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Stellarium is a fantastic tool for bringing the wonders of space into the classroom. It’s also a downloadable resource which is ideal as there can often be connection issues in my school. For my class, I’d use Stellarium to create an interactive and engaging way for them to explore the night sky. First, I would introduce the program with a simple demo, showing how it simulates the stars, planets, and constellations visible from any location on Earth at any time of the year.
We could use Stellarium for various activities, like identifying constellations such as the Plough (Ursa Major) or finding planets like Jupiter. Students could track the movement of stars over time, learning how celestial objects shift in the sky. I’d also incorporate group tasks, where students could identify patterns in the stars, compare the positions of constellations during different seasons, or even use the program to “visit” other planets and moons.By combining Stellarium with hands-on activities, my kids can gain a deeper, visual understanding of space, sparking their curiosity and encouraging them to explore further.The rocket launch is a really good hook idea and something I think would create a great spark of interest with the kids.
I have chosen to create an action plan for space week for the junior classes in the school. The concept would be (A Day of Space Travel for Space Week). All the junior classes and teachers would be involved. Each class teacher would be given a planet and would have some time to prepare some information and an activity based on space. On the day of Space Travel each class would visit at least three planets. The children would carry Space Passports and receive a stamp on arrival to the planet(classroom). Junior and Senior Infants could base their Aistear the week before on Space and design a spaceship for them to travel in and also design alien consumes. The activities and information would be tailored to suit class level. Rocket mouse experiment could be done with Junior and senior infants as it’s a quick and fun experiment. Marvin and Milo cartoons could also be read in big book format. All classes could learn the mnemonic (My Very Energetic Mother Just Served Us Noodles) Mercury/Venus/Earth/Mars/Jupiter/Saturn/Uranus/Neptune to help memorise the planets.
First and second class could tackle some Aline Chemistry and make some fizzing and foaming rockets and learn about how to find constellations such as the Plough and the north star.
The concept would be that all children get excited about the day of Space travel and come back to their home classroom with a full passport, having participated in a fun space activity and also learn something about the planet they visited.
I like your experiment with demonstrating how fat insulates. Very clever. I will use this. Thank you
I have chosen to create an action plan for space week for the junior classes in the school. The concept would be (A Day of Space Travel for Space Week). All the junior classes and teachers would be involved. Each class teacher would be given a planet and would have some time to prepare some information and an activity based on space. On the day of Space Travel each class would visit at least three planets. The children would carry Space Passports and receive a stamp on arrival to the planet(classroom). Junior and Senior Infants could base their Aistear the week before on Space and design a spaceship for them to travel in and also design alien consumes. The activities and information would be tailored to suit class level. Rocket mouse experiment could be done with Junior and senior infants as it’s a quick and fun experiment. Marvin and Milo cartoons could also be read in big book format. All classes could learn the mnemonic (My Very Energetic Mother Just Served Us Noodles) Mercury/Venus/Earth/Mars/Jupiter/Saturn/Uranus/Neptune to help memorise the planets.
First and second class could tackle some Aline Chemistry and make some fizzing and foaming rockets and learn about how to find constellations such as the Plough and the north star.The concept would be that all children get excited about the day of Space travel and come back to their home classroom with a full passport, having participated in a fun space activity and also learn something about the planet they visited.
I would use the “Stars, Seeing Star! Looking at the Plough in Two Different Ways” activity to spark curiosity and introduce children to observational astronomy. This activity not only encourages students to look up and engage with the night sky but also deepens their understanding of how cultural and scientific perspectives can coexist. In my classroom, I would begin with a short storytelling session featuring different cultural interpretations of the Plough — such as its representation as a plough here in Ireland, a bear in many Native American traditions, or a wagon in German folklore.
Following this, students would engage in a hands-on star-mapping activity using star charts or the app Stellarium. They would track the Plough’s position over time and note changes in visibility. For homework or as a digital extension, students could record their own observations using mobile apps and take night-sky photos where possible.The idea of children exploring the night sky at home with parents is one that really appeals to me and I feel that parents would love the activity too. It connects science with culture, mythology, and geography, helping children see that science is not isolated but influenced by human perception and history. Children could present their findings through digital posters or short videos, fostering not just knowledge, but creativity and ownership. This activity encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and an appreciation of the vastness of the world above us at night.
For this assignment, I chose the “What Makes Shadows?” activity. This hands-on lesson encourages children to explore how shadows are formed using a flashlight and various objects (opaque, transparent, translucent). I would use this activity in my class as part of a science theme on light and the Sun. To begin, I would prompt students with some questions such as, “What do you think happens when light hits different objects?” Then, students would work in small groups to experiment with light sources and materials like cardboard, plastic wrap, and baking paper. They would observe and record the differences in the shadows formed.
This activity would support inquiry-based learning by helping students understand that light travels in a straight line and that objects block, absorb, or transmit light differently. It also provides opportunities to integrate literacy (through science blogging on their chrome books) and digital learning (e.g., using tablets or cameras to record their shadow experiments). I believe activities like this promote critical thinking, curiosity, and real-world understanding—skills essential for lifelong learning.
Possible digital records of the activities :
Photos or videos of:
Students testing shadows with flashlights and objects.
Different shadow shapes and sizes created by various materials.A comparison chart students made about opaque, transparent, and translucent objects.
Student work samples such as:A photo of a student science journal entry showing a drawing and notes on their shadow experiments.A short video or audio clip of a student explaining what they learned.
