Presentation Senior School STEAM Climate Action project
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Presentation Senior School fourth class pupils received certificates for their STEM project from Mullingar Soroptimists, Niamh Ledwith, Teresa O’Sullivan, Noirin Abbott, Marian Mortell, Ethine Walsh and Anne Melly. Also present were teachers Niamh O’Neill, Mary Jo Bruton, Beshinn Murphy and Fionnagh Nally, Declan Fry and Claire Dorr.Image 2 of 4
Preksha and Mason with models for their project on climate change.Image 3 of 4
Conor and Elena from fourth class at Presentation Senior School.Image 4 of 4
RIGHT: Abisola and Argele with part of the STEM project their class worked on.Presentation Senior School welcomed Niamh Ledwith from Aviva and Anne Melly and her colleagues from the Mullingar Soroptimists, Teresa, Nora, Marian and Eithne, to present certificates to the 4th class pupils on completion of their STEAM Climate Action project, on Monday May 3.
The project was sponsored by Aviva and Mullingar Soroptimists and District Club.
The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) project looked at the causes and effects of climate change. It examined sustainable energy and highlighted practical ways pupils can make a difference.
Through hands-on learning, the pupils examined carbon emissions, made models of the globe, investigated habitats and designed their own wind turbines. A selection of their work was displayed in the school hall.
The pupils came up with their own Climate Action Pledge as a reminder of the changes they intend to make in their own lives as a result of the initiative. The project linked Science, Maths and Art seamlessly.
The fourth class teachers Ms McDonnell, Ms Murphy and Ms Nally engaged in training to teach the project and were impressed with the content covered and the resources supplied in the STEAM boxes. They look forward to continuing to use their scientific skills in future.
STATEMENT FROM MULLINGAR SOROPTIMISTS
Mullingar Soroptimists supporting STEAM Education in the Senior Presentation School Mullingar:
The mission of Soroptimists is to transform the lives and status of women and girls through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities.
To tackle the challenges of the 21st century, there is a need to introduce children at an early age to the opportunities presented by progressing careers in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics.
Research indicates that the optimum age for engagement with STEAM subjects is between nine and 13 years – when a child’s curiosity about the world they live in is most active.
Over the last six months, Mullingar Soroptimists have partnered with Aviva and the Presentation Senior School in Mullingar to roll out STEAM Education – Climate Change in a Box* to the fourth class students.
Niamh O’Neill of Presentation School described the programme and materials provided as the magic box that opened a whole new world of creativity, fun and challenge for the children, while introducing them to how they can work in the future to preserve our planet.
Lessons included the Science of Climate Change, Carbon Dioxide and the Carbon Cycle, Working with Natural Based Solutions, Engineering and Energy Solutions and Working Together to Create and Share.
Local Soroptimists met Declan Fry, principal of Presentation Senior School, and staff to discuss their experience of training online with STEAM Education Ireland for the programme and then delivering it to more than 70 fourth class students.
The teaching staff spoke highly about the tools and resources that were contained in the magic box and how the children positively engaged in assembling the creative tools as part of the learning process.
The project was a great success, and it will be interesting to see how the involvement in the STEAM introduction to Climate Change will have shaped the minds of those young children in future years.
* Sourced from STEAM Education Ireland