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Hi Sharon! I love these ideas. The integrated aspect is really good and appropriate under the new primary curriculum also!
Hi Niamh! I love the idea of reading a book as a stimulus for a lesson. I can imagine how much the children would love this lesson and the enquiry based learning aspect of the lesson sounds highly effective!
Consolidate your experiences and action plans in the course by creating a class plan to engage with Space Week;
Throughout this ESERO course, I have developed a deeper understanding of how space-themed learning can promote scientific enquiry, curiosity, and cross-curricular learning. As a primary teacher, I plan to use Space Week as an opportunity to engage my class in a variety of practical, hands-on STEM activities that build on the knowledge gained throughout the course.
My class plan will begin with an introduction to gravity and forces, where pupils will investigate pushes, pulls, friction, and air resistance through simple experiments and rocket challenges. We will then explore the Earth, Moon, and planets, creating moon phase models, constructing a Solar System model, and taking part in role-play activities to understand how the Earth rotates and orbits the Sun. During our study of stars and constellations, pupils will observe the night sky, design their own constellations, and learn how stars differ in size and colour.
To encourage scientific enquiry, pupils will complete investigations linked to weather, rocket launches, and Alien Chemistry, making predictions, measuring results, recording observations, and presenting their findings using graphs and digital tools. I will integrate mathematics by measuring distances travelled by rockets, comparing data, and interpreting results.
Following the principles of School Self-Evaluation (SSE) II will gather evidence through pupil work, observations, discussions, and assessment to evaluate learning and identify areas for improvement. I also hope to work towards the Curious Minds Award by embedding inquiry-based STEM learning across the school. Overall, my aim is to create an engaging, inclusive, and collaborative Space Week that inspires curiosity, develops science skills, and encourages pupils to become confident young scientists.
Using the “Where Do You Live?” and “Weather – Animals in the Cold” classroom activities would provide an engaging way to introduce STEM learning through real-world connections. In my classroom, I would begin with the “Where Do You Live?” activity by encouraging pupils to explore different types of homes and habitats around the world. They could compare human homes with animal habitats, use maps to identify locations, and discuss how climate influences where people and animals live. This would integrate science, geography, mathematics, and literacy.
The “Animals in the Cold” activity would allow pupils to investigate how animals survive in cold environments. Learners could predict which materials provide the best insulation by carrying out simple experiments using ice cubes wrapped in different materials. They could record results, measure temperature changes, create graphs, and discuss why certain adaptations help animals survive. This develops scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and data-handling skills.
As part of a STEM-focused School Self-Evaluation (SSE), I would build on these activities by encouraging collaborative problem-solving, increasing opportunities for investigation-based learning, and integrating digital technologies such as weather apps or online climate data. Pupils could also design and test shelters for animals or create models of habitats using recycled materials. Reflection on pupil engagement, assessment evidence, and cross-curricular links would help evaluate the impact of these activities and identify areas for further improvement. Overall, these activities promote curiosity, creativity, and the practical application of STEM concepts while encouraging pupils to think about the relationship between living things and their environments.Hi Sarah! I really like the use of a story to entice the children and to build learning activities from this!
I would use the Stars activity set to help pupils learn about stars through practical and engaging activities. I would begin with the Constellation Cards activity, where pupils connect stars to form different constellations and discuss the shapes they can see. This would introduce the idea that constellations are patterns created by people to help identify stars.
Next, I would use the Make Your Own Constellation activity. Pupils could create their own constellation, give it a name, and write a short story about it. This would encourage creativity while linking science with literacy and art.
To finish the lesson, we would compare our constellations with real ones and discuss why stars appear to move across the night sky. I would encourage pupils to share their ideas and observations throughout the lesson.
I think these activities would make learning about stars enjoyable and memorable. They promote teamwork, creativity, and scientific enquiry while helping pupils develop a greater interest in astronomy.This is a great idea! I love that the children are predicting and investigating and extending the activity!
Activity Set: The Planets
I would use the planets activity set to introduce pupils to the Solar System in a fun and engaging way. I would begin with the planet song to help children learn the names and order of the planets. The song would encourage participation and make the learning more memorable.Afterwards, I would use the planets activity to explore interesting facts about each planet, such as their size, colour, and distance from the Sun. Pupils could work in pairs to discuss what they have learned and complete a simple matching or sorting activity.
To finish the lesson, we would review the order of the planets together and discuss which planet the pupils found most interesting and why. I think these activities would help make science enjoyable while supporting different learning styles through music, discussion, and visual learning. They would also encourage curiosity about space and help pupils build a strong understanding of the Solar System.
My name is Kate and I am a mainstream class teacher. I am interested in this course because I feel as though children are always asking questions about Space and love learning new things. One fascinating fact about space is that light from the Sun takes about 8 minutes and 20 seconds to reach Earth. This means that when we look at the Sun, we are actually seeing it as it was over eight minutes ago! In my classroom, I would use this fact as the starting point for an inquiry-based activity. I would ask students, “If the Sun disappeared, would we know immediately? Students Could first share their predictions, then investigate using videos, diagrams, and reliable science resources about the speed of light and distances in space. Working in small groups, they would discuss their findings, create simple models, and present explanations supported by evidence. Finally, the class would reflect on how asking questions, gathering information, and testing ideas helped them understand the concept. This inquiry-based approach encourages curiosity, critical thinking, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of scientific concepts through active learning.