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Martina, this is a great topic to explore, as the children are definitely living in the times of extreme weather conditions, ‘confused’ seasons, and increased rainfall. A guest speaker, and discussions about weather at home, will also help to make the topic more relevant and accessible.
Research Question: How does increased rain in Ireland affect the playground at our school?
Encouraging Pupil Participation:
Begin by taking the children to the playground and discussing how it looks and feels on both sunny and rainy days. Let them share their own experiences of playing in different weather conditions.
Provide simple tools like rain gauges and waterproof notebooks for the children to measure and record rainfall. They can check the playground daily and note changes.
Use pictures and videos to show how playgrounds can look after heavy rain, such as puddles, mud, and wet equipment. This makes the concept more relatable.
Create a small, supervised experiment area in the playground where children can observe how water collects and drains. Use different surfaces (sand, grass, concrete) to show varied effects.
Hold regular sharing sessions where children discuss what they observed in the playground. Ask questions like, “How did the playground change after the rain?” to stimulate critical thinking.
By making the research question directly relevant to their everyday experiences and incorporating interactive, hands-on activities, young students can actively engage with the concept of increased rainfall and its effects. This approach fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and a sense of involvement in their immediate environment.This was the activity I choose too Martina, and I like the process you went through before beginning the activity. This would definitely make the activity even more meaningful and relevant
Download the Teacher Guide & Pupil Activities for the ESA Resource ‘ Nose High Up in The Sky, carry out the pupil activities yourself and post your thoughts on the resource and if you would use it in class. (150 words
I studied some of the activities in ‘Nose High Up in the Sky’ and found activity 2 particularly interesting.
Activity 2: Match the photos
This activity explores photographs of space taken by astronauts on the international space station. The aim of the activity is to match the photos with the corresponding photograph taken on the ground. The children will use clues from the space photographs to find landmarks, features etc. to match the photos. This activity will help teach the children about the different perspectives of photographs, as well as what these landmarks and features look like from Space. I think this is a very interesting activity as it is very accessible to all ages, and uses a variety of problem solving and inferring skills to complete.
I would definitely consider using this activity, particularly in a digital format, where the children would be able to use zoom, and Google Earth as a reference, to match the images,
Hi Sharon, this sounds like a very interesting research project- as you mentioned, children love to learn about animals, and integrating the research topic with other curriculum areas is a great use of time and resources.
Valarie, I agree with you that giving the children hope and some ways that they can make positive steps towards the future, will mean that they are not left feeling despair or unnecessary anxiety.
The film ‘Home’ and the additional video clips in this module, are powerful and interesting stimuli that highlight the impact of climate change on our planet. They convey the urgency and scale of environmental issues facing our planet through stunning visual imagery and compelling storytelling. They are excellent resources to capture pupils attention and captivate their interest in a very important topic. As this topic may be abstract to some pupils, the use of video clips makes it more tangible and relatable.
While introducing climate change facts to pupils, I would begin with a short, impactful video clip from “HOME” to spark curiosity, followed by an open discussion about students’ reactions and thoughts.
I would also include some Hands-On Learning, such as conduct experiments or simulations that illustrate the greenhouse effect, rising sea levels, or other phenomena shown in the videos. I would also be mindful to relate global issues to local examples. Discuss local weather patterns, pollution levels, or conservation efforts.
I agree, a quiz is a great idea to informally assess the children’s learning from the video and to illicit their previous knowledge.
Activitiy 3, is a very practical and relevant opportunity for the children to take repsonsibility for their own learning. Using a video as a stimulus also allows the children to reflect on their previous knowledge and understanding, and helps them to pose questions about the topic.
In my class, I would begin by introducing the term Greenhouse Gas and illicit the children’s previous related knowledge on the topic. I would show the children the Paxi Video and use a quiz on Kahoot (inspired by a previous poster) to gauge understanding from the video. I would divide him into mixed ability groups, and guide them through the process of using the stimulation tool. We would conclude the activity with a whole class discussion, and use mintimeter to gather their thoughts on the activity and what they’ve learned.Upon reading the paper Unravelling STEM: Beyond the acronym of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (Liston 2018), I was made aware of the multifaceted nature of STEM, emphasizing that it is more than just the four individual disciplines. STEM education integrates these fields to foster problem-solving, critical thinking, and innovation.
The paper also highlights the importance of an interdisciplinary approach, where the boundaries between science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are blurred. This approach mirrors real-world problems that require knowledge and skills from multiple disciplines.
Activity 1: Is it Weather or Climate?
This activity effectively helps students differentiate between weather and climate through examples and discussions. I would use this as an introductory lesson to ensure students grasp the fundamental concepts. Adding more diverse examples from different climates could enhance understanding. Visual aids like charts or maps would also be beneficial.
Activity 2: Weather Detectives
This investigative activity engages students in observing and recording weather data, fostering practical understanding. Incorporating this activity into a daily routine would help students develop consistent observation skills. Including digital tools or apps for weather tracking could modernize the activity. Providing templates for recording observations might streamline the process.
Both activities are valuable for building foundational knowledge in weather and climate. Enhancing them with visual aids, diverse examples, and technology integration would increase their effectiveness.