[Laura O’ Mahony]

The Nose Up to the Sky activity was very interesting. I believe children would find all 3 activities very engaging. I really enjoyed the activity about using the senses when predicting and talking about the weather. Teaching children the different signs of sensing the weather is very important. This is equally as important as teaching the children how to read the weather and listen to the weather forecast. Met Éireann have a series of content when teaching children about the weather which could be useful. I have attached the link to the school content. This includes fun facts about weather and climate and then also includes some lesson plans that could be helpful when teaching about the weather. I also think the weekly weather diary is important when teaching children about the weather. The link with maths and in particular patterns could be logged when monitoring the weather in a certain location or in the country.

[Jacqui Goodwin]

I agree Laura, I think the children would love all three of the activities. I like the link you mentioned between patterns in Maths and the weather patterns in certain areas.

[Brendan Curtin]

Having accessed the EO Browser and used the tutorial, I can see that there are numerous ways this resource can enhance the teaching and learning in my class. I feel it can be used in many areas but especially in subjects like geography, environmental science, earth science, and even history. Here are some ways I think a teacher could be convinced to use this resource.

Geography – Mapping and analysis of physical features over a period of time. See how our human actions are changing our landscape.

Science – Examining natural disasters and seeing how these have shaped our landscape by comparing satellite images from before and after they occur. We also study weather patterns with this resource.

History – Use the resources to help track how the landscape has changed over time. This can be looking at how major world events such as WW1 OR 2 have affected the landscape around them. It would also be a fantastic resource to track the development of cities or urban areas.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Brendan,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the EO Browser. As you have said there are many meaningful learning opportunities from using this tool.

Through integration the children can make connections with their learning and real life scenarios to further engage them. I like your idea to look at changes in the landscape using the EO Browser in History.

[Maurice O’Doherty]

I think it performed best for me when comparing the before and after of natural disasters, I think comparing weather patterns and history of disasters is a great idea too.

[Ailbhe McNulty]

I really like the idea of using the EO Browser as a historical resource. It would also be really interesting for the children to see the development of Ireland’s towns and cities using the browser.

[Aine Fitzpatrick]

Using the Orbitrack app, I tracked five satellites recently passing over Ireland: the International Space Station (ISS), NOAA-20, Hubble Space Telescope, Landsat 8, and Terra. The ISS serves as a research lab in space, NOAA-20 improves weather forecasting and climate monitoring, Hubble captures high-resolution images of distant astronomical objects, Landsat 8 provides data for land use and environmental monitoring, and Terra helps understand climate change and natural disasters. These satellites illustrate the diverse and critical applications of satellite technology in advancing scientific research, environmental management, and space exploration.

The EO Browser is a cutting-edge tool that provides access to satellite imagery from multiple sources, allowing users to explore and analyze Earth’s surface in near real-time. It offers a user-friendly interface with features like time-lapse animations, historical data comparisons, and various environmental indices. Whether you’re tracking deforestation, monitoring urban development, or studying natural disasters, EO Browser delivers high-resolution images and insightful data right at your fingertips.

In the classroom, EO Browser can revolutionise how students learn about geography, environmental science, and global changes. By using this tool, students can engage in projects such as tracking seasonal changes in local landscapes, assessing the impact of human activities on natural habitats, or monitoring weather patterns and climate change. This hands-on experience with real-world data not only makes learning more interactive and engaging but also helps develop critical thinking and analytical skills, preparing students for future scientific endeavors.

Lastly, the pupil activities would suit older classes best where they can engage in challenging tasks- matching land and satellite images

[Pat Waldron]

Here are five satellites I found that have passed over Ireland using N2YO tracker

International Space Station (ISS): The ISS, a space station in low Earth orbit, conducts scientific research across a variety of disciplines including biology, physics, astronomy, and meteorology. It provides a unique environment for scientific experiments and technological developments that benefit humanity.

Starlink Satellites: Part of SpaceX’s Starlink project, these satellites provide global broadband internet services. They are frequently visible over Ireland as they adjust their orbits after being launched in groups​

NOAA-20 (JPSS-1): This weather satellite operated by NOAA provides critical data for weather forecasting, environmental monitoring, and climate research. It carries instruments to measure atmospheric, terrestrial, and oceanic conditions​​.

Sentinel-2: Part of the European Space Agency’s Copernicus program, Sentinel-2 satellites deliver high-resolution optical imagery for land monitoring. This includes agricultural practices, forestry, soil and water cover management, and emergency services

Landsat 8: A joint mission between NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey, Landsat 8 captures high-resolution images of Earth’s surface. It is used for environmental monitoring, including tracking changes in forests, water quality, and urban development​​.

[Gina Fusco]

Task one: Satellite Tracking

I used the app satellite chasers

1: Spacebee-168. From a constellation of 150 picosats to provide 2-way satellite communications and data relay.

2. Lemur 2 Rocinante. Low earth orbiting satellite for Meteorology and ship traffic tracking.

3. Spacebee-175. Same as space bee-168 was over the west coast

4. Lemur 2 Charlie-Rose. Same as Lemur 2 Rocinante

5. Iridium-NEXT. Communications satellite

I tracked these in one sitting, I am not sure how to use the app to see a history of what has passed over a particular location or if that can even be done. It has good information on what each satellite does, when it was launched and who by. It also provides a picture of the satellite. It is live and I think the children would enjoy seeing what is flying overhead from different parts of the world. I also only realized after the 1st 4 that it was only set to show those particular satellites and when I set to view I was amazed by what was going over us at any moment, although my phone found it hard to keep up and the app slowed down greatly.

[Victoria Healy]

This seems like n interesting activity to do in the classroom and I think the children would be fascinated to see the different satellites which are passing over Ireland.

[Maurice O’Doherty]

The EO browser is basically an archive of multiple satellite’s images of earth from different points in time with different data visualizations for things like vegetation cover and moisture.

My elevator pitch would keep it simple. This is a resource that every teacher in senior classes should try out, it’s a website that allows you to see and compare satellite images of earth over time. It has a wide array of lenses, light band and filters to help you to examine and compare the difference and impact that climate change could have over time. Not only is that but there is a huge range for exploration for the student and pre selected “images of the month” which mean there is scope for all levels of interest and technological competence. I found the Copernicus education browser to be excellent as well even though it’s a lot more limited. It still has huge swathes of data available and would either be the preferable site for younger classes or a great intro for the EO browser.

I think the potential for these sites is great not only for Climate but for geography and science and history lessons in general.

[Eimear O Regan]

I used the websites In-the-sky.org, OrbTrack, AMSAT, Spectator Earth and Universe Today.
Recently, several satellites have passed over Ireland, including the International Space Station (ISS), Sentinel-2, NOAA-19, Starlink satellites, and Terra.
1. International Space Station (ISS): The serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory where scientific research is conducted in astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, physics, and other fields. The ISS orbits the Earth approximately every 90 minutes, providing numerous observational opportunities.
2. Sentinel-2: Sentinel-2 satellites are used for Earth observation. They provide high-resolution imagery for land monitoring, agriculture, forestry, and disaster control, helping in environmental and climate monitoring.
3. NOAA-19: This satellite collects data on atmospheric temperature and moisture, sea surface temperature, cloud cover, and the radiation budget, essential for weather forecasting and climate research.
4. Starlink Satellites: These satellites aim to provide global broadband internet coverage, especially in remote and underserved areas.
5. Terra: This NASA Earth Observing System satellite monitors and collects data on the Earth’s climate system, studying various components such as clouds, water vapor, and land surface. Its data is crucial for understanding climate changes and environmental processes.

[Rebecca Kennedy]

I downloaded the Nose High Up in the Sky resource and have carried out the pupil activities myself and this is how I would use it in class. I like the idea of using the weather proverbs with the children and asking them do they know any before we begin or even asking them to guess what they think the proverbs mean before actually telling them what they mean and the science/geography behind them.
For the second activity I would ask them to use their senses to describe the weather at the moment. I will then get the children to describe the weather through different methods such as a drawing, a written description or even a table and try to get them to the conclusion that we use wind, rain, temperature and clouds to describe the weather.
For activity three I would run this experiment over a couple of weeks so that all children get a chance at measuring the different types of weather. I would divide the children into groups and give them the materials needed and ask them to figure out how we were going to use the materials to measure that specific weather. I would also leave it up to the groups on how they would record the weather diary and then they would have to report it back to the class.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Rebecca,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Nose High Up in the Sky resource. I have used weather proverbs with my own class this year and there was lots of discussion as to what they could mean. I also asked them to check with older relatives about weather lore they knew and this integrated well with History.

I like how you would give the children responsibility over how they will record the weather in their weather diary. This would also allow for differentiation in the class.

[Jamie Ryan]

Nice activity to get them to use their senses to describe the weather.

[John Shanahan]

I used the Orbitrace app and 5 satelites that I learned about were

Sentinel-2A: This satellite primary focus is on Earth observation. Sentinel-2A focused on capturing detailed images of the landscape, which are essential for monitoring land use, vegetation health, and coastal dynamics. The data collected helps in managing natural resources, planning agricultural activities, and assessing environmental changes.

NOAA-20: This satellite is focused on Weather observation.  NOAA-20 plays a critical role in weather forecasting and climate monitoring. As it passed over Ireland, NOAA-20 gathered data on atmospheric conditions, including temperature, humidity, and cloud cover. The data collected helps meteorologists predict weather patterns, understand climate variability, and issue warnings for extreme weather events.

Aqua: This satellite gathers data on climate research. Aqua is dedicated to studying the Earth’s water cycle. During its recent orbit over Ireland, Aqua measured various environmental parameters such as ocean temperature, water vapor, and land cover changes. These measurements are vital for understanding the global water cycle, climate change, and the interactions between different components of the Earth system.

Terra: Another satellite focused on Earth Observation.
Activity: Terra provides multi-disciplinary data to study the Earth’s climate and environment. As it passed over Ireland, Terra collected information on surface temperatures, atmospheric conditions, and land cover changes. This data is crucial for understanding climate dynamics, monitoring environmental changes, and managing natural resources.

COSMO-SkyMed  Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Imaging. During its recent pass over Ireland, COSMO-SkyMed focused on capturing radar images to support disaster management, agricultural monitoring, and infrastructure analysis. SAR technology allows it to penetrate clouds and collect data even during nighttime.

These five satellites—Sentinel-2A, NOAA-20, Aqua, Terra, and COSMO-SkyMed—play important roles in enhancing our understanding of the planet and improving resource management, disaster response, and environmental monitoring.

 

[Jacqui Goodwin]

 

 

 

I chose to download the Teacher Guide & Pupil Activities for the ESA Resource ‘ Nose High Up in The Sky’. The resource has three lovely activities in it.

The first activity is based on weather proverbs. The children would really enjoy listening to the different weather proverbs and drawing their own conclusions on whether there is any truth to each of the proverbs from their own experience. They would also enjoy making the comparison between how weather is predicted now and how forecasting had to rely on human experience before the development of the technology that we use now.

The second activity follows on from the first by showing how meteorologists rely on Science now to predict the weather. It also includes the fact that we can use our senses to describe the weather. This activity could be extended to include research on how animals use their senses to predict the weather and other signs in nature that show us a certain type of weather is on its way.

The children would really enjoy the hands on learning in activity three where they can make their own anemometer to measure wind speed. This would be a lovely activity to do in small groups. The children could include the temperature, wind speed and rainfall amounts in a weekly weather diary.

[Jacqui Goodwin]

 

 

• This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by Jacqui Goodwin.

[Emer Earley]

The EO browser is a fantastic tool that I will be using down the line in my own classroom especially with the senior classes. It is an interactive and user-friendly tool which offers a step-by-step guide on how to use it. You can select your area of interest and narrow down the criteria of what you are looking for specifically for example cloud coverage and inspect the resulting data from different sources. It gives options for different activities based on whether you are a beginner or advanced. This is useful in the classroom for differentiation. Especially when trying to extend the learning of students who have a particular interest in this topic.

This tool would be a great resource for a class project on Climate Change. One of the features that can be accessed on this tool is imagery of the changes on Earth that have taken place in the last 30 years. Students can be analyse the changes with the compare function or by creating a time-lapse. They can also explore the changes in the landscape through the seasons, measure the size of a deforested area. This tool is a great interactive addition to the classroom especially when exploring a topic like Climate Change.

[Patricia Campion]

I downloaded the Teacher Guide and Pupil Activities for the ESA Resource, “Nose High Up in the Sky”. I went through the lessons and activities myself, I found them to be well pitched for senior classes in primary school, however I do think the lesson content would be easy to adapt for younger pupils for example Activity One “Talking about the weather” and Activity Two “Sensing the Weather”. The corresponding worksheets would need to be differentiated for the younger pupils. There is lots of scope to further the pupil’s learning by incorporating some of the videos as outlined in the course content so far.

I teach Third class and I would definitely use these lessons and worksheets with my class. I especially liked Activity Three “Building your own Weather Station”. It gives clear and concise instructions for measuring and making your own weather instruments e.g. Measuring Wind Speed. The activities are engaging and interactive, while also integrating with other curricular areas such as Literacy, Maths, Geography and Science.

[Christina Brennan]

I agree I think lessons could also be adapted for younger pupils

[Victoria Healy]

I used the resources ‘From The Ground and from the Sky’ for this assignment. I think that this resource promotes discuss about what the earth looks like from space. Firstly, I would ask the children if they have ever been in an aeroplane, ask these children to share with the class what the earth looks like when they look out the window. Discuss the difference between what you can see during a nighttime and a day time flight. I would then show the children the resource from ESA ‘From the ground and from the Sky’. Talk about what the children expect to see from Space. Split the class into groups and show the children the photos which the astronauts took from space. Discuss what the children think are in the photos. Then ask the children to compare and contrast the photos and see if they can match them. After using the ESA resource, I would put the children into pairs and send them off with an IPAD. I would give them the task of taking pictures different items round the school, one from above like from space and one from the ground. When the children come back, we will do a whole class activity where they show their photos and see if we can match them.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Victoria,

Thank you for sharing your ideas on using this resource in the classroom. The photos in this resource allow for lots of discussion and critical thinking. It is also an ideal opportunity to integrate with Geography.

I like your idea to take photographs around the school from a different perspective and encourage the children to become active in their own learning.

I hope you have enjoyed the course.

[Linda Farrell]

Hi Victoria,

 

I agree that this is a great resource that I would really like to investigate and use in my classroom. The children would love to take photos of areas around the school.

[Annie Maher]

Hi Victoria, I really like your idea of allowing the children to take ownership in capturing their own photographs from different perspectives!

[Niamh Costello]

3. I decided to carry out question 3 which was to download the Teacher Guide & Pupil Activities for the ESA Resource ‘ Nose High Up in The Sky’ (slide 19) carry out the pupil activities myself and post my thoughts on the resource and if I would use it in class.
Slide 19 – Teach with Space ‘From the ground and from the sky’

After carrying out all these activities I found all three very interesting, engaging and fun to complete. I would definitely use these resources and activities with my class. The activities are suitable for all ages and abilities but the activity sheets will have to be differentiated to suit individual needs in each class. It makes Space more accessible for children – they will have a better understanding of what it is like to look down on earth from Space.

Activity 1 – The Earth seen from the ISS
This activity will appeal to the children of all ages. They will know the size of the ISS as it is the size of a football pitch which they all know the size of and they will be able to imagine it floating around space. Being able to see the photos from five different astronauts was fun and interesting and the children will love looking at them.

Activity 2 – Match the photos & Activity 3 – Higher up are interlinked
The children will love carrying out this activity as they will be able to pretend to be astronauts looking out the window and they can match the photos to what they are – mountains, lakes, rivers, etc – this activity is very hands – on and accessible for all.

[Linda Farrell]

 

Module 4 – EO Browser Step by Step Guide.

EO Browser is an online application that provides easy and free access to satellite imagery from different Earth Observation (EO) missions. EO Browser provides ready-to-use satellite images. It can be accessed from a desktop browser or a mobile device

With the EO Browser, you can research satellite images of any area you are interested in (e.g., your city, a glacier, the Amazon rainforest, or an active volcano). It is also possible to download the images in different formats.

EO Browser has two different modes available: Normal and Education. Foe schools it is possible to use EO Browser in the Education mode which gives the option to access specific satellite data tailored to a selected theme. Themes cover different topics, from agriculture to atmosphere and air pollution, to volcanoes and wildfires.

To find a location you can enter an area or scroll over the map. You can also zoom in or zoom out. You can also choose the type of satellite image you want to look at. Then you can enter a date and time of the image you would like. Finally you can click the visualize button. You can also change your visualization images. Finally when you are happy with your image you can download it as a jpeg image.

[Fionnuala Lyne]

I loved using the videos from the ISS with the jnr classes when Chris Hadfield was on board. They really enjoyed them and made them curious about space. We did a huge project on the moon and had a space themed day with the school. You can imagine the costumes that arrived in !!

[Kathleen Tan]

Download the Teacher Guide & Pupil Activities for the ESA Resource ‘ Nose High Up in The Sky’ ( slide 19) carry out the pupil activities yourself and post your thoughts on the resource and if you would use it in class.

I would consider using it in my primary school classroom for several reasons:

·        Engagement and Interest: The use of visually compelling imagery from space is likely to engage students and stimulate their curiosity about Earth and space science. I thoroughly enjoyed this activity and the comparison to a football field is very relevant and a great visual for the children.

·        Educational Value: The activities are designed to promote inquiry-based learning and critical thinking, aligning well with educational goals to develop scientific literacy and environmental awareness.  This is a wonderful feature of all experiments in this book.

·        Integration with Curriculum: The resource appears to offer opportunities to integrate with science and geography curriculum, providing a context for learning about Earth’s systems and human impact on the environment.  With a jam packed curriculum to teach in quite a number of subjects it is paramount that we, as teachers, can integrate subjects and these activities certainly allow for that to happen.

I will certainly be using this resource when I return to teach 6th class in September.

 

[Una Halpin]

Hi Kathleen

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Nose High Up in the Sky resource. As you said integration of subjects is key to being able to cover the different curriculum subjects and strands and I’m glad that this resource and others will help you to do that. As you have mentioned, that is the beauty of many of the ESERO and Curious Minds resources in that they offer many opportunities for subject integration but also promote the development of a wide range of STEM  and other skills through inquiry based learning and give you suggestions and opportunities to extend the learning in many different directions.

[Christine O’Leary]

Five satellites that have passed over Ireland recently include, Sentinel-2A, Terra (EOS AM-1), NOAA-20 (JPSS-1), Aqua and Landsat 8. They observe the planet and are used in communication, navigation and scientific research. Sentinel-2A, Terra, Aqua and Landsat 8 are primarily for earth observation and NoAA-20 is used for weather monitoring. Sentinel-2A is part of the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Programme and captures imagery used for land monitoring that provides information on land cover, vegetation, and water bodies. Terra is a NASA satellite and monitors climate and the environment. NOAA-20 provides data for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental observations. Aqua is also a NASA satellite and studies the Earth’s water cycle. Its findings contribute to understanding climate change and in meteorology for predicting weather and climate patterns. Landsat 8 monitors land use and the impact of natural disasters. It provides data that is relevant to agriculture, forestry and water management.

