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The online resources and lessons provide a key wealth of engaging STEM activities.
One of the strengths of STEM is its integrated nature, and I really appreciated how the ARC lessons embraced the multidisciplinary approach. For example they included an element of history through the story of The Salmon of Knowledge, which I found to be an excellent hook for starting a lesson. I brainstormed how I could use this within my class as a hook and how I would use STEM activities based off it.
Science
- Pupils could sequence the lifecycle of a salmon.
- Since salmon live in both saltwater and freshwater we could carry out a saltwater density experiment and compare the two types of water.
Engineering
- Children could design and build a model fish trap
- Children could carry out a filtration experiment using plastic bottles, coffe filters, sand and gravel and cotton balls.
Technology
- Pupils could do a digital retelling using ppt, or the Book Creator app
Maths
- Explore concepts of probability and chance by analysing the likelihood of catching the Salmon of Knowledge.
We can easily link this with SPHE and the benefits of eating fish which was also a video on the online ARC resources. The Green-Schools program aligns with several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals particularly those related to environmental sustainability and education. As a school that participates in the green school program we could highlight aquaculture.
From an SSE perspective if the focus was to enhance STEM teaching and leaning through cross curricular integration my above lesson ideas shows how easily it can be done. It shows how easily a unit on aquaculture could be a theme.
When we think of Ireland’s coastline, we may picture dramatic cliffs, waves and beaches but tucked in along our coast is something less romantic but just as important- aquaculture.
What I find particularity encouraging is the economic role aquaculture plays in supporting local communities. Aquaculture offers a modern twist on coastal living. It creates jobs not just at sea, but onshore too- There is direct and indirect employment as a result.
- Farm workers- to mange nets, feeding systems, day to day operations
- Marine biologists and environmental scientists
- processing plant workers-cleaning, processing, packaging
- logistics and transport- drivers and coordinators to move produce
- Sales and marketing-promoting seafood locally and internationally
- Maintenance -repair nets/cages
As someone mentioned previously proving diverse employment for skilled and unskilled workforce. The impact of this to a local community is increased local spending as workers may spend their wages locally, supporting local shops and businesses. Aquaculture provides a stable and long term source of income, this may enable families to live in or relocate to more coastal areas. It could boost schools enrollments and help a community to thrive.
Mark I agree so much with your point about how important the video about nutrition is and how we need to highlight this to children.It can help children make informed food choices that support their growth, health and lifelong habits. By understanding this at a young age, children are more likely to appreciate fish as part of a balanced diet and be open to trying it. With hot school lunches being provided now all children and fish being an option they may be more inclined to try some seafood. By teaching children about the nutritional benefits of seafood it empowers children to take an active role in their own health and maybe encourage conversations at home.
Living and working in coastal county myself I found myself feeling increasing guilty as I engaged with this module, that I haven’t given enough time and focus to what is on our doorstep. Feel quite envious of the 150 schools that have has the opportunity to engage with ARC, it’s almost submarine like structure and use of technology, STEM activities and multimedia approach and encouraging children to make links with how aquaculture can support other activities, businesses and jobs in the community and the importance of seafood in fulfilling a balanced diet.
The Young Chef Ambassador Programme, I felt was aimed more at older students , but could spark interest in cooking, food systems and future careers.
The tools support cross-curricular learning linking Science, SPHE, geography. They promote critical thinking, digital skills and active citizenship by encouraging children to consider the environmental and community impacts of aquaculture. Integrating these resources can deepen students’ understanding of marine life, food sustainability and sense of community- giving them a voice in their environment and a stronger connection to their coastal home.
It may opens children’s’ eyes to the long process it takes for us to enjoy fish. While we receive free school lunches now,in my school there is one fish choice per week and it is breaded fish, the uptake is very very poor. By using these tool it may encourage children to eat more fish also.
I would use the book The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield there is even a video of him reading his own book which I love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxoG6Eug7jI
I love using Chris Hadfield’s question and answer videos on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bCo
I used the book Aliens in Underpants save the World, here is a pic of my display this year. We used these books as inspiration to create aliens and rockets as seen in the image.
We used the book to write descriptive sentences- a colour, a size, a number, and a doing sentence about an alien.
I set up a role play area, we used Chris Hadfield videos to imagine life in space, how you brush your teeth, they loved the what food you eat in space video.
I also played this song before aistear so we could use the names of planets when we play. https://youtu.be/mQrlgH97v94
Racheal, thanks for sharing this, I could see the level of engagement for children would be high. Like how you incorporated the idea of a fair test as often this is something im guilty of not pointing out in younger classes.
I’ve added me themed corner to the thread. Children love when I set up a new role play area, adds fun, excitement and lots of playful learning can happen.
This was the themed corner I did for aistear.
I made a console using cardboard and printables from a well known teachers resource page. I using old sheep medicine canisters as jetpacks. I used a carseat for the rockets seat. To the right was the investigation station for the moon rocks, rocks or different shapes and sizes and tinfoil balls.
This was part of our aistear theme on Space. Children designed their own rockets or aliens using recyclable materials
Thanks for sharing these ideas Christine. They will be really helpful in my classroom, love how each day has a theme!
I choose Aliens and Space.
Here are some ideas I would or have used.
Role Play: Space rocket, i used black bags to black out an area, I used old sheep dosing containers and turned them upside down and attached straps as backpacks, I used some old keyboards and made a control panel. I used my child’s night projector. I used a high back booster seat as the rockets seat.
Sensory: we made moon sand
Creation Station: Create aliens from recyclable materials
Playdough: Use playdough and craft items such as googly eyes, buttons, matchsticks, pipe cleanerss to create aliens
Small world: I got a wooden rocket in Aldi
Literacy: Aliens in Underpants Save the World,
SESE
· Recognise the difference between day and night
· Recognise the differences between the streetscape during the day/night
· Identify and discuss the sun, the moon and stars within the context of night and day
· Recognise the difference between day and night
· Identify and discuss the sun, the moon and stars within the context of night and day
Art:paper plate aliens
P.E.:Space Walk and Alien Dance, Play music and children move like they are in space(slow, floating movements) and then like aliens (creative, silly movements)
Sensory: Create Alien Slime, make slime withglue, baking soda, saline solution, food colouring, glitter and some small alien toys.
Music: Alien Sound Hunt, pre-recorded sounds (space sounds, beeping, whoosing) Have children mimic the sounds and discuss what each sound might represent
Here are some learning stations focused on the topic: The Moon
1. Reading Station:
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown,
Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle,
Moonbear’s Shadow by Frank Asch.
Man on the Moon by Simon Bartram
The Darkest Dak by Chris Hadfield
Someone on this forum also reminded me of the book Whatever Next by Jill Murphy
I would also add some non fiction books to the library.
2. Gravity Experiment: Provide small balls and a ramp to show how gravity affects objects differently. Explain that gravity on the moon is weaker than on Earth. –
3. Sensory Station: Moon Sand:Create “moon sand” using flour and baby oil.
4. Dramatic Play Station-Astronaut Dress-Up
5. Technology Station- Bee Bots, I saw this mentioned in Module 1 forum, printed map of the moon- get to the crator, get to the moon buggy, get to the rocket etc. Programme the Bee Bots
6. Music and Movement Station:Teach and sing songs about the moon. ‘Hey Diddle Diddle’, ‘The Man in The Moon; The Use instruments for a musical experience. Play space-themed music and let children pretend to be astronauts moving in low gravity.
I would also encourage children to record their observations of the moon over a week and we could record this. It would also open up discussions about the weather.
These stations will allow children to explore various aspects of the moon through hands-on activities, fostering a deeper understanding and curiosity about space.
