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Reflection on the Activity Set: The Moon
I would choose the Activity Set: The Moon because it is a practical and engaging way to help students understand the different phases of the Moon and why they occur. In my classroom, I would begin by asking students what they already know about the Moon and whether they have noticed that its shape seems to change throughout the month. This would encourage curiosity and activate their prior knowledge.
Next, I would carry out a hands-on activity using a lamp to represent the Sun, a ball to represent the Moon, and the students themselves as the Earth. By moving the ball around while observing how the light falls on it, students could clearly see how the Moon’s phases are created. This visual and interactive approach makes an abstract concept much easier to understand.
To reinforce learning, students would keep a Moon observation journal for two weeks, recording the Moon’s appearance each night. They could also compare their observations with digital simulations or astronomy apps. I believe this combination of practical activities and technology would increase student engagement, develop scientific observation skills, and make learning about the Moon both meaningful and memorable.
Thank you for sharing your activity. I really enjoyed reading about how you have combined a story with a practical STEM investigation. Using The Way Back Home is a great way to introduce the topic of space and encourage children to start asking questions about rockets and movement.
Reflective Post – Rockets & Alien Chemistry
I would use the Rockets & Alien Chemistry activity with my First Class pupils as part of a Space Week project. This activity would encourage children to explore science through creativity, investigation, and teamwork while learning more about rockets and materials.
I would begin the lesson by showing the children images and videos of real rockets and asking questions such as: “Why do rockets need to be powerful?” and “What materials do you think are used to build a rocket?” The children would share their ideas and make predictions about how rockets work.
The main activity would be a rocket design challenge. In small groups, the children would design and build their own rockets using recycled materials such as cardboard tubes, paper, foil, and plastic bottles. They would decide what features their rocket needs and explain the purpose of each part. After building their rockets, the children would test them using a simple launch activity and discuss what worked well and what changes they could make to improve their designs.
For the alien chemistry part, the children would become “space scientists” and create a new material that could exist on an alien planet. They would choose its colour, texture, and properties and explain what it could be used for, such as building houses, making space suits, or providing energy.
To document the activity, I would take photographs and videos of the design process, the rocket models, and the children presenting their ideas. These digital records could be shared during Space Week with families and used to reflect on the learning experience.
Thank you for sharing your activity Sharon. I really enjoyed reading about your lesson on animals living in cold climates because it connects science with real-life experiences in a very meaningful way. I especially liked how you combined the story of Tom Crean’s journey with practical STEM activities, as this gives children a context and helps them understand why scientists and explorers need to study extreme environments.
The investigation with ice cubes and different materials is a great hands-on activity because it encourages children to make predictions, test their ideas, and analyse their results. I also think the animal shelter design challenge is an excellent way to develop creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
I like that your lesson includes different curriculum areas, such as science, maths, and language, while allowing children to actively participate in their learning. It is a great example of how STEM activities can be engaging and accessible for all pupils.
Reflective Post – Hands-on Classroom Themed Activities
I would use a hands-on STEM activity called “Design and Build a Space Rover” with my First Class pupils. This activity would allow children to explore science, engineering, creativity, and problem-solving while working together on a meaningful challenge.
The activity would begin with a discussion about space exploration and the role of robots in discovering planets. I would show examples of space rovers and ask the children why scientists use them instead of sending people to explore every planet. The pupils would then work in small groups to design and build their own space rover using recycled materials such as cardboard boxes, bottle tops, tubes, and craft materials.
Before building, each group would plan their design by deciding what their rover needs to do, for example, move across a planet, collect samples, or take pictures. During the construction process, children would test their models, identify problems, and make improvements. At the end, each group would present their rover and explain the choices they made.
To record the learning process, I would take photographs and short videos of the planning, building, and testing stages. These digital records could be shared on our class digital platform or included in pupils’ learning portfolios. I believe this type of hands-on STEM activity helps children develop scientific skills in a creative and inclusive way while making learning memorable and enjoyable.
Thank you for sharing this activity. I really enjoyed reading your ideas about Aliens and Alien Worlds. I think it is a fantastic activity for young children because it combines creativity with science in a fun and engaging way.
I would use the Space and Aliens activity with my First Class pupils as an inquiry-based lesson to encourage curiosity, imagination, and scientific thinking. I would begin by asking the children the question, “Do you think aliens exist?” and invite them to share their ideas. Instead of telling them the answer, I would encourage them to explain their thinking and listen to different opinions.
Next, we would discuss what living things need to survive, such as air, water, food, and a suitable temperature. The children would then compare these conditions with different planets in our Solar System and decide which planets could support life. They would work in pairs to sort picture cards of the planets and justify their choices using the evidence they had learned.
To extend the activity, the pupils would design and draw an alien that could survive on one of the planets. They would explain how its features help it live in that environment, linking science with creativity. This allows children to apply what they have learned rather than simply remembering facts.
I would use the Planets activity with my First Class pupils to introduce the Solar System in a fun and interactive way. I would begin the lesson by asking the children what they already know about the planets and encouraging them to share their ideas. This would help me identify their previous knowledge and spark their curiosity.
Next, the children would work in small groups to explore pictures and simple models of the planets. They would observe the differences in size, colour, and position and discuss what makes each planet unique. Instead of simply giving them the information, I would encourage them to ask questions, make predictions, and share their observations with the class. We would then create a simple model of the Solar System using balls of different sizes and arrange the planets in the correct order from the Sun.
To reinforce their learning, the pupils could complete a sorting activity by matching the planets with their names and key features. As a follow-up, they could draw their favourite planet and explain why they chose it. I would also take photographs of the model and the group activities to upload to our digital learning platform so families could see what the children had learned.
As a Special Education teacher, I would adapt the activity by using visual supports, simple instructions, and hands-on materials to ensure that every child could participate successfully. I believe this inquiry-based activity encourages children to observe, ask questions, work collaboratively, and develop a genuine interest in science while making learning enjoyable and accessible for all.
As a Special Education teacher, I believe that inquiry-based learning is a powerful approach because it allows students to explore, ask questions, and learn through their own experiences. One activity I would like to use in my classroom is a simple investigation about magnets. Students could become “science detectives” and explore different objects to discover which materials are magnetic and which are not.
This type of activity encourages curiosity, communication, and problem-solving skills. It also provides opportunities for students to make predictions, test their ideas, and discuss their findings with others. For children with additional learning needs, hands-on activities like this can be especially motivating because they involve movement, observation, and practical experiences.
I would adapt the activity by using visual supports, clear instructions, and cooperative work so that all students can participate at their own level. I think activities based on investigation help children develop confidence and understand that making mistakes is part of the learning process. Science can become an inclusive and enjoyable experience where every student feels successful.
Hi Evelyn ,
My name is Esther and I am a Special Education teacher currently working in Ireland with autistic children. I am passionate about creating inclusive learning experiences that meet the individual needs of my students and help them enjoy learning.
I joined this course because I would like to discover new ideas and practical activities to teach space science in an engaging and accessible way for all learners.
My favourite space fact is that a day on Venus is longer than a year on Venus. I think it is amazing how different the planets in our Solar System can be.
I am looking forward to learning from all of you and sharing ideas throughout the course.