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Encouraging the children to work as Journalists is a fantastic ideas. They would really enjoy and then you could publish a class newspaper.
This is fantastic I love how personal it is to the children. It makes it so real and very memorable.
Research Question
“How does the weather affect the plants and animals in our school environment?”
How I would involve Pupils:
I would begin with a class discussion about what “climate” and “weather” mean in simple terms.
I would ask questions such as
“Have you noticed how plants or animals change when it’s hot, rainy, or frosty?”I would then split pupils into small groups.
Each group chooses something to observe (e.g., a tree, a patch of grass, birds, or insects).
They record changes over time: number of leaves, colour, animal activity, or even puddles forming after rain.
I would provide simple observation sheets or a class climate diary and child-friendly tools: thermometers, rain gauges
The children could measure rainfall and temperature daily and compare what they find to how plants and animals behave that week. They could use iPads to take photos as evidence.
I would guide pupils to spot patterns: “When it rained a lot, did we see more snails?” and help them link weather changes to living things in their environment.
Finally , we could share the results by creating a wall display or a big poster showing their findings.Yes I was so surprised to see so many satellites and I think an older class would really enjoy this activity.
I downloaded the satellite tracker apps and here are five satellites that have recently passed over Ireland.
1. International Space Station. It’s a large habitable satellite orbiting Earth, jointly run by NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, JAXA, and CSA. It hosts astronauts who conduct scientific research in microgravity, including medical, engineering, and Earth-observation experiments.
2. Starlink Satellites (SpaceX) It’s a constellation of thousands of small satellites launched by SpaceX. It provides high-speed internet access globally, including rural and remote areas.It is seen regularly in Ireland as a “train of lights “
3. NOAA-18 (US Weather Satellite)A polar-orbiting weather satellite operated by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).It’s purpose is to Capture images of clouds, oceans, storms, and environmental conditions to support weather forecasting.
4. Metop-C (European Meteorological Satellite)It is Part of Europe’s Metop series of polar-orbiting weather satellites, run by EUMETSAT. It collects atmospheric data, including temperature, humidity, and ozone levels, to improve European and global weather forecasts.
5. Meteor M2-4 (Russian Weather Satellite) A Russian polar-orbiting meteorological satellite.It Sends back Earth imagery, particularly useful for tracking clouds, sea ice, and weather systems.
It really is stunning and bleak and I could see this topic being overwhelming for children. I would try balance the lesson by ending it on a hopeful note by discussing solutions and stories about Greta Thunberg and other activists.
The film Home delivers a powerful message about climate change by showing how human activity is damaging Earth’s delicate balance. Through stunning aerial images, it highlights the beauty of our planet while also exposing the consequences of deforestation, overconsumption, and reliance on fossil fuels. The contrast between nature’s resilience and the fragility of ecosystems under pressure makes the urgency of climate action very clear. The film encourages viewers to recognise that climate change is not a distant problem, but a present reality that requires global cooperation and individual responsibility to protect our shared home.
In my classroom I would approach introducing climate change facts in a way that makes them accessible, relatable, and hopeful, rather than overwhelming.
I would start with what the children already know using the birthday introduction from module 1. Then I would frame climate change through stories and visuals. To make the facts hands on I would use simple experiments again like
Weather detectives from module 1. It would be nice for the children to connect globally by sharing facts and in all lessons I would emphasise the solutions (recycling , renewable energy).I completed Activities 1 and 2 from the Teach with Space: Weather vs Climate resource. The activities are fun for both teacher and learner, very engaging and user friendly. The first Activity clearly defines weather and climate.I love to use a sorting task in my teaching and sorting the statements encourages observation, reasoning,team work and critical thinking. If I had infants I would try asking them to sort images.The birthday weather discussion is an excellent teaching idea. It immediately invites everybody into the lesson and it makes the distinction between weather and climate more personal and concrete.
Activity 2 “Weather Detectives” is equally as fun engaging it gives students a practical, hands-on experience of measuring weather data. By actively using thermometers, they would be able to see how temperature varies in different locations and times of day, which makes the concept of weather more tangible and engaging. The activity encouraged careful observation, recording, and comparison, helping to develop both scientific skills and critical thinking. Overall, it combines scientific inquiry with real-world application, making the learning memorable and meaningful.
I would be very enthusiastic to use these lessons in my classroom. I would put yen children in groups and then guide a discussion of their findings.
What a fantastic introduction. I love the idea of comparing summer/winter birthdays. The children would be immediately engaged and a great discussion would develop.
Hello
Thank you for bringing the Greta Thunberg TED talk to my attention, definitely more age appropriate .
“Home” by Yann Arthus-Bertrand is a visually stunning and thought-provoking documentary that highlights the delicate balance of life on Earth and the impact of human activities on the planet. Through breathtaking aerial footage from over 50 countries, the film showcases the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the urgency of addressing environmental issues. The narrative is both a celebration of Earth’s beauty and a call to action, reminding viewers that the future of our planet depends on the choices we make today. It’s a powerful and compelling work that encourages reflection on our responsibility towards the environment.
In my classroom I would envisage using using simple language, relatable examples, and engaging activities to teach climate facts to primary aged children. I would start with the basics, like explaining that Earth is our home, and it needs care just like a garden or a pet. I would use stories such as “Go Green” by Paul A Reynolds . I would facilitate Hands-on activities, like planting or recycling crafts. This can help them understand how their actions make a difference. I would Keep the message positive and focus on how they can help protect the planet.
The “Climate Reporter and Predicting Temperature Change” lesson activity is an engaging and informative educational experience designed to help students understand the complexities of climate change and the science behind temperature predictions. This activity is particularly effective in combining theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on learning, making it an excellent tool for both educators and students.
I would use a KWL chart with my class and then I would show the paxi video. It is a very engaging video which delivers its message effectively.
I would then show the temperature predictor tool and explain that this is the tool scientist use to help predict the future temperature based on what is happening now. It could be fun to introduce a scenario like pretend we are scientist trying to predict the temperature for next years school tour. I would model how to use it and then we would make predictions altogether. In groups, children can explore the tool with different scenarios eg what happens if there is a lot of rain.Finally I would encourage positive action and ask what can you do to make a change.
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.
Hi Aine
What a very interesting question that would engage the children immediately . Climate change is causing a complex reshuffling of mini beast populations, which in turn affects pollination, soil health, and the broader ecological networks that these small but crucial creatures support. The children could then present their findings at a school assembly.
Research Question: How does planting trees at our school help keep our playground cooler during hot days?
This question is simple and relatable for primary age children, focusing on the direct impact of an action (planting trees) on their immediate environment (the playground) in the context of climate change.
First I would Start by discussing with the children how they feel on the playground during different times of the day and in different weather conditions. Ask them to hypothesize whether planting more trees might make the playground cooler.
Next I would Organise a tree-planting event where the children can help plant trees around the playground. This hands-on activity will engage them directly in the research process.
The children will learn how to use simple tools like thermometers to measure the temperature in different areas of the playground. Have them take readings at various times of the day, both in sunny and shaded areas, before and after planting the trees. Then we could Create a chart or journal where the children can record their temperature readings over time. They can also draw pictures or take photos of the playground before and after the trees are planted.
After a few weeks or months, in groups the children could compare the temperature data they’ve collected. Discuss whether the playground has become cooler and how the trees might have contributed to this change.
