We are delighted to receive our third Curious Minds Award for our teaching of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Maths) education during the year. Well done to all who contributed including our staff, Bricks 4 Kidz and of course, the children. See what the Curious Minds Team wrote about us below and take a peak at all the activities we took part in during the year that helped us achieve our third GOLD award.
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Congratulations to everyone at Ballycroneen National School on your award! Your submission clearly shows that there was a huge amount of STEM work done in the school this year. I really enjoyed seeing the pupils’ Lego creations, especially the animals created using the Spike Kits. Your Science investigations were particularly strong, and some very interesting investigations were carried out on the human skeleton, animal habitats, and waterproof wellies! Great team work - the pupils clearly worked hard together on sharing their work enthusiastically during the Science Fair with other classes. Keep up the fantastic work and well done on your award! It's a real credit to the pupils, teachers and whole school community.
1.Science
1.Science
Living Things: The Skeleton
Living Things: The Skeleton
4th-6th classes learned about the human skeleton. They learned about the functions of the skeleton, how to care for it and then learned about the various names and parts of a skeleton by building their own giant skeleton in groups.
Energy & Forces: Magnetism
Energy & Forces: Magnetism
4th-6th classes learned about magnetism. They learned that iron, nickel and cobalt are magnetic
materials through testing, they learned how a compass works, they learned about various types of
magnets. They learned how magnets are used in everyday life e.g. fridges, trains etc. Finally, they
magnetised a piece of metal and tested how mnay paper clips it could hold
Materials: Design & Make waterproof wellies
Materials: Design & Make waterproof wellies
Our infant classes were tasked with designing and making waterproof wellies for their teddy bears. They had to test materials to determine if they were water proof. They tested various materials. They then had to decide on a suitable material and design and make the wellies.
Environmental Awareness & Care: Energy: Animal Habitats
Environmental Awareness & Care: Energy: Animal Habitats
1st-3rd classes were studying animal habitats and completed projects based on the animal's diet, life- cycle, threats and they even built replica homes using cardboard, paper and paint. They focused on environmental challenges these animals face such as loss of habitat and food. The children also linked it to technology and coding and built and coded a sample of animals they were studying using our LEGO Spike kits.
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Science Activity 1: Science Week Webinar
Science Activity 1: Science Week Webinar
Curious Minds Webinar- learned about windmills, elephant toothpaste, dopamine release and feeling happy, crookes radiometer, light, prisms and spectrums, spectroscope
Science Activity 2: Space Week
Science Activity 2: Space Week
1st- 3rd classes spoke with Aidan from the European Space Agency, stationed at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. He carries out work to support human exploration of space, in particular looking into innovative new technologies and how they can be used to support Moon and Mars missions. The children then went onto build their very own mars rovers using our LEGO Spike coding kits.
2.Technology
2.Technology
Activity 1: LEGO Spike Prime: The Thing
Activity 1: LEGO Spike Prime: The Thing
We celebrated Code Week using the theme of Halloween. The senior room built 'The Thing' from the Addams Family using our LEGO coding kits and then coded it to move and grb items.
VID20251022132439.mp4Activity 2: LEGO Spike Essential- Space Rovers
Activity 2: LEGO Spike Essential- Space Rovers
For Space Week, 1st-3rd classes learned about space exploration with a particular focus on Mars. The class completed a KWL chart (Know, Want to know, Learned). As part of the topic, we learend about the exploration of Mars and the various rovers that have been sent there including Endurance, Perseverence and Curiosity. The class were then tasked with building their own rover and giving them a name and coding them to explore their environment.
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3.Engineering
3.Engineering
Activity 1: LEGO Workshop with Bricks 4 Kidz
Activity 1: LEGO Workshop with Bricks 4 Kidz
The children explored Lego Technic Helicopters; 2D designs, cityscape construction and the ultimate Bridge challenge!! The bridge had to hold a certain weight and allow an item to cross over it. Future engineers in the making!
Activity 2: Engineer Workshop
Activity 2: Engineer Workshop
1st-6th classes enjoyed live webinars and spoke with various types of engineers such as aeronautical engineers, electrical engineers and software engineers. The children learned about how their jobs helped keep the environment clean by creating electrical cars to cleaning up space junk. The engineers spoke about the subjects they did in secondary school, what courses they did in college to what career they have now.
4.Maths
4.Maths
Activity 1: Maths Trail
Activity 1: Maths Trail
Infant classes took part in an online Christmas quiz where they had to figure out the patterns and sequences of Christmas decorations using concrete materials, colours and paper. They took part in a number activity by estimating and counting the number of bells on screen. They took part in a snowman race and they had to design a Christmas jumper for a character called Mattie with a focus on shape. They had to discuss what shapes would be the best fit for the character and then design the jumper and colour it in.
Activity 2: Maths Week Games
Activity 2: Maths Week Games
For Maths Week our whole school came together and played Maths games in our school hall. The focus was on operations such as counting on, addition & subtraction and multiplying & dividing. We played these games in groups and rotated around our hall until the games were played by all the groups.
5.Show & Tell/Science Fair
5.Show & Tell/Science Fair
Our pupils showcased their science work to the families in our school by hosting a Science Fair. There were 12 stations this year showcasing the amazing work of the children-
1. The Human Body: The Skeleton & Heart 7. LEGO Wall: Build & Create
2. Bees, Pollination & Beebots 8. Magnetism
3. Crazy Chemicals 9. Wind Power
4. STEM Projects 10. Animal Habitats
5. LEGO Spike Prime- Robot Dog 11. 3D Printing
6. LEGO Spike Essential- Rovers and Halloween Spider 12. Green Schools Travel
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