[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Ellie,

Well done on your contributions across the modules. Just a reminder to add the assignment for module 3 in the forum.

Thanks

Michelle

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi James

Welcome to the course and thanks for your contributions across the other modules.

The video on Light Pollution does explore the effect it has on animals and humans. However, I would consider using the images of the night sky in different areas initially to allow for discussion, comparison and critical thinking as the learners consider why they are different. This might lead into the discussion on light pollution and the video.

I like you will encourage the learners to make a light pollution map of their local area and allow them to consider ways to take action. You could also consider beginning with an audit of sources of light in the school grounds to make the learners familiar with the types of lights – downlighter etc.

This would then lead to an opportunity for independent research, for older students, as you have outlined which would support their learning and raise awareness. Thanks for sharing. I hope you have enjoyed the course.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Gary,

Welcome to the course and thank you for your contributions across the other modules in the course.

The location of your school sounds ideal with local forests nearby, this gives the learners the opportunity to explore biodiversity in different areas and could consider comparing them also. A forest would also allow for lots of discussion on nocturnal wildlife in the area.

I like your idea to create a map with biodiversity hotspots and also including the artificial light sources, this would encourage the learners to make more connections between artificial light sources and the biodiversity and to raise awareness of light pollution. I also like your Wildlife-friendly school at night plan, something the learners would engage in as it is meaningful and would encourage them to take action.

Many thanks for sharing, I hope you have enjoyed the course,

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Sean,

Welcome to the course and thanks for sharing your summary of Liston’s paper. Liston acknowledges the importance of interweaving all areas of STEM in project work, tasks and activities through the context of solving a problem as you have mentioned. As you have also outlined, there are plenty opportunities for skills development including 21st century skills.

Just a reminder to ensure to reflect on your own classroom practice in light of Liston’s paper also as part of this assignment.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Niamh,

Well done on completing the course and thank you for your contributions across the other modules and for sharing your approach to using the different activities and tasks with your own class.

Exploring songs and poems relating to the night sky is a great way to connect STEM with English, Music and Art as you have mentioned. I like how you plan to allow the learners to compile their own list of songs too. Integrating with Arts and Literacy it can deepen and make the connections between their STEM learning and arts more meaningful and also give the learners the opportunity to be creative in sharing their learning.

Thanks for sharing, I hope you have enjoyed the course,

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi James,

Welcome to the course. Just a reminder to include your own posts on one of the assignments above along with replying to topics,

Thanks, Michelle

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Pauline,

Welcome to the course. It is great to hear your approach in your classroom to practical hands on activities to address all areas of STEM.

It is great to hear that you found the activities in this module practical also. I agree that when the learners are more active than passive learners they are more engaged with the tasks. As you have mentioned, there are opportunities for cross curricular integration also and allow for meaningful connections with the world around them.

Thanks for sharing, I hope you enjoy the course.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Claire

Welcome to the course. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on light pollution and how to address it with your class. While I think of light pollution in general, I hadn’t reflected on the light pollution at Christmas, and I agree that displays are getting bigger and brighter and will have an impact on light pollution.

I like how you will compare the night sky from what the learners can see at home. You could consider using images from more rural areas for comparison which would allow for lots of discussion and critical thinking. I like how you plan to discuss which artificial lighting is necessary in the local area, as you have said this would highlight a real issue in their own environment.

Thanks for sharing, I hope you enjoy the course.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Denis

Welcome to the course. Thanks for sharing your plan on using Stellarium with your class. I have used Stellarium with my own senior classes and they have always been so engaged. Like you, I like how you can change the time and date and focus on the evening sky in the location of the school as it can help to support and guide the learners’ observations at home.

I agree that Stellarium is a fantastic digital tool and allows the learners to use technology to investigate the night sky during school time and also allow for lots of skills development too.

Thanks for sharing, I hope you enjoy the course.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Grace,

Well done on completing all the modules in this course. Thank you for your contributions across the other modules. You have reflected on how to use the local area for many different tasks and activities for your class.

I like your project plan outlined above and how you would explore the biodiversity of the local area and then using that knowledge to apply it to different subject areas week on week, this would allow for meaningful connections with their learning from week to week. As you have mentioned, it would engage the learners in learning about their local environment and develop an interest in protecting the nature.

Thanks for sharing, I hope you enjoyed the course.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Margaret

Welcome to the course. Thanks for your contributions in other modules. You are very fortunate to have Birr Castle within walking distance of your school. As you have said visiting the castle and seeing the suspension bridge will give the learners a real memorable starting point.

I like how you plan to explore the paper bridges back in the classroom with opportunities for cross curricular integration with maths that you have outlined above. These are real hands on practical maths investigations using lots of skills. Thanks for sharing, I hope you enjoy the course.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Ailbhe,

Welcome to the course. Thank you for your contributions across the other modules. You are very fortunate to have your school located close to the Phoenix park which would allow for lots of discussion on biodiversity prior to the walk. The learners would also get to observe a wide variety of plants, animals, birds etc. I like how you plan to compare their observations from the park to the biodiversity survey on the school grounds. This would allow for lots of critical thinking and engage the learners in learning about different habitats and the nocturnal animals too. I also like how you plan to explore practical ways to reduce light pollution in the school grounds to support the nocturnal animals and insects. Thanks for sharing, I hope you enjoy the course.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Cian,

Welcome to the course and thank you for all your contributions across the other modules and outlining lesson ideas for observing the sun and the evening sky.

I like how you plan to have a class discussion about the biodiversity in the school ground prior to going out on their walk. This would encourage careful observation as you have mentioned and I like how you plan to record their observations using different methods. You could consider more discussion on nocturnal animals before the walk and ask will they get to observe them today, introducing the concept and then leading into the discussion on light pollution.

I also like how you are planning for the learners to reflect on action that could be taken in designing a lighting plan. As you have mentioned this would encourage teamwork and problem solving, thanks for sharing. I hope you have enjoyed the course.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi James

Welcome to the course. Thank you for your contributions across the other modules. It is great to hear your thoughts and feedback on the different activities and how you could use them while working on the supply panel.

Waste generated by the hot meals is very topical at the moment. I like how you are planning to weigh the food waste as well as the packaging. I think weighing the food waste will be a real surprise for pupils and perhaps will get them thinking about unnecessary ordering and raise awarness as you have mentioned. Great idea.

Thanks for sharing. I hope you have enjoyed the course.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Grace,

Well done on completing the modules in this course so far and thank you for your contributions in the other module forums.

It has been great to hear that you enjoyed the different activities across the other modules. Nose High up in the Sky is a great resource with lots of lovely images to engage and support the learners in critical thinking. As you have mentioned, this also allows for observation and communication skills too.

It is great to hear you would use this in your own class and how you could link it to different curricular areas also. Thanks for sharing, I hope you have enjoyed the course.

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