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I like how you have linked Space Week across different subjects, making the learning fun and meaningful for the children.
I would use the Rocket Mice activity in my Junior Infants classroom as a fun way to explore STEM. I would begin by talking about rockets and space and asking the children how they think a rocket travels. We would look at the rocket mouse and encourage the children to predict what they think will happen when we launch it.
The children would decorate and make their own rocket mouse before placing it on top of an empty plastic bottle. By squeezing the bottle, the rocket mouse would launch into the air. We would watch carefully and talk about what happened. I would encourage the children to make predictions before each launch and compare what they observed afterwards.
To extend the activity, we could investigate what happens if we squeeze the bottle gently or harder and discuss which rocket travelled the highest. We could also measure the height or distance using cubes or footsteps.
This activity would help children develop science skills by encouraging them to predict, observe and investigate. It also supports early maths skills through measuring and comparing, while giving children the opportunity to learn through play and hands-on exploration.
I think the ice cube investigation is a great hands-on activity as children can make predictions and see the results for themselves.
Hand on Activity- Animals in the Cold
I would use the “Animals in the Cold” activity in my classroom as a fun introduction to animals that live in cold environments. I would begin by showing the children pictures of animals such as polar bears, penguins and seals and discuss what they notice about them. We would talk about how these animals survive in very cold places.
I would carry out a simple blubber experiment using a plastic bowl of ice water and two “animal paws”, one with vegetable shortening to represent blubber and one without. The children could make predictions about which one they think will stay warmer, test their ideas and discuss their observations. This would encourage children to ask questions, investigate and think like scientists.
To extend the activity, children could create their own polar animals using different art materials and discuss what features help their animal survive. This activity supports STEM learning by developing curiosity, problem-solving and observation skills.I really like the alien birthday party idea as it encourages children’s imagination, oral language and creativity, especially when they compare their own experiences with an alien’s world.
Activity Set- Space and Aliens
I would use the Martian activity in my classroom as a fun and imaginative way to introduce children to the planet Mars. I would begin by talking about Mars and showing the children pictures of the planet. We would discuss simple facts, such as Mars being known as the “Red Planet”, that it is very far away from Earth, and that scientists use robots to explore it.
To introduce the activity, I would create a story where a little Martian has landed in our classroom in a spaceship. Using an alien puppet, I would ask the children questions such as “What do you think our Martian looks like?” and “What do you think he needs to live on Mars?” Before seeing the puppet, the children could use their imagination to draw what they think the Martian might look like.
The children could then create their own Martian using a variety of art materials such as paint, paper, cardboard, fabric and recycled materials. They could share their creations with the class and explain their ideas. I would use the interactive board to show images and videos of Mars to support their learning. This activity would encourage creativity, language development, problem-solving and curiosity about space.I think the Moon Passport is a fantastic idea as it would make the activity feel more like a real space adventure for the children.
Activity Set- The Planets
To introduce the lesson, I would gather the children on the carpet and show them a large picture of Earth from space. I think this would be a lovely visual prompt and would spark lots of discussion. We would talk about where we live, then Ireland, then Earth, before introducing the idea that Earth is one of eight planets that travel around the Sun.
I would introduce two small alien puppets who have travelled to Earth but don’t know anything about our Solar System. The children could help the aliens learn the names of the planets and explain what they discover during the lesson. I find that puppets are a great way to encourage participation, especially with quieter children. I would display pictures of the eight planets in order and say their names together a few times. I would teach the Planets song to reinforce this.
The planet game would be a great way to keep the children engaged. They would love pretending to be rockets travelling through space while listening carefully for the names of the planets. It gives plenty of opportunities to develop listening skills while being physically active.
I also like the planet dance as it reinforces positional language such as behind, beside, left, right, above and below. This links really well with the Junior Infants maths curriculum, and the children are learning these concepts in a fun and active way.
For the spinning activity, I would first use a globe or a ball to demonstrate what an axis is. I would explain that the axis is an imaginary line running through the middle of the Earth from the North Pole to the South Pole. The children could then use their hoops as their planets, rolling them around the “Sun” while also turning themselves slowly to show that planets both spin on their axis and orbit the Sun.
To finish the lesson, we would revise the names of the planets together and talk about what we learned. A display of the planets in the classroom would be beneficial also to reinforce the learning.
Inquiry-based activity- Infant Classes- Floating and Sinking
I would use a floating and sinking activity as an inquiry-based learning experience with my Junior Infants. I chose this activity because it is a simple but effective way to encourage children’s natural curiosity and allow them to learn through exploration. Young children are naturally curious and enjoy finding out how things work, so this activity gives them the opportunity to investigate and discover ideas for themselves.I would begin the lesson with a simple prompt to encourage curiosity and discussion. For example, I could show the children an object and ask, “I wonder what will happen if I put this into the water?” The children would be encouraged to share their ideas, make predictions and explain their thinking. We would then test the different objects together and discuss what happened. Children would have the opportunity to ask questions, share their observations and reflect on whether their predictions were correct.
I like this type of activity because it allows children to be active participants in their own learning rather than just listening to information. It develops important STEM skills such as questioning, problem-solving, observing and communicating ideas. It also supports language development as children discuss words such as float, sink, heavy, light and materials.As a Junior Infant teacher, I think inquiry-based learning works very well because it links with play-based learning and allows children to learn through hands-on experiences. It also allows for differentiation, as every child can contribute ideas and observations at their own level. This activity would help develop curiosity, confidence and a positive attitude towards STEM from an early age.