[Michelle Ruddy]

3. I definitely intend on using the resource Nose High Up In The Sky with my class in September. I think they will find this resource fun and interesting. Children will love seeing the photographs of Earth taken from Space. I think it is a great way to start the lesson. The visual resources included are great and the activity of matching the photos to the different landscapes take from the ground will be interesting. The third activity then of learning about how a satellite works and how it is different to a space station will allow for some interesting discussions in the class. It is a great lesson as it provides children with the opportunity to see different perspectives which they usually wouldn’t get to experience in other lessons. It is a great resource to get children interested in delving deeper into the topic and hopefully doing some further research.

[Marian Gleeson]

Wow- thats so interesting. I really think the children would enjoy doing this and encouraging family members to also get involved.

 

[Marian Gleeson]

1.Study the EO BROWSER ‘step by step’ guide AND the EO Browser Tutorial, give an ‘elevator pitch ‘ on the EO Browser to a colleague who never heard of it and discuss how you would use it in class (150 words)

The EO Browser is a powerful, user-friendly tool that allows users to visualize and analyze satellite data from around the globe. It provides lots of imagery from various satellites, the EO Browser enables you to monitor environmental changes, urban development, and natural disasters in real-time or over specific periods. The EO Browser provides high-resolution images and data layers to support your lesssons.

Using EO Browser in Class:
In a classroom setting, I would use the EO Browser to engage students with real-world applications of geography and environmental science. For instance, we could explore deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, track urban expansion in our city, or study the effects of natural disasters like wildfires or floods. By analysing satellite images, students can develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of human-environment interactions.

[Caitriona Finucane]

I really like the idea of applying the browser to real-world situations. Looking up desertification and rainforest loss would be a great extension to some STEM activities.

[Grainne Gannon]

The ‘Nose high in the Sky’ is an excellent resource and a fun way to teach children about our weather. Talking about weather is something we do a lot of in Ireland so it is little wonder that we have many old proverbs about weather. I think it would be a great idea to ask the children to discuss these old proverbs with their parents and grandparents and find out which proverbs they would have heard as children. It is a fun way to start a lesson and as a follow on the children could compose their own proverbs. This lesson would also provide the teacher with the opportunity to create cross curricular links with Gaeilge and folklore.

This resource also allows children to think critically and to analyse the weather for themselves. It allows them to imagine what it would have been like for our ancestors who didn’t have the benefit of technology to analyse the weather. Instead they had to infer from the signs around them such as red sky at night.

The lessons in this resource give the children the opportunity to become meteorologists and to measure air temperature, wind speed and rainfall. They provide a springboard to help them learn that satellites provide us with invaluable data to help us predict the weather.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Grainne,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this module. The weather is always very topical in Ireland and using proverbs and weather lore is a great starting point for discussion on the weather in Ireland along with links to local history where you could explore weather lore from grandparents as you have mentioned.

This would allow for meaningful connections across curricular areas as you make links with life in the past, being a weather reporter using weather instruments and also looking at how technology and satellies are helped to predict the weather now.

[Barbara Skerritt]

<p style=”text-align: center;”>I agree Grainne , this resource allows for huge cross curricular links and could lend itself to a thematic approach in teaching.</p>

[Ellen Stack]

I struggled a bit navigating the app but I got on better with the website version. It makes me think that this activity would be better suited to senior classes and would be a great opportunity for utilising ICT.

Starlink 1771: Global broadband network

Starlink 2351 – provision of internet access where it has been unavailable or unattainable

Starlink 1155 – as stated above

SL – 4 R/B: Launched from Tyuratam Missile and Space Center, Kazakhstan

SL – 8 R/B: Launched from Plesetsk Missile and space Complex, Russia.

I did also look at the EO browser and I think my 6th class next year would definitely enjoy experimenting with this. Although I found this task the most difficult to navigate so far on this course, I can see how and why satellite gathering is so important. Children would find this fascinating to navigate and investigate which satellites were passing, however I’m not sure if I would be in my comfort zone using these resources and would need to spend more time using them myself.

[Fionnuala Lyne]

Module 4

Satelite Tracker

The satellite tracker I used was N2YO.com

1.       Lemur 2 Johnnytruong USA launched 3/4/2024

This satellite is  equipped with Polarimetric Radio Occultation (PRO) sensors to detect and characterize precipitation

2.       Lemur-2-Nichol  launched September 28th 2020 USA

This satellite orbits between 400 to 600 km in height its mission is  radio occultation sounding and ship tracking.

3.       Spacebee-172 USA launced 16/12/2023

The SpaceBEE 172 satellite is part of a constellation of picosatellites developed by Swarm Technologies. These satellites  are designed to provide two-way satellite communications and data relay. The primary purpose of the SpaceBEE satellites is to offer low-cost, global connectivity for Internet devices

4.       The ISS (International Space Station) launched in 1998

It  is a large space station assembled and maintained in low Earth orbit by a collaboration of five space agencies and their contractors: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada)

This satellite is a science laboratory dedicated to helping humans learn how to live in space, figuring out how the space environment affects biology–and human bodies. Other onboard experiments are carried out to have a better understanding of how the cosmos works.

 

5.       I have to admit I struggled to find a good tracker using the browser and ended up using this one to find satellite no 5,  satellite chasers app.

OBJECT WK launched 1998 from Kazakhstan

This one is a bit of a puzzle. It says on the satellite tracker that it is active but other  websites say it is space debris. If anyone can clear this up for me I’d love to know exactly what it is collecting or is it just orbiting?

[Michaela Barrington]

Using the Satellite Tracker app, I found that the following five satellites have recently passed over Ireland:
1. International Space Station (ISS): The ISS serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory where scientific research is conducted in astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, physics, and other fields. It’s a joint project among NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, and CSA.
2. NOAA-20 (JPSS-1): This is a weather satellite operated by NOAA. It collects data on atmospheric temperature, moisture, clouds, and sea surface temperatures, which helps improve weather forecasts and climate monitoring.
3. Sentinel-2A: Part of the Copernicus program managed by ESA, this satellite provides high-resolution optical imagery. It’s used for environmental monitoring, agriculture, forestry, land use, and emergency response.
4. Terra (EOS AM-1): A multi-national NASA scientific research satellite, Terra collects data on the Earth’s atmosphere, land, and oceans. It studies climate changes and environmental conditions.
5. Aqua (EOS PM-1): Another NASA Earth observation satellite, Aqua focuses on the Earth’s water cycle. It monitors evaporation, precipitation, and the cycling of water, contributing to climate research and weather prediction.

[Deirdre Hurley]

The satellite tracker app is a fantastic app. I’ve used it myself with my own children when out camping in the summer. It would be a great resource to use in the older classes also.

[Lauren Herbert]

I am new to using the satellite tracker app but I found it was user-friendly and maybe suited more to the senior classes.

[Christina Brennan]

I decided to download the ‘Nose up in the Sky’ App. I found the App really enjoyable and enjoyed exploring hte many different activities in the app.
I would use this app in conjunction with a KWL chart in the classroom. I would gather any prior knowledge the children have and then we would explore the first activity which is exploring old weather proverbs. I would ask the children to s this with each other and then go home and discuss with their parents or grandparents if the had any ideas they could share. We could then discuss as a class together and go from there. It is really interesting to observe the proverbs against using actual scientific technology. We would explore the technologies available in todays world. We could then compare findings.

[Caitriona Finucane]

I downloaded the Satellite tracker app but found it difficult to find past activity rather than future sightings so I also used the in-th-sky.org website.

1. Terra: A satellite the size of a school bus that carries 5 instruments that take measurements of Earth activity. One instrument (Mopitt – Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere) focuses on carbon monoxide levels, sources and movement which is important in seeing the effects of human activity on the enviroment.

2. Suomi NPP – A polar-orbiting satellite that is used to gather information for weather and climate and ozone levels.

3. Starlink – 2268 – One of numerous Starlink satellites to pass near Dublin. SpaceX owned satellite used for communications.

4. ISS – International Space Station – Collaborative space station of 5 different space agencies used to gather data to further information and scientific knowledge of space and earth.

5. Aura – monitoring ozone levels and collecting solar radiation data using the OMI – Ozone Monitoring Instrument.

 

I found this activity interesting but it’s a lesson that would be suited to older classes or groups of students that needed extension work or projects.

[Jamie Ryan]

The resource I decided to download was the ESA “Nose High up in the Sky” app. I felt it really well designed to help students understand the importance of air quality and how it can be measured using various tools and techniques.
I felt from exploring the app it is mainly pitched at older classes; however I do think that the lessons can be modified to suit younger classes. I have Junior Infants in September and I still feel there are many aspects of he app I could use for my class.
I think I would focus mainly on weather proverbs. I would get my students to discuss this with their families and home and encourage them to ask older generations of their families. We could then discuss this as a class. We could also track our results using scientific resources to see were our proverbs accurate.
I think this resource is of great educational value and provides a solid foundation in understanding weather and climate change.

[Triona Sheridan]

Having downloaded a number of different apps before finding one that would provide the information I required, I eventuallt hit on one that gave me a list of sing five satellites which have passed over Ireland recently, namely; Snoopi, BurstCube, Curtis, the International Space Station (ISS), and Kashiwa.

Snoopi focuses on collecting data on cosmic rays, facilitating scientists understanding of high-energy particles.

BurstCube detects and analyses gamma-ray bursts, the most energetic events in the universe. BurstCube helps track them to gain insights into their origins and behaviour.

Curtis is an Earth observation satellite, which monitors environmental changes, such as deforestation and urban development. I found this one particularly interesting and useful in its links to the teaching Climate Change in the classroom.

The International Space Station (ISS) is a space laboratory where astronauts conduct scientific research in microgravity. One app allows for the tracking of the ISS and a very user-friendly image of Earth as viewed from the ISS with easy manipulation of the image allowing for apecific viewing of night and day, light pollution etc.

Kashiwa collects data on crop conditions, assistinf farmers in making decisions to improve crop yields and sustainability.

Although this wasn’t the easiest task to navigate initially, I found exploring the various apps fascinating and I think the children would thoroughly enjoy exploring them too

[Evelyn Geoghegan]

<span style=”font-size: 7px;”>The activity I selected was   “from the ground and from the Sky”. I carried out the activities.</span>

<span style=”font-size: 7px;”>Activity 1: The Earth seen from the ISS. </span>

<span style=”font-size: 7px;”>Looking at a variety of photos taken from ISS we would discuss the astronauts vantage point from space and look at and pick out a variety for features to stimulate discussion on these photos. As well as discussing the use and value of such a vantage point.</span>

<span style=”font-size: 7px;”>Activity 2: Match the photos</span>

<span style=”font-size: 7px;”>We will examine photographs of space taken by astronauts on the international space station. We will match pictures taken on the ground to ISS and use them to discuss and identify various features of the landscape.</span>

<span style=”font-size: 7px;”>ACTIVITY 3: HIGHER UP!</span>
<span style=”font-size: 7px;”>The third activity consists of photographs that have been taken from Satellites orbiting the earth. The children will again match photos and discussion is facilitated by handy sentence starters e.g. h</span><span style=”font-size: 7px;”>ow do we know they are both of mountains? What things are similar? What things are different?.</span>
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[Carmel Wright]

Hi Evelyn,
Thanks for your post. I can see you are encountering a common issue on this platform. When pasting written content from elsewhere, you must right-click and select “paste as plain text”; otherwise, extraneous material will appear.

This activity works well across a range of ages and abilities, and I like how you are supporting the learner’s discussion through sentence starters to get the ball rolling on fruitful discussions about similarities and differences. It can also be turned into a game- which team can identify/match the fastest, etc adding to the fun of this activity.

[Evelyn Geoghegan]

Thanks for letting me know.  I’ll try to correct the errors

[aoife phillips]

I really enjoyed Module 4 and got some great ideas for activities to use with my class last year. I particularly liked the set of activities  “High Up in the Sky”. It is a way of introducing pupils to the idea of watching planet Earth remotely.

Activity 1- Watching Earth from the ISS

I think children would love learning about the International space station. Videos, photos and real life accounts of astronauts working on it would be great to bring this topic alive for the students. There are endless possibilities for activities around this topic. I would have the children pretend that they are the astronaut working on the station and they must give an account of all they saw while working on it.

Activity 2- Match the photos

Again another hands-on approach to the idea of looking at Earth from a different view point. I think the children would love figuring out if the particular photo was taken from Earth or the astronaut on the ISS. This activity will also facilitate various discussions about various places, geographical structures etc.

Activity 3 – Higher Up

To begin, I think the word Satellite and its meaning will need to be discussed with the children. Children in this activity will compare photos taken from Earth and photos taken from satellites orbiting the Earth. Showing the children videos of satellites and the important job they do would also be a good way for the children to understand this topic.

 

[Zara Egan]

Hi Aoife, I love these hands on ideas of looking at Earth from a different perspective! I look forward to trying Activity 2 with my class.

[Karena Hanly]

I found the section on satellites to be very interesting. I didn’t have much information on satellites, apart from the International Space Station, previous to this course. I think children would love the idea of being able to track satellites.

I chose to download the app Satellite Tracker. This is a handy app, which shows the satellites that are close to your location. The satellites that have passed by recently are:
(1) SAOCOM 1-B: This satellite is twinned with another satellite SAOCOM 1-A. This satellite was launched on 30 August 2020.
(2)SL-16 R/B: This satellite was launched on September 16, 1993
(3) CZ-4B R/B: This satellite was launched from Taiyaun Space Centre, China on April 8, 2021
(4) Seasat: One of the objectives of this satellite is to provide data to scientists studying marine phenomena
(5) The International Space Station: This is an international Space Lab where astronauts and cosmonauts live and study.

[Odhran Lawlor]

Access to a variety of satellites is possible with the help of the robust and intuitive EO browser. You may see, download, and visualize the most recent photographs from all around the world using this browser. With it, students may accomplish so much more in the classroom. This is an indispensable tool. It is also easy to use. Pupils can compare satellite photos of urbanization, natural disasters, and deforestation. The development of children’s comprehension of how the world changes depends on this resource. Through this engaging experience, children may develop their critical thinking skills and learn in an enjoyable way, leading to a greater understanding of the amazing world we live in. I would recommend downloading the EO browser as it is without any hesitation, one of the best interactive tools I have used as it is straightforward and engaging.

[Carmel Wright]

Hi Odhran,

Thanks for your post, and welcome to the course.

The EO Browser certainly is a great tool – we have come a long way to have satellite imagery only a few clicks away accessible to everyone. Through this tool, learners can explore the world. It is a great way to get a bird’s eye view of the various landscapes of our world, from cityscapes to flooding and deforestation, some changed by people, others at the mercy of nature, and can be tied into a news story prompt from a specific region, like bush fires in Australia.

With some guidance from the teacher at the start, learners will quickly grow in confidence using this. As you said, it is straightforward and engaging. It can also be something the learners continue to practice at home as homework.

[Simon Moloney]

I downloaded the Satellite Tracker app as I thought it would be interesting to see what was flying high above our skies. The international space station was certainly one of the satellites that was listed. I’ve often assumed that I was looking at it when seeing brighter lights in the sky, but the app now allowed me to confirm when it was passing over.

Other satellites that passed over included:

ISS (passed over around 9.56pm)
Cosmos 1867: a Soviet satellite used for monitoring ocean vessels. It was launched in 1987. (passed over around 9.33pm)
Ariane 40 R/B was launched from French Guiana in 1990 but is now considered space debris. (passed over around 9.35pm)
CZ-4B R/B is a Chinese satellite that is also now considered space debris, (passed over around 9.38pm)
SAOCOM 1-B was launched in August 2020. It was launched to monitor lots of things on Earth and help to prevent major natural disasters as a result. (passed over around 9.44pm)

[Carmel Wright]

Hi Simon,

Thanks for your post. I see you have been busy observing what satellites have passed overhead, with some interesting discoveries. This app is a great tool for showing learners how our skies are home to a diverse range of satellites orbiting us.

Space junk is a growing problem, as you mention the Chinese satellite being a form of space debris. It could make for an interesting space research project for Space Week. Here’s an interesting site with some numbers on existing space debris etc: What is space junk and why is it a problem? | Natural History Museum (nhm.ac.uk)

[Emma Carry]

Thank you for the link, very interesting to read about the space junk which can add another dimension to the childrens learning.

[Shona Murphy]

Yes thanks, this is an angle that I didn’t think of !

[Clare Lane]

Such an interesting and enjoyable module with really excellent resources for students and teachers alike. I thoroughly enjoyed satellite tracking and seeing what has passed over. Like others have said it can be hard to find any solid info on the satellites but heres what I found. Really think senior classes would get a lot from this, working in pairs or groups using ipads and reporting back.
HAWK – 4B Was launched April 1st 2022 in florida and is currently over Dublin provides high frequency radio signals worldwide.
DMSP 5D Carries special sensors to measure temperature and movement within the athmospehere reporting back to meterological offices.
STARLINK 2340 – Part of SpaceX’s Starlink project, these satellites provide global broadband internet services.
SENTINEL 2A Part of the Copernicus program managed by ESA, this satellite provides high-resolution optical imagery.
ISS – International Space Station – Collaborative space station used to gather data to further information and scientific knowledge of space and earth.

[Louise Forde]

Hi Claire. I also found it hard to get information on satellites but I will have to try and look again. Thanks for sharing.

[Bronagh Doheny]

Task 3: I had a look as the ESA resource ‘Nose High Up in the Sky’ and think they would be fantastic lessons to complete with senior classes. The activities introduce students to the concept of observing earth from space. Before jumping into these activities, I would complete some atlas activities to ensure the children are comfortable with the concept of ‘aerial view’. They might brainstorm and identify some local landmarks that they think might be visible from above, giving reason for their choices (eg. size, colour, shape etc.)
I particularly liked Task 2 in which the children are required to match photographs of various landscapes such as mountains, rivers, lakes, cities, islands and deserts taken from the ground, with those captured by astronauts aboard the ISS. Through this process, students will learn the benefits of viewing things from different angles and perspectives, and develop an understanding of why using satellites to monitor our planet is valuable.
Following on from this activity, the children could use the EO Browser to independently explore satellite imagery of landscapes across the world.

[Alyson O Rourke]

Using an atlas is a great starting point for these lessons. Very hands on activity for the children! They could work in pairs or groups for this to encourage collaboration

[Fiona Woods]

Nose High Up in the Sky
The resource is structured around 3 activities: Taking about the weather, sensing the weather and building your weather station,
Talking about the weather – a task suitable for 8 to 10 year olds and inclusive of all pupils
Pupils can learn how to use their senses and appropriate instruments to describe and measure weather conditions, use of literacy and proverbs relating to weather can be included, with Irish language seanfhocail integration too.
Pupils can also work collaboratively designing and constructing a weather station.
Pupil worksheets support the planning and recording of this work.
Pupils can construct an anemometer, learn how to measure air temperature and measure rain fall, also.
This work can enable pupils to complete their weather station.
This learning could include digital videos to support their learning, fill in gaps in their knowledge and extend their learning, by investigating the use of satellites to support weather forecasting.
This work would also work as a trigger for the topic of Climate Change in class.
The resource has numerous links to ESA digital resources, relating to space projects and how we monitor the weather from space. I feel the children would greatly enjoy this work, it is fun, collaborative and active. We can make use of our environment and make wonderful connections with home, with our work. Pupils could share their learning with other classes, through digital project work and by presenting their findings and learning, at a whole school assembly.

