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Hi Irene. I like this activity because it combines storytelling, real-life astronaut videos, and hands-on rocket building to spark curiosity, encourage prediction, and make learning about space exciting and interactive for young children.
Planning for Space Week in the Junior Classroom:
To consolidate my learning from this course, here is my idea of a class plan to celebrate Space Week in the Junior classes. My goal is to spark curiosity and wonder about space through a week of cross-curricular, hands-on activities that are developmentally appropriate and engaging.
We’ll begin the week by exploring what the children already know and wonder about space. Each day will have a theme: Monday – The Sun and Shadows: We’ll go outside to trace our shadows and observe how they change. Indoors, we’ll use torches and toys to explore how shadows form.
Tuesday – The Moon: We’ll read a story like Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me and create textured moon art using tinfoil and paint.
Wednesday – Rockets and Rovers: Children will build simple paper rockets and test how far they fly. We’ll also watch a short clip of the Mars rover and discuss its job.
Thursday – Aliens and Imagination: Children will design their own aliens and describe the planets they come from. This will lead into creative writing or oral storytelling.
Friday – Starry Skies: We’ll explore constellations using star stickers on black paper and finish with a calming “spacewalk” meditation.
Throughout the week, we’ll use digital tools to document learning and share with the older classes. This plan brings together science, literacy, art, and play. Hopefully making “Space Week” a joyful, memorable learning experience that builds on this course’s themes.Hi Louise .I really like this activity because it introduced me to engaging, accessible online resources—like the “Do Try This at Home” videos and the Astronomy Picture of the Day—which I can use to spark curiosity, support science teaching, and inspire rich discussions with my junior infant class.
For module four I would like to focus on hands on classroom activities because they provide rich, practical opportunities for children to develop STEM skills in an active and engaging way. I would integrate a space-themed STEM week, where each day focuses on a different challenge or investigation.
For example, one activity could involve designing and testing paper rockets. Children would explore how shape and weight affect flight, encouraging prediction, testing, and reflection. Another day might involve building simple structures to withstand a “moonquake” using marshmallows and spaghetti, promoting teamwork and problem-solving. These activities naturally foster key science skills such as observing and evaluating.
Hands-on STEM activities make learning memorable, foster curiosity, and help children see themselves as capable problem-solvers. They also align well with School Self Evaluation (SSE) goals by promoting inquiry-based learning and cross-curricular integration. Going forward, I would collaborate with colleagues and gather pupil voices to inform future planning.Hi Veronica .I like your activity because it combines creativity, science, and hands-on learning—encouraging children to explore life on Mars through imaginative alien design, collaborative building with Lego Spike, and expressive storytelling, all while making space exploration exciting and meaningful.
I think I would use the Space and Aliens activities because it sparks imagination while introducing scientific thinking. Young children are naturally fascinated by the unknown, and the idea of aliens and distant planets provides a perfect introduction to learning about space in a playful and enjoyable way. I would begin with a story or video about an alien visiting Earth, prompting a class discussion: “What might an alien look like?” and “What would they think of our planet?” This encourages creativity and empathy while setting the stage for cross-curricular learning. Children could then design their own aliens, considering what kind of planet their alien comes from—Is it hot or cold? Does it have gravity? What do they eat? This leads to discussions about the conditions needed for life and comparisons with Earth. In art, they could create alien models using recycled materials. In literacy, they could write short stories or postcards from their alien’s perspective. In science, we’d explore planets in our solar system and what makes Earth special.
I like this activity you outline here Laura, because it makes the concept of light and shadows hands-on, engaging, and memorable for children by combining outdoor exploration with critical thinking and creative follow-up in the classroom. Thanks.
For this module, I chose the Sun and Shadows activity because it offers a hands-on, inquiry-based approach that I like. Children in the infant classroom are naturally curious about the world around them, and this activity taps into that curiosity by helping them observe and understand how the Sun affects shadows throughout the day. I would begin by taking the children outside at different times—morning, midday, and afternoon—to trace their shadows using chalk. We would mark the time and compare the lengths and directions of the shadows. This simple yet powerful activity encourages observation, prediction, and discussion. It also integrates well with other subjects: we can link it to maths by measuring shadow lengths, to literacy by writing about our findings, and to art by creating shadow drawings. What I particularly like about this activity is how it helps children grasp the concept that the Sun appears to move across the sky, which in turn affects the position of shadows. It lays the groundwork for understanding Earth’s rotation in a very tangible way. I would also use a globe and a torch in the classroom to model how the Sun’s position changes and how shadows are formed, reinforcing the outdoor observations.
Hi Sarah. I really enjoyed reading your post! I love your favourite space fact that footprints on the moon will last for a million years. Your idea for using Neil Armstrong as an inspiration in the classroom sounds really engaging. I think my students would enjoy that too. Thanks for the inspiration!
One inquiry-based activity I would love to use in my classroom is the “Design a Space Habitat” challenge. In this activity, students would work in small groups to design a habitat that could support human life on another planet, such as Mars or the Moon. They must consider factors like oxygen, food, water, temperature, and protection from radiation. I would begin by showing a short video or reading a story about astronauts living in space, then pose the question: “What would we need to survive on another planet?”
