[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Roisin,

Welcome to the course. It is important to make connections to real-world problems with the pupils in order to fully engage in STEM. Design and make activities such as building a periscope can reinforce the concept of reflection and then allow for critical thinking and problem solving on the topic of light. I agree that we have to look beyond finding the ‘right answer’ as you have mentioned and it can be a difficult for pupils to change their mindset about this.

Through developing links with STEM and real-life activities and problems it will given the pupils more skills and understanding of the world around them as you have mentioned. Thanks for sharing.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Daniel

Welcome to the course.

Map making is a great opportunity for younger classes to explore their own classroom and school environment. Picture books are a great way to spark curiosity as you have said, with the infant classes I have used Rosie’s walk as an introduction to map making as they follow her trip around the farmyard.

GeoHive allows pupils to explore different landscapes as you have mentioned and it would introduce the pupils to real world contexts for mapping and make connections between their own maps and those online. You could also use it as a reflection with older classes, if they developed their own map first and then explored GeoHive and Google Maps and then reflected on how to enhance their own map.

Thanks for sharing your ideas.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Aisling

Welcome to the course.

It is important for the pupils to have some knowledge and understanding of gravity and the changes of gravity on different planets prior to developing the planet tubes. With a level of background knowledge it will ensure the planet tubes activity will consolidate their learning.

Similarly, creating different tubes and having the pupils research the planet in order to plan for the outside of the tube will allow for lots of creative work and multiple means of showing their learning. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Luke

Welcome to the course.

Thanks for sharing your plan to observe the sun during the day. It is important for the pupils to have reference points such as trees or poles in the school environment to compare shadows and direct their observations. I like how you plan to record their observations in different forms such as sketches or notes.

As you have mentioned marking the shadows on the yard will allow for hands on activities and learning in Science without needing lots of prep and also allow for pupils to reflect on their learning in a relaxed and engaging way.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Sinead,

As towns grow due to population increase or tourism the increased population would lead to more light pollution and as you have said this can further impact on biodiversity and also human health.

I really like your idea to compile a photo diary of the changing landscape of the town. It would allow for lots of critical thinking and discussion as they compare the photographs. I agree that as your direct their learning to their own local community pupils may get a deeper understanding of the problem and of how they can make changes in their own community. This would also develop scientific and social skills as you have mentioned.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Ciara,

Thanks for sharing your ideas to explore the concept of dark skies with the younger pupils. I also really like how you plan to develop home school links through the lights off evening. In doing so, you would hope to raise more awareness of light pollution in the community too. As you have said for these younger pupils it is important that they recognise how light affects the world in simple ways.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Conor,

Welcome to the course and thanks for sharing your thoughts on light pollution in your area.

It is important to allow for comparisons with a rural area to allow for critical thinking and as how you have mentioned allow the pupils to record their observations and discuss it. It is also a great idea to explore the changes that could be made in the local area such as shields on outdoor lights, the pupils could write their own letters to local councillors to further support these changes.

I hope you enjoy the course.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Chantelle,

Welcome to the course. Thanks for sharing your ideas for observing the moon. It would be a great time to explore during Science Week, you could also consider Space Week in October to observe the moon. It is important that the pupils do have knowledge and understanding about the phases of the moon first to ensure they can make connections between what they see and what they know already. I like how you plan to get the pupils to sketch what they see to record their observations and make comparisons across the week.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Ciara,

Welcome to the course and thanks for sharing the ideas for the infant classroom. I agree that they will be really curious about the moon and the changes in the moon. It is important to use the moon calendar to ensure you have the best time to observe the moon. I also like how you plan to explore this using art materials too. It is a great opportunity to consolidate their learning and show their understanding in art.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Patricia,
Welcome to the course and thanks for sharing your plan. I like how you plan to observe the sun over a week long activity. This would encourage lots of critical thinking as they observe the sun and the changing shadows each day. You could take photos each day to allow for comparisons and these could be added to the notes you have planned for within the lesson.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Michaela

Welcome to the course. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Liston’s paper. I agree that the STEM acronym can be overused and it is important to explore STEM across all the subjects ensuring there is meaningful learning across all areas for an effective STEM lesson.

I like how you plan to incorporate lots of storybooks and songs to explore the sun with a junior class. As you have said this would encourage discussion and building the knowledge of the concept of the sun and how it travels across the sky.

I hope you enjoy the other modules.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Killian,

Welcome to the course. I am glad that you like Stellarium. It is a great resource to explore in the classroom and when I used it with my own pupils they went on to explore it further at home.

It is a great idea to explore the concept of night and day with the younger classes which will show their knowledge and understanding of the planets also. Older classes do love to explore the constellations, there are also activities online to make 3D constellations which is a big hit with senior pupils.

Thanks for sharing your ideas and I hope you enjoy the course.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Emma,

Welcome to the course and thank you for sharing your thoughts on moon observation. I like your idea to create a demo for the children initially to learn about the phases of the moon. They can then develop their own connections between the demo and their own observations of the moon.

I like how you plan to record their observations of the moon in the logbook. This is important to observe over time and note any changes for the children to establish what phase of the moon they can see. While it is a record of their work it will also demonstrate their understanding of this topic.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Aoife

Welcome to the course and thanks for sharing your lesson idea. The satellite images would allow for lots of discussion and critical thinking as to what season it could be. There are lots of opportunities to compare the photographs also and compare the vegetation as you have mentioned.

The hands on activity you have outlined is a good demo of the sun rotating the earth and would also give the children a good understanding of the changing seasons. As you have said the hands on activities make it easier for children to understand these concepts.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Doireann,

Welcome to the course and I am glad that you found the activities in this module interesting for children. The Paxi video provides a child-friendly explanation of climate change and as you have mentioned it provides ideas for children to take action themselves such as recycling. It is important for the children to recognise the importance of taking action, even if they feel is a small step.  The Teal Tool would also raise awareness of the changes to the climate and highlight the importance of the children taking action in their local community.

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