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I really agree with your suggestions. The Paxi video and the “Earth under the lid” experiments are excellent ways to introduce climate science in a manageable and engaging way. The TEAL tool adds a digital element that supports curiosity and independent thinking. Including opportunities for creative expression and whole-school collaboration makes the learning more dynamic and inclusive.
This activity is a great starting point for helping young students explore the basics of climate change and the role greenhouse gases play. The animated Paxi video delivers key ideas in a playful and easy-to-follow way, making it perfect for early learners. To build on this, the TEAL climate tool adds a hands-on element, allowing students to experiment with data and see how human actions shape future climate patterns. I would use the video as a springboard for conversation, encouraging students to share what stood out to them and ask questions. Afterward, they could express their ideas creatively—by drawing, writing, or both—showing simple ways we can care for the planet. We could then gather their work into a colorful classroom display or film a fun segment with students acting as environmental reporters, giving tips on how to reduce emissions. To make the learning even richer, I’d add a climate-themed storybook or a simple science activity, helping students connect with the topic in multiple ways and reinforcing their understanding through both play and exploration.
I completely agree with your reflections—Dr. Liston’s emphasis on hands-on, integrated STEM learning really stood out to me as well. I think the use of songs and weather logs are such effective ways to engage younger children and develop key observational skills. I also love the idea of using traditional weather proverbs—it’s a great way to bring in family involvement and compare past and present approaches to understanding weather.
What stood out to me in ESA Activity 1 was how it begins by clearly distinguishing between weather and climate. This initial focus helps set the stage for deeper exploration of both concepts later on. I thought the idea of linking the activity to the children’s birthdays was a really engaging way to draw them in—especially effective with younger students. Encouraging pupils to define weather and climate in their own words is also a great strategy, as it allows them to actively process and demonstrate their understanding. I also think the Climate Zone video is a valuable tool—it provides a strong introduction to the topic and helps bring the concepts to life in an accessible way.
Incorporating ARC-Online Lessons and Resources into my teaching will enhance STEM education in accordance with the STEM Education Policy Statement and the School Self-Evaluation (SSE) process. These resources are designed to boost student engagement through interactive, hands-on activities and tangible materials, making STEM subjects more relatable and accessible to my students. I plan to collaborate with colleagues to share best practices and integrate STEM education into my teaching plans. Using ARC’s assessment tools during the SSE process will be ideal for gathering and analyzing data on student performance and engagement, helping to set SMART targets. The tracking tool can then be used to continuously monitor these targets and update school improvement plans as needed.
Stories:
“Roaring Rockets” by Tony Mitton
“If You Decide to Go to the Moon” by Faith McNulty
Procedural Writing:
How to create a space-themed sensory bottle.
Making “Space Craters” using clay and foil.
Art:
Designing a rocket ship collage using colored paper and foil.
Painting a night sky with sponge brushes and adding star stickers.
Junk Art: Create moon buggies using egg cartons and bottle caps.
PE:
Lunar Landing – Set up a space-themed obstacle course with balance beams and stepping stones, pretending to be astronauts landing on the moon.
Music:
Space Sounds – Explore and create “space sounds” using different instruments, like drums for rocket launches or shakers for star twinkles.
Wow that looks like a great idea, I did something similar last year and the engagement levels were through the roof!
Wow Saoirse some great ideas here, I love the second one and it relates very much to what I hope to teach in the upcoming year.
In teaching about weather and appropriate clothing for different seasons, I would use a weather activity set. We’d begin by discussing the different seasons, focusing on the variations between hot and cold weather. This would lead to a conversation about what types of clothing are best suited for each season, emphasizing why we need warm clothing during colder months. To deepen their understanding, we’d conduct a science experiment called “Waterproofing Test.” In this experiment, students would test various materials such as cotton, plastic, wool, and rubber to see which one repels water the best. They would drop water on each material and observe which stays dry. This hands-on activity would help students understand the importance of waterproof and warm clothing in wet and cold weather. The experiment would connect how different materials function in protecting us from different weather conditions, helping them choose the right clothes for various environments
Hi Sean,
I like this idea and it definitely makes sense when you see how engaged the children would be with it.
I would introduce the concept of stars by using a stars activity set. We’d start with a 15-minute discussion, sitting in a circle, where I’d use pebbles to represent stars. I would ask the children if there are more stars than the pebbles they see, gradually increasing the number to illustrate how many stars exist. I’d ask, “Have you seen stars?” I would show a picture of a starry sky and explain that stars emit light and are most visible at night, while the Sun, a star, is too bright during the day to see others. After this the children would paint an A4 sheet to resemble the night sky and use toothbrushes to splatter paint stars in different colors. In the final 15 minutes, we would discuss their paintings and use the Artists Chair at the top of the class and complete a worksheet where they draw and count stars, reinforcing their understanding.
Hi Laura, I like this idea,
I feel going outside is a big factor also for me as it incorporates different subjects. I also like the ending of your lesson which would look at the misconceptions.
That was a very interesting module I would choose the “Sun & Shadows” activity. It starts with a discussion to find out what the children already know about shadows and how they are made. We would then read Moonbear’s Shadow by Mr Ashe. While reading, I would guide the children to notice how the shadow changes in size and position with the sun in the pictures. After the story, the children would create models of Moonbear, the fish, and the pond from the book. Once the models are ready, they would use a torch to act as the sun and experiment with creating shadows using Moonbear. We would also go outside at different times of the day to observe how our shadows change as the sun moves across the sky. Finally, the children could draw pictures or write simple sentences to record what they have learned about shadows.
Hi Aisling, that sounds interesting, my name is Mike and I’m doing some courses this year that I don’t have much knowledge about!
I love your fun fact. One of mine is based on How Venus time is so different to us in Earth!
Astronaut Training
To understand what astronauts do and the physical skills needed for space travel.
Materials:
Simple obstacle course setup (e.g., cones, hoops
Pictures or videos of astronauts in space
Paper and crayons for drawing
Show a short video of astronauts working in space. Ask, “What do astronauts do in space?”Investigation:
Set up an obstacle course that simulates astronaut training (e.g., crawling under tables, balancing on a line).
After the “training,” have students draw themselves as astronauts, showing what they would do in space.Students share their drawings and describe their astronaut tasks.
Discuss what skills and tools astronauts need and why training is important for space travel.
