Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Gillian this book sounds great! We have started gathering a selection of high interest STEM books but are finding it hard to source books for the junior end! I will add this one to the list. A silly, rhyming book is perfect to peak the interest of the younger children!
I plan to use the Stars activity set in my classroom because it links beautifully to childrens natural curiosity about the night sky. First, I would engage the class in observing the stars through images or a simple planetarium app to spark wonder. We would then explore stories and myths connected to constellations, integrating literacy and oral language. To support cross-curricular learning, I would connect the star patterns to simple maths by identifying shapes and counting points of light. Finally, I would encourage the children to create their own star maps using art materials or a digital drawing tool. This supports creativity and digital literacy while reinforcing the science behind stars. As a reflective, I would ask the children to present their star maps and explain the stories they created, supporting communication and confidence. The topic is an excellent way to develop STEM skills while keeping learning playful and child-centered.
I really like your idea of using the Planet song as a lively and memorable way to anchor the lesson. The way you plan to pause after each planet to discuss its features is a great way to encourage active listening and deeper understanding. I alos like your idea of the children “adopting” a planet and representing it through art, drama or rewriting a verse. That creative extension would really help them connect with the topic in a meaningful way.
As a teacher, I can see how this approach supports a range of styles, from auditory to visual and kinaesthetic, and promotes colloboration and creativity. I might even borrow your idea of a class performance to consolidate learning at the end of of the topic- its a fantastic way to showcase what they have learned.
I would use the Activity Set: The planets to engage children in understanding the solar system in a hands on and enjoyable way. i would start with an interactive discussion about the planets, encouraging them to share ideas and questions. Next, I would introduce a simple, catchy planet- themed song or video to help children memorise the planet names and their order from the sun.
After this, I would organise a practical activity where pupils create a scale model of the solar system suing balls of different sizes, labelling each planet. this would help children visualise the vast differences in planet sizes and distances. Additionally, we could use online resources or augmented reality apps to explore more feautures of each planet.
To deepen learning, I would encourage children to choose a planet to research and present simple facts about it to the class.
Hi all, my name is Eleanor and I am working with 1st class in Cork City.
My fact about space is that space is completely silent!! There is no air to carry sound!
I am really looking forward to getting stuck into this course. I find resources etc on the topic of space more aimed at the older classes so it will be great to gather ideas for the younger classes.
I love any rhymes that help you to remember things! I often struggle to remember the correct order myself so anything that helps!!
I really liked this experiment using the cotton balls to demonstrate climate change. I feel that this experiment would be suitable for all ages. I also like the fact that is could be very simply recreated at home as the materials are so easily found,
This experiment is just a perfect way to consolidate the effects of climate change in a very effecttive way.
HOME showcases stunning aerial footage of the Earth, highlighting the beauty if our planet and the profound impacts of climate change. It emphasises the urgency of addressing environmental issues and protecting our natural resources.
I would use this with my class as I find the video clips would be perfect to captivate their interest.
I would use images and infographics to explain complex concepts visually.
I would use interactive activities to capture their intereest. For exampl,e I would use simple experiements to demonstrate effects like the greenshouse effect.
I would integrate role play for the pupils. I would have the students act out scenarios e.g being a polar bear in a melting habitat to understand the impacts on wildlife.
Susan, I really like the idea of giving the opportunity to predict temperatures in the future. This idea made me think of doing a classroom capsule. Children could do some research on the current climate and record their findings. Then compile their predictions for the same questions and then put both into a capsule that could be buried on the school grounds.
It would be such an exciting school activity and would be great to refer to over coming years to see how climate trends are tracking and if the predictions are looking to be correct or not.
I found this module very informative. I found myself learning so much and enjoyed looking at the videos as I am a visual learners and this helped me to fully understand concepts such as the greenhouse effects. The PAXI video was very informative and very relatable for children . It can often be difficult to make the link between our own day to day activities and the impact on the environment eg. Leaving the screens turned on when know on is watching. I liked also how it explained how the greenhouse effect is what makes life possible on earth and then went onto explain that human activity is what has increased greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, making the effect of the greenhouse effect too powerful, which has in turn increased temperatures on Earth. I have found this concept difficult to teach in the past. The PAXI video really would help children to understand the WHY humans need to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that they produce.
The TEAL tool was a very simple yet effective tool to explore different climate variables as well as carbon emissions for the past 40 years. This would be a great way to link learning about the climate in with maths as children study the different data.
I love the idea of researching things like swings, slides etc. Children know better than anyone how to make things go faster, slower, higher etc. However giving them the opportunity to explore items like these would great opportunity for pupils to explore and learn new language in the area of STEM. It would also give them the opportunity to apply the concepts and the language that they already know to this topic.
It would be vital to this topic to get children to a local playground to explore their findings etc.
Maeve Liston’s paper delves into the complexities of STEM education, emphasising the need for authentic, integrated learning experiences that go beyond simply combining science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects.
The article argues for a deeper understamding of STEM literacyand the attributes of an effective STEM classroom. It highlights the Engingeering Design Process as a crucial framework for developing meaningful STEM lessons, encouraging students to think and act like engineers through hands on challenges and projects.
In my classroom, STEM education is approached through project based learning, where students engage in real-world problems and apply interdisciplinary knowledge to find solutions.
Weemphaises the Engineering Design Process encouraging students to brainstorm, design, test, and refine their projects. This method not only builds skills but also folsters creativity, critical thinking and colloboration.
Feedback on ESA weather and climate resource: Activity one
The activity is age appropriate, engaging students with tangiable weather observations.
It helps build foundational knowledge by linking daily weather with broader climate concepts.
I would enhance this activity by setting up an interactive weather station for pupils in the yard to observe and record weather data.
I really enjoyed these too. I thought these would be a fantastic opener/closer to a lesson on climate. In addition to this, it would be great to give pupils the opportunity to make these up themselves.
These is great scope for cross curricular integration with Gaeilge on this topic.
It would be lovely to have these old weather proverbs areound a science board in the hall for the whole school to see. Or maybe pupils could work in groups to design posters for the proverbs
I thought the ESA resource “Nose High up in the Sky” to be really well designed to help students understand the importance of air quality and how it can be measured using various tools and techniques.
I thought it would be a great result to allow pupils from a senior class to complete various activities on this topic.
For example: they could focus on Air quality measurement. Using simple tools like diffusion tubes or digital sensors to measure pollutants such as No2.
Pupils could record air quality data over time and compare results from different locations.
It would be of great benefit to then engage all pupils in discussions about their findings and the implications for their communities.
I think this resource is of great educational value and provides a solid foundation in understanding air pollution and its effects. It alligns well with the science curriculum.
ls
This is a very interesting question. I feel deforestation isn’t fully explored within the Irish SESE curriculum however, when exploring it gives such a clear insight into the cause and effect on our climate. Sometimes I feel when teaching about the ozone layer etc. children can struggle to imagine and grasp the concept where as I feel deforestation, the effect on animals etc. is a very concrete example and one that possibly pupils have seen happen or be able to relate more to.
I think maps showing forests in ireland etc. in different years woudl really clearly demonstrate how land has been cleared of trees for various uses
