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Research Question
How clean is the water in the rivers and lakes around Gort, Co. Galway, and what can we do to help protect it?
Overview
This project explores water quality and environmental protection in the Gort area. Gort is surrounded by rivers, lakes, and seasonal turloughs, making this a highly relevant and local topic. Flooding is also an issue of local importance and in particular in the area close to our school. Pupils often visit these areas with their families and are familiar with flooding, changing landscapes, and local wildlife. This project aims to build on their curiosity while linking to the SESE curriculum, especially science, geography, and environmental awareness.
Other Questions we will use to explore the topic:
• What rivers, lakes, or turloughs are near our school or homes?
• What animals and plants live near these waters?
• Is there litter or pollution?
• How does the water look or smell throughout the year?
• What do locals notice about the changes in water quality?
• When does flooding occur and the impact it has on the locals?
Activities
Pupils will take on active roles such as data collectors, photographers, and interviewers. Activities include:
• Testing water quality using observation and simple pH kits
• Mapping local water features and noting seasonal changes
• Interviewing local farmers or environmental groups
• Creating awareness campaigns through posters or videos
• Writing to Galway County Council, Burren Low Lands or Tidy Towns with their findingsEncouraging Participation
The project is hands-on and pupil-led. Pupils help design surveys, choose locations, and take responsibility for group tasks. Getting outdoors, connecting learning to real places, and using tools like magnifying glasses or cameras make the learning active and fun. Their voice matters, and they’ll see how their research can contribute to real change in their community. The project will finish with a display or mini-exhibition to celebrate their work and share findings with the wider school and local community.Hi Tara, That’s a brilliant idea! It’s so relevant to the children’s everyday lives, and it gives them a real sense of purpose. Getting them involved in hands-on activities like litter picking and taking on different roles makes the learning so much more meaningful. It’s a great way to build awareness and show them that they can make a difference in their school and local community.
The following are satellites that have recently passed Ireland an what outlines what they have done:
1. International Space Station (ISS)
Flies over Ireland regularly and can sometimes be seen with the naked eye, especially just after sunset. Astronauts on board carry out science experiments in space — from testing how plants grow in zero gravity to studying how the human body reacts to long stays in orbit. They also take amazing photos of Earth, including Ireland.2. Starlink Satellites
Part of a huge network providing internet from space. They help bring fast broadband to rural and remote areas. After launch, they appear in the sky as a line of lights called a “satellite train,” which has been spotted over Ireland many times.3. Landsat 9
Took detailed images of Earth to help monitor changes in land, forests, and water. It recently re-entered the atmosphere and was seen over Ireland as a bright fireball.4. EIRSAT-1
Ireland’s first satellite! It tests space technology and detects gamma rays. Passes over Ireland several times a day.5. Astra 2G
Beams TV and internet signals to homes in Ireland. It stays fixed in space over the same spot.Hi Diarmaid,
I totally agree with you, I think that this is a very valuable resource and it is one that would be very useful in the senior classroom. It is always positive when abstract concepts are made more tangible for learners as is the case in particular with the balloon experiment.
This sounds like a really interesting tool Colin, could also see this being very useful in the classroom . It is fantastic how it tracks the changes over time making them very real for children and easier to comprehend .
One thing I really liked was the carbon footprint questionnaire. It’s a great way for everyone to see how their daily choices affect the environment. In class, it could help children understand how they impact the planet and encourage them to make smarter, greener choices. They could even do a little project on ways to live more sustainably and share their ideas with the class.
The film HOME is a powerful documentary that shows amazing aerial shots from over 50 countries, highlighting both the beauty and fragility of our planet. It talks about how everything on Earth is connected and points out big problems caused by humans—like cutting down forests, pollution, using way too much stuff, and climate change. The film has a calm and thoughtful vibe and reminds us that we don’t have much time left to change how we live before things get really bad. Because there’s so much content, I would watch the video in stages with 5th and 6th class to help the children absorb and reflect on the information.
While HOME shows some serious stuff, it also gives hope by encouraging all of us to take responsibility and find ways to live more sustainably. It’s a strong reminder that Earth is our home, and we need to look after it together.
There are also some great resources like storybooks (Somebody Swallowed Stanley, Greta and the Giants), songs about nature, and simple visuals showing clean vs. dirty places. Hands-on activities like making art from recycled stuff, building simple ecosystem models, or doing a “waste-free day” challenge can really help children connect with these ideas.
All in all, these materials give a great starting point for teaching children about the environment in a way that’s fun, meaningful, and just right for their age.
One thing I really liked was the carbon footprint questionnaire. It’s a great way for everyone to see how their daily choices affect the environment. In class, it could help children understand how they impact the planet and encourage them to make smarter, greener choices. They could even do a little project on ways to live more sustainably and share their ideas with the class.
