[Grace O Mahony]

Hi CJ, I really enjoyed your ideas about exploring our local scientific and natural heritage. I particularly like the idea of getting the children outdoors to observe and record what they find. Using the National Biodiversity Data Centre would make the learning more meaningful, as they could identify real species from their local area. I also think creating maps and graphs from their findings would be a great way to link Science, Geography and Maths.

[Grace O Mahony]

I would plan a four-week project with my 3rd class based on the natural heritage around our school. We would focus on the plants, trees, insects and birds found in our local area.

In week one, we would take a walk around the school grounds and nearby park. The children would use simple recording sheets to identify what they see. In week two, we would use the National Biodiversity Data Centre website to help identify plants and insects. The children could also use Google Maps to mark where different species were found.

In week three, we would collect our results and create simple graphs in Maths. In Art, the children could draw their favourite plant or animal. In English, they could write a short report about their findings. We could also learn about how people can protect local wildlife and make our school more pollinator-friendly. The children could design a small pollinator area for the school and decide which flowers would be suitable.

In the final week, each group could create a poster showing the biodiversity in our local area. We could display the posters in the school and share them with other classes. The children could also give a short presentation about their findings and explain one way they could help protect local wildlife. This project would help children learn about their local environment through real experiences and encourage them to become more interested in protecting nature.

[Grace O Mahony]

Hi CJ, I really enjoyed reading your post. I think using a local bridge would make the lesson very interesting for the children. I especially like the idea of allowing them to design, build and test their own bridges. This gives them the opportunity to work as a team, solve problems and learn from their mistakes. It would be a fun and practical STEM activity

[Grace O Mahony]

I would use a local bridge as inspiration for a design and make challenge with my 3rd class. First, we would look at pictures of different bridges and discuss why bridges are useful. We could then visit a local bridge if possible and look at its shape, size and materials.

Back in the classroom, I would give the children a simple challenge. They would work in small groups to design and build a bridge that can hold a small toy car. They could use materials such as lolly sticks, paper, cardboard and straws.

Maths would be an important part of the activity. The children could measure the length and height of their bridge. They could count the materials they use and compare the different bridge designs. We could also test how much weight each bridge can hold.

Before building, each group would draw a simple plan of their bridge and label the parts. During the lesson, I would ask questions such as, “How can you make your bridge stronger?” and “Which shape works best?” At the end, each group could explain their design to the class.

This activity would develop problem-solving, teamwork and creativity. The children could test their bridges, make changes and try again. This would make STEM learning practical and enjoyable.

[Grace O Mahony]

Hi CJ, I really enjoyed reading your post. I think the “No Mow May” idea would be a great way to support pollinators while also helping children learn about biodiversity. I also like the idea of sharing wildlife observations during assembly. This would help involve the whole school and encourage children to take more interest in nature.

[Grace O Mahony]

I would run a seasonal biodiversity project with my 3rd class throughout the school year. The children would go outdoors once or twice a month to observe plants, trees, insects and birds in the school grounds. They could use simple recording sheets and nature journals to draw what they see and record the weather.

I would use resources from the National Biodiversity Data Centre to help the children identify different plants and animals. We could also use simple identification guides and photographs.

The project could link with many subjects. In Science, we could learn about habitats, plants and animals. In Maths, the children could count the different species they find and create simple graphs. In English, they could write short reports about their findings. In Art, they could draw flowers, leaves and insects.

By visiting the same areas during each season, the children could see how nature changes throughout the year. This would make learning practical and help them develop a greater interest in their local environment

[Grace O Mahony]

Hi CJ, I really enjoyed reading your post. I think this is a great way to combine STEM with the Green Team. I especially like the idea of creating a digital biodiversity map and displaying it for the whole school to see. It gives the children a real purpose for their work and encourages them to take care of their school environment.

[Grace O Mahony]

Module 2:

For a map-making lesson with 3rd class, I would start by taking the children outside the school. We could walk around the school grounds and look at the different features. These could include trees, buildings, paths, gates and playgrounds. The children could make notes or simple drawings of what they see.

Back in the classroom, we could talk about what we noticed. I would show the children the same area on Google Maps. We could look at the aerial view and compare it with what we saw outside. This would help the children understand a bird’s-eye view.

The children could then make their own maps of the school grounds. They could use simple symbols and create a key. We could also use a compass to practise directions such as north, south, east and west. For example, we could ask, “What is north of the playground?”

This lesson would make map work practical and enjoyable. It would also develop teamwork, observation and spatial awareness.

[Grace O Mahony]

I really enjoyed reading your reflection, CJ. I agree that hands-on learning helps children understand concepts in a more meaningful way. I also like your idea of bringing science outdoors, as it gives children the opportunity to connect what they learn in the classroom with the real world. I think this can make STEM much more enjoyable and engaging.

[Grace O Mahony]

There are many concepts and skills from this module that I would like to use in my own teaching practice. I found it very useful to see how STEM can be linked with other subjects and made more practical and enjoyable for children. I would definitely use websites such as Curious Minds and ESERO when planning STEM lessons. I found the lesson ideas and frameworks easy to follow and they gave me lots of ideas that could be adapted for different class levels.

I particularly liked the activities based on light, colour and telescopes. These would work very well with 3rd class as they are practical and allow the children to investigate, ask questions and make predictions. I think children learn best when they are actively involved rather than just listening to information. This module has given me more confidence to try new STEM activities and to encourage curiosity, creativity, teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving in my classroom.

[Grace O Mahony]

There are many concthink children learn best when they are actively involved rather than just listening to information. This module has given me more confidence to try new STEM activities and to encourage curiosity, creativity, teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving in my classroom.

[Grace O Mahony]

Hi Ciara,

I really liked your research question as it is very relevant to children’s everyday lives. I also liked the idea of the class competition for collecting bottles and cans. I think this would be a great way to motivate children and make them excited about helping the environment. The waste audit is also a great idea. I would like to try something similar with my 3rd class next year.

[Grace O Mahony]

Module 5:
Research question: How does the amount of rubbish in our school affect the environment?

I think this would be a good research question for my 3rd class because it is something they see every day. I would begin by asking the children what they already know about rubbish and recycling. We could walk around the school and look at the different types of rubbish we find.

The children could work in small groups to collect and record the rubbish they see. They could make a simple table or graph to show their results. I would encourage them to talk about what they notice and share their ideas with the class.

I would then ask the children what we could do to reduce the amount of rubbish in our school. They could come up with ideas such as using less plastic, recycling more and using reusable bottles. I think this would help the children see that their actions can make a difference.

[Grace O Mahony]

Hi Alyson,

I really liked your idea of starting with the children’s prior knowledge. I think this would help get them interested in the topic. I also liked your idea of using small groups and then joining groups to discuss their findings. This would give children lots of chances to share ideas. I think linking the activity with Visual Arts and designing a rocket would be a great way to extend the lesson.

[Grace O Mahony]

Module 4:
I really enjoyed the ESA resource, “Nose High Up in the Sky”. I found the activities interesting and easy to follow. I liked how the activities encourage children to work together, share ideas and think carefully.

My favourite part was comparing the photographs taken from space. I think this would be very interesting for my 3rd class. The children could look at two photographs and discuss what is different and what they notice. This would help develop their speaking, thinking and observation skills.

I also liked learning about astronauts and the photographs they take from space. Children often know about famous astronauts, but this would help them learn about astronauts working today.

I would definitely use this resource in my classroom. I think it would work well with SESE and could also link with Geography and English. I would allow the children to work in pairs and share their ideas with the class.

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