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I really like this idea. Using the River Shannon as inspiration is a great way to connect learning with the local environment. The idea of writing from the viewpoint of an animal or a drop of water would really help children use their imagination. A gallery walk would also be a lovely way to celebrate their work and build confidence.
• Describe how you would involve your pupils in an art, music drama or creative writing project based around your local natural or scientific heritage
I would base an art and creative writing project on Scohaboy Bog. We would learn about the plants, animals and wildlife that live there and talk about why bogs are important.
If possible, we would visit the bog so the children could observe nature, make sketches and take photographs. Back in the classroom, the children could create artwork using paint, collage or natural materials.
For creative writing, the children could write a short story or poem about a journey through the bog or from the point of view of a plant or animal. This project would help children appreciate their local environment while developing their creativity, observation and writing skills.Margaret, I like how you allow the children time to explore materials and develop their own designs. I also like how you have linked the project with maths through shape, space, measurement and planning. It is a great way for children to see how STEM skills are used in real-life situations.
• Using the suspension bridge in Birr Castle Demesne or a bridge in your local area as inspiration, describe how you would plan a class or whole school challenge to design and make a bridge. How would you integrate mathematical thinking and incorporate the maths skills appropriate to your class level.
Last year, we completed a STEM bridge project with our class and it was a great experience. We began by looking at different bridges online, including the suspension bridge in Birr Castle Demesne. We then walked around our village to look at local bridges and discuss their designs.
A highlight of the project was when one of our pupils’ fathers, who is an engineer, came into the classroom to talk to the children about bridge design. This made the learning real and exciting for the pupils.
The children worked in groups to design and build their own bridges. They used maths skills such as measuring, estimating, comparing sizes and testing weight. They learned about balance, strength and how designs can be improved. The project encouraged teamwork, creativity and problem-solving while showing children how maths and engineering are used in real life.Jonathan a seasonal biodiversity project is a great idea because it allows children to see how nature changes throughout the year. I like how you link it across different subjects and encourage children to observe, record and share their findings. Outdoor learning like this helps children develop curiosity and a greater respect for the environment.
• Using some of the identification tools and resources outlined in this module, identify some species of plants or animals in your own local environment and record them with the National Biodiversity Data Centre and then outline how you would get your class involved in citizen science projects.
In May, we were very lucky to have two ladies from the Biodiversity Data Centre visit our school to record the plants in our school grounds. They also had a special focus on ladybirds. The children really enjoyed helping to find and identify different species. This was a great introduction to citizen science. We identified various trees, daisies, dandelions, ivy, robins, bumblebees etc, and the ladies recorded these sightings with the National Biodiversity Data Centre. It made us slow down and notice the wildlife around us.
I would like to build on this by taking my class on nature walks around our school and the Village. The children could use simple identification guides to name plants, birds and insects and record what they find with the National Biodiversity Data Centre. This would help them learn about local wildlife while also helping real scientists. It would also encourage teamwork, careful observation and respect for nature.Caitríona I like how you start by finding out what the children already know before making the maps. The walk around the school is a great idea because it makes the learning real and helps the children understand maps in a fun, hands-on way.
• Explore how you would use some of the online data sets in your teaching of data in maths and to highlight the application of maths in real world contexts.
I would use online data sets with my class to help children see that maths is part of everyday life. We could look at simple information like the weather, rainfall or local wildlife and make bar charts, pictograms and tables. We could compare the data, answer questions and talk about what we notice. This would help children practise maths skills in a fun and meaningful way. I would also link the data to our own school by collecting information, such as how pupils travel to school or favourite playground games, and compare it with the online data. This helps children see that maths is useful both in school and in the real world.
I agree Jonathan. I also found that visits to Birr Castle really show children how STEM connects to real life. Hands-on activities, teamwork and giving pupils the chance to test and improve their ideas help make learning more meaningful and enjoyable. A great day out!
• Having reviewed the paper Unravelling STEM: Beyond the Acronym of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (Liston 2018) reflect on what STEM education looks like in your classroom.
In the classroom, I try to give children real problems to solve together. Last year, we did a STEM bridges project where the children planned, built and tested bridges using simple materials. They worked in teams, solved problems and improved their designs when things did not work. This helped them see how science, maths and engineering all work together. This paper has made me think that I can make even more links between all four STEM areas. I want my pupils to enjoy learning through hands-on activities and see how STEM connects to everyday life.