[Alyson O Rourke]

There were a wide range of interesting lesson ideas in the ‘Nose up High in the Sky’ Manual! I will definitely use this going forward in my teaching. It provides teachers with a tool to build on lessons in SESE books and provide more meaningful activities which encourage engagement. A lesson that particularly stuck out to me was the first on on Old Weather Proverbs. Reflecting on this, it is interesting for children as some of them may be familiar with these proverbs or may have heard them by parents or grand parents before! It shows children how these would have been relied upon in the past when weather forecasting wouldn’t be as up to date as it is now! I think this lesson also provides many opportunities for cross curriculum integration for example translating the weather proverbs in Gaeilge or painting a ‘Red Sky at Night’ in Visual Arts!

[Dara O’ Shea]

It is a great resource with lots of ways it can be integrated and added to.

[Edel O’ Connor]

I think the EO browser is a fantastic tool. My elevator pitch would be as follows :
The step by step guide was easy to follow. I especially like the education tool can be targeted towards a specific area of learning, for examples air pollution or even volcanoes.
The pupils will love finding areas that are near and dear to them. They can find their homes, school, family homes etc. They can choose the “Copernicus” view and see the aerial view of these places. It makes the wider world that bit more accessible to the pupils in your classroom. If they would like to check out a famous landmark or even one of the seven wonders of the world, they can instantly get a view of it. This tool can be used for project work in your class also. A project based on volcanoes for example, the pupils can download a satellite image of the volcano and give coordinates also. It adds that extra bit of information and helps children to provide valuable information for their projects. It is easily accessible on ipads or laptops for the pupils to use in class time.

[Louise Forde]

I downloaded the activity from Slide 19 – From the Ground and From the Sky. This is a really interesting activity which is broken up into 3 parts. The first part involves looking at photos taken from the ISS of Earth. The children compare their initial thoughts of what Earth looks like from above to the photos shown. In the second part of the activity, children compare photos taken from the ISS and photos taken on earth of the same landscape. They must try and match each landmark to its photo taken from above. In the final part, the children will try and match different satellite photos to photos taken from the ground. I think these activities would be really enjoyable for the children because it opens up a whole new perspective to them. They may never have even considered or realised that there were so many satellites in the sky. There are opportunities for groupwork, pair work and individual work in this activity and I think it would be fascinating to do this with a middle to older class. I love the structure and resources provided in these activities and would like to do them next year with a class.

[Gemma Carroll]

I would certainly use the resource, Nose High up in the sky with my students. The images provided in the workbook are an excellent source of information of how the earth can be observed in many different ways. I think th4e activities provide an extra layer of learning for the students. They can also be used in a differentiated lesson, where higher order questioning could ask students to look closer at the images observed and find evidence of the different types of landscape. This could be used a s part of the physical geography section. I would also include an observation of the satellites in this study and download one of the trackers to show students how the tracker works, where it moves, what it observes, how it is controlled and monitored and that the images are a result of this technology. I think these resources are ready made for all levels and can be altered to suit different abilities.

[Dara O’ Shea]

The EO Browser is a free and relatively easy way to get high quality satellite images that are specific to certain areas. With the EO browser images can be chosen by satellite and then further refined by areas such as temperature, ice levels, vegetation levels and more. The data goes back a long way and is great for comparing changes to areas over time. With the EO Browser we can show deforestation levels, CO2 rise, Temperature rise and much more. This can help make difficult concepts much easier to understand and give a visual representation of the problems our planet faces. I would encourage fellow colleagues to use this tool to support any teaching they were doing about Climate Change as it provides substantial evidence that students can use to back up claims that might be in doubt. Not only can the students be shown the data but they could also be allowed to explore and research this for themselves. This promotes independence and critical thinking in the area of climate change and is one of the reason I think that the EO browser is a significant tool in the teaching of the climate and environment.

[Deirdre Hurley]

Module 4
I chose to download from the ground and from the sky, analysing and understanding images of planet Earth taken from space.
Activity 1: The Earth seen from the ISS
To start this lesson, we would discuss what the children think Earth looks like from space, what they would expect to see, how it would differ at different times of the day and night and through different seasons. We would then explore the astronauts’ images to discover if our thoughts are correct. I would finish this lesson with the Junior classes by going onto the story time from space website so the can get to experience what the inside of the international space station and the astronauts themselves look like.

Activity 2: Matching the Photos
This is a lovely lesson, the photos are a fantastic resource. I think I would print them off and laminate them as it is something you could use every year. It would be a great opportunity for group work so I would split the class into groups and let them discuss the photos themselves and then feedback to the rest of the class at the end of the lesson.

Activity 3: Higher Up!
This is a fantastic lesson for discussion and language/vocabulary in the younger classes. The teacher can use questioning to start the discussion, What is the same? What is different? Again I would laminate the photographs and let the class work in groups to complete the activity sheet.

[Aideen Lineen]

I agree that this is a fantastic resource to promote oral language development as the visuals provide a lot of scope for engaging children in discussion.

[Barbara Skerritt]

Module 4-I downloaded the teacher resource activity guide for nose up high in the sky. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the activities in this resource pack.Exploring and exposing the children to the weather Proverbs has huge educational benefits. The one I suppose I am most familiar with is -red sky at night sailors  delight red sky in the morning sailors warning. I think the children will gain huge benefits from working in small groups discussing an assigned proverb and then reporting back to the class what the proverb means. A task like this has huge cross curricular links and would be fully supportive of the PLC. opportunities for oral language ,communication comprehension skills and teamwork could all be linked to this activity. In activity 2-sensing the weather the children will learn how to use their senses to predict the weather and understand that scientists would need scientific tools to provide accurate and reliable weather forecasts. I thoroughly enjoyed this activity as as very often if not daily I lookat the sky to see what the weather will be like and use my own senses. As we are aware, our weather is very unpredictable in Ireland. I thoroughly enjoyed this activity and the children could write and draw about what their weather forecast is using their senses. In the last activity building your own weather station I really enjoyed these activities.I think the children would enjoy these activities very much so. I think the class could be broken up into groups one group using the thermometer  to measure the weather one could create the anemometer and one group could do the rain gauge. The weather station could be used on a weekly basis over time and children could keep their own weather diary to record measurements. I think the children will find it very interesting to compare their home-made instruments to store bought instruments to see the difference in measurements. This last activity  brings the first two activities together and has huge stem and cross curricular links.

[Ciara Galvin]

<p style=”text-align: left;”>I also liked the scope for literacy integration using the weather proverbs. There are so many I am unfamiliar with and I am sure the same would be said of the children. It could be nice to include EAL learners and their families, by inviting them to send in any weatehr phrases/ proverbs from their country of origin and make comparisions to the ones we use regularly.</p>

[Niamh Kenny]

The EO Browser is a great interactive and engaging classroom resource that invites pupils to explore the range of satellite images included. Here, not only are the pupils using picture evidence t analyse the world they live in, but they are also exploring the incredible modern day possibilities of ICT in aiding scientific advancements. In the classroom, I would make it as conversational as possible with the pupils themselves meeting their own conclusions about the images, whilst also sharing these insights with their peers. Insights such as live happenings around the world such as natural disasters would be explored in this capacity. With use, and good teacher modelling, the pupils would become familiar with, and confident in using the resource in an active and independent way. As our school places great emphasis on the role of technology, this would align with both the curriculum aims and our school plan.

[David Kelly]

I tried to use the websites, but I found them hard to use. I thought the functionality was poor and not very user friendly. I will be teaching first class this year and do not think the websites would be easy to use for that level. I found that in particular the heavens above website did not give a whole lot of information about what the satellite was doing.
The satellites I saw on Heavens above were:
Starlink 1459 (45769)
Starlink 2432 (47840)
Starlink 31523 (59220)
Starlink 3270 (50199)
Starlink 5137 (53975)
To see what these satellites were doing I had to do further research. After a google search, I found a website called in-the-sky.org and I was able to find out that they were part of Elon Musk’s spaceflight company, and their aim is to bring internet access to people around the world currently living without access to high-speed internet.

[Tina Gavin]

I downloaded the ‘Nose up high in the sky’ resource and I really enjoyed exploring the different activities.
Exploring old weather proverbs really appealed to me especially coming from a farming background. It is a fun way to start a lesson. Exploring these proverbs with pupils and family members is great fun. It’s also intriguing to see how these sayings could predict different weather patterns without the use of modern technology. My mother came up with this one ‘Oak before the ash, we’re in for a summer splash. Ash before the oak we’re in for a soak’. Teaching children about old proverbs and even how animals behaviours change before certain weather conditions is intriguing , again linking our senses with weather predictions. Igniting our senses and keeping in tune with them is crucial, although they may not get an exact answer, generally they come very close.

Nose High Up In The Sky is a fantastic resource that I definitely intend to use to share with my colleagues and pupils in the coming year. I believe they will find it both fun and interesting. The photographs of Earth taken from space are captivating and make for a great lesson opener. The visual resources are excellent, and the activity of matching these photos to different landscapes as seen from the ground will be particularly engaging.

The third activity, which involves learning about how satellites work and how they differ from space stations, promises to spark some fascinating classroom discussions. This lesson is valuable because it provides children with perspectives they might not typically encounter in other lessons. It’s a wonderful resource for sparking curiosity and encouraging students to explore the topic further and conduct their own research.

 

 

[Rian Moylan]

I explored the EO Browser and found it exceptionally user-friendly. I can easily imagine students using it to locate their homes or places of interest, e.g. places being studied as a class. They could also use it to map their routes to school and other local destinations and measure the distance to each area of interest. A great advantage of using the EO Browser in class is that it feels like a fun activity for the kids, even though they are actively learning. If I were to implement this tool with my class, I would start with a tutorial to ensure they are comfortable and confident with its features. Following that, I would use images from the EO Browser to spark group discussions, encouraging students to ask questions and think critically about various issues. They could then embark on research projects, integrating geography by identifying specific areas and comparing images over time.

[Carmel Wright]

Hi Rian,

Thanks for your post. I completely agree with you on the fun aspect of the EO Browser. Learners will enjoy the opportunity to grow in confidence using this app to explore our world at their fingertips!

Most of Generation Alpha have considerable experience in technology, and this needs to be nurtured to develop the skills they will need in future careers. It is a wonderful opportunity to develop their ICT skills with this tool, and your support with a tutorial on its use. A research project is a great way to make use of the EO Browser to observe changes over time at a local and international level.

[Ciara Galvin]

Module 4:
Nose up in the Sky:
I have actually used this resource in my class before and found it to be a really nice, enjoyable lesson. I used it with 2nd class boys, but the lesson is very adaptable for more senior/ junior learners. I didn’t use the weather proverbs aspect of the lesson due to time constraints but I think, when teaching this lesson again, I would allow time in my literacy planning to integrate this. We made rain gauges as part of the lesson, I don’t think this was challenging enough for the ability within my class and I wished I had made the wind speed tool. However, it is fantastic that the resource gives 2 ideas for hands on learning so that the teacher can select one that suits their learners best, or even better, pupils could pick from the 2 options as resourcing for this lesson is very easy. I did find the worksheets that come with the lesson a bit laborious and the boys didn’t like them. I think they really just wanted to start the hands on aspects of the lesson. When I teach this again I think I would use a much simpler worksheet to record measuring weather with our senses like this twinkl one: https://www.twinkl.com/resource/au-t-3746-five-senses-field-walk-worksheet

[Aimee Donovan]

That’s a great idea to make the wind speed tool as well as rain gauges to further challenge the children. Thanks for sharing the twinkl resource it looks great and I would love to use it in the future.

[Niall Drudy]

Tracking satellites over a specific region, like Ireland, involves accessing data from satellite tracking tools and databases. Some common types of satellites that often pass over Ireland include communication satellites, weather satellites, Earth observation satellites, and navigation satellites. Here are examples of satellite categories that frequently pass over Ireland:

International Space Station (ISS)
The ISS orbits the Earth approximately every 90 minutes and is visible from many locations worldwide, including Ireland, at certain times.
NOAA Weather Satellites (e.g., NOAA-19)
These satellites provide valuable data for weather forecasting and environmental monitoring. They frequently pass over various parts of the world, including Ireland.
Sentinel Satellites (e.g., Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2)
Part of the European Space Agency’s Copernicus program, these satellites are designed for Earth observation and environmental monitoring.
Iridium Satellites
Part of the Iridium satellite constellation, these satellites provide global communications coverage. They pass over regions worldwide, including Ireland.
Landsat Satellites (e.g., Landsat 8)
These Earth observation satellites provide detailed imagery of the Earth’s surface, useful for monitoring land use, agriculture, forestry, and more.

[David O’Sullivan]

Assignment 4:
Several satellites have recently passed over Ireland, each serving different purposes related to earth observation, climate monitoring, and navigation. Here are five satellites that have done so in the last two months:
1. Sentinel-3A
Purpose: Part of the European Space Agency’s Copernicus program, Sentinel-3A monitors sea surface temperatures, ocean and land color, and vegetation health. It provides data essential for climate research and environmental monitoring, aiding in understanding and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
2. Aqua (EOS PM-1)
Purpose: Operated by NASA, Aqua is a key Earth-observing satellite that collects data on the Earth’s water cycle. It measures variables like sea surface temperature, soil moisture, and atmospheric conditions, contributing to weather forecasting and climate research.
3. Landsat 8
Purpose: Managed by NASA and the US Geological Survey, Landsat 8 provides high-resolution images of the Earth’s surface. It helps monitor agricultural activities, deforestation, urban expansion, and natural disasters, supporting land management and environmental conservation efforts.
4. Terra (EOS AM-1)
Purpose: Another NASA satellite, Terra monitors Earth’s land, atmosphere, and oceans. It collects data on cloud cover, solar radiation, and surface temperature, aiding in climate change research and ecosystem analysis.
5. MetOp-B
Purpose: Part of EUMETSAT’s Meteorological Operational satellite program, MetOp-B provides detailed weather data. It assists in weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental research by capturing atmospheric profiles and tracking storm patterns.
These satellites play crucial roles in understanding our planet’s dynamics and supporting sustainable development and climate resilience strategies.

[Lauren Herbert]

Using the Satellite Tracker app, I identified five satellites that have recently passed over Ireland:
1. International Space Station: The ISS orbits Earth and serves as a space environment research laboratory. It conducts scientific research in astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, and other fields.
2. Sentinel-2A: Sentinel- 2A captures high-resolution optical images for land monitoring. It’s used for agricultural monitoring, forest management, and disaster control.
3. Aqua: Operated by NASA, Aqua studies the Earth’s water cycle. It gathers data on cloud cover, water vapor, ocean temperatures, and surface water, contributing to climate research and weather prediction.
4. NOAA-20: This satellite provides essential data for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental observations.
5. Terra: Terra monitors Earth’s environment and climate changes. It collects data on the atmosphere, land, and oceans, aiding in climate research and environmental policy-making.

These satellites contribute to various scientific and practical applications, from climate research and weather forecasting to environmental monitoring and disaster management. Using real-time satellite data in class can help students understand the importance of these missions in addressing global challenges.

[Emma Carry]


Earth Observation – Module 4 I found this a really fun , engaging activity that I know the children in the senior end of the school will love. I downloaded the satellite tracker app from Star Walk with a weeks free trail, lots of different and exciting features on it showing satellites view, people on board,
The satellites that passed over when I was tracking were
1. Cosmos 1844 – It is capable of determining the exact location of radio-emitting objects and also their type, modes of operation, and how active they are
2. Cosmos 2242- Cosmos 2242 was a Russian ELINT (Electronic and Signals Intelligence) satellite launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome.
3. SL -12 R/B 2 – launched in 1967 and is decay Ed a type of space junk
4. Ariane 40 r/b – more space debris
5. Cosmos 2219 – was a Russian ELINT (Electronic and Signals Intelligence) satellite launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome aboard a Zenit 2 rocket.
I didn’t realise how much space junk is actually up there! By doing more research I would pin point the active satellites to track and the ISS.

[Una Halpin]

Hi Emma

I’m glad you enjoyed the satellite tracker app and I’m sure that the senior children in your school would have great fun finding out about what is passing overhead. When you really start to think about all the satellites that are orbiting above us, the problem of space junk becomes. I came across this website from the UK Natural History Museum that give some figures for space junk https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-is-space-junk-and-why-is-it-a-problem.html although I think these figures are out of date given the number of Starlink satellites being lauunched all the time. With the number of satellites being launched all the time we are not only cluttering up the night skies but in a world of finite resources, we are sending a lot of valuable metals and other mineral resources away from our planet and not retrieving them.

 

[Emma Carry]

Thank for the link, i’ll save it with the other resources that i’ll use from the module

[Sarah Dalton]

I was struck by this during this module too that if the satellites aren’t retrieved will there eventually be too many satellites up there and put restrictions on future satellites being sent up. That article you’ve linked about space junk was very interesting. The question around the sustainability of the practice is interesting. My class this year found the launch of EIRSAT 1 in December very interesting

[Maria Gallagher]

Hi Emma, I was also taken by surprise by the amount of space junk up there. I will have a look at that link too. Thanks for sharing!

[Jason Kenny]

Hi Emma,

I was quite surprised about the amount of space junk that isn’t retrieved and how there may be future complications for newer satellites in the future if this isn’t sorted. I hadn’t thought of this being a problem before now. Thanks for the link on space junk also. Very informative!

[Caoimhe Bennett]

I recently explored the teacher guide and pupil activities for the ESA resource “Nose up in the Sky”. I thought that this was a great resource and will be particularly useful for my 3rd class in September and I know that they will enjoy it.

I knew the proverb ‘red sky at night, shepherds delight; red sky in the morning, shepherds warning’. This is a phrase that I learned growing up and is something I still say to myself now. It will be great to share these phrases with the children in my class in September. There were a few proverbs there that I did not know. A lot of them are very useful, one I particularly liked was ‘Seagull, seagull sit on the sand. It’s never good weather when you’re on land’. This is a phrase that I will use in my classroom.

The “Sensing the Weather” activity is suitable for children of all ages and would integrate well into a literacy lesson. Lastly, the weather station activities were excellent. I am considering the possibility of creating a class weather station where all students can participate actively.

[Carmel Wright]

Hi Caoimhe,
Thanks for your post. I am pleased that you plan on using the “Nose up in the Sky”. Resource with your 3rd class come September. The seagull proverb is new to me, and I am sure you will encounter some interesting ones from your learners, too!

I quite like this article as it gives a lot of context to the development of weather proverbs as a means to hand on acquired knowledge before literacy was as commonplace as it is today, and some science behind them, too: Weather lore: What’s the science? – BBC News

I encourage you to consider the class weather station and to remember that it does not have to include everything- it can begin as one instrument and progress from there. Or perhaps each class in the school could consider being responsible for one piece of equipment to share the load? All the activities are not intended to be prescriptive and can be adapted to your time constraints and the unique abilities of your learners, etc.

[Colette Gleeson]

Hi Caoimhe, I too was not familiar with the seagull saying, perhaps it’s one that’s more common for people to use in coastal areas.

[Shauna Murray]

I have explored the Nose up in the sky resource. I love the activity on the different proverbs as it gets the children thinking and expressing their different ideas of what they might mean. I will definitely be doing this with my 3rd/4th class.  The seagull one is my favourite and I think the children will enjoy that one too. The next activity is all about our senses and shows the children that they can use them to help them describe the weather. Our senses are important and we can use them for many different things and helping us describe the weather is a great way to use them.  The children will enjoy the final exercises measuring air, wind and rain. This allows the children to have a greater understanding by being able to create each task and see the final results.