It would be great if the students would, draw, and present their ideas, and we could even build models using recycled materials. This kind of task allows children to ask their own questions and explore real-world problems in a fun and meaningful way. Infants have such boundless imaginations, and I’d imagine they would have some crazy ideas which would be fun for all.Hi everyone! My name is Criona and I’m a primary school teacher based in Westmeath. I’m really excited to be part of this course and to explore creative ways to bring space into the classroom. My favourite space fact: A day on Venus is longer than its year! Venus takes about 243 Earth days to rotate once on its axis, but only about 225 Earth days to orbit the Sun.
Hi Laura. I like this lesson plan because it combines creativity, skill development, and knowledge sharing. Here’s why it’s a great way to engage young children during Space Week:
Hands-On Creativity: Creating a spacecraft using simple materials allows students to explore their imagination and design unique spaceships. It’s like turning their ideas into reality!
Skill Building: As they work in small groups, students develop fine motor skills and learn teamwork. Plus, they get to choose materials like cardboard, aluminum foil, and plastic bottles—how cool is that?
Introduction to Spacecraft: Starting with pictures and videos, students learn about spacecraft and their purpose. It’s like opening a door to the universe!
Structured Learning: Over two sessions, they focus on structure and details. It’s like building a puzzle—one piece at a time.
Confidence Boost: Presenting their completed spacecraft helps students practice public speaking. They become space experts in front of their peers!
Critical Thinking: Discussing which spacecraft would travel farthest or fastest encourages thoughtful analysis. It’s like solving a cosmic mystery!
In summary, this hands-on activity sparks curiosity and makes learning about space exploration fun!Here is an outline of a possible plan to help engage the children in junior Infants with space week.
Space Week Class Plan for Junior Infants
Theme: Exploring Outer Space
Objective:
To introduce young learners to the wonders of space through cross-curricular activities.
Circle time:
Space Exploration Discussion: Gather the children in a circle and discuss space-related topics. Show images of planets, stars, and rockets. Encourage questions and curiosity.
Literacy:
Storytime: “Aliens Visit Our Planet”: Read a fun story about friendly aliens visiting Earth. Discuss the concept of aliens and their imaginary adventures.
Writing Activity: Have students draw their own alien characters and write a short description.
Mathematics :
• Counting Stars: Use star-shaped cutouts to practice counting. Ask questions like, “How many stars are in the sky?”
• Rocket Math: Introduce basic addition and subtraction using rocket-themed flashcards.
Science :
• Rocket Launch Experiment: Create simple paper rockets and launch them outdoors. Discuss how rockets work and why they can reach space.
• Planet Exploration: Show pictures of planets and discuss their unique features.
Art :
• Alien Art: Provide colored paper, googly eyes, and glue. Let students create their own alien creatures.
• Galaxy Painting: Use dark paper and white paint to create a galaxy background. Add glitter for stars.
Physical Education:
• Astronaut Training: Set up an obstacle course. Pretend students are astronauts navigating through space stations.
Home Connection:
• Family Space Challenge: Send home a space-themed activity sheet. Encourage families to stargaze, learn about constellations, or build a rocket model together.
Expected Outcomes:
• Appreciate how space can be integrated into various subjects.
• Identify opportunities to apply mathematics and science skills in a cross-curricular way.Hi Laura. It’s clear that you appreciate the benefits of incorporating hands-on classroom activities to engage younger students and enhance their understanding of basic STEM concepts. The “Plant a Seed” exercise, which involves planting and nurturing seeds while observing their growth, aligns well with your enthusiasm. By connecting this lesson to weather elements like sunlight, rain, temperature, and wind, you demonstrate a holistic approach to teaching. Your intention to integrate a STEM-focused Student Science Experience (SSE) through prediction drawing, weather charting, and student feedback reflects your commitment to effective teaching methods. Additionally, leveraging digital tools like a class blog for sharing observations shows your dedication to creating an interactive and supportive learning environment. Keep up the great work!
I think that I will find that ESA kids will be very helpful to me in planning my future classes. It is great that ESA Kids provides engaging space-themed activities and resources for young children, making learning about space exciting and educational for both teachers and students.
Here are some ways I might use this wonderful resource.
Rocket Launch Simulation:
Create simple paper rockets with students. Discuss rocket science concepts like thrust, aerodynamics, and trajectory. Use the ESA Kids app to simulate rocket launches virtually.
Orbit Exploration: Explain orbits using a hula hoop or a circular object. Have students simulate orbits by moving around the hoop. Discuss how satellites stay in orbit around Earth.
Solar System Models: Build a scale model of the solar system. Assign each student a planet or moon to research. Use ESA Kids resources to learn about each celestial body.
Astronaut Training: Set up an obstacle course to simulate astronaut training. Discuss the challenges astronauts face in microgravity. Explore ESA’s astronaut-related content.
Space Art and Crafts: Create space-themed art using materials like paper, paint, and clay. Design alien creatures or futuristic spacecraft. Explore ESA Kids’ coloring and creative activities.
Mission Control Center: Role-play a mission control center. Students can take on roles like flight director, communication officer, or engineer. Use ESA Kids’ interactive missions as scenarios.
