What is STEM all about?
Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) are an integral part of the Irish economy and is a growing area that is set to be a fundamental part of Ireland’s future success as a country.
STEM also provides some of the most exciting, diverse and fulfilling careers available. STEM skills are now crucial to the modern world and are vital to Ireland’s innovative capability and global competitiveness.
Our school focuses on STEM in our teaching of Maths, Science, Technology and Engineering. All of the teachers in our school are working hard to explore experiments and activities that help children learn about these important subjects. This page will host a variety of pictures, videos and interesting information that the children are learning over the school year. Be sure to keep an eye on the terrific STEM work taking place in Scoil Teampall Toinne.
STEM also provides some of the most exciting, diverse and fulfilling careers available. STEM skills are now crucial to the modern world and are vital to Ireland’s innovative capability and global competitiveness.
Our school focuses on STEM in our teaching of Maths, Science, Technology and Engineering. All of the teachers in our school are working hard to explore experiments and activities that help children learn about these important subjects. This page will host a variety of pictures, videos and interesting information that the children are learning over the school year. Be sure to keep an eye on the terrific STEM work taking place in Scoil Teampall Toinne.
Junior Infants plant sunflower seeds
Junior Infants have been very busy this week planting sunflower seeds for summer. The infants learned about the life cycle of a sunflower. They learned how the seed germinates in the soil sending out a shoot and a root. Everyone enjoyed getting their hands dirty whilst planting the seeds. All of the children predicted when the shoots would begin to appear of the next few weeks.
Junior infants exhibit their wonderful reading skills through videos and Seesaw interactions
Each class complete homework on Seesaw weekly. The Junior Infants recorded short videos of themselves reading and blending their words. They loved seeing themselves and their friends in class.
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5th & 6th class visit our local river
In science this week we completed a STEM activity where the pupils had to design and make a boat.
They were broken into teams and given a few basic rules / guidelines which they needed to consider in order to complete the task.
The boats couldn’t be more than 0.5m in width length. They were going to be judged on design creativity, ability to float, ability to float carrying weight and water dynamics when sailing down the river.
This was a real test of the pupils’ communication and teamwork skills as every other detail was left to the individual groups to decide and organise for themselves.
There were some fantastic creations and this activity really got the children’s design and build skills engaged.
Off we all went to the Duag then to put their boats to the test. A very enjoyable lesson and one we’ll remember, especially for all the wet socks going home!!
They were broken into teams and given a few basic rules / guidelines which they needed to consider in order to complete the task.
The boats couldn’t be more than 0.5m in width length. They were going to be judged on design creativity, ability to float, ability to float carrying weight and water dynamics when sailing down the river.
This was a real test of the pupils’ communication and teamwork skills as every other detail was left to the individual groups to decide and organise for themselves.
There were some fantastic creations and this activity really got the children’s design and build skills engaged.
Off we all went to the Duag then to put their boats to the test. A very enjoyable lesson and one we’ll remember, especially for all the wet socks going home!!
Take a look at the wonderful work we completed as part of our STEM work.
Engineer's week 2022
All of the students have been participating in a range of STEM activities this week as part of Engineer's week. Take a look at the pictures below to explore what many of the classes have gotten up to.
Junior Infants
Junior Infants designed and constructed a tall tower using Duplo and wooden blocks. The shamrock group built the tallest tower reaching an impressive height. The engineer's group built a sturdy tower with an impressive corner wing.
They also designed and manufactured a seat for the class puppet using recyclable materials. Both engineering groups worked very hard to construct a seat that would support the puppet, it had to have four legs and a back to support the puppet.
They also designed and manufactured a seat for the class puppet using recyclable materials. Both engineering groups worked very hard to construct a seat that would support the puppet, it had to have four legs and a back to support the puppet.
1st & 2nd Class
3rd & 4th class
5th & 6th class
For engineer's week 5th and 6th class used all their creativity and mechanical minds to design and create a playground made completely from recycled paper.
The pupils were shown how to make some basic shapes in paper, e.g. a cylinder, triangular prism, cuboid etc and were then asked to work as a group to build a model of their very own playground.