[Carmel Wright]

Hi Shauna,
Thanks for your post. Proverbs are a great entry point for this topic, and students may be able to gather some good ones from their parents or grandparents, too, perhaps as part of homework. They are less common these days than before, but it’s fascinating to learn the scientific basis behind them.
Our senses are a great way to connect to weather and nature in general. It’s a great reason to get learners outside, immersed in the elements to explore and articulate using the senses as an opener and then build on language and explanations of how to describe weather.

There is a lot of potential for cross-curricular links with vocabulary development,  exploring the many ways we describe rain here in Ireland, from misty to light drizzle, and the role of weather as an antagonist in stories-can they identify this in the stories they are currently reading? etc.

I highly recommend the weather station instruments, which will bring this activity to life with a hands-on learning experience, including building equipment and measuring.

[Siobhan Hassett]

I downloaded the Satellite Tracker App on my phone and these are the 5 satellites that have passed Ireland recently and what they are doing:

1. Intercosmos 25: Used to investigate the effects of streams of electrons and beams of plasma on the ionosphere and magnetosphere.

2. Cosmos 2219: Used in determining the exact location of radio-emitting objects and also their type, modes of operation, and how active they are.

3. Helios 1B: A surveillance satellite, which provides military imaging to France, Italy and Spain.

4. Terra: This carries five instruments that observe Earth’s atmosphere, ocean, land, snow and ice, and energy budget.

5. Ariane 40R/B: Used for earth observation, telecommunication, meteorology, science and navigation.

I actually found the app difficult enough to use therefore I think that it would be best suited to an older level class. I also could not find where to get the information on what the satellites were doing on the app so I had to use google. I played around with the app for a good bit but still could not find the information.

[Brendan Coyle]

I really liked the EO browser. I think it is great as an additional resource to find satellite images. The children would love this and could find their own homes, their school and other local amenities. It would be a good tool to use when researching for projects on the locality. I especially like that it can track things over time. It would be great to explore the change of cities over time. The expansion and change to the natural environments can emphasise the need for us to take action against climate change. It can visually show the destruction in the area with regard to nature. It can also show the expansion and progress made through industry, providing more jobs and socio economical stability. This would be a good basis for a debate. Showing the proof on both sides can be provided from the satellite images for the EO browser tool.

[Colette Gleeson]

Activity 1: The Earth Seen from the ISS

As part of an SESE unit this year we studied the International Space Station (ISS). The activities we completed invluded watching YouTube videos posted by the astronauts. This lesson will build on the children’s existing interest by encouraging them to use their imagination to describe what they think Earth looks like from space. It could also serve as the basis for an engaging art lesson. The photographs from the ISS are incredibly fascinating and provide plenty of opportunities for questioning and discussion. Additionally, this activity offers great potential for integration with language lessons and provides a focus for many several writing genres.

Activities 2 and 3: Match the Photos and Higher Up!

These activities encourage children to use higher-order thinking skills. They also promote disciplinary literacy, as the children will need to learn and use specific vocabulary to describe what they are seeing. The questions are thought-provoking and will require careful analysis. The children might also enjoy asking an older relative if they are familiar with the sayings involved in these activities and rescording their responses.

[Killian Feehan]

Hey Colette,

This sounds like a fascinating lesson to do with my class. I must check out the YouTube videos you mentioned and research some art lessons that could be integrated with SESE. Was Chris Hadfield on the ISS? I used too show my classes his videos which were both educational and entertaining (how to eat in space, sleep in space, brush your teeth in space, go to the toilet in space). You mentioned some good points about integration with writing lessons and language lessons. I must explore all of these in September.

[Martina Smyth]

Chris Hadfield’s online & media presence has made space exploration easy to access for so many people

[Siobhan Healy]

Hi Colette , we also studied the ISS in the past year and I was amazed at how much knowledge some children already had on the subject. It gave ample opportunites for them to discuss life in the ISS food, exercise , down time and of course the bathroom facilities! They found it fascinating that the astronauts went through 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets in one day ! These new resources will be very welcome next year.

[Killian Feehan]

EO Satellites detect the changing planet, changes in the weather, arctic ice, air pollution, deforestation, energy consumption and can answer questions about gravity, soil moisture, the salinity of our oceans and the earth’s magnetic field.

I decided to download the ‘Satellite Tracker’ app onto my phone and was excited to find out what was soaring through the heavens above me……but when I opened it it said ‘no visible passes. The nearest one was the ISS which was off the south western coast of Mexico! When I explored the app it let me know that the satellite would be passing at 18.42 that evening. With further playing around with the app I realised that I had to ‘select’ the other satellites that I wanted to track. That’s when the fun began! Here are the satellites that passed Ireland recently and an explanation of what they are doing:

Seasat (Norad ID-10967) : measuring the sea; wave heights, ocean topography, liquid water content, surface winds and temperatures etc

Quess (Norad ID-41731) : measuring quantum communications from space, the goal is to be able to transmit secure, unhackable messages between financial institutions, multinational companies and military forces

Resurs-DK No.1 (Norad ID-29228) : measuring high quality visible images of the Earth’s surface

Aqua (Norad ID-27424) : measuring the Earth’s water cycle, sea ice, evaporation and soil moisture etc

Adeos II (Norad ID-10967) : measuring and observing the environment; fishery, meteorology and climate science

[Aaron Gallagher]

I am currently tracking some of these satellites and just waiting for a clear dry night. We could be waiting though by the looks of it.

[Sarah Dalton]

I downloaded the ESA resources ‘From the ground and from the sky’ and I thought that both the teacher guide and student resources were fantastic. I love the activity where the children are matching the images from the different viewpoints and I think this would lead to fantastic conversations with the children about what the different images could be used for and why each viewpoint is important and how it could be used in real life settings. I also think the satellite images could be used to integrate really nicely with history & geography and compare an area using images from different times, you could explore urban sprawl, development of roads and infrastructures etc. I have previously done a lot of work with kids about the ISS and they always love the topic. There are fantastic resources available and the kids favourite is always the videos of Sunny Williams giving a tour of the ISS and showing what life is like when you’re living up there. This resource and the EO browser would allow you to delve more into the actual work that’s being done up there and the different things that they may be studying

[Siobhan Ni hiceadha]

Module 4: Assessment . Siobhan ni hiceadha
The download I chose for module 4 assessment was Nose up high in the sky.
I feel ths would certainly be a resource I would use this coming year with my class. I teach infants and what I liked most about this resource was that there were ideas that the whole school would use.
Firstly I would let the children become familiar wuth a few old weather sayings and explain that in the “olden “days before technology, people predicted the weather with these. I would also explain theat these sayings are still pretty accurate when it comes to predicting the weather ie Red sky at night / sea gull sea gull.
I would encourage the children to make sensory weather observations – what can we see/ feel/ hear- wind, rain, temperature, type of clouds.
I am really looking forward to carrying out the idea of building our own weather station in our school garden, as a whole school activity.
I know the children would really enjoy this.
Keeping a weather diary ( pictorally in infants)for the week and having a designated weather person tell the weather each day.
Explain to the children that we can use certain instruments to measure the weather. Creating a rain gauge and the wind speed instrument that has been explained here would be great for older classes, and record this daily also.
An outdoor thermometer and a designated person recording the daily temperature .
Then at the end of the week / month, analyse and chat about the recordings. Lots of integration with other subject areas here also.

[Aaron Gallagher]

The EO Browser is a powerful online tool that provides access to vast satellite imagery and Earth observation data from various sources, including Copernicus Sentinel missions. It allows users to visualize, analyze, and download high-resolution images of the Earth’s surface over time. With its intuitive interface, you can monitor environmental changes, assess natural disasters, track urban development, and explore a wide range of other applications. Whether you’re a scientist, educator, or simply curious about our planet, the EO Browser offers an accessible way to explore Earth from space.

Classroom Use: In class, the EO Browser can be used to teach students about remote sensing and environmental science. For example, you could have students compare images of a region before and after a natural disaster to study its impact. You could also explore deforestation, urban expansion, or climate change by analyzing time-lapse imagery. It’s an engaging tool that makes complex Earth science concepts more tangible and visually compelling for students.

[Carmel Wright]

Hi Aaron,

Thanks for your post. The BO browser certainly is an accessible way to explore Earth from space, and it is an important tool for showcasing how we are changing our planet over time. It gives learners a new vantage point and the ability to research those changes for themselves.

It is a tool that does take a little time to become familiar with, but with an initial demonstration from the teacher and some support, learners will grow in their confidence using this technology. Once they develop a level of competence in using the browser, it can be an excellent and engaging resource for a broad variety of projects to enrich learners’ understanding.

[Siobhan Healy]

I chose activity three for this module assignment – “from The ground and from the Sky” ( Slide 19). I thought it was a very engaging activity and it would have great potential for learning and discussion in the classroom. The module consists three activities in total.
In Activity One we read about the ISS and we’re given some interesting facts about it- its size,speed and function.
In Activity Two, pupils are required to match images of landscapes taken from different perspectives(above or below).The photographs are all of a very high standard and the worksheets are clear, well laid out and visually appealing. The children see many geographical features and landscapes- islands, deserts, cities, mountains, rivers etc. Each photo can be discussed and comparisons made. An atlas would be a useful tool on the desks too so that the children could place each feature.
Activity Three deals with EO – Earth Observation. Here, pupils have to identify which photo was taken from above(Satellite imagery) and which from below ( from earth). Again, the photos in this section are of a very high quality.
Finally, the pupils learn about the Sentinels and the major functions of the satellites that continuously monitor our earth.
This resource is extremely useful in the modern day classroom and I look forward to using it in the coming school year.

[Adam Griffin]

Option 2: The EO Browser is an exceptionally intuitive tool that offers access to a vast array of satellite images, which would be captivating for young students. Reflecting on my own time in Primary School, I can imagine how astonishing these images would be. This tool can be used in numerous educational ways, from observing environmental changes and tracking natural disasters to monitoring global events.

To use this tool with my class, I would start by walking them through the tutorial to ensure they feel comfortable and confident. Then, I would show some images to spark group discussions, encouraging students to ask questions and think critically about various issues. They could then conduct research for a project, integrating it with Geography by selecting a specific area and comparing images over time. With the EO Browser, students have access to real-world data, providing them with valuable hands-on experience.

[Dawn Farrell]

It would be important to teach the students what a satellite is initially. ESO’s video in this module is a good tool to use https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0G_3FWOOPA&t=1s

I have also used the Climate Change song in classes and they love it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn9PhiDJp-A

I downloaded Satellite Tracker and identified Jas 2, Tubsat, Cosmos 1861, Cosmos 2123 and Radio 5 over Ireland currently. This was changing in real time! These satellites currently have various roles over Ireland, such as:

Amateur Radio Communication: Facilitating communication among amateur radio enthusiasts using JAS 2.

Earth Observation: Providing data for environmental monitoring and scientific research through satellites like TUBSAT.

Military and Intelligence: Supporting military operations and intelligence activities using satellites like Cosmos 1861 and Cosmos 2123.

Broadcasting and Telecommunications: Delivering radio and television services through satellites like Radio 5.

The children would very much enjoy activities relating to Earth observations such as; Observations- clouds, type, wind etc; Taking measurements- using thermometer, rain gauge etc; Counting- cars, leaves etc. Surveys, Classroom and Field experiments. This is a great way to integrate Maths and Science and also links well with Green Schools. The Curious Minds/ESERO Activity: Satellites and Reflections is a good resource that focuses on sending signals long distance.

I really like the matching activity is ‘From the Ground to the Sky’ and the children would really enjoy viewing Earth from the different vantage points.

 

[Dawn Farrell]

It would be important to teach the students what a satellite is initially. ESO’s video in this module is a good tool to use https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0G_3FWOOPA&t=1s
I have also used the Climate Change song in classes and they love it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn9PhiDJp-A
I downloaded Satellite Tracker and identified Jas 2, Tubsat, Cosmos 1861, Cosmos 2123 and Radio 5 over Ireland currently. This was changing in real time! These satellites currently have various roles over Ireland, such as:
Amateur Radio Communication: Facilitating communication among amateur radio enthusiasts using JAS 2.
Earth Observation: Providing data for environmental monitoring and scientific research through satellites like TUBSAT.
Military and Intelligence: Supporting military operations and intelligence activities using satellites like Cosmos 1861 and Cosmos 2123.
Broadcasting and Telecommunications: Delivering radio and television services through satellites like Radio 5.
The children would very much enjoy activities relating to Earth observations such as; Observations- clouds, type, wind etc; Taking measurements- using thermometer, rain gauge etc; Counting- cars, leaves etc. Surveys, Classroom and Field experiments. This is a great way to integrate Maths and Science and also links well with Green Schools. The Curious Minds/ESERO Activity: Satellites and Reflections is a good resource that focuses on sending signals long distance.
I really like the matching activity is ‘From the Ground to the Sky’ and the children would really enjoy viewing Earth from the different vantage points.

[Louise Talty]

I’d love to know how you found the function of each satellite please?

[Fiona Leamy]

Download the Teacher Guide & Pupil Activities for the ESA Resource ‘Nose High Up in The Sky, carry out the pupil activities yourself and post your thoughts on the resource and if you would use it in class. (150 words)

I downloaded the ‘Nose High Up in The Sky’ resource and enjoyed exploring its various activities. The Teacher Guide and Pupil Activities were well-structured and accessible, with clear instructions that made complex concepts understandable for students.

The first activity, examining old weather proverbs, was an excellent introduction to the topic. It was engaging to explore these proverbs with classmates, and fascinating to learn how they could predict the weather without modern technology. Discussing proverbs like ‘red sky at night’ sparked interest. The second activity, using our senses to observe and describe the weather, was particularly enjoyable. It’s crucial for children to realise that they can trust their own senses, even if the results aren’t always precise. Comparing their observations with an actual weather forecast could be very rewarding and exciting. Building weather stations with students effectively integrates maths and engineering skills. Designing, constructing, and using a rain gauge is an excellent way to practice engineering skills, while incorporating satellite data introduces IT learning. Overall, creating and using a weather station is a true STEM activity suitable for all ages.

This resource also accommodates younger students, which is especially beneficial for teachers in junior schools. Overall, I found these activities enjoyable and would love to use them in my classroom.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by Fiona Leamy.

[Una Halpin]

Hi Fiona

I’m glad you enjoyed the “Nose High Up in the Sky” resource and are hoping to use it in your classroom. I agree that studying and recording the weather, especially with the aid of weather instruments that the children make for themselves is a great integrated STEM lesson that incorporates lots of the science skills. As you said, their own predictions about the weather will not always be correct and their weather instruments won’t give precise readings but this can all lead to discussion about why this is so. Also by going through the process of making them and recording their own weather observations, the children will learn a lot about what it takes to record the weather and how this data needs to be gathered over a long period of time to get information on climate patterns and climate change.

[Odhrán Mc Glynn]

An excellent resource for a climate change class project would be this tool. This tool offers imagery of the changes that have occurred on Earth over the past 30 years as one of its features. Students can use the comparison feature or a time-lapse to analyze the changes. They can also estimate the extent of a deforested area and investigate how the landscape varies with the seasons. This resource is a fantastic interactive addition to the classroom, particularly when studying climate change.It is an interactive and user-friendly tool that provides a step-by-step guide on how to use it. You can select your area of interest and narrow down the criteria of what you are specifically looking for, for example cloud coverage, and inspect the resulting data from different sources. It gives options for different activities based on whether you are a beginner or advanced. This is useful in the classroom for differentiation. It is a fantastic tool that I will be using down the line in my own classroom, especially with the senior classes.

[Una Halpin]

Hi Odhrán

From your answer, I assume that you are talking about the EO browser although you haven’t specified. I’m glad that you appreciate the tool and find it user friendly. Once you are confident in using the EO browser it can be a great tool to use in your classroom as you will be able to guide the children at the start and then allow them to pose questions and explore the answers for themselves and most children will get to grips with this type of technology relatively easily. Good luck with your explorations.

[Amy Doyle]

1.
I downloaded the Satellite Tracker app on my phone and set my location automatically. A tracked satellite that shows up recently in my vicinity is ISS NORAD ID 25544. This activity would integrate well with maths whereby pupils could learn about location co-ordinates in Geography to allow for meaningful integration with real world maths and enter co-ordinates into the app for various locations to check for satellites in their area.

2.
I looked at the EO BROWSER ‘step by step’ guide and the EO Browser Tutorial. EO Browser provides easy access to full-resolution satellite images. You can select your area of interest, adjust time ranges, and explore different visualizations.
In terms of using it in classroom, when teaching geography you can show pupils real-time satellite imagery of different regions around the world, for example when teaching about the topics of deforestation/sea-ice/glaciers etc. They could learn about different environments, weather patterns, and changes on Earth’s surface. There are so many ways in which this could be used in the classroom from observing changes in the environment to monitoring happenings across the globe. If I was to use this tool with my class, I would begin by guiding them through the tutorial to ensure they were confident in using the resource. They could then split into groups and begin researching information for a project.

3.
I downloaded the Nose Up High in the Sky resource and enjoyed trying out the different activities.
The first activity is a great introductory activity that involves exploring old weather proverbs.
Pupils can enjoy exploring the meaning of these proverbs with their peers and family members at home.
Activity two involves using our senses to observe and describe the weather. I like how this multisensory approach allows pupils to learn that engaging all of our senses allows us to better understand the world around us and use those observations to make scientific predictions.
The weather station activities were excellent but it would be better to make a class weather station with all children participating.

[Una Halpin]

Hi Amy

Thank you for sharing your insights into all three activities here: use of the satellite tracker app and the EO Browser as well as the practical activities from “Nose High Up in the Sky”.  I’m glad that you appreciated both of the online tools and can see their value for use in the classroom. I like how you linked satellite coordinates with maths. The weather proverbs and weather descriptions provide a great cross curricular approach to looking at the weather and I agree that making a weather station is a great way to get children involved in recording the weather. Perhaps they can then compare the results from their own instruments with those from standard weather equipment and from published weather data.

[Maria Gallagher]

I downloaded Satellite Tracker. This app was interesting, it was quite simple finding the satellites. One thing that was more difficult was finding out what the satellites do! Five satellites that have passed Ireland recently include the following:

ISS
SAOCOM 1-B
USA 81
SL-8 R/B
SL-16 R/B

The ISS’s primary purpose is to perform microgravity and space environment experiments.

The SAOCON 1-B was designed to provide radar imagery to help emergency responders and monitor the environment, including the collection of soil moisture measurements.

The USA 81 satellite was launched in on the 25th of April 1992. It is a military satellite. Its roll is surveillance and is funded by the department of defence department of the Air Force.

The SL-8 R/B was launched on the 7th of May 1968. Russia owns this satellite. Its roll is to x-ray images in space.

The SL-16 was launched on the 17th of July 1999.

[Padraig O Connor]

I used the web application called heavens above and it first told me that the Starlink G11-1 satellite launched successfully on the 4th August. Its flightpath is intended initially to fly over Ireland.

The application also provided real times dates and times for the passing of the ISS. This feature would be brilliant to use with the children in the classroom.

The app Satellite tracker then showed me a pass of the ‘Tiantong’ which is China’s mobile communications satellite that was launched in 2016.

I also saw that the Ariane 6 was in orbit nearby. The first Ariane 6 rocket was successfully launched on 9 July 2024, completing its mission of releasing several varied satellites into a circular Earth orbit and restoring Europe’s independent access to space.

