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The idea of letting them design their own rockets from different materials is brilliant for giving choice and encouraging problem-solving. Ending with the rocket simulator video is a perfect touch as it ties the learning together and gives them a taste of what being in space might feel like. I think your class would absolutely love this!
I would base my classroom activity around the theme of rockets to engage the children in both science and hands-on learning. We would begin by discussing the role rockets play in space exploration, using videos and images of real launches to capture their interest. I would then introduce a simple STEM challenge: in pairs or small groups, pupils would design and build their own paper or straw rockets. We would experiment with different designs and launch methods, testing how far each could travel and recording the results.
This activity not only builds excitement but also allows children to explore scientific concepts like force, trajectory, and aerodynamics in a fun, accessible way. By encouraging them to modify and improve their designs, we promote problem-solving and resilience.The week would end with a class launch event would make the learning memorable and celebrate their creativity and teamwork.
I really like how interactive and hands-on your activity is! Using a small world play area and connecting it to real-world concepts like the poles makes the lesson very engaging. I also love the Vaseline experiment—it’s such a clever way for the children to see animal adaptations in action, making the learning fun.
I chose hands-on classroom activities because I’ve seen how much my students love exploring and experimenting when they can touch, build, and test things themselves. In my classroom, I would use activities like simple circuits with batteries and bulbs, experimenting with plants to see how they grow under different conditions, or coding small robots to complete challenges. These activities get the children thinking critically, working together, and asking questions, which really develops their STEM skills.
For a STEM-focused School Self Evaluation, I would observe how students approach problems, how they work with their peers, and how they apply what they’ve learned to new situations. I would take notes on areas where they show initiative or need more support and use this to plan future lessons. I could also encourage students to keep a learning journal or create a small class “STEM showcase” so they can share their discoveries, reflect on their progress, and feel proud of their work.
I really like how this activity combines creativity with learning about space, it sounds so fun for the children. I also think linking it back to the planets for revision is a clever way to reinforce previous lessons.
I think the Stars activity would work really well with my class. I would start by asking the children what they think stars are and where they come from, as this would bring out their imaginative ideas. We would then watch a video that explains what stars are made of, why they shine, and how they can be different sizes and colours. We would also look at the constellations and the different names.
After the video, I would give the children black card and either chalk or metallic/bright crayons to create their own “night sky.” I’d encourage them to include different colours to represent hot and cool stars, and we could even add some constellations we’ve learned about. Once they’ve finished, we’d do a quick “space gallery” walk around the classroom so they can admire each other’s work and share something interesting they’ve learned. This combination of discussion, visuals, and creativity would help the learning stick in a fun and memorable way.
This sounds like a great idea, and I’d love to try something similar with my class. I like how you’ve combined videos, discussion, and research to keep it engaging while still getting across the key concepts. Splitting it into two lessons is such a good way to make sure the children have time to really take it all in.
Activity set- The planets.
I have used The Planet Song with my 2nd class before, and it was a huge hit. We started by simply listening to the song and talking about how catchy it was. I then played it again and encouraged the children to join in with the chorus. Once they were familiar with it, we added actions for each planet – for example, pretending to feel really hot for Mercury, spinning for Earth, or shivering for Neptune. This made the learning more active and memorable.
After a few rounds, we moved on to a hands-on activity where the children worked in small groups to put planet cards in the correct order from the Sun. The song acted as a memory tool, and it was amazing to see them singing quietly to themselves as they worked it out.
Hi Eimear, this is such a fun way to introduce big space concepts in a way that feels age-appropriate to the younger kids.
Hey Everyone,
My name is Emma and I’m teaching in Mayo.
For the last few years I taught in second class and Space was a topic we always explored. The children loved it and they completed amazing projects on it. My favourite space fact is that there are more stars in the universe than there are grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth.
This year I have junior infants so I’m looking forward to learning about new resources and how I can introduce it to the younger kids.
