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I love the idea of virtual rockets. The children love to break up sitting in their seats, or working in groups with some games on the IWB. Always goes down a treat!
I would teach a lesson based on Rocket Adventures for Seniors/First. I would link this with Art and the children could paint and decorate their rockets.
Objective:
Students will understand basic rocket principles and explore the concept of space travel.Materials:
Plastic rockets or DIY paper rockets
Baking soda
Vinegar
Small containers or film canisters
Measuring spoons
Paper and markers
Safety goggles
Introduction:
Begin by discussing what rockets are and how they help astronauts travel to space. Show pictures or videos of real rockets launching.Activity:
Rocket Design: Have students create their own rockets using paper, markers, and tape, decorating them with designs.
Rocket Launch: In small groups, guide students in a simple chemical reaction experiment. Put a small amount of baking soda in a container, add a bit of vinegar, and quickly cover with the rocket’s “nose” to simulate a rocket launch.
Discussion:
Discuss what happened during the “launch.” Explain how rockets use fuel to create thrust and lift off.Conclusion:
Review the key points and encourage students to draw or write about what they would explore in space if they were astronauts.My class do a weekly poem, so I am delighted to know of Whatever the Weather. One job already done for the school year – a poem sourced for Science week! Thank you
Teaching young children about space and science can be engaging with the right online resources and tools. I like the following:
NASA’s Space Place: Offers interactive games, videos, and activities designed for young learners to explore space topics.
Starfall: Features educational activities and stories about space, including interactive animations perfect for early readers.
Cosmic Kids Yoga: Provides fun space-themed yoga sessions that integrate movement with learning about planets and stars.
Star Walk Kids: A kid-friendly stargazing app that helps identify constellations and learn about the night sky interactively.
PBS Kids Space Games: Includes games and videos related to space exploration and science, tailored for younger audiences.
NASA’s Kids Club: Offers educational games, videos, and quizzes to spark curiosity about space missions and science.
These resources make complex space concepts accessible and enjoyable for young students.I have seen Aliens Love Underpants mentioned a lot in this forum, I will be looking into getting this for my class library for Seniors/First. It will be interesting to link this book to Space Week/STEAM week – the children will love it!
I see Aliens love Underpants being mentioned quite a bit in this forum! I will most definitely have to get that book for my Seniors/First class library or find an audiobook of it for the children to listen to when doing Space during STEM week.
I would choose to do a lesson about Stars for my Seniors and First Class.
Discovering Stars
Objective:
Students will learn basic facts about stars and how they form constellations.Materials:
Star stickers or cutouts
Black construction paper
White crayons or markers
Star-themed storybook or video
Introduction:
Start by asking if anyone has seen stars at night and what they look like. Explain that stars are huge balls of hot gas that shine in the sky, and they are much bigger than Earth!Activity:
Give each student a piece of black construction paper and star stickers or cutouts. Have them create their own night sky by placing the stars on the paper. Show them simple constellations (like the Big Dipper) and let them try to recreate these patterns on their paper using white crayons.Discussion:
Read a short story or show a video about stars and constellations. Ask students to share their creations and what they learned about stars.Conclusion:
Review key points and encourage students to look for constellations at home with their families.My class really enjoy chalk work outside in the summer months. It would be a lovely idea to link shadows and tracing using the sun and show them the link to our STEM lessons. Will give this a try!
The activity I have chosen is based on the moon.
Lesson: Exploring the Moon
Objective: Students will learn basic facts about the Moon, its appearance, and its phases.
Materials:
A globe or a ball (to represent Earth)
A smaller ball (to represent the Moon)
A flashlight (to represent the Sun)
Introduction (10 minutes): Start by asking the students if they’ve ever seen the Moon and what they notice about it. Explain that the Moon is Earth’s closest neighbour in space and that it shines because it reflects light from the Sun.Activity (15 minutes): Use the globe, small ball, and flashlight to demonstrate how the Moon orbits Earth and how its appearance changes (phases). Let students take turns holding the “Moon” and walking around the “Earth” while the “Sun” shines on it.
Discussion (10 minutes): Ask students to describe what they saw. Introduce simple terms like “full moon” and “crescent moon.” Finish by reading a short story or showing a video about the Moon.
Conclusion (5 minutes): Review what they’ve learned and encourage them to observe the Moon at night.
I love the look of this song! My class love learning songs to learn facts, adding dance moves etc. Will definitely give this a go!
My name is Maria, I’m teaching Seniors and First Class for the second year in a row in a rural Cork school.
My favourite space fact is about the rings around Saturn.These rings are made up of ice, dust, and tiny rocks, and they sparkle like glitter when sunlight hits them. Saturn is so big that over 760 Earths could fit inside it! I explain to the children that even though it’s far away in space, scientists have sent special spacecraft to take pictures of Saturn and its amazing rings.