Fifth and finally, I was shown the passes of the Hubble space telescope. Hubble takes sharp pictures of objects in the sky such as planets, stars and galaxies. Hubble has made more than one million observations. These include detailed pictures of the birth and death of stars, galaxies billions of light years away, and comet pieces crashing into Jupiter’s atmosphere.

 

[Sarah Rabbitt]

Nose up in the sky –

Activity 1: Looking at weather proverbs is a great way of starting a lesson and also can include links with home where the day before you are carrying out this activity you could have the children ask their parents and grandparents of any older proverbs they know of, then list those in class and compare them.

Activity 2: Using our senses to describe the weather is a fantastic way to create an oral language activity with the class. I would link this with an English lesson where the children would make use of their thesaurus to try and use various words for their descriptions.

Activity 3: Building a weather station and creating forecasts is a fantastic activity that I would use as group work. I would give each group the opportunity to build weather stations and then I would provide each group with an I-Pad so that they could then record themselves carrying out a weather forecast. This activity would probably take nearly a week to complete in full so that at the end of the week I would play the individual weather forecasts for the whole class where they could then self evaluate. We would use the ‘What worked well? What could/would you/we do differently next time?’ method.

[Ger Hartnett]

I agree that incorporating weather proverbs into the lesson is a fantastic way to connect with students’ cultural backgrounds and family traditions. Asking children to share proverbs from home is a brilliant idea. It not only adds a personal touch but also fosters a sense of community and shared knowledge.

I love the idea of linking weather descriptions to an English lesson. Using a thesaurus to expand vocabulary is a great way to enhance language skills while deepening understanding of weather phenomena. This interdisciplinary approach is sure to enrich the learning experience.

Building a weather station and creating forecasts is a practical and engaging activity. I can see the value in using iPads to record weather reports. It’s a modern approach that aligns with students’ interests and digital literacy skills. The self-evaluation component is crucial for developing reflection.

[Laura Groarke]

AL YAH3

AL COMSAT 1

AL PHASAT

AMAZONAS2

 

Satellites passed, By Laura Groarke

[Laura Groarke]

AMAZONAS 3

 

Laura Groarke

[Kate Cosgrove]

The EO browser is an easy to use web application where children can access satellite images. Pupils have the opportunity to explore the tool and focus on specific areas and track changes over time. They can select time range, specific countries, forests, oceans etc and can download images to further discuss and examine. It is a great tool to use with chrome books and would work well with senior classes. It is easy to guide students through the tool, the YouTube video provided in this module is a great explanation of how to use it and easy for children to follow too. I think it it fun and engaging for children and there are so many ways it may be used in a classroom. It promotes discussion on environmental changes over time and this is how I would use it in my classroom.  I would have children working in small groups to compare these real evidence images so they can get a better understanding of issues our planet faces.

[Evan Burlingham]

I have chosen Activity 3 as my assignment. I really enjoyed the vibrant colours in the pupil activities, you would definitely need to print this document off with colour. One of the activities I enjoyed was the picture matching one, pupils needed to match images from satellite and one from ground levels. This requires a lot of scientific skills such as observing and analysing. It also would be a great paired activity and a group activity.

I would definitely use this document in the classroom because it asks a lot of open-ended questions such as do you think the satelitte images from space are useful. I really like the question of what are the advantages of taking an image from the ground and above. Pupils need to evaluate and justify their answers. I also think the resource is very good because it shows that images can look very different depending on where they are taken from. It also illustrates what satelittes do in Space and that ESA and NASA do a lot of things in space.

 

[Hannah Cummins]

Here are five satellites that have recently passed over Ireland. They are all involved to various degrees in scientific research and data collection. They each, excluding Space X satellite, seek to observe environmental changes and activities.

EIRSAT-1 which is Ireland’s first satellite. It is designed to carry out a range of experiments and for research and educational purposes, focusing on space science and technology

International Space Station (ISS) which conducts scientific research and technological development in space.

Sentinel-2A – as explained in the previous video we watched, it is part of the ESA Copernicus program and this satellite provides images for land monitoring whereas other satellites study weather/ocean activity etc.

NOAA-19 – this is a weather satellite which collects information on the atmosphere, ocean and land. It helps to monitor climate change and weather forecasting. It also tracks extreme weather activities.

Starlink Satellites from Space X Starlink Project – seeks to collect data in its aim to provide global satellite internet services.

[Louise Talty]

I downloaded the satellite tracker app as it offered a week’s free trial and the Orbitracker was more expensive at around 5 euro or so. I do think the app is very interesting, a feature that would make it even better would be if when you click on the satellite it’s information comes up (maybe this happens I just can’t seem to find it).
5 satellites that have passed Ireland recently: 1) Cosmos 482 Descent 2) CZ-4B R/B 3) Cosmos 2228 4)ISIS 1 and 5) Meteor Priroda. I googled the purpose of each one. Number 1 was an attempted Venus probe. Number 2 is for communication. Number 3 is electronic and signal intelligence. Number 4 is an ionospheric observatory. Number 5 is meteorology and earth observation satellite.

[Katie Harrington]

Here are five satellites that have passed over Ireland recently:

International Space Station (ISS) – The ISS is a habitable artificial satellite that orbits Earth. It’s used for scientific research in microgravity and space environments.

NOAA-19 – This is a weather satellite operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It collects data on Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and environment.

Hubble Space Telescope (HST) – The Hubble is a space telescope that orbits outside Earth’s atmosphere, providing high-resolution images of space objects.

Terra – This satellite is part of NASA’s Earth Observing System, monitoring Earth’s climate and environment, focusing on interactions between the atmosphere, oceans, and land.

Starlink Satellites – These are part of SpaceX’s Starlink project, aimed at providing global satellite internet coverage. These satellites frequently pass over various regions, including Ireland.

[Carmel Wright]

Hi Katie,

Thanks for your post. It’s fascinating to see how much traffic is passing overhead! You mention one of the most famous man-made features of our night sky, The International Space Station (ISS). This will continue to be used throughout 2030, but it is great to see how NASA, along with other space agencies, plan to deorbit this when it comes to the end of the time in space. Even in space, we need to take a responsible approach to what could become space junk. NASA has an interesting read about its plans for deorbit and why they chose this option here:

FAQs : The International Space Station Transition Plan – NASA

[Orla Smyth]

I downloaded the satellite tracker app on my phone and I didn’t find it easy to navigate at first. Then I googled what each one does.

ISS – International Space station, permits long term exploration and scientific research, four times larger than previous version.

Adeos II – ocean observation, land observation, precipitation, atmospheric chemistry.

Cosmos 2219  – was a Russian ELINT (Electronic and Signals Intelligence) satellite launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome aboard a Zenit 2 rocket.

SAOCOM 1-B Hydrology and land observation, substantial contribution to surveillance and emergency management.

USA 81 – was a US air force signals intelligence satellite.

[Orla Smyth]

I agree with Louise finding information on the app was difficult. I downloaded 2 apps and still had to google the information. I assumed that would be within the app. Navigation within took some time but was worth it: manipulating the globe and seeing satellite proximity and passes would be great for children to explore and I think senior classes would enjoy.

[Christine Quirke]

I have downloaded and read the teacher guide and pupil activities for the ESA resource “Nose up in the Sky”. It is a very useful and comprehensive tool for teaching resource and will be very helpful in the coming year.

I really liked the additional resources at the end of Nose High in the sky- children love to know what people do in their jobs every day. They like to know the routine and I feel that the  ‘Astronaut’s Logbook’ really gives children an insight into the life of an astronaut. It is also child friendly.

On a personal level, I feel that a lot of teachers may find the thought of space and satellites a little beyond them. Many teachers do not go far beyond teaching and identifying planets. I feel ‘Nose High Up in the Sky’ is very user friendly. It explains simply how children can learn more about satellites, how we can track them and the International Space Station, and how students can identify locations from both space and Earth.

 

I also downloaded the ISS Detector app. Children love the flight radar app and I feel this is also really interesting, if not a little addictive!!!

[Shane Donoghue]

Hi Christine, I really like your idea of using the flight radar app.

[Aideen Lineen]

Having read through and analysed the ESA resource ‘From the ground to the sky’ which is highlighted in this module I think it would be a great resource to use for teaching about space and satellites particularly in the older classes. I liked the way the visuals provided have actually been taken by astronauts on the ISS. This gives a more meaningful aspect to the lesson as the children are given a clear understanding of what can be seen from space. I think these visuals provide great scope for lots of classroom discussion. The match the photo activities are also very child friendly and can be differentiated accordingly to meet the needs of all the children in the class and I like the way they can be tailored for individual or group work activities. The sentence starters also provide great prompts for both the teachers and the students for whole class and group work activities.  This is a resource I would definitely use in the future with a senior class.

[Saoirse McTernan]

I downloaded the teacher guide as well as the student activites from the ESA resource “From the ground and from the Sky – Analysing and Understanding images of planet earth taken from space” taken from slide 19 of module 4.

I really enjoyed exploring this resource and found the content very interesting and engaging. The activities center around matching pictures of earth with satellite images taken in space. I believe the students in my class would take a lot from these activities. They could develope a new perspective and appreciation of earth and space by working with the images.

I can definitely see myself using this with my class, however, ideally I’d like to give them the opportunity to match images within an Irish/local context e.g match images of Carrantuohil, Croke Park etc.. taken from Earth and space. However, I’m not sure how to obtain the images necessary. This is something I’ll have to look into.

[Michelle Flatley]

I also downloaded this activity and love your idea of giving children the opportunity to match images with Irish ones, or even ones from our local town. The EO browser might be able to help with this. Or simply google images maybe??

[Emma Byrne]

That all sounds fantastic Saoirse!

[Ger Hartnett]

The ‘Nose High Up in the Sky’ resource is a valuable addition to any primary teacher’s toolkit. It provides a structured and engaging approach to introducing weather science to young learners. The activities are carefully sequenced, building on children’s natural curiosity about the sky.

I particularly appreciated the emphasis on sensory exploration. The lessons that encourage children to use their senses to describe weather conditions are a fantastic way to develop observational skills. It’s a simple yet effective approach that can be easily integrated into other subject areas, such as language arts and science.

The idea of constructing a mini meteorological station is both exciting and educational. It provides a tangible way for children to engage with scientific inquiry. I can imagine my students eagerly taking on the roles of meteorologists, collecting data, and making predictions. This hands-on experience will undoubtedly foster a deeper understanding of weather patterns and scientific processes.

While the resource offers a strong foundation, I believe there is scope to further enhance the learning experience. Incorporating creative elements, such as art or drama, could deepen children’s engagement with the topic. For example, students could create weather-themed murals or perform short plays about different weather phenomena.

 

[Caitlin Glover]

The EO Browser is an easy-to-use tool that offers a wide range of satellite images—which I think kids would love to explore. There are so many ways it could be used in the classroom, some ideas are to observe environmental changes and tracking natural disasters. Before allowing the children to engage with this tool, I would show them the tutorial to make sure they felt comfortable and confident using it. After that, I’d use some of the images to spark group discussions, encouraging the kids to ask questions and start thinking critically about the issues. It’s an excellent tool for use with Chromebooks and is well-suited for senior classes. It encourages discussions about environmental changes over time, and in my class, I would have students work in small groups to compare these real-world images to better understand the challenges our planet faces.

[Mary Walker]

I find the idea of allowing the children to track environmental changes and natural disasters. It shows a real life situation where their learning comes in clutch allowing them to engage further in their learning and lessons.

[Susan Geaney]

The EO browser is a fantastic tool and I completely agree they will love exploring with it. It is great to observe the earth from a different perspective, really interesting.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Caitlin,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts in the EO browser. Using satellite images is very engaging within the classroom and the pupils can develop skills from both Geography and Science when using satellite images. I like how you could explore natural disasters through the use of these images, it would encourage lots of discussion and critical thinking. In senior classes the pupils could develop independent research skills and sharing their learning with others.

[Michelle Flatley]

The EO Browser is a fantastic free resource that allows users to search for high quality satellite images of anywhere on earth. It is easy to use by following a few simple steps( shown in a helful tutorial video). I know my class will definately enjoy exploring it, especially as a lot of them are from different countries so it will provide a wonderful opportunity for them to show the rest of us their home towns.
There is great scope to use this in the classroom from the obvious geographical areas such as searching for effects of deforestation, identifying harvest fields, following a rivers journey and learning about mountains, to the broader links of data collection in Maths and using images as a stimulus for creative writing in English.
I love how you can choose the dates of the images so we can see in real imagery the changing landscapes over time, the growth of towns and infrastructure, the effcsts of natural disasters such as earthquakes or wildfires etc.
I would allow the children plenty of time over a session of lessons to use the tool and explore. I would alos link to our next green flag theme of travel- can we see how roads have changed, monitir pollution overs cities, plan routes for walkways in town etc. Overall it is a brilliant resource, and not forgetting, free.

[Cillian Rogers]

Satellite Observing Opportunities – In-The-Sky.org
STARLINK-4788
Launch Details
Launched 19 September 2022
Flight ended –
Status Operational
Categories Starlink
Active satellites

Launch site Air Force Eastern Test Range, Florida, USA

Owner United States

GENESIS 2
Launch Details
Launched 28 June 2007
Flight ended –
Status Operational
Categories Assorted bright
Engineering
Active satellites

Launch site Dombarovskiy Launch Site, Russia

Owner United States

STARLINK-30834
Launch Details
Launched 29 October 2023
Flight ended –
Status Operational
Categories Starlink
Active satellites

Launch site Air Force Western Test Range, California, USA

Owner United States

STARLINK-30267
Launch Details
Launched 22 August 2023
Flight ended –
Status Operational
Categories Starlink
Active satellites

Launch site Air Force Western Test Range, California, USA

Owner United States

NORAD ID 57663

COSPAR ID 2023-124A

STARLINK-1059 across Dublin at 21:37 IST on 11 August 2024.
Launch Details
Launched 11 November 2019
Flight ended –
Status Partially operational
Categories Starlink
Active satellites

Launch site Air Force Eastern Test Range, Florida, USA

Owner United States

[Cillian Rogers]

I really enjoyed observing these satellites. The majority were Starlink (Elon Musk). This is great for students to use Ipads/laptops to research  satellite information.

[Mary Walker]

The app I chose to download to complete this module’s task was ‘Satellite Tracker’ an amazing resource ,which I believe children would find interactive and fun to use. It does however come with the cost of 49c .The app itself gives you updates to when satellites will next pass over your area in a countdown form.From the app I learnt that the satellites that have recently passed by my vicinity/ireland are as follows;

-The ISS

-METEOR PRIRODA

-COSMOS 1833

-SKYMED 1

-OKEAN O

The ISS is more commonly known as ‘The international space station’, Its  platform orbiting earth at around 400 kilometres and that is supportive of scientific research, technological development. It serves as a home where crews of astronauts and cosmonauts live as well as a host to a unique science laboratory.

[Emma Byrne]

The EO browser is a fantastic resource that can be used in the classroom and not a lot of teachers know about it. It is a cool tool that allows students to explore the earth’s surface in real time. Students can explore deforestation, or even urban growth in their local area and further afield. Students can also examine global changes over time. It really brings lessons to life, rather than talking about these things- students can see it all for themselves. They will feel like real-life space explorers! It is user-friendly so students will pick up on how to use it very quickly. It would be perfect to use for project-based learning aswell. Really, the opportunities with this tool are endless. By integrating EO Browser into the classroom, students will be empowered with the skills to analyse and interpret real-world data, fostering critical thinking and a deeper understanding of our planet.

[Niamh Keogh]

It really is a great app. I think students would really enjoy using it to track live passings. Following the ISS for a weekly or monthly could be a good activity to see how its location changes and the different data it receives.

[Shauna Neville]

I agree it is a great app which I feel children of all ages would enjoy using

[Susan Geaney]

I downloaded the ESA resource “Nose High Up in the Sky,” which helps pupils learn about weather conditions by observing and measuring them using both their senses and basic meteorological instruments. The pupil activities are so hands-on and align well with science and geography curriculum. I also liked how they provided a clear link between classroom learning and real-world applications like weather forecasting. The activities also encourage collaboration among students, which is always a plus. The first activity was so about sensing the Weather. Students start by using their senses to observe and describe the weather, recording details about temperature, wind, and rain. People have relying on their senses and historical knowledge of local weather for thousands of years. Many meteorological instruments have only been around for the last few hundred years. I think the children will love the weather proverbs and its so important to keep them alive for future generations. The second activity was building a weather station. The pupils build simple instruments like an anemometer for wind speed and a rain gauge for measuring rainfall. They then use these tools to take daily measurements, which they record in a weather diary. Finally the last activity tied them altogether. The activities guide pupils through comparing their collected data with weather forecasts, helping them understand how weather predictions are made using data from various sources, including satellites. I would definitely use this resource in my classroom. It is ideal for teaching weather concepts in an interactive and memorable way.

[Fiona Harney]

After studying the EO Browser “Step by Step Guide” and the EO Browser Tutorial I can see that this would be an accessible tool that the children would love to use. The EO Browser is a resource where you can choose the area of interest to you eg : cloud coverage and inspect the different data. There are many different ways that this could be introduced into the classroom such as observing different environmental changes and examine real time satellite images. Class discussions can take place around land changes, urban growth and natural disasters. It is free and very user friendly that I know that children will really enjoy using as it is so visual. I would use this resource in my classroom starting with small groups until they become familiar with using the site.

[Niamh Keogh]

I downloaded the Satellite Tracker. Here are some of the satellites that have passed Ireland recently. I found it really interesting to see what the mission of the satellites are.

Saocom 1-B -The SAOCOM-1 mission is composed of two satellites (SAOCOM-1A and -1B) launched consecutively. The overall objective of SAOCOM is to provide an effective Earth observation and disaster monitoring capability.

ISIS 1- ISIS 1 and 2 (“International Satellites for Ionospheric Studies”) were the third and fourth in a series of Canadian satellites launched to study the ionosphere over one complete solar cycle.

COSMOS 1933 – Cosmos 1933 was a Soviet ELINT (Electronic and Signals Intelligence) satellite launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome.

COSMOS 1500 The Cosmos 1500 spacecraft was a precursor to the operational Russian Okean (“Ocean”) series of oceanographic remote sensing missions. The Cosmos 1500 tested a new sensors and methods of data collection and processing,

SKYMED 1 – The COSMO-SkyMed objectives are to provide global Earth observation that can be repeated several times a day in all-weather conditions. The imagery obtained can be applied to both military and civil needs, providing defence and security assurance in Italy and other countries, seismic hazard analysis, environmental disaster monitoring and agricultural mapping.

[Shauna Neville]

I thoroughly enjoyed the activities made available in ‘Nose up high in the sky’ and found the teacher guide very useful, with all activities clearly detailed and explained. The really enjoyed the first activity, exploring weather proverbs and will most definitely complete this activity in my classroom this coming year, it is a great way to link weather/space into a history lesson. Again activity two offers great opportunity for a very engaging class, I think that students of all ages would really enjoy looking at weather forecast in great detail. This particular activity lends itself to endless cross circular opportunities be it in English, Irish and even drama (getting kids to present a weather forecast). I was very impressed with how activity 3 brought learning from activity 1 and 2 together and is an excellent STEM lesson for students of all ages to enjoy. In summary, the activities in ‘Nose up high in the sky’ are excellent and I very much look forward to using all in lessons this coming school year.

