STEM (Science Technology Engineering Maths)
We pride ourselves in our work and achievements in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects. These subjects are enjoyed by the children in a practical, hands on, interactive and fun way. Our achievements have been recognised and we have received a number of Discover Primary Science and Maths awards and most recently a Curious Minds STEM award of excellence from Science Foundation of Ireland. Curious Minds is a national programme designed to foster interest in science and engineering among children in primary schools.
Participating schools carry out a range of science activities in the classroom and are encourages to undertake additional explorative activities and projects in the areas of technology, engineering and maths.
In order to achieve this award, throughout the year our pupils work hard and carry out various experiments and investigations. They also partake in a range of additional activities in the area of technology, engineering and maths. Every year our pupils also take part in a range of activities for Maths week, Science week and Engineering week.
Here are a sample of two of the STEM activities which have taken place in the school last year.
lego_league (720p) (1).mp4OYRT7760.MOVSTEM Award
We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded a Curious Minds Gold Award in recognition of all our hard work in the area of STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) this year.
Curious Minds is the national programme designed to foster interest in science and engineering among children in primary schools.
Participating schools carry out a range of science activities in the classroom and are also encouraged to undertake additional explorative activities and projects in the area of technology, engineering and maths. Throughout the year, our pupils worked hard and carried out various experiments and investigations such as dissecting a sheep’s heart, investigating floating and sinking, taking part in mini-beast hunts, taking part in the Pickerpal programme, growing plants in the school garden and many more. We even got involved in some virtual workshops.
We took part in a range of additional activities in the area of technology, engineering and maths including maths trails, the First Lego League, coding workshops, went on Maths trails, designed and constructed buildings, bridges and castles, took part in the STEPS Young Engineers programme and much more. We also hosted a number of themed weeks such a Science week, Maths week, Space week where our pupils took part in a range of different activities. We also regularly used our ipads as part of lessons in class.
Well done to all involved, all of your hard work really paid off. A special thank you to Ms. Kearney for co-ordinating the award.
Science Foundation of Ireland (SFI) Curious Minds Award.
Step 1: Science
Living Things:
Myself
The Junior Infant children investigated the parts of the human body through play and hands-on activities. They also explored their senses by participating in taste testing.
Plant and animals:
The children investigated the signs of Autumn in our school garden. They explored in groups and discussed their findings. They collected autumn leaves and made some beautiful art with them. They also painted a collaborative Autumn art scene.
Plants and Animals:
Burren Nature Sanctuary Workshop.
On 2nd February, as part of the National Parks and Wildlife Service outreach educational programme, Four experienced and enthusiastic environmental education staff from the Burren National Park, Co. Clare, Dromore Woods Nature Reserve, Co. Clare and Coole Park Nature Reserve, Co Galway visited our school to deliver workshops on Native Birds in Ireland.Each class was shown an age appropriate presentation on Native birds. Pupils learned and identified the different types of birds and other wildlife in Ireland and in the Burren. They explored the colours of different bird species and why they are significant to attract other birds. They also found out how they also use colours as a form of camouflage.
3rd Class enjoyed a field trip to the bog. They prepared for the field trip by learning about the flora and fauna they may see, including a variety of plants and mosses. During their fieldtrip they listened for any wildlife and looked out for any of the flora they had learned about including, Long Leaved Sundrew and Red Bog Moss.
Energy and Forces
Forces:
The 1st Class children investigated floating with a wide range of materials and objects. They also designed their own boats and tested the conditions for floatation.
They also investigated magnetism. They searched for magnetic materials around their classroom and concluded that many metals are magnetic.
Materials
Our Infant children investigated different materials on Explorify. An image has been zoomed in on, and the children guess what it could be by looking at the materials, colours etc I think it's a teddy because the material looks soft and fluffy and brown. When we zoomed out we could see that our predictions were correct. We also did some practical activities where we examined different materials to find the most suitable material for Winnie the Pooh’s umbrella. They tested fabric, tissue, cardboard and plastic. They decided on plastic as it is waterproof.
Environmental Awareness and Care
Caring for my locality:
The 2nd Class children did some Spring planting in our school garden. This year they planted some potatoes and strawberries.
Caring for my locality:
In the Autumn, the 3rd Class children harvested the leeks that they had planted the previous Spring. They made some delicious Potato and Leek soup and really enjoyed using their own ingredients. It was so rewarding to work together to plant vegetables and then enjoy their harvested foods together.
