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Hi Jane,
These ideas are great! I love that Oliver Jeffers book and I think it would be a great way to start a lesson like this. Thanks for sharing!
I would start with a demonstration using the ‘mouse launcher.’ I’d present a cone-shaped paper rocket decorated to look like a mouse and place it at the top of an empty water bottle. With the class watching, I would squeeze the bottle with force, launching the mouse rocket into the air. This visual would illustrate the concept of propulsion and the children could then attempt to make their own mice.
Next, I would explain the basics of rocket design, highlighting how different materials (paper, card, foam) can affect flight. I’d then break the class into small groups, providing each with materials to create their own rockets. We would discuss various launching methods, like rubber bands and balloons, before allowing the students to experiment with their designs.
Afterward, we’d conduct a launching session, encouraging each group to test their rockets and observe the results. Finally, the students would reflect on their designs and what worked or didn’t, promoting critical thinking and teamwork.
It would be nice to allow the children to make changes to their rockets and have a second attempt on a different day to see what improvements they could come up with.
Hi Shulagh,
Thanks for sharing your ideas! I have a younger class next year and I’m also looking forward to using the ESA website. It seems to be very easy to use and the children will have a lot of opportunities to play space games!
1. Marvin and Milo Cartoon: I would use the Marvin and Milo cartoon to introduce concepts in science and space in a fun, engaging way. The animated adventures of Marvin and Milo can spark students’ curiosity about the universe, making complex ideas accessible through storytelling, humour, and relatable characters.
2. ESA Space for Kids: The ESA Space for Kids website offers interactive games and informative content related to space exploration. I would incorporate it into lesson plans to provide students with hands-on learning experiences. Activities such as quizzes and craft projects can enhance their understanding of space missions, planets, and astronauts, fostering a love for STEM.
3. Astronomy Picture of the Day: Each day, I would present the Astronomy Picture of the Day to the class as a visual stimulus for discussions. We could explore the featured image, delve into its scientific significance, and encourage creative responses through writing or art. This resource would help students appreciate the beauty and vastness of the universe
1. Marvin and Milo Cartoon: I would use the Marvin and Milo cartoon to introduce concepts in science and space in a fun, engaging way. The animated adventures of Marvin and Milo can spark students’ curiosity about the universe, making complex ideas accessible through storytelling, humor, and relatable characters.
2. ESA Space for Kids: The ESA Space for Kids website offers interactive games and informative content related to space exploration. I would incorporate it into lesson plans to provide students with hands-on learning experiences. Activities such as quizzes and craft projects can enhance their understanding of space missions, planets, and astronauts, fostering a love for STEM.
3. Astronomy Picture of the Day: Each day, I would present the Astronomy Picture of the Day to the class as a visual stimulus for discussions. We could explore the featured image, delve into its scientific significance, and encourage creative responses through writing or art. This resource would help students appreciate the beauty and vastness of the universe
Hi Deirdre,
I always find discussions about space to be so interesting with a class. Regardless of the age and level, there are always a few children who have some interesting facts to share and it is always a topic of interest for many!
It’s a great idea to follow the discussion with a book, perhaps many questions the children had might be answered during their reading!
Space and Aliens lesson:
I’d love if my students embarked on a creative journey to learn about life on Mars! We would begin with a reading of “There’s No Place Like Mars” by Rebecca Rissman, which introduces various interesting concepts about the Martian environment, potential habitats, and imaginative creatures. This story will spark our curiosity and fuel our imagination about what life could be like on the Red Planet.After the reading, students will engage in the main activity: designing their very own Martian! First, they will sketch their Martian with colourful drawings, considering what adaptations their creature might need to survive in the unique Martian landscape. Next, using clay, students will sculpt a three-dimensional version of their designs, allowing their creativity to flourish.
At the end of the lesson, students will share their Martians, explaining their features and how they help their creatures thrive on Mars. This will encourage imagination and reinforce our understanding of life in different environments!
Hi Niamh,
I love the idea of the shadow guessing game. It’s a really good way to finish off a lesson and all the children can get involved. It also can cement the understanding of how shadows can be different sizes, ie. the biggest shadow is not necessarily going to belong to the tallest in the class.
I always enjoy teaching shadows in science lessons. There are many opportunities for both indoor and outdoor activities.
Outdoors, I would facilitate a “Shadow Hunt.” Students will take turns observing their shadows at different times of the day, documenting the changes in length and direction. We’ll create a shadow art project where they can trace their shadows on large sheets of paper, encouraging creativity while reinforcing our understanding of how sunlight creates shadows. The children can also use chalk to compare where a shadow was before break and after break etc.
Indoors, we could conduct a simple experiment using a flashlight to simulate the sun. Students will explore how the angle of the light affects shadow size and shape with various objects. We could also read stories related to the sun and discuss its importance for life on Earth such as “The Sun Is Kind of a Big Deal” by Nick Seluk.
Through these activities, students will gain hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the relationship between the sun and shadows, making learning fun and interactive!
Hi Katie,
I love that you have brought Ireland into your space fact. This is a very interesting fact and one that I will definitely share with my students.
Your rainy day adventure is a wonderful idea, and it opens up a lot of opportunity for integration between the subjects. It would be lovely to start this lesson off using a character from a book the children have read!
Hi everyone! My name is Oisin, and I’m 26 years old. I’m thrilled to be part of this course about space as I’ve always been passionate about astronomy. One of my favourite space facts is that a day on Venus is longer than a year on Venus!
Reflection on Inquiry-Based Activity:
In my classroom, one inquiry-based activity I would implement revolves around the phases of the Moon. I would begin by posing an open-ended question, such as “Why does the Moon change shape?” Students would work in small groups to investigate this question through exploration and hands-on experiments. Each group would utilise materials like a flashlight, a basketball, and a smaller ball (representing the Earth and the Moon). They would recreate the positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun to observe how the Moon’s position relative to the Earth and Sun affects its appearance.
Students would be encouraged to document their observations and share their findings through visual representations, such as diagrams or models. This activity promotes critical thinking, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of lunar phases. I would then facilitate a class discussion, allowing students to reflect on their discoveries.
