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Hi Yvonne. I love this post. Using Aliens Love Underpants as your hook is a great idea. It would immediately get Infants hooked and eager to learn. I also love how your plan naturally weaves real STEM concepts into play. Predicting and measuring with footsteps brings early math to life without feeling like work.
Science behind fizzing:
I’m really looking forward to using the “Dancing Raisins” experiment with my Junior Infants next year. This is how I will use this activity in my classroom:I’ll set up two clear jars at eye level—one filled with water and the other with fresh sparkling water—alongside a bowl of wrinkly raisins. Gathering the children on the carpet, I’ll hold up a raisin and ask: “What do you think will happen when we drop this in?” Encouraging their guesses builds natural curiosity before any testing begins.
First, we’ll drop raisins into the water to watch them sink and stay still. Next, we’ll drop them into the fizz. Tiny bubbles will cling to the bumpy skin, lifting the raisins up until the bubbles pop and they sink again—creating a fun “dancing” loop.
Hi Jill
This is a lovely lesson plan. It blends literacy, technology, and hands-on creativity seamlessly for little learners.
To foster a vibrant, inquiry-driven learning environment, I would integrate the sequence of practical STEM activities provided in this module based on homes and weather. By grounding abstract concepts in active exploration, the tasks encourage young learners to ask meaningful questions, test hypotheses, and make sense of the world around them.
Exploring Habitats & Structures (ESERO 5 – Where Do You Live?): I would begin by comparing various global dwelling types with our local housing. The children would act as young engineers, using junk art, construction blocks, and natural materials to design sturdy shelters. Through guided discussions, they would evaluate why construction materials and roof shapes vary depending on regional climates.
Thermal Protection in Nature (ESERO 7 – Animals in the Cold): Moving into thermal properties, the pupils would investigate how animals adapt to cold environments. We would sort native and arctic animals by habitat and conduct a simple insulation test—wrapping miniature plastic animals in materials like foil, cotton wool, and bubble wrap to discover which layer retains heat best.
Weather Observation & Daily Choices (ESERO 11 – What Clothes to Wear): Bringing the focus back to daily routines, the children would record the daily weather using simple class charts and select appropriate outfits for cardboard weather avatars. This real-world application would help them connect atmospheric changes directly to seasonal clothing choices.
Investigating Temperature (ESERO 12 – Hot and Cold): Pupils would engage in tactile thermal experiments, sensing warm and cool water containers (safely monitored) and using basic color-coded indicators to describe temperature variations.
Alignment with School Self-Evaluation (SSE)
This thematic unit directly advances our school’s SSE targets for science skill development. By shifting the pedagogical focus from passive listening to active prediction, observation, and fair testing, our Infants would build crucial critical thinking habits, scientific vocabulary, and an enduring curiosity about how their world works.Hi Laura
I really like this activity idea! It is a creative way to engage children’s interest in space while encouraging scientific thinking and imagination. I especially like how you connect the design of the aliens to different planetary environments, as this helps children understand the idea of adaptation in a fun and age-appropriate way. The links to art and English also make the lesson cross-curricular and allow pupils to develop a range of skills.
Activity set: Stars
Activity: Lots and lots of stars!
I would use this lesson in my classroom to introduce children to the concept of stars through discussion, investigation, and creative activities. I would begin by asking pupils what they already know about stars and encouraging them to share their experiences of seeing the night sky. Using the marble activity, I would help children understand that there are an enormous number of stars in the universe and that they are too numerous to count easily. I would use open-ended questions to encourage curiosity and develop their scientific thinking.The children would then create their own starry sky paintings using different colours and techniques, allowing them to represent their understanding of stars creatively. During this activity, I would discuss that stars give off light, the Sun is a star, and stars can appear different colours. I would finish with a class discussion and a counting activity to reinforce learning while developing children’s maths and communication skills. This lesson would create an engaging and memorable learning experience.
Hi Aisling
I really like this lesson idea! It is engaging and encourages children to explore the Moon through observation, discussion, and hands-on activities. I especially like how you help pupils understand the difference between 2D and 3D shapes using familiar objects. The use of stories and group research makes the lesson fun while developing curiosity and critical thinking. The differentiated tasks and learning wall are also great ways to ensure all children can participate and reflect on what they have learned.
