1.1 Living Things
Second Class examined the fruits and leaves of some of our native trees . We carried out an experiment to see if acorns would float or sink. We wondered why some acorns floated and others sank! We managed to make the helicopters fly and we planted acorns and conkers with the help of Ms. Bríd.
We went on a Scavenger Hunt around the school exploring the sights , smells and sounds in our environment. We identified different plants and trees and explored the beauty all around us.
We went on a Scavenger Hunt around the school exploring the sights , smells and sounds in our environment. We identified different plants and trees and explored the beauty all around us.
1.2 Energy and Forces
Design a boat challenge- 3rd class
Ms Eveleen's Third class made a boat using materials at home. We then tested the boat to see what weight it could hold before sinking. It took some pupils a few attempts to create a boat that floated but they all enjoyed the challenge. It was nice to see the finished products and the effectiveness of each one!
Design & Making towers & boats in 2nd Class
Ms. Claire's Class had great fun designing and making the tallest free standing tower in groups. We worked in groups , sketched our designs first before making the towers. We used lollipop sticks , glue sticks and decks of cards to create various towers. .
Second Class designed and made boats using Play Doh. Lots of team work was needed here as it was quite challenging for some groups to design a Play Doh boat that did not fall apart in the water or even worse sink !
Paper aeroplanes- 3rd class
Ms Eveleen's Third class designed and tested paper aeroplanes. We looked at a science video and brainstormed the best way to make paper aeroplanes. We then made one individually. We tested each one and measured the distance it travelled. We also discussed why some models worked better than others.
Ms. Adrienne's Junior infants used air pressure to push a car across their classroom. We pumped air into a balloon which was attached to a car or a spaceman. We also estimated how far each car would travel depending on how much air we pumped into the balloon.
LoL Junior Infants created their own individual volcanoes. Each child was given the opportunity to combine the different ingredients needed to create an explosive reaction.
Junior Infants used our large magnets to see what would be attracted or repelled. We went around our classroom to find out.
Ms. Adrienne and Junior Infants created a rainbow. We wanted to see what would happen if we poured warm water over colourful skittles.
Ms. Ann's class explored two themes: forces and materials . We designed and made artwork based on a three staged plan. First, we had to test how much force to apply to the squeezy bottle in order to get the proper flow of water and flour mixture. Secondly, we painted it and lastly the pupils delighted in peeling off the hardened mixture. Other examples of exploring forces are included below. The "Funslinger" proved a firm favourite. For this to work properly the pupils had to figure out the proper arm movement. A mini rocket was forced out of the socket and into the air. If they wanted it to go further or higher in the air they had to adjust their set up.
Ms.Ann's pupils took part in SPACE WEEK and had great fun coming up with their ideas on how to build their own rockets. First, the senior pupils got an introduction video of Yuri Gagarin on his first voyage to outer space. Infants got an introduction by way of Storybots in Outer space. Next, we discussed what materials to use, what size it would be, tried out our first efforts, modified how to launch them and finally moved from the classroom to the hall for the ultimate challenge. Senior pupils had to launch their rockets using a metre stick.They had trials to test how far theirs would travel using various techniques and we also had target practice. We discussed things like force, how far back to pull the elastic, trajectory (with senior pupils) and imagined what it must be like to be an astronaut. Finally, pupils went on a virtual tour of the International Space Station.
Forces:
1.3 Materials.
Junior infants created a rainbow. We placed different primary colour dyes in jars with water. Each of these jars had a glass jar of clear water in-between them. Through absorption, the clear water changed colour to create a rainbow effect.
Mixing materials - making soap.
4th class explored materials and material change, while making some lovely Christmas gifts for friends & family. To make the soap we used a melt & pour product from Dingle Beekeeping supplies and we added some colour & essential oils. Then we poured our mixture into the mould and let it set. Once set, we were able to cut it into bars and gift wrap them :-)
1.4 Environmental Awareness and Care.
-Chamomile Cream made with hundreds of daisies!
-Vingaigrette, foraged on school grounds/garden
-Beach SESE Outing - 3 classes, different days!
First class dried and infused organic olive oil with daisies for two weeks. The calomine extract was added to Shea Butter and lemon balm. This ' daisy cream' was a huge hit with parents, and pupils/staff alike. First Class are in creduble foragers
1.5. Participation in Science Week.
Pupil's from Ms.Ann's class took part in Science Week, as did all the classes. This always makes their eyes pop!
1.6 Our Garden, is a WHOLE SCHOOL PROJECT for 2021. VIDEO clip on SCIENCE TWITTER (June thread). Niamh Ní Dhuill, from Heritage in Schools, Gortbreac Farm , Tralee is our mentor and has overseen the rejuvenation of our garden (see video clip on our Science Twitter). But Ms Gemma and Ms Eveleen are organic heroes. This is not representative of what 1st and 3rd class have done since March 2021. Other classes eg Fifth and Second...but we follow our leaders! Best Spring/Summer ever, in our school. :)
PS. We also enjoyed fab CPD from PDST.. STEM sa Bhaile etc and we were inspired! So many STEAM lessons and outings outdoors, evidenced throughout this Weebly, but impossible to evidence all our activities. Many thanks to PDST, since April 2020!
November 2020- First class planted bulbs on the school grounds, in our school garden and in window boxes for our classroom. They also planted acorns and chestnuts, which sprouted well and we expect to have young saplings in a year or two, when the children are in Third/Fourth class!
We planted potatoes, borage, chives, lemon grass, turnips, carrots, peas, beans, kale, sunflowers....much more, relentlessly! Prep work was back breaking and our compost bin was very handy and oooh so rich! So was Ms Eveleen's top soil and manure early in the 2021 winter/spring. Massive work done on weekends.
Fifth Class couldn't resist! Bee-Flower bombs hand made! :) It was so busy. These pics are a glimpse. Teachers are just too busy digging, working and chatting/teaching our young kidds, to scramble for mobile phone evidence. Kids and adults are just too busy eating Caherleaheen's rhubarb crumble, drinking elderflower/honey/lemon balm iced tea, rubbing /sniffing on the chamomile balm, magic, cure-all DAISY CREAM, sprinkling the incredible floral organic infused vinaigrette on lettuce/pasta boats. Sorry....we would love to share all these experiences via photo or video......or share our taste buds, here! Brón orainn. Bhíomar gnóthach!