Digital tools: A screenshot if students used an app (e.g., Seesaw, google classroom, or dojo to document their learning.Hi, My name is Kevin . I currently work in Resourse and many of the kids I take have a huge interest in STEM, doing experiments and space so this course was of huge interest.
My favourite space fact is: ONE MILLION EARTHS CAN FIT INSIDE THE SUN
The inquiry based activity that I have chosen to discuss today is the fingerprint experiment. I feel this experiment would create great excitement and interest.
I would begin with the trigger: A You tube video showing a thief leaving his fingerprints on a window.
Wondering: Asking the children what a fingerprint is? What mistake did the thief make? How can the guards use this information from the print ? What if the print is not on file? How can they solve the crime ?
Starter question: How could the guards get the print from the window?
Predicting: Record answers.
Conducting the experiment: Secret thief .. I would pick a child to leave his/her fingerprints on the classroom window without the other kid’s knowledge of who it is. All the children would print their fingerprints on sheets and then try to investigate the prints and find the thief.
Interpreting results: Look at the results and interpret the data (fingerprints on the board before matching the fingerprints to the thieves.
Extension: Free Writing : The thieves fingerprints
Mindmap :
I will send this is separate email as it will not copy to this platform.
Your approach to hands-on classroom activities is excellent! Using playdough to create their own houses will definitely help children think about where they live in a fun and creative way. Introducing the topic of animals in the cold with a book is a fantastic idea to spark their interest. Connecting this to the different clothes we need for winter and summer, and conducting an experiment with children’s coats, provides practical, real-life examples that enhance understanding.
Recording the weather over a month to identify patterns encourages observation and analytical skills. Incorporating Stellarium to explore astronomy adds an exciting element that will captivate the children’s curiosity. Finally, using a Kahoot quiz to review weather, seasonal clothing, and temperature concepts makes learning interactive and enjoyable. Your comprehensive plan effectively combines creativity, practical experiments, and technology to engage and educate the children.
I decided to focus on the topic ‘online resources and tools for my assignment. I looked at the recommended Stellarium site and found it to be a powerful and user-friendly software that offers several advantages for teaching primary school children about space:
Interactive Learning:
Stellarium allows children to explore the night sky interactively. They can click on stars, planets, and constellations to learn their names and details, making learning more engaging and memorable.
Realistic Visualization:The software provides a highly realistic view of the night sky, simulating the positions of stars, planets, and other celestial objects. This helps children understand what they see in the real sky and relate it to their learning.
Time Travel Feature:Stellarium can simulate the night sky at different times and dates. This feature helps children understand the movement of celestial bodies over time, including concepts like the rotation of the Earth, the phases of the Moon, and the changing positions of planets.
Constellation Illustrations:
The software includes illustrations of constellations from various cultures. This not only helps children recognize and remember constellations but also introduces them to different cultural perspectives on astronomy.
Educational Resources:
Stellarium provides detailed information about celestial objects, including their mythological backgrounds, physical characteristics, and scientific data. This enriches the learning experience with both scientific and cultural knowledge.
Accessibility and Ease of Use:Stellarium is available on multiple platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android), making it accessible to a wide range of users. Its user-friendly interface ensures that even young children can navigate and use the software with minimal guidance.
Enhances Visual and Spatial Understanding:
By manipulating the sky view, zooming in on objects, and seeing how the sky changes with location and time, children develop a better visual and spatial understanding of the universe.
Encourages Curiosity and Exploration:
The immersive experience provided by Stellarium can spark children’s curiosity about space and encourage them to explore further. This can lead to a deeper interest in science and astronomy.
Overall, Stellarium serves as an excellent resource for primary school children to learn about space in an engaging, interactive, and visually appealing manner
It sounds like your lesson using “Aliens in Underpants” was a fantastic and engaging way to introduce scientific inquiry! The hands-on activity of testing different materials for their absorption properties would make learning fun. I appreciate how you ensured the experiment was fair by using underpants of the same size and the observation of water dripping added a visual element that likely enhanced understanding.
I’m glad you found the rocket mice activity in the module appealing. Safety and productivity concerns are valid, but with careful planning and supervision, making rockets can be both exciting and educational for young learners. Incorporating this into your Aistear stations during Science Week sounds like a brilliant idea. Integrating these activities will not only enrich your science lessons but also foster a love for exploration and experimentation in your students.
consolidate your experiences and action plans in the course by creating a class plan to engage with Space Week:
I have chosen to create an action plan for space week for the junior classes in the school. The concept would be (A Day of Space Travel for Space Week). All the junior classes and teachers would be involved. Each class teacher would be given a planet and would have some time to prepare some information and an a activity based on space. On the day of Space Travel each class would visit at least three planets. The children would carry Space Passports and receive a stamp on arrival to the planet(classroom). Junior and Senior Infants could base their Aistear the week before on Space and design a spaceship for them to travel in and also design alien consumes. The activities and information would be tailored to suit class level. Rocket mouse experiment could be done with Junior and senior infants as it’s a quick and fun experiment. Marvin and Milo cartoons could also be read in big book format. All classes could learn the mnemonic (My Very Energetic Mother Just Served Us Noodles) Mercury/Venus/Earth/Mars/Jupiter/Saturn/Uranus/Neptune to help memorise the planets.
First and second class could tackle some Aline Chemistry and make some fizzing and foaming rockets and learn about how to find constellations such as the Plough and the north star.
The concept would be that all children get excited about the day of Space travel and come back to their home classroom with a full passport, participated in a fun space activity and also learn something about the planet they visited.
