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Using the I LOFAR radio telescope as a focal point, I would design an inquiry-based lesson on waves, sound, and light. The lesson would begin with a brief introduction to I LOFAR and its role in studying astronomical phenomena using radio waves. I would then present a hands-on activity where students explore different types of waves (mechanical and electromagnetic) through experiments, such as creating wave patterns with a slinky and using prisms to split light into a spectrum. To delve into sound, students could use tuning forks and oscilloscopes to visualize sound waves, linking these concepts to how the I LOFAR detects radio waves. For light, we’d experiment with lenses and mirrors to understand reflection, refraction, and the behaviour of light waves. Throughout the lesson, students would work in groups to foster collaboration, and I’d use guided questions to encourage critical thinking. By relating these experiments to I LOFAR’s functions, I’d make the abstract concepts more tangible and accessible, ensuring all students grasp the foundational principles of waves, sound, and light.
One of the activities the pupils really enjoy is making Alien Slime or Space Slime as I have used a different method in the past and it was a great success with the older classes. The plan was as follows:
Making Alien Slime
Objective: Children will learn to create a fun, sensory “alien slime” while practising basic measurement skills and understanding simple chemical reactions.Materials Needed:- White school glue (1 cup) – Water (1 cup) – Liquid starch (1 cup) – Green food colouring – Glitter (optional) – Mixing bowls – Spoons – Measuring cups
Introduction (5 minutes): – Discuss what slime is and why it’s fun to play with. – Introduce the concept of a chemical reaction in simple terms (mixing ingredients to make something new).
Instructions (15 minutes):
1. Measure and Pour: Help children measure and pour 1 cup of glue into a bowl.
2. Add Water: Measure and add 1 cup of water to the glue. Mix well.
3. Colour It: Add a few drops of green food colouring. Stir until evenly mixed.
4. Add Liquid Starch: Measure and add 1 cup of liquid starch slowly while stirring. Watch the slime form!
5. Optional – Add Glitter: Mix in glitter to make it sparkle.Activity (10 minutes): Let children knead the slime until it reaches the desired consistency. – Discuss the texture and how it feels.
Conclusion (5 minutes): Clean up together. – Review the steps and talk about what they learned.
Wrap-Up: – Take home the slime in a sealed bag.
I love this idea of a dress up box, something I haven’t used in the past but will be in the future! Thanks for the tip!
The ESA resource for weather and climate is a valuable tool for understanding and studying these phenomena. It provides a comprehensive collection of satellite data, imagery, and models that enable scientists and researchers to analyse and monitor weather patterns and climate change. The accessible resource offers a wide range of information, including atmospheric composition, cloud cover, sea surface temperature, and precipitation which can be used with pupils of all ages and abilities. It also provides access to data on climate variables, such as temperature and greenhouse gas concentrations. The ESA resource is an essential asset for improving pupils’ knowledge of weather and climate dynamics.
To set up a weather station on the school grounds, I would start by asking pupils to choose a suitable location i.e. an open area away from buildings and trees. We would then decide on the instruments to use to record the weather. We would install a weathervane on a tall pole to measure wind direction, and an anemometer to measure wind speed. We would also make and place a rain gauge to measure precipitation, and a thermometer to measure temperature. We would ensure regular and accurate records were kept and we would display the weather data for the school community to access and learn from.
Setting up a weather station on the school grounds involves several STEM skills. These skills include:
1. Science: Understanding the principles of meteorology, such as wind patterns, temperature, and atmospheric pressure, and how they affect weather conditions.
2. Technology: Familiarity with data loggers, computers, and software to collect, store, and analyse weather data. Knowledge of sensors and instruments used in weather monitoring.
3. Engineering: Designing and constructing the weather station, including selecting appropriate locations for instruments, installing poles, and ensuring proper calibration and maintenance.
4. Mathematics: Analysing and interpreting weather data, including calculating averages, trends, and correlations. Understanding statistical concepts to make accurate predictions and forecasts.
Overall, this activity integrates various STEM skills to create a comprehensive understanding of weather patterns and their measurement.
Lesson to introduce children to the concept of space and the idea of aliens in a fun and engaging way.
Materials Needed: Picture books about space and aliens – Colouring sheets of planets and aliens – Crayons and markers – Stickers of stars and planets – Space-themed musicIntroduction (10 minutes):
1. Welcome and Greeting: Start with a welcome song e.g. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
2. Discussion: Ask, “What do you think is up in the sky at night?” and listen to their answers.Story Time (15 minutes):
1. Read a Book: Choose an engaging picture book about space and aliens e.g. Welcome to Alien School by Caryl Hart
2. Questions: Ask questions about the story to encourage participation.Activity (15 minutes):
1. Colouring: Hand out colouring sheets of planets and aliens.
2. Decorating: Let the children use stickers to decorate their sheets.Movement Activity (10 minutes):
1. Space Adventure: Play space-themed music and pretend to be astronauts exploring space.Conclusion (10 minutes):
1. Show and Tell: Allow children to share their coloured sheets.
2. Closing: Remind them of the exciting things they learned about space and aliens.Teaching young children about planets can be an exciting and engaging experience. At Junior Infants kids are naturally curious and love learning about the world around them. A simple and fun way I would use to introduce them to the planets would be:
1. Storytelling Approach: Start with a story about a space adventure. Introduce a friendly astronaut or a space animal who travels through the solar system, visiting each planet. This narrative helps children relate to the concept in a fun and imaginative way.
2. Visual Aids and Models: Use colourful pictures and models of the planets. Show them how each planet looks and discuss simple characteristics, such as “Mars is red” and “Jupiter is the biggest planet.” Visuals help in retaining their attention and making the learning experience enjoyable.
3. Hands-On Activities: Incorporate hands-on activities like making paper plate planets or using playdough to create the solar system. These activities enhance their understanding and make learning interactive.
4. Songs and Rhymes: Introduce songs or rhymes about the planets. Music is a great tool for memory retention at this age. Simple songs about the names and order of the planets can be very effective.
5. Interactive Games: End with a game where children match planet names to pictures or arrange them in the correct order from the sun. This reinforces what they’ve learned in a playful manner.Hi Aine,
I haven’t thought infants in a number of years and using Paddington sounds like a great way to get them interested in experimenting with materials!
My name is Louise, I am teaching in a special school for pupils with a mild general learning disability. I have been teaching LCA classes the last number of years but will be teaching Junior primary in September.
One fascinating fact about space is that there are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth. Astronomers estimate that there are around 100 billion galaxies in the observable universe, each containing millions to billions of stars. This vast number highlights the incredible scale and complexity of the cosmos.Incorporating inquiry based activities into the classroom significantly enhances students engagement and critical thinking skills. One effective inquiry based activity I plan to use is the Mystery Box Challenge.
This activity involves presenting students with a sealed box containing an unknown object. Students must ask yes-or-no questions to gather clues and eventually hypothesise the content of the box. This activity serves multiple educational purposes. Firstly, it stimulates curiosity and encourages active learning. Students are not merely passive recipients of information; instead, they actively participate in the learning process by formulating questions, predicting outcomes, and testing their hypotheses. This aligns with constructivist theories of learning, which emphasise the importance of students constructing their own understanding. Secondly, the Mystery Box activity fosters collaboration and communication skills. As students work together to solve the mystery, they must listen to each other’s questions and reasoning, promoting a collaborative learning environment. This peer interaction is crucial in developing social skills and learning from diverse perspectives. Lastly, this activity enhances critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Students must use deductive reasoning to eliminate possibilities and make educated guesses. By engaging in this hands-on and minds-on activity, students learn to approach problems systematically and think critically about the information they gather.
