[Aine Brannock]

Really good question – great idea using examples of the environment they are in every day.

[Aine Brannock]

Question: Does using reusable water bottles instead of single-use plastic bottles reduce the amount of plastic waste in our school?

I would encourage pupils to take part by making the project interesting and connected to their everyday lives. We would start by talking about plastic waste and why it is a problem for the environment. Then the class could work together to count how many plastic bottles are thrown away each week before and after encouraging the use of reusable bottles.
Each pupil could have a role in the project, such as collecting data, recording results, making posters, or sharing the findings with the class. Working in groups would help pupils learn from each other and build teamwork skills.
I would also encourage pupils to ask questions and think about simple ways they can help reduce waste at school and at home. At the end of the project, the class could present their results to other classes or at a school assembly. This would help pupils feel proud of their work and show them that small changes can have a positive impact on the environment. By taking part in a real investigation, pupils can develop science skills while learning how their actions can help protect the planet.

 

[Aine Brannock]

Great idea! Love the integration across a few subject areas. I also agree that it would need to be tailored a bit for the younger classes.

[Aine Brannock]

Using a satellite tracking app, I found these five satellites that recently passed over Ireland:

International Space Station (ISS) – The ISS is a space station where astronauts live and work. They carry out science experiments and learn more about living in space.
Starlink Satellite – Starlink satellites provide internet to people around the world, especially in places where it is difficult to get a good internet connection.
Sentinel-3 – This satellite takes pictures and collects information about the Earth. It helps scientists study the weather, oceans, land, and climate change.
NOAA-19 – NOAA-19 is a weather satellite. It collects information about clouds, storms, and temperatures to help improve weather forecasts.
Hubble Space Telescope – Hubble is a space telescope that takes amazing pictures of stars, planets, and galaxies. It helps scientists learn more about the universe.

These satellites all have different jobs, but they are all important. Some help us predict the weather, some improve internet access, some study the Earth, and others explore space. Tracking satellites shows how much we rely on them in our everyday lives and how they help scientists make new discoverie

[Aine Brannock]

Love the idea of using Greta Thunberg’s speech! Its so important for the children to realise the impact they can make alone.

[Aine Brannock]

I found this video to be clear, engaging and suitable for primary pupils because it explains climate change using simple language and visuals that children can easily understand. It introduces important facts without overwhelming pupils and encourages them to think about how their actions can make a difference. The video also gives a positive message by showing that everyone can help care for the planet.
I would introduce this topic by first asking pupils what they already know about climate change and recording their ideas on the board. This would help identify any misconceptions and encourage discussion. After watching the video, I would ask pupils questions about the main ideas and discuss how climate change affects people, animals and the environment. We would then focus on simple actions that pupils can take, such as recycling, saving energy and walking or cycling when possible. Finally, I would encourage pupils to work in groups to create posters or short presentations showing one way we can help protect the environment. This approach would make the lesson interactive, encourage teamwork and help pupils understand that even small actions can have a positive impact on our planet.

[Aine Brannock]

I really like the idea of the recycling investigation. It is very practical and great for the children to see how they can help reduce the amount of waste they contribute to you as well.

[Aine Brannock]

Activity 3 is an engaging way to introduce pupils to the greenhouse effect and climate change. The Paxi video explains these ideas clearly using simple visuals, making them easy to understand. The future temperature prediction tool allows pupils to explore different scenarios, helping them see how human actions can affect future temperatures through interactive, hands-on learning. I would use this with my class by doing the following:
• Begin by discussing the greenhouse effect to assess pupils PRK and record their ideas through a class brainstorm.
• Show the PAXI video to introduce the greenhouse effect in a clear and engaging way.
• Explain climate scenarios and discuss how scientists use them to predict future climate change.
• In groups, pupils explore the TEAL tool to investigate low, medium and high greenhouse gas emission scenarios.
• Pupils complete the activity sheet as “Climate Reporters,” making predictions and suggesting ways to reduce climate impacts.
• Groups present their findings to the class, with clear roles assigned to support collaboration, inclusion and differentiation.
I would improve this by ensuring I had differentiated tasks to suit the needs of the children in my class. I would ensure there is lots of visual aids to aid the EAL students within my class.

[Aine Brannock]

I also agree,  I love the idea of including a STEM based station into the weekly maths stations. I think my class would really enjoy this and it is a good way to ease into teaching STEM as it is now a new subject within our new curriculum.

[Aine Brannock]

I found Activities 1 and 2 from the Weather and Climate resource practical, engaging and easy to use in the primary classroom. Both activities encourage pupils to take an active role in their learning through investigation, discussion and observation. Activity 1: Is it Weather or Climate? is a good way to help pupils understand the difference between weather and climate by using everyday examples. It encourages children to explain their ideas and discuss their thinking with others, helping to address common misunderstandings.
Activity 2: Weather Detectives gives pupils the opportunity to collect, record and interpret weather data. I think this activity would work very well in my fourth-class classroom as it allows children to develop their observation and enquiry skills while learning from real-life experiences. I would set up a simple weather station in the school grounds where pupils could record daily weather conditions using equipment such as a thermometer and rain gauge. Observing changes over time would help them recognise the difference between daily weather and longer-term climate patterns.
These activities also provide many opportunities to develop STEM skills. Pupils practise measuring accurately, recording information, identifying patterns and drawing conclusions from the data they collect. They also encourage problem-solving and teamwork as children work together to investigate and share their findings.
I also like the strong cross-curricular links these activities provide. Pupils can apply mathematical skills by creating charts and graphs, while digital technology can be used to record data and create presentations. There are also opportunities to link with Geography, Art and Drama by producing weather reports, designing displays or presenting forecasts to the class. Overall, I think these activities provide an enjoyable and meaningful way for pupils to develop scientific understanding while building a wide range of skills through active, collaborative learning.

[Author]

Posts