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I would use an inquiry-based rocket activity with my junior class. To introduce the lesson, I would show the children a simple paper rocket and encourage them to ask questions about how rockets travel. Together, we would discuss possible answers and make predictions about which rocket might travel the furthest.
The children would work in small groups to test rockets made from different materials, such as paper and card. Before launching the rockets, they would record their predictions. They would then carry out the investigation, observing carefully and comparing the distances travelled by each rocket.
After the activity, the children would discuss their findings and compare the results with their original predictions. This would help them understand that scientists learn through questioning, investigating and testing ideas.
This activity would develop important science skills, including observing, predicting, investigating and communicating. It would also encourage teamwork, problem-solving and discussion while making learning about space engaging, practical and fun.
Hi. My name is Fionnuala and I teach SET. I have a child who has a particular interest in Space and look forward to using ideas and resources with hime next year.
Taking ownership of their work and retelling at home would give great confidence and a curiosity to learn and question more.
Shooting a rocket into the air activity
I would develop a lessons that incorporates hands-on, inquiry-driven activities related to space exploration, emphasising engaging and exciting STEM projects.
Day 1: Welcome to Space Week!
Theme: What is space?
Activities:
* Read-aloud: “Roaring Rockets” by Tony Mitton or “There’s No Place Like Space” (Dr. Seuss).
* Class discussion: “What do we know about space?”
* Introduce new vocabulary: rocket, astronaut, moon, star, planet.
* Make space helmets using paper bowls or construction paper.Day 2: Let’s Learn About Rockets
Theme: What do rockets do?
Activities:
* Watch a short animated video of a rocket launching (e.g., NASA Kids or StoryBots).
* Act it out: pretend to be rockets — crouch down, count down, and JUMP up!
* Sing: “Zoom Zoom Zoom, We’re Going to the Moon!”
* Create simple paper tube rockets with recycled materials and decorate them.Day 3: Rocket Building Day!
Activity:
* Build a simple straw rocket:
* Use paper triangles and rectangles to make a rocket that slides onto a straw.
* Children blow into the straw and count the distance in stepsDay 4: Rocket Launch & Space Stations
Rocket Launch Party!
* Go outside to launch your straw or balloon rockets
* Mark how far they go using cones or chalk.
Space Learning Centers (rotate in small groups):
1. Art: Paint the night sky with stars and planets.
2. Sensory: Space sand or moon dough with tiny astronauts.
3. Building: Use blocks to build rocket launch pads.
4. Books: Space-themed story corner.Day 5: Celebrate Space!
Activities:
* Share what we learned: Each group shows their rockets.
* Make a class book: “If I Went to Space…” (drawings + dictated sentences).
* Watch a short video message from a real astronaut (NASA has kid-friendly options).
* Host a Space Parade: Wear space hats and walk around the school or classroom.In my Infant classroom, I enjoy incorporating hands-on activities because they facilitate learning through active participation. Last year, we focused on the theme of Weather and constructed a small weather station. Each day, one student took on the role of the “weather reporter.” They observed the outside conditions, shared their observations with the class, such as sunny, cloudy, or rainy, and selected the corresponding weather image. Additionally, we created a basic rain gauge using a plastic bottle. The children assisted in checking it daily, and we counted the amount of rainfall using cubes. They created a weather poster to display in the halla and shared using instagram.
To support the STEM-oriented SSE (School Self-Evaluation), I would record students’ observations, inquiries, and forecasts, as well as incorporate basic charts to monitor their thoughts. This would enhance scientific exploration, fostering abilities in questioning, contrasting, and clarifying — key cornerstones for a STEM-infused atmosphere.
This is a lovely idea. Kids need visuals to help draw and in fairness we are not all blessed with this talent. The maths element is a great one too.
Stars activity
For this activity the focus should be on engaging activities that tap into young children’s natural curiosity and sense of wonder, while keeping things simple, hands-on, and playful. They have an awareness of stars in space through rhymes and songs like I’m a star (storybots), twinkle twinkle and the star in Christmas nativity plays.
Almost sure there’s a Mariah Carey song called The Star.
I would Introduce the idea of stars in the sky, and engage children in sensory exploration through art egStar constellation
The children would use black paper and small sponges or brushes, white or glow-in-the-dark paint to create their own stars. They could also use their fingers to make star shapes or create constellations. This would Introduce the idea of stars in the sky and once grouped together, how vast it is.Create your own twinkle star.
The children would create their own star using plastic containers,stars, water and glitter. This gives the idea of how a star twinkles. A nice one to take home.Relaxation/Well Being
Use a projector or a light-up starry sky projector to create a calm atmosphere. With the children lying down on a PE mats, dim the lights, and play calming space music as you “watch” the stars twinkle. Encourage the children to relax and pretend they’re floating through space. This would promote mindfulness and relaxation while introducing children to the beauty of the night sky.it might encourage them to look up at sky some night .
Module 2
The Sun and Shadows
The Moon Bears Shadow has many themes, acceptance and companionship and of course how shadows work. There are several fun activities that could go well with it.
I would start by discussing with the children how the shadow changes depending on the position of the light or the sun. Take turns trying to make different shadow shapes (hands, animals, or objects). You could have the kids trace their shadows with chalk outside or draw them on paper inside using a flashlight. This ties into how the moonbear learns to coexist with his shadow, showing that shadows aren’t just things to be feared, but fascinating to observe.
The children could create shadow puppets by holding objects or their hands in front of the light. Discuss how the shape of the shadow changes depending on how far the object is from the light source. You could even encourage them to come up with their own shadow puppet stories, inspired by Moonbear’s attempts to hide or get rid of his shadow.
Encourage them to look at their shadow when out in the yard and maybe with the help of older children, if the theme is currently being taught in the senior rooms.I like this activity and it would get the children thinking and questioning straight away. The Chris Hadfield videos could be an added feature after the activity
I would use life on another planet as an activity.
Starting with, Imagine if you were on a spaceship traveling to Mars. What would you see out the window? What kind of creatures could be living there? What would a day on another planet be like? I would use videos from The little astronaut and curios George to give them a sense of what it’s like to explore other planets.
What If Questions would get them thinking about what kind of life would it be, Do you think aliens might live there, if we could live on another planet, what would we need to survive?
Based on their ideas each group would choose a planet and decide what three things they would like to bring to their chosen planet. All groups could comment on whether they could or not.
The children could create their own imaginary planet and design creatures that could live there.Hi Fionnuala from Limerick. I loved the excitement the children had watching the Chris hadfield videos from space. It sparked their curiosity.
I think children are more aware of climate change than ever before. We have so many storms in ireland every year and weather disasters around the world. They love lessons on climate and how they can help prevent climate change.
Research Question: How climate change is affecting Polar Bears and their habitats
The junior classes love stories about animals. A lovely story to use is “Polar Bears” by Gail Gibbons; a beautifully illustrated book that introduces young readers to polar bears, their habitats, and the challenges they face due to climate change.
This would be a great resource to create discussion about Polar Bears.
We would investigate the life of a polar bear, environment , food etc. The children would watch short videos about polar bears and how climate change is changing their habitats and feeding habits.
The WWF also has fabulous resources for the Climate Detective question being researched.
The children would become familiar with temperature and how we as humans have changed the temperature for the polar cap which the bear depends on. We would also use the satellite tracker for polar bears on the WWF Website
https://www.arcticwwf.org/wildlife/polar-bear/polar-bear-tracker/
We would create a climate change environment within the classroom to show how reducing energy would help with the temperature of our planet.The children would create posters to using pictures to show how climate change is affecting the polar bear and other groups would show how we could help reverse climate change for our polar bears.