Acitivty: The Spherical Earth
I would use this inquiry-based activity to introduce the concept that the Earth is spherical in an engaging and hands-on way. I would begin by asking the children what they think happens when a ship sails away into the distance and encourage them to share their ideas. After making their predictions, the pupils would create their own origami ships, which would make them feel involved from the start. First, I would demonstrate the activity on a flat surface, allowing the children to observe that the ship only appears to get smaller as it moves away. Next, I would repeat the activity using a globe, where they would notice that the ship seems to gradually disappear from the bottom up, just as real ships do on the horizon.
Throughout the activity, I would encourage pupils to observe carefully, ask questions, and discuss what they notice with their classmates. Rather than simply telling them that the Earth is round, I would guide them with open-ended questions to help them reach their own conclusions. This inquiry-based approach encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and scientific reasoning while making learning memorable. By actively participating in the investigation, pupils develop a deeper understanding of the Earth’s shape and learn that scientific ideas are supported by evidence and observation rather than memorisation alone.
Hi Colette. I really like this idea! The activity is engaging and encourages children to think like young scientists by asking questions and exploring evidence for themselves. I especially like how it combines teamwork, critical thinking, and communication while making learning about the solar system fun and meaningful. Your role as a facilitator, guiding pupils with open-ended questions instead of giving them the answers, is a great example of inquiry-based learning. I think this activity would keep pupils motivated and help them develop a deeper understanding of the planets through active participation.
Hi my name is Rachael. My favourite space fact is there are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth.
How I would use one inquiry-based activity in my classroom:
One inquiry-based activity I would use in my classroom is a science investigation on plant growth. Instead of giving students the answers, I would ask them the question, “What do plants need to grow best?” Students would work in small groups to make predictions, design a simple experiment, and test variables such as the amount of sunlight or water each plant receives. They would record their observations over several weeks, compare results, and present their conclusions to the class.I believe this activity would encourage students to take ownership of their learning because they are actively involved in asking questions, collecting evidence, and drawing conclusions. It would also help develop important skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. Rather than memorizing facts, students would learn through firsthand experience, making the learning more meaningful and memorable.
As the teacher, my role would be to guide the investigation by asking open-ended questions, providing resources, and supporting students when they encounter challenges. I would encourage discussion and reflection throughout the activity so students could explain their thinking and learn from one another. This approach also allows for differentiation, as students can investigate at their own pace and contribute in different ways. Overall, I would use this inquiry-based activity because it promotes curiosity, engagement, and a deeper understanding of scientific concepts while helping students build confidence as independent learners.
Hi deirdre
One thing I really like about your approach is the idea of taking pupils on a “safari” around the school grounds. It’s such an engaging and hands-on way to connect them with their immediate natural environment, making learning feel like an adventure. The inclusion of tools like magnifying glasses and insect viewers helps foster curiosity and observation skills in a really tangible way.
To engage my infants in exploring the local biodiversity, I would focus on sensory-rich, age-appropriate activities in natural settings. Nature walks in local parks or gardens, where the children can see colorful plants, hear birdsong, and touch leaves or soil, encourage curiosity and connection with the environment. Simple picture books featuring local animals and plants, like those mentioned in this module, could reinforce these experiences for my class.
Light pollution can significantly impact local biodiversity. It disrupts the natural behaviors of nocturnal animals, such as bats and insects, interfering with feeding, mating, and navigation. Plants can also be affected, with artificial lighting altering growth cycles and pollination. This disruption reduces biodiversity and weakens ecosystems. By helping my infants connect with nature early on, it plants the seeds of environmental stewardship, encouraging awareness and care for the ecosystems around them—including the importance of protecting dark skies for wildlife.
Hi Susie
I really like how your plan combines creativity with real-world issues like light pollution and wildlife protection. The idea of giving students different stakeholder roles sounds fantastic—it encourages teamwork while making the lesson feel interactive and meaningful. I also like how you link the project to local places like Phoenix Park, making the learning personal and relevant.
Songs like A Sky Full of Stars and Talking to the Moon connect us to the night sky. The song A Sky Full of Stars connects us to the night sky by capturing its beauty, mystery, and emotional pull. Its lyrics and uplifting melody reflect the wonder we feel when we look up at the stars. Just like the sky, the song feels vast and full of hope, reminding us that even in darkness, there’s light—and that we’re all connected under the same stars.
Talking to the Moon evokes the night sky through its imagery of solitude, longing, and emotional connection beneath a quiet, moonlit sky.
As mentioned in this module, Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night also connects us to the night sky by capturing its emotional depth and cosmic mystery. The swirling stars and luminous moon evoke a sense of wonder, reminding us of our smallness in the vast universe.