Some of the creations were fantastic and it was fantastic to see the children being able to work together in groups again in class!!
The pupils were shown how to make some basic shapes in paper, e.g. a cylinder, triangular prism, cuboid etc and were then asked to work as a group to build a model of their very own playground.
Some of the creations were fantastic and it was fantastic to see the children being able to work together in groups again in class!!
Mixing materials: Making pancakes and rice Krispy buns in Juniors
Third & Fourth Class complete Weather projects using various forms of technology.
A budding engineer...
A budding engineer-Daniel completed his Zoo project just on time. What began from a small plan turned into a vivd array of colour and highlighted the role of imagination in creating and play. Daniel says anyone can make things, and was in awe throughout the whole process of what could be made with very little materials. Maybe this will inspire you to draw up some plans of your own... Have fun :)
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Junior Infants patterns, shape and design towers and houses
STEM SHOWCASE
The wonderful children in 1st and 2nd presented their excellent design and making skills to the other classes in the school. Take a look!
First and Second class measure up the fun of learn about capacity
First and Second Class investigate soil samples
First and second class explored three different type of soil describing their weight, colour and texture. They learned what seeds need to grow. Then they predicted how cress seeds would grow in each soil type. The class worked together to plant the seeds and monitor their growth. After Easter first and Second class will participate in the "Innocent Big Grow" program whereby they will plant their own fruits and vegetables.
Lismore Primary Science Mobile Workshop
Junior Infant Workshop
Junior Infants had great fun exploring acids and bases. We made a volcano and learned about the UV light. We learned how important it is to wear Sunscreen. We explored static electricity and made our hair move. We also made some coco pops dance, it was super.
Senior Infant workshop
Senior infants also learned about static electricity, acids and based and they made a volcano as well.
First and second class workshop
Guts and Digestion
Lismore Primary Science Mobile Workshop visited first and second class class today. They had fantastic fun learning about guts and digestion today. Aoife the terrific teacher taught us about nutrients and different food groups. She taught us about protein, vitamins, minerals fats and carbohydrates. The children discussed and talked about various foods that are in each different food group.
The children were separated into groups and they completed an experiment together. They used a bowl and spoon to replicate the human stomach. They placed coco pops and beans in their bowls representing the food in the stomach. Then they added saliva and stomach acid to their bowl. After this they placed the contents of their bowl into a bag. The bag replicated their stomachs as all the food and liquids mixed together. The experiment continued by the children adding bile and pancreatic juice to the bowl, the children witnessed the various ways that the stomach mixes all the liquids and food together. One lucky person in each group pretended to be the stomach and they crushed and broke down the food in the bag. By doing this the children created chime in the tummy. Chime is the liquid created in the stomachs when all the food broken down.
Children learned about the small and large intestine. They learned that the large intestine is wider and short, while the small intestine is long and narrower. They also learned that the large intestine produces ‘farts’, everyone thought it was very funny to learn where this gas comes from. The class learned the scientific name for a fart is flatulence.
The children also learned the battle between good and bad bacteria in the large intestine. The large intestine is always works hard to eliminate the bad bacteria from our body if we were sick by getting sick or having diarrhoea.
The children learned about bile the substance that breaks down fat in our liver. The liver works hard to break down large pieces of fat into smaller pieces of fat called fatty acids. The fatty acids are safer to then pass through our blood stream. Aoife reminds us that we only have fatty treats once in a while.
The last organ we learned about was the pancreas which is shaped like a pancake. The pancreas produces insulin which is very important for our blood sugar levels.
The final step in our experiment was to learn how faeces are stored in the rectum. They watched Aoife demonstrate how faeces travels through the intestines to be secreted. The children did not enjoy copying Aofie and transferring their stomach contents into their intestine which was a pop sock. The children put on their gloves and squeezed the ‘poo’ out of the pop sock.
Everyone had great fun and loved learning about digestion. To finish up the workshop all the children guessed where the intestines went in the body. Our fantastic star of the week Luke wore an apron which had the body’s outline on it, different children placed the internal organs on the apron in the correct positions.