[Rachel Walsh]

I enjoyed reading peoples feedback on the Nose in the sky activity. I like how Ger said that there is scope for further learning with this activity in the Arts area such as making weather murals. I agree that children will enjoy it and that it is an impressive activity to undertake, one they would remember for sure and something they could show off to others at assembly for example!

[Paul Behan]

I used the Satellite Tracker N2Y0.com to track specific satellites. The website also provided the Norad Identification number and International Code for each satellite. These are identifications that every satellite must have. The launch date is also provided for each satellite!

1. ISS (The International Space Station) – It is the largest space station ever built. It was built and is used by several nations and it enables long-term space exploration.

2. Eirsat 1 – This is Ireland’s first satellite launched into Space. It stands for ‘Educational Irish Research Satellite’. A team of students in University College Dublin, with support from academic and professional staff, has designed, built, tested, and is operating, Ireland’s first satellite. It was launched on December 1st 2023.

3. SES 1 – This is a telecommunications satellite launched by the USA and is designed to replace 2 ageing spacecraft.

4. TIANZHOU 7 – This is a Chinese spacecraft. 7 stands for ‘the 7th mission.’ It is an unmanned cargo craft delivering supplies to the Tianggong Space Station.

5. Vanguard 1 – This is the oldest satellite still orbiting the earth today. An American satellite, Vanguard 1 launched on 17 March 1958 at 12:15:41 from the Atlantic Missile Range in Cape Canaveral Florida.

[Laura Groarke]

I downloaded the Esa resource ” From the ground and from the Sky ” pupil activities. I found this really easy to read and presented in a fun and colorful way for children. The photos are amazing and a really good idea is comparing the photos taken on the ground and photos taken in space by an astronaut. One photo shows the Italian Astronaut taking photos from the cupola in the ISS. This shows pupils what its like for an astronaut in space and some of the work that they do. These activities are fun and realistic.

Pupils see photos of mountains, islands, rivers, Grand Canyon , cities like Rome from Space and from the ground. They can compare and contrast. Pupils can do these activities in groups

Teacher can also show these photos on the whiteboard and  Pupils can develop this into a project maybe on how and why Satellites are used in space.

 

I would definitely use this resource in my teaching

[Cíara Reilly]

After investigating the EO Browser “Step by Step Guide” and the EO Browser Tutorial I believe that this would be an accessible tool that the children would benefit from using in the classroom. There are so many ways that this could be used in the classroom from observing, investigating and analysing different types of data. Having access to IPads and Chromebooks in my school would allow children to benefit from working as part of a group, in pairs and individually to both enhance digital skills and develop skills in Earth observation. It would be important to demonstrate how to use this tool to the students and show them the tutorial to make sure they feel comfortable using the resource. Whole class discussions could take place around real time satellite images as well as urban growth and natural disasters. I think the children will really benefit from having access to such a fantastic resource that links them to the challenges we face in the real world.

[Padraic Kavanagh]

Having access to Ipads really would enhance the learning experience of using the EO browser. It engages pupils from the beginning and creates a meaningful learning environment.

[claire O connell]

I have downloaded and read the teacher guide and pupil activities for the ESA resource “Nose up in the Sky”. I really enjoyed the proverbs  activity and this could be a really fun activity in the classroom and offers the opportunity to develop creative writing. We could categorize different weather systems such as rain, sun etc. and match proverbs according to children’s interpretation.

[Padraic Kavanagh]

The EO browser is a wealth of satellite imagery and information free to use with no registration and very user friendly. For those new to the website, it provides a step-by-step guide on how to navigate through the system and also offers simple exercises to help users develop their knowledge. The images allow you to examine pollution, wildfires, weather systems, volcanic activity and more.

When using the EO browser in the classroom, its is essential to give pupils time to explore and enhance their ability to use the website so they are comfortable with how it works. Once this is achieved, they could start by looking at images of their local urban and rural areas. They could discuss the existing environmental issues facing both types of area and compare. Statistics could also be used to explain how conditions in both areas have changed over time.  Pupils could be challenged to develop ways of improving the current environmental conditions in their local rural and urban areas.

[Seamus O Cearra]

Your plan to use the EO Browser in the classroom is excellent. Giving students time to explore the website on their own helps them get comfortable with how it works, which is important for learning. Starting with images of local areas helps students relate to the data and understand environmental issues better.

[Cian Wadding]

I downloaded the Satellite Tracker app. I think for 49c a month, it is a cheap but worthwhile resource to help learn more about EO and satellites in space.

There were a number of satellites that have passed/will pass by my location in. All these satellites should be visible from my location.

1.  COSMOS 1833- was a Soviet ELINT (Electronic and Signals Intelligence) satellite launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome aboard a Zenit 2 rocket.

2. Terra- is a multi-national scientific research satellite operated by NASA in a Sun-synchronous orbit around the Earth. It takes simultaneous measurements of Earth’s atmosphere, land, and water to understand how Earth is changing and to identify the consequences for life on Earth.

3. ISIS 1- ISIS 1 and 2 (“International Satellites for Ionospheric Studies”) were the third and fourth in a series of Canadian satellites launched to study the ionosphere over one complete solar cycle.

4. SAOCOM 1B- s an Earth observation satellite constellation of Argentina’s space agency CONAE.

5. SKYMED 1- Is an Italian Earth-imaging constellation consisting of four identical satellites which launched between 2007 and 2010. CSK-1, CSK-2 and CSK-4 remain operational.

This resource is really easy to use and would be enjoyable for children to use. I am already excited and counting down for the next satellite to pass over my location.

[Aonghus Rooney]

I downloaded the satellite tracker app and am hoping to spot an overpass of one or some of the following satellites tonight.

Cosmos 1500: A Russian Satellite which is apparently measuring oceanographic data.

ISIS 1: A NASA satellite, which seems to be deactivated back in 1990. However, it seems to be a big unit, that was an ionspheric observatory for measuring energy, soft particles, a beacon transmitor and a cosmic noise recorder. I presume it was listening and looking for for sounds of life or radio signals from planets afar.

SL-16 R/B was launched by the USSR back in 1994, and is classified as Brightest. I can’t find out what the USSR used it for, but I’ll keep an eye out for it.

Intercosmos 25, again launched by the Russians in 1991. It only had a useful life of 6 months, and was part of an investigation into the streams of electorns and beams of plasma on the ionsphere and magnetosphere.

Titan 4B R/B , a NASA launch in 1998, again classified as Brightest on n2yo.com, has a Rocket Body. As far as I can see, this is effectively the body of a orbital launch vehicle that’s just spinning around in the sky forever.

After just a quick investigation into the skies above, it is alarming the amount of junk that is spinning around the earth forevermore. Another observation I’ve had is that the space race in the 60s wasn’t just some technological game of oneupsmanship between the two superpowers. Knowledge is power. The moon landings were a sideshow with the main aim being to control the skies above and observe the earth below.

I’m looking forward to spending a little time with this with my class next year, particularly when we are studying the geopolitics of the Cold War later in the year.

[Aonghus Rooney]

Fair play to Claire, Odhrán and a few others above who persisted with the EO browser. I found it quite difficult to go from the data and images to making observations or conclusions. For me, it is probably just a step beyond what would be possible in the classroom in terms of maintaining children’s attention and interest.

[Seamus O Cearra]

I downloaded satellite tracker. I took a while to navigate the app. First satellite I noticed was the ISS. I found it very interesting that you could see who was on board and also their nationality(6 americans and 3 russians). I did some research on it and found that it is has been continually inhabitated since 2000. Another satellite that has passed is eirstat 1, Ireland’s first satellite. This was built by students in UCD. Sentinel satellites have also passed over Ireland, collecting data on Earth’s land, oceans, and atmosphere to help with environmental monitoring and disaster response. NOAA satellites pass over Ireland regularly, monitoring weather patterns, ocean conditions, and the environment. They provide crucial data for weather forecasting and climate research. A starlink satellite has also passed recently which helps provide high speed internet coverage. I’ve tracked intercosmos, terra, isis1 for when they pass over next. ISIS 1 is studying the earths ionosphere.

[Shane Brady]

I downloaded the Satelite tracker app, it took me a while to figure out how to navigate it and get rid of all the ads, but once I did, I found it interesting and I was able to do a bit of research on all the recent satelites:

ISS: The ISS orbits Earth, providing a platform for scientific research in microgravity. It’s involved in various experiments, including climate studies and biological research.

Aqua: This NASA satellite monitors Earth’s water cycle, focusing on ocean evaporation, cloud formation, and precipitation. It’s crucial for understanding climate patterns and managing water resources.

Sentinel-1A: Part of the European Space Agency’s Copernicus program, Sentinel-1A uses radar to monitor environmental changes, such as deforestation and ice cover. It’s vital for disaster response and environmental protection.

NOAA-20: This weather satellite collects data on atmospheric conditions, helping improve weather forecasting and tracking natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires.

Terra: Terra monitors Earth’s land, atmosphere, and oceans, providing data for environmental monitoring, including land use, pollution, and climate change.

Each of these satellites plays a crucial role in monitoring and understanding our planet, contributing to scientific research, environmental protection, and disaster management.

[Una Halpin]

Hi Shane

That’s a great range of Satellites you found there all involved in monitoring Climate Change and pollution and other environmental changes. As you said, satellites like these give us the information we need to monitor the changes to our planet so that we can see the effects of climate change and create models for future change. Tools like the Satellite Tracker app can help us to understand what Satellites are there and a little bit of research can tell us more about them and help to understand what goes into predicting what will happen with our climate.

[Una Halpin]

Hi Shane

That’s a great range of Satellites you found there all involved in monitoring Climate Change and pollution and other environmental changes. As you said, satellites like these give us the information we need to monitor the changes to our planet so that we can see the effects of climate change and create models for future change. Tools like the Satellite Tracker app can help us to understand what Satellites are there and a little bit of research can tell us more about them and help to understand what goes into predicting what will happen with our climate.

[Una Halpin]

Hi Shane

That’s a great range of Satellites you found there all involved in monitoring Climate Change and pollution and other environmental changes. As you said, satellites like these give us the information we need to monitor the changes to our planet so that we can see the effects of climate change and create models for future change. Tools like the Satellite Tracker app can help us to understand what Satellites are there and a little bit of research can tell us more about them and help to understand what goes into predicting what will happen with our climate.

[Rachel Walsh]

I enjoyed using the EO Browser and was impressed by the vast amount of information and imagery available for free, without requiring a login. The site is very user-friendly which is fantastic for children. There is plenty of helpful information when you open the site, such as webinars and guides that are especially helpful for teaching children. There’s so much to explore, from ground observation to satellite observation, and starting with ground observation could be a great way for students to engage with topics like volcanic activity or weather that we’ve previously covered. It’s essential to give students time to familiarize themselves with the site, as the EO Browser can bring any subject to life by allowing them to see real-time data and compare past to present, helping them understand how the world changes over time. I will definitely be using it for projects and to bring SESE subjects to life/in real time making it more interesting.

[Shona Murphy]

I chose the 3rd module assignment.

I liked the ESA resource ‘From the ground to the sky’

I would think this would use this with 4th /5th class.

·        As a nice starter activity I would use my drone with the class to take photos of the school grounds from the air then take photos from ground level. It might be a nice introduction.

·        I really liked the photo matching activity. The children would enjoy matching the photos taken from the ground with those taken from satellites or the International Space Station. The photos are really varied and should capture their interest.

·        I would get the children to complete the activity worksheet provided in groups then we would have a whole class discussion on their answers.

·        I also like the sentence starters eg Photos of Earth taken by Earth Observation Satellites…. This and the others given would spark off a great brainstorming session.

·        I think this whole area would be a fabulous topic for English writing eg Write the diary entry of an astronaut on the ISS who took one of the photos.

·        The links provided also would be super for project work.

 

[Olivia Spillane]

I explored the ESA resource: From the ground to the sky. I found it to be very interesting, engaging  and I think it could be used across most class levels.

A nice way to introduce the topic would be looking at pictures from a birds eye view.  I would show my class pictures of our school and surrounding areas in this format and start our lesson from there.

I really enjoyed the matching photos activity. I think there is a lot of scope for group work, pair work and individual work. I think the photos would really grab the childrens attention and imagination also. There is also a lot of scope here for linking this topic across other curricular areas like an English writing lesson or a History lesson also.

I’m really looking forward to trying out some of these activites with my class this year and seeing how the children engage with these wonderful resources.

 

[Una Halpin]

Hi Olivia

I’m glad you liked the ESA Resource and can see how to use is with many different class groups. Looking at the school from a bird’s eye view is a nice place to start and Google maps can be very useful here as you can use the satellite view to zoom in on the school from the sky and then switch to street view to look at the school from the ground. Using this idea for history or language is good. Tools like Geohive from the Ordnance survey https://www.geohive.ie/ will give you access to satellite images from earlier times so you can look at continuity and change and see how a satellite view of your local area looks different in many ways a from a similar view 30 years ago.

[Keith Gavin]

I agree showing the children an aerial view of the school building and surrounding buildings would be engaging and a great start to the lesson.

[Shonagh Lynch]

Similar to Olivia we have shown an aerial/birds eye view of our school to the children during orienteering activities and it’s interesting how quickly they can identify the different parts of the school/pitch/astro and yard. This paired with some problem solving and critical thinking activities is a great activity for the children and we have the templates for years. We have them altered from easy to difficult so that even the junior infants can participate.

[Ellen Daly]

Great idea to start with school and local landmarks, making it relevant and personal for the students.

[Claire Forde]

Here are five satellites that have recently passed over Ireland:

Sentinel-1: Part of the European Space Agency’s Copernicus program, Sentinel-1 provides radar imagery for monitoring land and ocean conditions, including tracking deforestation, mapping oil spills, and monitoring sea ice.
Landsat 8: A joint mission by NASA and the USGS, Landsat 8 captures high-resolution images of Earth’s surface, used for agriculture, forestry, and land-use change detection.
Terra: Operated by NASA, Terra carries multiple instruments that monitor Earth’s climate and environment, studying the atmosphere, land, and oceans to track changes in global climate patterns.
Aqua: Also a NASA satellite, Aqua focuses on Earth’s water cycle, collecting data on ocean temperature, atmospheric moisture, and cloud cover, crucial for understanding climate change.
Suomi NPP: A collaboration between NASA and NOAA, Suomi NPP provides essential data on weather and climate, including observations of sea surface temperatures, ice cover, and atmospheric composition.
These satellites play vital roles in monitoring environmental changes, helping scientists understand and respond to global climate challenges.

[Rachel Jackson]

The EO Browser is an excellent resource that provides a window like feature to the Earth from space, offering access to a vast collection of satellite images. This resource can captivate students by allowing them to explore our planet from a bird’s eye view, observing forests, oceans, cities, and more. In the classroom, this tool can be used in various ways, such as monitoring environmental changes, tracking natural disasters, and exploring different weather patterns. If I were to introduce the EO Browser to my class, I would start with a tutorial to help students become familiar and comfortable with using the tool. Afterward, I would encourage group discussions based on the images, prompting students to ask questions and think critically about the issues they see. This could lead to research projects, integrating Geography by having students compare images of specific areas over time as well as incorporating digital learning. The EO Browser provides real-world data, offering students a hands-on, interactive learning experience that sparks curiosity and deepens their understanding of the world. Additionally, it supports language development by encouraging descriptive language and thoughtful discussion, making it a versatile educational resource.

[Christopher Claffey]

The EO Browser is a tool that lets you see pictures of the Earth taken by satellites from space. These pictures show things like forests, cities, rivers, and even how the land changes over time.

In a primary school classroom, the EO Browser could be used in several fun and educational ways:

Explore the World: Children can look at different parts of the world from space. They can see their own country, other countries, oceans, and famous places like the Amazon Rainforest.

Learn About Seasons: Teachers can show how the Earth’s surface changes with the seasons. For example, they can look at how snow covers some areas in winter and melts in the summer.

Understand Environmental Changes: The class can observe how forests grow or shrink, how rivers change their course, or how natural disasters like wildfires or floods affect the land.

Study Local Areas: Pupils can see satellite images of their own town or school. This helps them connect what they learn in geography to the real world.

Creative Projects: Children can use the images to create their own maps or do projects on topics like “How does our environment change?” or “What can we see from space?”

[Orla Conaty]

I really like the idea of using the EO Browser to show the seasons, this would be lovely in the infant classroom. It gently introduces the concept of space and satellites and links in perfectly.

[Aimee Donovan]

The Nose High Up in the Sky resource has some great ideas that are very child-led and have great opportunities for critical thinking and active learning.
In activity 1 I liked that the resource focused on proverbs that the children have already heard. I think it is a great way to start with what the children already know and then build upon that knowledge by providing a scientific explanation behind each proverb. I would extend this activity by giving the children a homework task where they ask their parents/ grandparents about proverbs based on the weather and research the possible origins of each proverb.
The sensing the weather activity would be suitable for children of all ages and could be integrated with subjects such as literacy or music whereby the children could create a weather soundscape or poem. I also think this would be a great starting point for project work with the older classes where the children could investigate different methods people used in the past for predicting the weather.
I am looking forward to using activity 3 with my class this year where the children will use everyday items such as plastic cups, straws, sticks etc. to create their own weather stations.

[Caroline Murphy]

Using the Satellite Tracker App, I discovered that five satellites have recently passed over Ireland: BurstCube, Snoopi  the International Space Station (ISS),Kashiwa and Curtis .

BurstCube: BurstCube is designed to detect and analyze gamma-ray bursts. These bursts are the most energetic events in the universe, and BurstCube helps track them to gain insights into their origins and behavior.

Snoopi: This satellite is focused on the cosmos. It’s gathering information  on cosmic rays which helps scientists  have a better understanding  about high-energy particles from space.

International Space Station (ISS): The ISS serves as a space laboratory where astronauts conduct scientific research in microgravity. It supports a wide range of experiments, from biology to materials science, benefiting numerous fields of study.

Kashiwa: Kashiwa focuses on agriculture,It collects data on crops and their current state and conditions of the soil  helping farmers in making informed decisions to improve their crops and of course sustainability

Curtis: Curtis is an Earth observation satellite. It monitors environmental changes, such as deforestation and urban development, providing crucial data for environmental conservation efforts.

These satellites play an important  role in helping  our understanding of space and improving life on Earth through various research and monitoring activities.They are essential in helping scientists improv and advance in this area,

[Keith Gavin]

I thought the ESA – The Nose High Up in the Sky resource was very useful and paved the way for a great lesson on Earth Observation. To begin my lesson we would have a discussion about space exploration e.g. what is the name of a person whose job it is to go to space etc. Afterwards, we could discuss how they get there and finally move on to where they base themselves during their stay in space. As this would lead to the ISS it would open the discussion of satellites in space – their function/purpose and how they move/orbit around the Earth. For activity 1 I would show the class the pictures taken by the astronauts from the ISS. Ask if they know where each picture is taken of, what are their thoughts etc. This will then lead into activity 2. In groups the children would get a folder of the printed pictures. 1 set will be numbered and the other set will be lettered. The children would then have to try match the corresponding pictures for Earth Observation and Ground Observation. Discuss how they can use clues such as vegetation, soil, landscape, cloud cover, sea, buildings etc. Finally, after a lengthy discussion on each picture I would use the sentence starters about what benefit EO and GO’s have and why we would use them.

