STEP 1-SCIENCE
Living things
Strand Unit: Plant Life
The children in fourth and fifth classes developed a greater understanding of the water cycle and photosynthesis by creating a ‘Garden-in-a-Jar’. On observation of the ‘Garden-in-a-Jar the children could see it was self-watering and that it worked the same way as the water cycle – the same water is used over and over again.
The children in fourth and fifth classes developed a greater understanding of the water cycle and photosynthesis by creating a ‘Garden-in-a-Jar’. On observation of the ‘Garden-in-a-Jar the children could see it was self-watering and that it worked the same way as the water cycle – the same water is used over and over again.
Energy and forces
Strand Unit: Sound
3rd class pupils were learning about ways in which sound can travel and how sound travels through materials of different densities. Check out some of the pictures below of their string telephones.
3rd class pupils were learning about ways in which sound can travel and how sound travels through materials of different densities. Check out some of the pictures below of their string telephones.
A written account of the experiment
Materials
Strand Unit: Properties and characteristics of materials
The children of fourth and fifth class learned that all liquids, solids and gases expand when they are heated. They conducted an experiment using a plastic bottle and hot water to show this. The children then used what they had learned to make a simple thermometer.
The children of fourth and fifth class learned that all liquids, solids and gases expand when they are heated. They conducted an experiment using a plastic bottle and hot water to show this. The children then used what they had learned to make a simple thermometer.
Environmental awareness and care
Junior and Senior Infants made bird feeders to help our birds to stay alive during the winter. The students used
2. Make two holes opposite each other about a third of the way up the bottle.
3. Push the pencil through both of these holes. This will act as a perch for the birds.
4. Make two holes opposite each other near the top of the bottle.
5. Thread the twine through the two holes.
6. Make a loop to hang off a branch of a tree.
7. Fill the bottle with peanuts or sunflower seeds and put the lid on the bottle.
Hang the bird feeder on a tree where you can view the birds.
Conclusion
We noticed Chaffinches, Blue tits and Sparrows feeding from the feeder. We also made a bird bath out of a flower pot base for birds to drink from and bathe in.
- two 500 ml empty plastic bottles with caps
- child's scissors
- two pencils
- twine (50 cms)
- peanuts or sunflower seeds
2. Make two holes opposite each other about a third of the way up the bottle.
3. Push the pencil through both of these holes. This will act as a perch for the birds.
4. Make two holes opposite each other near the top of the bottle.
5. Thread the twine through the two holes.
6. Make a loop to hang off a branch of a tree.
7. Fill the bottle with peanuts or sunflower seeds and put the lid on the bottle.
Hang the bird feeder on a tree where you can view the birds.
Conclusion
We noticed Chaffinches, Blue tits and Sparrows feeding from the feeder. We also made a bird bath out of a flower pot base for birds to drink from and bathe in.
Living Things
Pupils from 1st and 2nd planted seeds and got a flower pot each to look after. They used small pots, water, seeds and soil/compost.
A written account and diagram of the experiment from one of the students
Energy and Forces
Strand Unit: Gravity
5th and 6th class pupils investigated the force of gravity by swinging a partially filled bucket of water over their head. Check out the pictures, written accounts and illustrations below to learn more.
5th and 6th class pupils investigated the force of gravity by swinging a partially filled bucket of water over their head. Check out the pictures, written accounts and illustrations below to learn more.
Science Speaker - Lismore Science
Lismore Science came to visit our school during Science Week. All classes, from junior infants to sixth class conducted different experiments. Check out the pictures below to learn more.
First and second class
Third class
Written account from 3rd class student of the visit from Lismore Science.
STEP 2-TECHNOLOGY
Evidence of the children developing a powerpoint/keynote presentation
Pupils in 3rd class regularly use Keynote (similar to Powerpoint) to create and present projects in S.E.S.E. and Maths. Below are examples of some work completed when we were covering 'Money' in Maths. The children worked in small groups to create word problems on the iPads and then present them to the rest of the class.
Use technology to access maths information
Pupils in 3rd class used an app on the iPads to investigate and learn all about symmetry. They started out on level 1 but advanced to more difficult levels as they practiced.
STEP 3-ENGINEERING
Engineer's visit
A local engineer, Gerry Horan, came to visit some of our pupils to talk to them about engineering and what it involves. Gerry also made a PowerPoint presentation which he presented to the group. Check out a written account from one of our students explaining exactly what they were doing.
Design and make activity
Students from 3rd to 6th were busy designing and making bridges, airplanes and catapults during the year. Check out the pictures below to see some of their work.
Airplanes
Bridges
The children in fourth and fifth class designed and made their own bridges using materials around them in the classroom. They learned that materials from which bridges are made are important but you can strengthen a material by changing its shape. Bridge designers often use different shapes, e.g. arches and triangles, to strengthen their bridges. The curve of the arch for example spreads the load on the bridge and makes it stronger. The width of the ‘river’ under their bridge had to be 14cm and weights were used to test the capacity of the bridges they designed.
STEP 4-MATHS
Maths Trail
The boys and girls from 1st and 2nd class were busy working on a Maths Trail around the school. They had lots of fun developing and working on the Maths Trail and learned a great deal.
A written record for the Maths Trail
Using maths skills and knowledge as part of science (Measuring distances and recording and analysing data)
Students were busy using their Math's skills during the year in Science and engineering activities. 3rd class were busy making catapults in Science while 5th and 6th designed and constructed their 3-D Leprechaun houses.
Catapults
Pupils were learning about stored energy in Science and we came up with an interesting experiment to demonstrate this concept. Students were given lollipop sticks, elastic bands, marshmallows, bottle tops, coins and metre sticks. They worked in groups to design and build a catapult. They used the catapult to throw an object and measured the distance using a metre stick. They recorded the distance in metres and centimetres to see which object travelled the furthest.
Catapults
Pupils were learning about stored energy in Science and we came up with an interesting experiment to demonstrate this concept. Students were given lollipop sticks, elastic bands, marshmallows, bottle tops, coins and metre sticks. They worked in groups to design and build a catapult. They used the catapult to throw an object and measured the distance using a metre stick. They recorded the distance in metres and centimetres to see which object travelled the furthest.
Our 3-D Leprechaun houses
The children used their ‘Maths Eyes’ to create their very own leprechaun houses just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! They used their problem-solving skills, and extensive Maths knowledge of length, area, perimeter, lines and angles, as well as both 2D and 3D shapes, to draw, measure accurately, and to construct their houses using a wide variety of recyclable materials.
The children used their ‘Maths Eyes’ to create their very own leprechaun houses just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! They used their problem-solving skills, and extensive Maths knowledge of length, area, perimeter, lines and angles, as well as both 2D and 3D shapes, to draw, measure accurately, and to construct their houses using a wide variety of recyclable materials.
STEP 5-STEM SHOWCASE
Students from the senior classes in our school showcased some of their STEM work to the junior classes this week. Pupils from 3rd to 6th class prepared their work and students from Junior Infants to 2nd class went around to each group, learning about some of the work they were doing.