Lismore Primary Science Mobile Workshop visited first and second class class today. They had fantastic fun learning about guts and digestion today. Aoife the terrific teacher taught us about nutrients and different food groups. She taught us about protein, vitamins, minerals fats and carbohydrates. The children discussed and talked about various foods that are in each different food group.
The children were separated into groups and they completed an experiment together. They used a bowl and spoon to replicate the human stomach. They placed coco pops and beans in their bowls representing the food in the stomach. Then they added saliva and stomach acid to their bowl. After this they placed the contents of their bowl into a bag. The bag replicated their stomachs as all the food and liquids mixed together. The experiment continued by the children adding bile and pancreatic juice to the bowl, the children witnessed the various ways that the stomach mixes all the liquids and food together. One lucky person in each group pretended to be the stomach and they crushed and broke down the food in the bag. By doing this the children created chime in the tummy. Chime is the liquid created in the stomachs when all the food broken down.
Children learned about the small and large intestine. They learned that the large intestine is wider and short, while the small intestine is long and narrower. They also learned that the large intestine produces ‘farts’, everyone thought it was very funny to learn where this gas comes from. The class learned the scientific name for a fart is flatulence.
The children also learned the battle between good and bad bacteria in the large intestine. The large intestine is always works hard to eliminate the bad bacteria from our body if we were sick by getting sick or having diarrhoea.
The children learned about bile the substance that breaks down fat in our liver. The liver works hard to break down large pieces of fat into smaller pieces of fat called fatty acids. The fatty acids are safer to then pass through our blood stream. Aoife reminds us that we only have fatty treats once in a while.
The last organ we learned about was the pancreas which is shaped like a pancake. The pancreas produces insulin which is very important for our blood sugar levels.
The final step in our experiment was to learn how faeces are stored in the rectum. They watched Aoife demonstrate how faeces travels through the intestines to be secreted. The children did not enjoy copying Aofie and transferring their stomach contents into their intestine which was a pop sock. The children put on their gloves and squeezed the ‘poo’ out of the pop sock.
Everyone had great fun and loved learning about digestion. To finish up the workshop all the children guessed where the intestines went in the body. Our fantastic star of the week Luke wore an apron which had the body’s outline on it, different children placed the internal organs on the apron in the correct positions.
Third and Fourth Class Science Workshop
The children in Third and Fourth class had great fun today learning all about Shock-ing Science. Aoife from Lismore Mobile Science had the children's hair standing up on their heads- quite literally!
First the children learned that electricity is a form of energy and it travels along paths called circuits. If the circuit is broken, the e-electricity won't be able to travel. Using a sensor stick, the children created a human circuit and when the circuit was fully connected, the sensor stick would buzz and light up. When the human circuit broke, the electricity could not travel and therefore the sensor stick would not work.
Next the children learned about static electricity. Static electricity can be created when two objects rub off one another, like rubbing your hands together. Aoife used a balloon and rubbed it off the children's hair. It created a static electric reaction which made the children's hair stand up on their heads. Then she placed the balloon above the coco pops and made them dance!
Then the children learned all about the different types of circuits. Working in pairs the children created a simple circuit, a series circuit and a parallel circuit. They discussed with Aoife the differences between the circuits and their uses. They concluded that a parallel circuit works best in our school as many lights can be switched on and off at different times. The children then added a switch to their circuits.
Take a look at the photographs of their workshop.
First the children learned that electricity is a form of energy and it travels along paths called circuits. If the circuit is broken, the e-electricity won't be able to travel. Using a sensor stick, the children created a human circuit and when the circuit was fully connected, the sensor stick would buzz and light up. When the human circuit broke, the electricity could not travel and therefore the sensor stick would not work.
Next the children learned about static electricity. Static electricity can be created when two objects rub off one another, like rubbing your hands together. Aoife used a balloon and rubbed it off the children's hair. It created a static electric reaction which made the children's hair stand up on their heads. Then she placed the balloon above the coco pops and made them dance!