[Shonagh Lynch]

Five satellites that have passed over Ireland in the past few months are 1.International Space Station (ISS): which regularly passes over Ireland but is often visible in the early morning or evening.It passed over Ireland multiple times in July and August. 2. Starlink Satellites: Multiple Starlink satellites from SpaceX’s constellation pass over Ireland quite frequently and are visible due to their low orbit. 3. NOAA-19 is a weather satellite and provides very important meteorological data. It regularly passes over Ireland and passed over several times in July 2024. 4. Sentinel-1A is part of the Copernicus Programme and is an earth observation satellite has passed over Ireland multiple times, in so recent as June and July 2024. Finally 5. Landsat 8 is also an earth observation satellite which is used for monitoring the environment, with passes over Ireland observed in recent months. The satellites I have mentioned all have different purposes, from communication and weather monitoring to Earth observation and all offer valuable insights into the world we live in. I found this very interesting as during use of the app you could see nationalities of people on board, stars and planets.

[Ellen Daly]

I really like the From the Ground and from the Sky resource and would definitely use it with my senior classes. I think it is really interesting to look at and compare the different images and to identify similar features between them, such as identify factors as mentioned in the pupil activities. There are great opportunities for linking with some of the apps mentioned in the module, allowing student to further explore satellite imagery of varying locations.

I also really like the idea of monitoring which satellites have been travelling across Ireland and checking in with the work goi g on in the ISS. Overall I think these lessons provide the perfect starting point for exploring the use of satellites with students.

 

 

[Caroline Byrne]

It’s great to hear that you enjoyed the “From the Ground and from the Sky” resource and found it valuable for your senior classes! The comparison of different images and the identification of similar features is definitely a fascinating way to engage students. Integrating apps to further explore satellite imagery is an excellent idea, as it allows students to deepen their understanding of the content.

 

Monitoring satellite activity over Ireland and keeping up with the work on the ISS adds an exciting real-world connection to the lessons, making the learning experience even more relevant and engaging. It sounds like this resource provides a strong foundation for introducing students to the use of satellites in a meaningful and interactive way. I’m glad to hear that you plan to incorporate it into your teaching!

[Annie Maher]

I chose the ‘Nose High Up in the Sky’ resource and I enjoyed carrying out the pupil activities.

Activity 1:
Firstly, examining the photographs from the ISS is an extremely interesting and exciting experience. Having explored the pictures myself, I was amazed and in awe of these astronauts. The views of Earth from the ISS are incredible and I think the children would also really enjoy seeing what the actual inspiring astronauts look like in their place of work! So many children have a keen interest in Space so it is important to present these role models to them.

Activity 2:
The ‘Match the Photos’ activity encourages children to view things from different perspectives and can help develop their spatial awareness. I was even surprised at some of differences between photos taken from the ISS vs. from Earth. I like how one question invites the students to consider the advantages of each photo in understanding our Earth. I think this could be further explored during a whole class discussion.

Activity 3:
Children might find it more difficult to match the Satellite photos to the ground photos in this final task. However, it may prepare them for further atlas/ map reading skills in the future.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Annie,
Welcome to the course and thanks for sharing your own thoughts on the resource from this module.

I agree that the photos within this pack are fascinating and allow the children to see what earth looks like from the ISS. Children at all levels really engage with the topic of Space. There are many opportunities within this resource for classroom discussion, as you have mentioned. The photos themselves also allow for critical thinking among the pupils. The pack also allows for integration with Geography to explore perspective and mapping skills.  I hope you enjoy the course.

[Caroline Byrne]

The “Nose High Up in The Sky” resource provided a thoroughly enjoyable and educational experience. The Teacher Guide and Pupil Activities were well-organized and easy to follow, allowing students to grasp complex ideas with ease.

The first activity, which involved examining old weather proverbs, served as an excellent introduction to the topic. It would be worthwhile to discuss these proverbs with pupils and fascinating to learn how people once predicted the weather without modern technology. The proverb “red sky at night” was particularly interesting and sparked lively discussions.

The second activity, where we used our senses to observe and describe the weathe seems especially enjoyable. It emphasized the importance of trusting our own observations, even if they’re not always precise. Comparing these sensory observations with actual weather forecasts added an exciting and rewarding element to the activity.

Building weather stations with students effectively integrated math and engineering skills. Designing, constructing, and using a rain gauge was an excellent hands-on exercise in engineering, while incorporating satellite data introduced IT skills. Creating and using a weather station proved to be a true STEM activity that is suitable for students of all ages.

I also appreciated that the resource accommodated younger students, making it particularly useful for teachers in junior schools. Overall, I think these activities will be both enjoyable and educational, and I look forward to incorporating them into my classroom.

[Fiona FitzGerald]

The EO Browser is a powerful, user-friendly tool that provides access to satellite imagery and Earth observation data from various sources. It allows users to explore and analyse real-time and historical data on environmental changes, such as deforestation, and climate patterns. Whether you’re interested in tracking changes in vegetation, monitoring weather events, or studying land use, the EO Browser offers a wealth of information at your fingertips.

In the classroom, the EO Browser can be an invaluable resource for bringing real-world data into lessons. For example, students can use it to monitor deforestation in the Amazon or observe seasonal changes in their local environment. By engaging with actual satellite data, students can develop critical thinking and data analysis skills. I would integrate it into project-based learning, where students could investigate specific environmental issues, analyse trends, and present their findings, linking geography, science, and technology in a meaningful way.

[Conor Staunton]

I like the idea of analysing satellite data of deforestation of the Amazon. It can really put it into perspective.

[Carmel Haynes]

I found the “Nose High Up in The Sky” resources very interesting and think they are fantastic activities for middle to senior classes. The visual aids are excellent and very eye catching which the pupils would love promoting many discussions and questions. The different pictures from the ground, space station and the satellites would encourage very interesting conversations. They are also very stimulating in colour, quality and size. Children would learn a lot in relation to perspective and how people see things differently and have different opinions. I would integrate the topic with an Art lesson to recreate in their own eyes the beautiful photographs that portray the majestic world around us.
I love the place the proverbs have to play in the lessons of both module 1 and 4, I focus very much on proverbs and idioms in my class and find that the children used it naturally and fitting in everyday conversations.

[Orla Conaty]

The EO BROWSER is an Earth Observation tool which can be used to study and view fresh and archive satellite imagery from numerous sources. There is a special educational mode for students and teachers which can used to narrow down search for specific data, for example by time, cloud coverage. It can be accessed on a desktop computer or mobile device. It has easy to use tutorials and step by step guides. It is an amazing tool to be able to use in a classroom setting for particular SESE lessons. For example pupils could use the tool to look the town or city where they live and look at changes that have occurred over time or look at the natural landscape and topology of the area. Pupils could look at an active volcano and study and observe the landscape on a week to week/year to year/ day to day basis. The imaging is supplied in true colour but it is possible to use different viewing options, if there is something that a class would like to study in particular. For example air pollution. The EO browser provides pupils will real world access like nothing before. Am amazing resource to inspire any future scientists

[Conor Staunton]

Module 4 Assignment: ESA Resource ‘ Nose High Up in The Sky’ Proverbs. I have always been a big fan of proverbs especially as I work in a Gaelscoil. The old Connemara ‘Seanfhocail’ have always been relevant and there are countless ones regarding the weather. One of my favourites, ‘Ní hé lá na gaoithe, lá na scolb!’ A windy day is not the day to thatch your roof!
The proverbs in the Nose Up High activity are an excellent way to introduce a lesson, especially when they are so relevant to the children. We live on the coast and the children will notice seagulls on land or the colour of the sky at dusk. It’s a great to be able go give them explanations behind these occurrences
In activity 2 I like how the children call on their senses as once upon a time we were more dependant on our own senses to observe the weather rather than weather apps or forecasts. You only need to open your eyes an look at the clouds!
Activity 3 puts Activity 1&2 to practice. I feel that with this activity the children can get a hands on experience with weather prediction and also test out what they learned in previous activities.

[Muireann Cunniffe]

“High Up in the Sky”

Activity 1: Examining Earth from the ISS.
We would start by exploring what Earth looks like from the International Space Station (ISS). We would discuss what we imagine Earth would look like to astronauts from space and how the space station itself might appear. Then we would watch videos and gathered information about the ISS, including the daily lives of astronauts in space—how they eat, drink, sleep, brush their hair, cope with gravity, and exercise. The children are always fascinated by learning about life in space, so we could use resources from “Teach with Space” and the astronaut’s logbook to deepen their understanding. We could also use Chris Hadfield’s Space Oddity video to gain an insight into what it is like floating around in the ISS. I have shown this video to the students in my class before and it is always a hit!
Activity 2: Matching Photos
In this activity, we would examine photographs taken by astronauts aboard the ISS and try to match them with pictures of landscapes taken from the ground. We would also use Google Earth to zoom in on a country, gradually narrowing our view until we reached street level. This would give the children a unique perspective on how landscapes look from both space and the ground.

Activity 3: Satellite Photos
We would look at photos taken by satellites orbiting the Earth. The children would have the chance to match these satellite images with their own homes or areas, using their addresses. They would be thrilled to see Earth from this different perspective.

[Alan Tuohy]

Hi Muireann,

I also did this activity and I agree that Chris Hadfield’s Space Oddity video would be an excellent way for a teaher to introduce these concepts to the children.

[Una Halpin]

Hi Muireann

That sounds like a great plan. I love the idea of starting with the ISS and what life is like for the astronauts working there. As you said, there are some great videos of life on the ISS and the Chris Hadfield version of Space Oddity is great.  Starting with the views of Earth from the ISS and comparing them to those taken from the ground will give the children different perspectives and using  Google maps and streetview to work down to closer satellite views and compare them to streetview is a great way to extend this learning as they can look at many different environments this way.

[Jack Freeman]

I found the idea of huge numbers of satellites orbiting simultaneously very interesting and downloaded the Satellite Tracker App.

The ISS: The International Space Station is home to astronauts conducting various low gravity experiments. The experimentation is used for ‘advancing technologies such as robots, computers, health monitors, life support systems, and more for both space and ground applications’.The ISS is currently home to an extra two astronauts who are ‘stuck’ after issues with their Starliner spacecraft.

CSS: This is a chinese operated space station with a similar function as the ISS. It is described as ‘provide opportunities for space-based experiments and a platform for building capacity for scientific and technological innovation’.

QUESS: The Quess satellite is operated by China’s Academy of Sciences is designed to test quantum communications.

SL-14 R/B: I found this passing of this satellite interesting as it was launched by the USSR and ceased to function in 2017.

Genesis I/II: These satellites were launched by a private american firm to test the viability of inflatable space structures.

ALOS: The Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS-1) was a Japanese Earth-imaging satellite from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The satellite contained three sensors that were used for cartography and disaster monitoring of Asia and the Pacific Ocean, something that is require more than ever with increased weather volatility due to climate change.

[Martina Smyth]

The EO Browser is user friendly and here is how to access and use it:

-Select education mode from the ‘academic hat’ icon in the top right corner of the screen.
-Choose a location by zooming in to the right area or type in the location in the search field (in the top right corner of the screen)
-Select a theme e.g. ‘monitoring earth from space’ which shows the earth’s surface as we see it.
By selecting L2A you get higher quality. Maximum cloud coverage can also be selected e.g. 20% should give enough visibility.
-Once a time range has been selected press search.
-Press visualise to view the selection made. Different visualisation can be selected e.g. true colour (shows ground in a way that our eyes are used to) / false colour. The icons in the lower right corner enable you to zoom in or out.
You can choose roads, borders or labels in the image.
-When all is as you wish, save as a jpeg, by clicking on download

There are so many cross-curricular uses for the EO Browser. Pupils have a bird’s eye view of our beautiful world. Geographical, scientific and mathematical investigations are all options. From simple country demarcations to more specific details (rivers, lakes etc.) within countries are possible to investigate. Starting local by focusing on roads and journeys to & from school would be a nice place to start. The number of roads of different types in an area could be studied and recorded. The possibilities are vast and gives pupils a clear and present realisation of their sense of place and the interconnectedness of the world’s population and its regions.

These are two other sites I came across:
https://www.flightradar24.com/ live air traffic
https://in-the-sky.org/satmap_radar.php live map of satellite positions

[Martina Smyth]

The EO Browser is user friendly and here is how to access and use it:

-Select education mode from the ‘academic hat’ icon in the top right corner of the screen.
-Choose a location by zooming in to the right area or type in the location in the search field (in the top right corner of the screen)
-Select a theme e.g. ‘monitoring earth from space’ which shows the earth’s surface as we see it.
By selecting L2A you get higher quality. Maximum cloud coverage can also be selected e.g. 20% should give enough visibility.
-Once a time range has been selected press search.
-Press visualise to view the selection made. Different visualisation can be selected e.g. true colour (shows ground in a way that our eyes are used to) / false colour. The icons in the lower right corner enable you to zoom in or out.
You can choose roads, borders or labels in the image.
-When all is as you wish, save as a jpeg, by clicking on download

There are so many cross-curricular uses for the EO Browser. Pupils have a bird’s eye view of our beautiful world. Geographical, scientific and mathematical investigations are all options. From simple country demarcations to more specific details (rivers, lakes etc.) within countries are possible to investigate. Starting local by focusing on roads and journeys to & from school would be a nice place to start. The number of roads of different types in an area could be studied and recorded. The possibilities are vast and gives pupils a clear and present realisation of their sense of place and the interconnectedness of the world’s population and its regions.

These are two other sites I came across:
https://www.flightradar24.com/ live air traffic
https://in-the-sky.org/satmap_radar.php live map of satellite positions

[Alice mc loughlin]

Your post is very informative, thanks Martina. I chose option 1 but I am interested to try out the EO browser and your step by step is very helpful.

[Emily Kiernan]

I chose the “Nose High Up in the Sky” resource and tried out the pupil activities.

Activity 1: Before starting this activity, I would explore looking at objects / things in our classroom from different perspectives (birds eye view etc.) We could then discuss how the Earth would look if the viewpoint is located in Space. The pictures taken by the astronauts are fantastic and I really believe the children would love exploring all the different photographs.

Activity 2: Building on from the previous lesson, we would continue to look at different perspectives. The children can examine photographs of different landscapes and look at the similarities and differences. The opportunity for classroom discussion is endless. What a great resource to have. I will definitely be printing and laminating this one!

Activity 3: I like the way this activity builds on from the previous lesson. I would only introduce this lesson if the children were confident in activity 2. However, it’s a great way to challenge them. I love the “sentence starters” located in the teacher guide.

[Alan Tuohy]

After taking a brief break from the course, I returned to finish the content on Module 4, Earth Observation and chose option 3 as my assignment for the module.

I found the “From the Ground to the Sky activity” on the ESA Kids resource to be very beneficial from a teaching point of view and an excellent way to introduce children to the skills of understanding and interpreting images of Earth captured from space, which is crucial for developing a deeper comprehension of Earth observation, geography, and environmental science. Personally, I feel the activity would be ideally suited to children in the middle classes. By the end of the activity, I feel that children would be competent in identifying key geographical images in various satellite images.

The first activity focused on the concept of satellite imagery and how it is captured. This includes a basic explanation of how satellites orbit Earth, the types of sensors used, and the different kinds of images. I like the way that the children are told that the ISS is the size of a football field as it will give them a sense of scale.

A series of satellite images of Earth are then introduced and children are tasked with identifying various features, such as rivers, mountains, cities, forests, and agricultural areas. They may also analyze changes over time, such as deforestation, urbanization, or the effects of natural disasters if the teacher feels it is appropriate or if that aspect of the SESE curriculum have been visited. This might include discussions on how human activities impact the planet, the importance of conservation, and how satellite technology can help address global challenges.

I feel that this activity aligns well with many aspects of primary curriculum in areas such as geography, environmental science, and technology education, the core elements of STEM. It covers key learning objectives such as understanding Earth’s physical features, human impact on the environment, and the use of technology in environmental monitoring. It also supports the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills, which are essential in SESE. I look forward to implementing it in my classroom.

[Zara Egan]

I downloaded the Skyview app and was captivated by my discovery of tracking various satellites. Among those that have passed over Ireland recently include:

1. ISS – The International Space Station serves as a versatile platform for scientific research, technology development, international cooperation, and education. It orbits Earth at an altitude of approx 400 kilometers.

2. Starlink – Launched by SpaceX, this constellation of small satellites aims to provide global internet coverage and is often visible in groups.

3. Terra – This NASA Earth observation satellite focuses on data related to the water cycle.

4. Envisat – Once used by the European Space Agency to monitor the Earth’s environment, this satellite remains in orbit despite no longer being operational.

5. Sentinel Satellites – Part of the European Union’s Copernicus program, these satellites are utilized for environmental monitoring.

It was my first time using an App like this and I really enjoyed finding out this fascinating information.

[Luke Kavanagh]

I must download this app myself, even though I did activity 3. It is an app I would find really interesting to look at every now and again in my own time. I love the idea that Elon Musk’s satellites are flying over Ireland too.

[John Duignan]

I wasn’t entirely sure whether we were supposed to look at the Nose High Up In The Sky resource or From The Ground And From The Sky, which pertained more closely to Earth Observation. Regardless, I completed activities from both and, as was the case with all of ESA materials encountered, found them beautifully designed and resourced.
The very premise of the Nose High Up In The Sky resource, using our senses to describe weather conditions, links wonderfully with the approaches to mindfulness that are fast becoming features of every school day. In creative writing, we ask the children to describe things they can see, hear, touch, taste and smell, to add depth and colour to their descriptions. It is fitting that we tap into our sensory toolkit when engaging with the weather and climate conditions that so heavily impact our everyday experience.
“I can smell rain,” is an expression I heard a lot when growing up. Coming from a rural area, the impending weather was of paramount importance and a lot of prediction was done through observation, intuition and tuning into the cues and clues felt through the senses. This resonated with me when completing Activity 1 in Nose High Up In The Sky, which centred around analysing proverbs pertaining to the weather. I can imagine the various suggestions my students might have for the provenance of these expressions, both accurate and otherwise!
Activity 2 in For The Ground And From The Sky forges a crucial connection between what astronauts see from space and how that is represented on the ground. This can an abstract task in some cases, so a matching task where the children have to think critically about colour and contour with an almost cubist sensibility will deepen their appreciation of satellite imagery and the wider idea of observing the earth from space.

[Ciara Healy]

Option 3:

I engaged with the “Nose High Up in The Sky” resources and completed the pupil activities. I really enjoyed the resource and would definitely use it in my class. As I had 6th class this year I thought this activity was particularly useful and something my class would really enjoy. This activity is an excellent way to introduce children to the idea of remote observation of the Earth from space. There is a wide range of teaching methodologies used within the lesson. The children are constantly debated and engaging with purposeful reasoning skills within this lesson. By using the aerial photographs and photographs on earth the children will explore specific features of the aerial photos and the photos on earth, linking their previous knowledge to their new learning. The children would also be engaging with cooperative learning and would develop their communication skills.

[Hannah McCarthy]

Hi Ciara.. I also chose the resources from the ‘Nose up High in the Sky’ and found them to be fantastic. I agree I think that older classes in particular would enjoy these lessons and it is very much focused on active learning and would lend itself excellently to group work. I also like your mention of ‘reasoning’ skills here. I had not thought of it myself but I agree that children will have to reason and explain their thought process in activities such as matching satellite photos to photos taken on earth!!