Science Week
The whole school participate in Science Week every year. It is one of the highlights of our school year. Classes come together to conduct experiments and children work together in groups to present an experiment of their choice. Some of our classes registered for a live Zoom experience with Scientist Mark Langtry through Galway Education Centre. Here are some pictures from Science week this year.
The 5th Class children conducted a variety of science experiments during Science Week and demonstrated them to other classes including, Lava Lamp, Making our own bubbles, Expanding Gummies, and the Coke & Mentos explosion.
The 4th Class children also conducted a variety of Science experiments and showcased them to other classes. Included here are Hovercrafts, Skittles Rainbow experiment, Balloon Blow-Up experiment and the Magic Marker experiment.
Space Week
Our 1st -6th class pupils participated in a range of educational workshops covering topics about Astronomy (solar system, constellations). The exploration dome uses full dome 360 degrees digital projection and advanced computer simulations which enable pupils to explore the nights sky. During each of the workshops, 3D Interactive shows were projected onto the roof of the dome bringing the topics to life for the pupils making the pupils feel as if they were in space. During each workshop each class had an interactive talk about our solar system and constellations followed by a film.
Step 2: Technology
Robotics
5th class took part in the First Lego League in association with Galway Education Centre. The pupils worked in teams to develop some key skills of design and technology including planning, designing and evaluating. They designed different modes of cargo transportation, ensuring to take safety features into consideration in their design. The pupils also learnt to code using Lego Education WeDo 2.0. Using their knowledge of what they had learnt they were able to motorise their vehicles, add motorized parts, and safety features (such as flashing lights and sirens when vehicles are being loaded/unloaded etc).
lego_league (720p) (1).mp4Coding
6th Class enjoyed an excellent coding session from Corrib Coding. They created a 2D game where we designed their own character and built their own world. The characters moved around a maze where they collected food. They used Microsoft Make Code Arcade to build and design their game. They thoroughly enjoyed this session and one of the best parts was sharing their knowledge and learning with the 5th Class. After showing them how they made their games they shared their QR codes so that others could play their games.
Step 3:Engineering
STEPS Young Engineer's Award
This year the 4th Class children participated. The students followed a structured STEPS Project Book comprising of a series of tasks and worksheets over a four-month period. Participating in this project promoted engineering and highlighted the importance of the profession. Our projects have been presented to the class and the children conducted and question and answer session with their peers.. Our inventions were; ‘The Ketchup Pen’ – no more struggles trying to open ketchup sachets with this clever invention. Just click the pen for the desired amount of ketchup! ‘The Glue Pen’. This crafty invention pumps out the desired amount of glue and keeps tasks nice and neat! ‘The Micro Hear’, a prototype designed to assist visually impaired people to independently navigate the school grounds. ‘Multi-Bag’, a creative solution to carrying many shopping bags. This creation has multiple bags in one including a freezer bag and a cup holder making shopping easier.
STEM Challenge:
The 5th Class children participating the spaghetti and gummy challenge where they constructed a range of designs including 3D shapes. They also completed the balance challenge too where they balanced an object successfully on their design.
Step 4: Maths
Maths Week
This is always a great week in Newcastle N.S. All the children participated in activities throughout the week in their own class, with other classes and also participated in whole school activities. All classes were also given a Maths Week Challenge. All pupils were encouraged to figure out their challenge and put their answers in a box in their classrooms when complete. All correct answer sheets were entered into a draw and one winner was selected in each class. The Junior classes had fun building a Numicon City. They also enjoyed an introduction to coding with BeeBots. The older classes were challenged to solve puzzles in groups. They enjoyed sharing their mathematical thinking and strategies with each other. Also included are pictures are the winner of our ‘Guess how many sweets are in the jar?’, our Mathletes of the week and pictures of the 5th & 6th Class maths Quiz.
Using maths in practical ways:
The children in 4th Class took a walk around the school grounds in search of maths in our environment. They discussed and documented their findings and drew a sketch of their school from a birds eye view. They wrote about their maps using mathematical language
Maths Trail
The infants participated in a maths trail around the school an encountered lots of evidence of maths in our environment. It was exciting setting off on a mathematical adventure. We love learning outside and making connections between our environment and our learning.
Step 5:STEM Show and Tell
Show and Tell:
The 6th Class children conducted science experiments with the Junior Infant children. It was a great opportunity for peer teaching and learning and both groups really enjoyed the activity.
Show and tell is an embedded part of our learning in our school. We value and appreciate the opportunities that this presents to all children. Pictures include; Balloon Balance Challenge and a Senses Game, The Balloon Friction experiment and showing the Junior Infants how to make their own bubbles.