Then the children learned all about the different types of circuits. Working in pairs the children created a simple circuit, a series circuit and a parallel circuit. They discussed with Aoife the differences between the circuits and their uses. They concluded that a parallel circuit works best in our school as many lights can be switched on and off at different times. The children then added a switch to their circuits.
Take a look at the photographs of their workshop.
Fifth and Sixth Class Workshop
Here a some pics from the Crime Scene investigation workshop.
The class worked through a crime using forensic science.
They explored fingerprinting / DNA / Chromatology (ink pattern testing).
They had to investigate suspect profiles, develop motives, note the possibility of decoy clues and also how a crime scene can be contaminated.
It was fantastic fun!
The class worked through a crime using forensic science.
They explored fingerprinting / DNA / Chromatology (ink pattern testing).
They had to investigate suspect profiles, develop motives, note the possibility of decoy clues and also how a crime scene can be contaminated.
It was fantastic fun!
Maths Week
Maths Trail
3rd and 4th brought us on a Maths Hunt outside. We had lots of fun finding colours, sounds, numbers and shapes!
Afterwards we did a Maths Trail in our classroom. 3rd and 4th were super teachers.
Afterwards we did a Maths Trail in our classroom. 3rd and 4th were super teachers.
SCIENCE WEEK
Science Week 2018 ran nationwide from November 11th -18th, with numerous events across the country. Our school got involved by completing a number of experiments in all classes. All the children loved investigating different subjects and new scientific areas of interest. We are delighted to be participating in the STEM awards this year and we look forward for our STEM showcase later in the year. Check out the photos below to see what some of the classes experimented with this week.
Junior Infant's Investigations
We explored our uniqueness through making handprints and fingerprints. No two prints are the same. We are all very special.
We had lots of fun exploring texture, opposites and materials. The result was a plate of very tasty rice crispy buns.
Seniors Study Science
On Monday we looked at slopes and made a ramp for some toy cars. We watched to see if the car would go faster or slower when we put some carpet on the ramp.
On Tuesday we investigated our coats and some animals’ coats. We made a bar chart of all the different coloured coats and designed a coat for a walk on a cold, wet winter’s evening.
On Wednesday we investigated how plants drink by pouring some red dye and water into a jug of celery. We left it overnight and in the morning the leaves had turned red.
On Thursday we made bird feeders and hung them on the trees around the infant yard. We even found a bird’s nest whilst hanging them up.
On Friday we poured some water over a plate of skittles and watched how it made a rainbow on the plates.
Each day we drew a picture of our science experiment into our science week booklet.
On Tuesday we investigated our coats and some animals’ coats. We made a bar chart of all the different coloured coats and designed a coat for a walk on a cold, wet winter’s evening.
On Wednesday we investigated how plants drink by pouring some red dye and water into a jug of celery. We left it overnight and in the morning the leaves had turned red.
On Thursday we made bird feeders and hung them on the trees around the infant yard. We even found a bird’s nest whilst hanging them up.
On Friday we poured some water over a plate of skittles and watched how it made a rainbow on the plates.
Each day we drew a picture of our science experiment into our science week booklet.
Terrific Third and Fantastic Fourth
Terrific Third and Fantastic Fourth have been busy this week working like scientists for Science Week 2018. From creating our very own lava lamps to making bones from milk, we have had great fun! We also wrote up our experiments and discussed the science behind each investigation. Have a look at some of our photographs and ask your children how they worked.
DESIGN AND MAKE A LAVA LAMP
The children had great fun creating their very own lava lamps from simple everyday items found at home.
First the children poured water into their bottles. Then, using a homemade funnel they poured in oil. The oil and water separated straight away because oil is lighter than the water or, more specifically, less dense than water. To create the coloured bubbles, the children added their favourite colouring. The food colouring passed straight through the oil and mixed with the water. To create a reaction, the children then added the Alka- Seltzer tablet to the mixture in the bottle. When you added the tablet piece, it sank to the bottom and started dissolving and creating a gas. As the gas bubbles rose, they took some of the coloured water with them. When the blob of water reached the top, the gas escaped and down went the water. Cool, huh? By the way, you can store your “Lava Lamps” with the cap on, and then anytime you want to bring it back to life, just add another tablet piece.