[Luke Kavanagh]

The EO Browser offers straightforward access to high-resolution satellite imagery, allowing users to pinpoint specific locations, adjust time-frames, and explore various visualizations. It’s an excellent tool for teachers, pupils or anyone interested in observing the Earth in space.
Whilst using it in the classroom, it integrates well into the SESE curriculum as it provides an interactive learning experience. Students can explore satellite images of their own area or of other parts of the world. By visualizing the Earth in this way, children can greater understand geographical concepts, weather patterns and environmental changes. The browser can also be used to show natural events such as floods and wildfires, connecting the lessons to real-world events. With deforestation for example, children can compare and contrast images from different times to show change. In this way, the browser can also be used to integrate maths and data interpretation, measuring distances and calculating changes over time.

[Ailbhe McNulty]

I thought it would be interesting to try out the Satellite Tracker app. I did not find any that were completely free. However, the one that I chose to use has a 7 day free trial.

SAOCOM 1-A : SAOCOM-1 mission is composed of two satellites (SAOCOM-1A and -1B) launched consecutively. The overall objective of SAOCOM (SAtélite Argentino de Observación COn Microondas) is to provide an effective Earth observation and disaster monitoring capability.

Terra: Terra explores the connections between Earth’s atmosphere, land, snow and ice, ocean, and energy balance to understand Earth’s climate and climate change and to map the impact of human activity and natural disasters on communities and ecosystems.

USA 81: USA 81 was a US Air Force signals intelligence satellite.

Helios 1B was a French military photo-reconnaissance spacecraft launched by an Ariane rocket.

OKEAN O: Okean-O was a Russian-Ukrainian remote sensing satellite which enabled monitoring of ocean salinity, waves, and ice conditions. It will also relay data from fixed land- or ocean-based platforms. The launch had been delayed until resolution of a dispute with Kazakhstan arising out of a crash of a Proton-K rocket on 5 July 1999.

Koronas-Foton: KORONAS-Foton is a Russian satellite for solar physics, solar-terrestrial connection physics and astrophysics. It was launched on 30th January 2009. The primary purpose of the mission was the study of solar electromagnetic radiation, especially from solar flares, in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) up to high-energy gamma-ray radiation. It was also capable of making parallel observations of Earth’s upper atmosphere in EUV and soft X-rays as well as monitoring other astrophysical X-ray and gamma-ray sources.

[Hilary Dunne]

 

 

The activity I selected was Nose High up in the sky. I carried out the activities.

 

Activity 1: Examined the Earth seen from the ISS. It looks at the international space centre, in class the pupils would discuss what we think Earth would look like from space. We would watch videos and gather new information on the ISS. We would look at how they eat, drink, where they sleep, brush their hair, gravity and how they exercise. in space. The child could draw their view from ISS of Earth.

 

Activity 2: Match the photos

 

We would look at photographs of space taken by astronauts on the international space station. We will match pictures taken on the ground of landscapes and attempt to match them with the pictures taken from space. In pairs the children would djscuss the similarities and differences of both pictures and what can and cannot be seen.

 

Activity 3:

 

Photos taken from Satellites orbiting the earth. The children will again match photos and we can use some of the apps listed to look at the satellites that are passing earth recently.

 

I loved these activities. They were user friendly, the photos were clear and inviting. I think it would be valuable resource for the senior end of the school.

[Gráinne Ní Dhuinnín]

These five satellites have passed over Ireland recently.
International Space Station (ISS) – The ISS is a giant space laboratory where astronauts live and work. They carry out experiments to learn more about space and how it affects the human body.
Hubble Space Telescope – Hubble is like a giant camera in space. It takes amazing pictures of stars, planets, and galaxies far away, helping scientists learn more about our universe.
Landsat 8 – This satellite takes pictures of Earth to help monitor forests, oceans, and cities. It’s like a camera in the sky that helps keep track of changes on our planet.
Aqua – Aqua studies Earth’s water, like oceans, lakes, and even clouds. It helps us understand weather patterns and how water moves around our planet.
Sentinel-2 – Part of the Copernicus program, it takes pictures of Earth to monitor things like agriculture and forests. It’s important for keeping our planet healthy!
These satellites do important jobs, like taking pictures and studying Earth, to help scientists understand our world better.

[Alice mc loughlin]

It is absolutely fasciniating to observe satellites and having satellite tracking apps is a great way to engage children and evoke interest in what the satellites are doing and possibly researching the different satellites.

These five satellites have passed over Ireland recently. I used The-Sky.org.

ISS – International Space Station: Where astronauts carry out experiments and projects about space.

COSMOS 1656: Cosmos 1656 was a Soviet ELINT (Electronic and Signals Intelligence) satellite launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome aboard a Proton rocket.

TERRA:

Approximately the size of a small school bus, the Terra satellite carries five instruments that take coincident measurements of the Earth system:

Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER)
Clouds and Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES)
Multi-angle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR)
Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT)
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)

ARIANE 40+ R/B: The rocket booster from the Ariane 4 launch vehicle, used for delivering payloads into space.

TITAN 4B R/B: This is a launch vehicle

I have thoroughly enjoyed using this website to track satellites passing over Ireland and I will definitely use these apps on our ipads in school with the children to bring to real life the different purposes of the satellites.

[Marie Crowley]

Assignment 3 – ‘Nose High Up in The Sky’.
I download the teacher guide and pupil activities for the ESA Resource ‘Nose High Up in The Sky’. It really is a great resource, I fully intend on using throughout the next year. The resources will intrigue the children to explore the topic further while at the same time it’s very enjoyable. The first activity examining Earth from Space is a great way to spark interest & conversation at the start of a lesson, this can be done both as a whole class and within small groups leading back to a whole class discussion. The matching activity is a great follow on lesson and expands on the topic in further detail. The third lesson on the difference between satellite and a space station could lead to great project work particularly in older classes. All three resources will be very beneficial to enhance learning and curiosity in any senior class.

[Niamh Kenny]

I went through the Nose up in the Sky resources in this activity. I think that using old weather proverbs is a lovely way to start the activity and is very accessible for all children. In conjunction with the resources, I would probably begin this as a whole class discussion and brainstorm. This will allow me to assist with a few of the sayings if needed. It may also be a nice activity to include family members in, maybe asking the children to find out sayings and bring them in for the following day. I did find that some of the wording on this worksheet may be challenging for my younger class so I would adapt that.

Again I think the sensing the weather is a great idea that is very accessible. A walk might be a nice idea to include with this. News 2 day have a nice simple weather segment that would allow the children to compare their findings with, and is very child centric.

As mentioned in previous posts, I think the building your own weather station is an idea that can be easily integrated into the daily routine. It is very accessible for different age groups and can be an enjoyable activity.

[Derbhla Phillips]

I really liked the resource of using old proverbs also, it will engage all children at the beginning of the lesson.

[Caitriona Costello]

The proverbs are a lovely way Niamh to introduce the topic of weather. Also the children can share these proverbs with their parents and this allows for discussion at home.

[Niamh Fennell]

I love the idea of watching the weather segment on New 2 Day and I would love to use that in my classroom next year.

[Derbhla Phillips]

EO Browser is a super handy tool for anyone interested in satellite imagery. Think of it as a way to quickly access, visualize, and analyze real-time Earth observation data from various satellites, all in one place. You can explore different types of imagery, from natural color to infrared, and even customize your views based on specific dates or locations. It’s great for tracking changes over time, like deforestation or urban growth, and you can easily compare these changes.

In class, I’d use EO Browser to bring real-world data into lessons. For example, if we’re discussing climate change, we could look at before-and-after images of glaciers or forest cover. It’s also great for projects—students could track specific environmental changes over time, or even create reports on natural disasters using actual satellite data. It makes abstract concepts more tangible and gives students hands-on experience with the tools professionals use.

[Freda McEvoy]

I have never given satellites much thought other than spotting some in the skies on a clear night. Its amazing to think how many pass over and the amazing research that is happening far out in space. I used the Satellite tracker and Oribitrack app. Some of the satellites passing over Ireland recently are Picosat 9, ISS, COSMOS 2212, ARIANE 40 R/B and a number of STAR LINK satellites. You can find view each satellites in 3D and view the countries they represent. There is a countdown timer as to when they will pass over your current location. You can see the speed they travel this would be fascinating for student to track a satellite as it passes over countries.
There is so much potential for integration with maths and geography. I would then use the EO Browser with pupils to see the type of imagery and research these satellites can carry out. The EO browser allows you to view satellite imagery of agriculture, air pollution, floods, vegetation and forestry and oceans.
I found viewing images of Australia very interesting and comparing them to images of Ireland. This would be ideal for studying natural disasters such as wild fires or volcanic activity. It gives pupils a hands on experience for researching projects.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by Freda McEvoy.

[Jason Kenny]

Assignment 3 ‘Nose High Up in The Sky’.

I was drawn to the teacher guide and pupil activities on the ESA Resource ‘Nose High Up in The Sky’. I carried out the three pupil activities and found the first activity on the old proverbs to be very interesting and I think the pupils will enjoy this one as they can learn about how people predicted the weather forecast before modern technology was available to them.

The second activity allows the children opportunity to compare and contrast a picture taken from earth and a picture taken from space of the same thing and this will create conversation among the children as they complete it. This lesson could to be very exciting for the students in the older classes and could lead to further discussion on how things look from the International Space Station.

Activity three – Creating a weather station and weather forecasts would be a fun and interesting activity that could be used effectively as group work. Groups could be given the chance to design a weather station and then rehearse with their group how they would go about carrying out a weather forecast. We could use ICT then as a means of recording the groups carrying out the forecast.

[Hannah McCarthy]

Download the Teacher Guide & Pupil Activities for the ESA Resource ‘ Nose High Up in The Sky, carry out the pupil activities yourself and post your thoughts on the resource and if you would use it in class.

I really like the activities outlined in this ESA resource. It is very well detailed and the teacher guideline is concise and outlines clearly the learning outcomes of the children. There are also numerous links with extra resources at the end of this document. The activities outlined are interactive and would lend themselves very well to child centered learning and group work within the classroom. The lessons provide great scope for active learning. I also think that the information given about the ISS is very interesting and very well aimed for children. I always find that children take such an interest in the ISS.. so a great way to grasp their attention!
I particularly liked the old weather proverbs outlined at the beginning of the activity and I think it would be a fun and grasping way to start the activity!

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Hannah,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Nose High Up in the Sky resource. There are many activities within this resource which allows for active learning and encourages critical thinking among the pupils. Through building their own weather instruments and weather station the children can become more engage and take responsibility for their own learning.

I agree that many pupils are fascinated by the ISS and life on board the ISS, there are lovely videos to explore life on the ISS during Space Week.

[Peace Chukwurah]

Assignment 4 – Choice 2

EO Browser is an incredible, free online tool that lets students explore real satellite images of our planet in just a few clicks. Imagine your class looking at how our town has changed over time. Study volcanic eruptions, or tracking pollution in the air—all from a simple, user-friendly website. Just imagine, being able to pull up real satellite images of different places on Earth, right in the classroom! That is possible through EO. For a geography lesson, you could show how landscapes like forests or coastlines have changed over time, helping students really see the effects of things like deforestation or climate change. It makes the concepts so much more tangible and relatable for them. Allowing students the opportunity to visually connect what you teach and they learn in subjects like geography, science, and math to real-world data, making learning engaging and relevant which is amazing for senior classes.

You can use EO Browser to show kids how our world changes, link these images to lessons about nature, weather, and the environment, and even create fun projects where they compare images over time. It’s a perfect way to bring the world into the classroom and make abstract concepts tangible and exciting for young learners.

[Orla Ennis]

I agree, I think the children would love looking at satellite pictures of their own town and how it has changed.

[Caitriona Costello]

I downloaded the ‘ nose high up in the sky’ resource and found the activities to be engaging and enjoyable. I found the third activity, where the class would create a weather station to be the most interesting.  This is a very hands on lesson and works well for STEM learning. using a thermometer to record weather will bring in maths ( understanding recording weather in degrees) Building the anemometer is a great team building exercise and allows the students to work together to record wind speed. A hygrometer would allow the students to gain a better understanding of what humidity is and allow them to measure the moisture in the air. There is so much to be learned from this activity and act 1 and 2 would be an excellent starting point to get students discussing weather before they build the station.

Art, maths, geography, oral language, project work, reading and writing can all be covered using these activities.

[Shane Donoghue]

I downloaded the ESA resource “Nose high up in the sky” and I found it very interesting completing the different activities. The different activities were well designed and very accessible to a broad range of children’s abilities but probably more suited to older classes. I feel children would interact and engage well with the activities. The first activity opens well as it appeals to the childrens prior knowledge by asking them of the weather proverbs they know of. This could also be a good opportunity for the children to ask parents and grandparents of weather proverbs they may also know of. There could then be a sharing session the following day.

The second activity used the senses to observe and describe the weather. I would imagine children would find this very enjoyable. Then there is an opportunity to compare these sensory observations with genuine weather forecasts.

Activity three, then is a good way to practice the learnings of activity one and two.

[Orla Ennis]

I downloaded the satelliite tracker app onto my phone and I was surprised how much fun I had using it. I must admit I was shocked ( maybe I was ignorant) by how many satellites there were!

Here are 5 that I found:
Meteosat
It is a 2nd flight unit of the meteosat second generation programme. Its main mission is opperational meteorology and has substantial contribution to climatology.

Beidou 11
The BeiDou nativatigation satellite system is a satellite based radio navigation system owned and operated by the China National Space Administration

WGS f3 (usa 211)
This satellite provides worldwide , flexible high capacity communications for US Government Agencies, Dept of defence , mutiple international partners and the north atlantic treaty organisation

Nss12
This satellite provides telecommunications and direct to home broadcasting.

Eutelsat 21b
This satellite is a French communications satellite. It provides direct to home broadcasting services.

Like I said, I loved looking into all these different satellites and I will certainly be showing the children in my class this app!

[Susan Deering]

Like you Orla, I was also shocked by how many satellites there were, and how frequently they were in our vicinity. I honestly thought that there were only a handful and for them to pass over Ireland, or near it was a rare occurrence. I have been proven wrong!

[Jacinta Murphy]

I downloaded the Orbitrack on Google Play Store for just over 5 euro. I will definitely use this app in the classroom. It is engaging and easy to use – a half an hour would not be long passing gathering data about the satellites flying over Ireland. It would be a great resource to use during group work and as part of the Investigation part of the Esero Framework.

The 5 satellites that passed over Ireland were:

Starlink 5889 – This is a satellite which is owned and operated by Space X. It provides broadband internet access. While I was on the app observing the satellites, it was evident to see that Starlink have a multitude of satellites in operation that are passing over Ireland on a constant basis.

Flock 4x-2 – This satellite provides photographic imagery of Earth.

SIMBA – This satellite is for amateur radio. It orbits the Earth every 88 minutes.

Yaogan 7 – It is satellite which is for disaster monitoring.

Resurs – DK1 – this satellite provides information on natural disasters, natural resources, sea-ice conditions and polar weather.

This was an enjoyable exercise – one that I will definitely be using in the classroom.

[Susan Deering]

I downloaded one of the satellite tracker apps recommended as last year my first class studied the International Space station and they were fascinated by tracking it and checking if they would have an opportunity to spot it any night. Currently it is telling me that there are a few different satellites in the vicinity including

Cosmos1844 – This was a Soviet satellite, launched in 1987 from the Baikonur Cosmodome and its mass is 6000kg

SL-16 R/B – Owned by the Commonwealth of Independent States (former USSR), also from the Baikonur Cosmodome, which is known also as the Tyuratam Missile and Space Centre, based in Kazakhstan. It was first launched in July 1999.

SL-8 R/B – Another satellite owned by the Commonwealth of Independent States (former USSR), it was launched in December 1971 from Plesetsk Missile and Space Complex, Russia.

CZ-2C R/B – Launched in November 2004 from the Xichang Launch Facility in China, it is owned by the People’s Republic of China.

Astex 1 – Launched in October 1971, from the Air Force Western Test Range, California, it is owned by the United States.

I have the same class again going into Second Class, and I know that this tracker will be an invaluable tool to use in the classroom with them.

[Fiona Kelly]

The ESA activity “From the Ground to the Sky” uses striking photographic images of various different landscapes where the photos were taken from both the ground and also from space. It provides children with opportunities to explore and investigate images from different angels and perspectives and to compare , contrast and match such photos. These absolutely stunning images of earth are breathtaking and will definitely capture the children’s attention and gain immediate interest. The stark difference of the images from space and from the ground will be of huge significance and very important for the children to explore. It also gives children an insight into the importance of satellite images being taken in order to study very remote places which are very difficult to access or inaccessible from the ground. Children are provided with opportunities to analyse ground and satellite photos and to retrieve relevant information required for their studies.These activities could also lead on to the study of astronauts in space and the ISS. The children could also explore more satellite images from astronauts Flickr accounts which would be a wonderful novelty. The children will be provided with much opportunity to engage in group work and collaborative learning throughout the different activities
outlined in “From the Ground to the Sky”. I am very keen to use this activity in the classroom as it will no doubt be a huge hit and of great interest to the children while developing so many key skills.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Fiona,

Thanks for sharing your comments on this resource. Having used it with my own class, there was lots of discussion on the different features and critical thinking when they had to match the photos. Images like these always provide for such great stimulus for the pupils and engage them in the task. Looking at the photos from the astronauts Flickr would be a great activity, I might include that for Space Week with my own class.

[Niamh Fennell]

After downloading the Teacher Guide & Pupil Activities for the ESA Resource ‘Nose High Up in The Sky, I participated in the activities I found that it was a great resource as I enjoyed the activities so I know my students will love the activities too. This resource will be a huge asset to me when teaching about weather and climate. The hands on activities are clear and child-friendly and I have 4th class in September and I feel they will respond really well to the activities. Especially the weather proverbs activities as this will generate whole class discussion and the students can talk to their parents and grandparents about this topic. I would still use “red sky at night, shepherds delight, red sky in the morning, shepherds warning’. In the website mentioned in the modules, they had sailors instead of shepherd which I never heard before which I found interesting.

[Paddy Duggan]

I downloaded the Satellite Tracker application on my phone and I used this and the ISS tracker online to research satellites in my area.

These are five of the satellites which have passed Ireland recently:

1. International Space Station- The ISS is a space station or a habitable artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. The ISS conducts scientific research in various fields, including biology, physics and astronomy. It is a joint project involving space agencies like NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, JAXA and CSA.

2. NOAA-20- NOAA-20 is an American weather satellite operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It collects data for weather forecasting, environmental monitoring, and climate research. The satellite monitors atmospheric temperature, moisture, sea surface temperatures, and ocean color.

3. Starlink Satellites- Part of SpaceX’s mega-constellation, these satellites provide high-speed broadband internet across the globe, particularly in remote and underserved areas. Hundreds of Starlink satellites pass over regions like Ireland regularly, contributing to global internet coverage.

4. Sentinel-2A-Part of the European Space Agency’s Copernicus program, Sentinel-2A monitors Earth’s land surface. It captures high-resolution images used for agricultural planning, forest management, disaster monitoring, and land use studies.

5. Terra- Terra is a NASA Earth observation satellite that collects data about Earth’s climate and environment. It supports various scientific research by monitoring land and ocean temperatures, vegetation, clouds, and ice cover, helping understand the impact of natural and human-induced changes on our planet.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by Paddy Duggan.

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