The film HOME is a powerful documentary that shows amazing aerial shots from over 50 countries, highlighting both the beauty and fragility of our planet. It talks about how everything on Earth is connected and points out big problems caused by humans—like cutting down forests, pollution, using way too much stuff, and climate change. The film has a calm and thoughtful vibe and reminds us that we don’t have much time left to change how we live before things get really bad. Because there’s so much content, I would watch the video in stages with 5th and 6th class to help the children absorb and reflect on the information.
While HOME shows some serious stuff, it also gives hope by encouraging all of us to take responsibility and find ways to live more sustainably. It’s a strong reminder that Earth is our home, and we need to look after it together.
There are also some great resources like storybooks (Somebody Swallowed Stanley, Greta and the Giants), songs about nature, and simple visuals showing clean vs. dirty places. Hands-on activities like making art from recycled stuff, building simple ecosystem models, or doing a “waste-free day” challenge can really help children connect with these ideas.
All in all, these materials give a great starting point for teaching children about the environment in a way that’s fun, meaningful, and just right for their age.
This is a lovely, well-thought-out approach to introducing climate change in a gentle and age-appropriate way. I really like how you’ve broken it down clearly, starting with what children already know and building from there. Using Home to spark curiosity and combining it with meaningful actions like a class pledge makes the learning both engaging and practical.
One idea I might use myself is setting up a “Planet Protectors” wall in the classroom where students can share drawings, photos, or notes about things they’ve done to help the environment. It’s a great way to celebrate their efforts and keep everyone motivated to care for our planet.
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Hi Monica, I think it is a good idea how you focused on the origins of Earth and connected it into geography it is a very natural cross-curricular link. It’s also really good how you’re planning to avoid triggering any climate anxiety, especially with younger children. Including art, science, and SPHE activities to explore the topic further adds so much depth – I think your approach would really help pupils understand the issues without feeling overwhelmed. Love
Activity 3 provides an engaging and approachable introduction to the concept of greenhouse gases and their impact on climate change. Through the Paxi video, younger students can grasp the idea of how these gases trap heat in the atmosphere, thanks to its clear explanations and effective visuals. The inclusion of the interactive temperature prediction tool allows learners to see firsthand how varying emission levels might influence future global temperatures, highlighting the urgency of reducing carbon emissions.
This activity can ignite meaningful classroom discussions about sustainability, encouraging students to explore real climate data and brainstorm practical ways to reduce emissions in their daily lives. To further enrich the learning experience, incorporating a hands-on experiment or simulation alongside the digital content would offer students a concrete understanding of the greenhouse effect.
Additionally, pupils could collaborate in groups to create an action plan focused on combating the negative impacts of greenhouse gases. This project would challenge them to think critically about actionable steps their local community can take to reduce emissions. Not only does this deepen their grasp of climate change, but it also empowers them to become proactive contributors to sustainability initiatives.This is a great idea. I like how it breaks down a complex topic into simple, relatable steps for young learners. The mix of questions, clear explanations, and hands-on activities really helps make the concept of greenhouse gases easy to understand. I especially like how it encourages children to think about real-life impacts and ways they can help, which makes the learning feel relevant and empowering. It’s a solid plan that’s both engaging and educational!
When exploring STEM, it is essential to incorporate all four elements—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—rather than treating them in isolation. Equally important is providing pupils with activities rooted in real-life experiences, as this makes learning more meaningful and engaging. Dr. Maeve Liston’s paper highlights this vital point, emphasising the value of authentic, hands-on learning that connects classroom concepts to the world around us.
I think the resources in the Nose Up High in the Sky pack are excellent. I teach senior classes, and I found the Talking About Weather lesson particularly valuable. There is great scope to extend the activity by having pupils research additional weather proverbs, which could spark really interesting discussions. It also presents a perfect opportunity to explore the rich language associated with weather and different weather events—something that’s especially relevant here in Ireland, where talking about the weather is practically a national pastime!
The infant classes already record and discuss the weather each day, and this could be meaningfully tied in with the weather station. Senior pupils could share information from the station with the younger classes, helping them to compare their own observations with the recorded data. This would not only reinforce scientific concepts like observation and data collection, but also foster collaboration and communication between age groups—creating a real sense of whole-school learning.
I completely agree — those simple, hands-on activities like songs and weather logs are so effective for building early scientific thinking. It’s amazing how something as routine as observing the weather can nurture important skills like pattern recognition and communication.
I also love your point about involving parents and grandparents with traditional weather proverbs. It not only enriches the science lesson but also builds a real sense of community and connection across generations. Children get so engaged when they realise that their learning links to the world beyond the classroom.
I think that this is a great idea
I love the idea thar the whole school would be involved in the activity and that it would be their responsibility to monitor the weather. This would give them an excellent understanding of how to measure weather and the tools to use to do it.
It is such a good resource to have a small garden. We too have one and it would be an ideal place to set up.