First the children poured water into their bottles. Then, using a homemade funnel they poured in oil. The oil and water separated straight away because oil is lighter than the water or, more specifically, less dense than water. To create the coloured bubbles, the children added their favourite colouring. The food colouring passed straight through the oil and mixed with the water. To create a reaction, the children then added the Alka- Seltzer tablet to the mixture in the bottle. When you added the tablet piece, it sank to the bottom and started dissolving and creating a gas. As the gas bubbles rose, they took some of the coloured water with them. When the blob of water reached the top, the gas escaped and down went the water. Cool, huh? By the way, you can store your “Lava Lamps” with the cap on, and then anytime you want to bring it back to life, just add another tablet piece.
MAKING BONES FROM MILK
The children assisted their teacher in making bones from milk this week.
First we filled a jug with milk and heated it up in the microwave. The children were very good at reminding Ms. Keating to make sure it was a plastic jug and not a metal jug, as they know the dangers of putting metal objects into a microwave.
Then we mixed some vinegar into the warm milk and stirred. Soon the children could see a solid and liquid mixture. We used a sieve to separate the liquid and the solid. Using a mould, we created a bone shape with the solid mixture. We let it set on the window sill. It looks like a real dog bone!!
Now for the science bit.... Plastic? In milk? Well, sort of. We made a substance called CASEIN. It’s from the Latin word meaning “cheese.” Casein occurs when the protein in the milk meets the acid in the vinegar. The casein in milk does not mix with the acid and so it forms blobs or solids.
First we filled a jug with milk and heated it up in the microwave. The children were very good at reminding Ms. Keating to make sure it was a plastic jug and not a metal jug, as they know the dangers of putting metal objects into a microwave.
Then we mixed some vinegar into the warm milk and stirred. Soon the children could see a solid and liquid mixture. We used a sieve to separate the liquid and the solid. Using a mould, we created a bone shape with the solid mixture. We let it set on the window sill. It looks like a real dog bone!!
Now for the science bit.... Plastic? In milk? Well, sort of. We made a substance called CASEIN. It’s from the Latin word meaning “cheese.” Casein occurs when the protein in the milk meets the acid in the vinegar. The casein in milk does not mix with the acid and so it forms blobs or solids.
Investigating Damp Course
First and second class also investigated damp course. The first and second class children were learning about houses this week. As they learned about this topic they discovered damp. They discuss how or why moisture could come into a house. They discussed what could be done to protect a house from getting damp.
The children carried out a fair test experiment to discover which material worked best as damp course. The children loved watching the moisture travel through the sugar cubes. They discovered that plastic was the most suitable damp course.
Investigating the taste of fruit
First and Second class had great fun completing their tasting experiment this week. They used all of our senses to explore the various fruits. They worked in small groups to investigate the smell, texture and taste of apples, blueberries, bananas and pears. They loved being scientists. Before they tasted the foods, they predicted what the foods would taste like. After the experiment, they recorded their results in their copies. We finished the activity by creating a bar chart of the classes favourite fruits.
Investigating what happens when we mix an acid and a base
1st and 2nd class learned that every substance has a value on the PH scale.
One side of the scale shows the ph value of acids.
The other side of the scale shows the ph value of bases.
They learned that lemons and limes have an acidic ph value.
We put washing up liquid on the lemon.
The children mixed an acid(lemon/lime juice) with a base(bread soda).
They poured lemon juice over the lemon to start the reaction.
When the acid and the base mix they make a gas called carbon dioxide. The washing up liquid bubbled from the creation of Carbon Dioxide.
One side of the scale shows the ph value of acids.
The other side of the scale shows the ph value of bases.
They learned that lemons and limes have an acidic ph value.
We put washing up liquid on the lemon.
The children mixed an acid(lemon/lime juice) with a base(bread soda).
They poured lemon juice over the lemon to start the reaction.
When the acid and the base mix they make a gas called carbon dioxide. The washing up liquid bubbled from the creation of Carbon Dioxide.
