[Fionnuala Ni Riain]

I agree Olive , art is a great subject to integrate with STEM and the children get to express their ideas and learning in a different more visual way.

[Fionnuala Ni Riain]

I would start this activity by having a class discussion about the Sun and asking the children where they think it rises and sets. It would be interesting to hear their ideas first before carrying out any observations. If the weather allowed, we could observe the Sun at different times during the school day and record what we notice using drawings, simple notes or photographs. We could also use a compass to help identify directions and compare our observations each day to see if we notice any patterns. In reality, with the Irish weather, it would probably be difficult to get five sunny days in a row, so I would be flexible with the activity and spread it over a longer period if needed or use photographs and online resources to support our observations on cloudy days.

For me, STEM is about giving children opportunities to explore, ask questions and learn through hands-on activities rather than teaching each subject on its own. I try to create lessons where the children are actively involved, working together and making connections across different areas of learning. I think this activity does that really well because it brings together science, maths and technology in a meaningful way. It also encourages the children to be curious about the world around them while developing their observation, recording and communication skills.

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