Science
Living Things
Junior Infants
Living Things
Growing Sunflowers
Together we planted sunflower seeds. Each child got a pot, a seed and some compost. They added some compost to their pot first, followed by one seed and again some more compost. Next they watered it. Over the next few weeks we cared for our sunflowers together by continuing to water them and by exposing them to direct sunlight. The children were delighted when the first sunflower began to grow and are very exciting coming to school every morning to see how much their plant and others have grown. They are continuing to care for them.
Senior Infants
Living Things/ Plants and Animals
In this experiment the children planted mustard seeds using different conditions:
- Water and light
- Water and no light
- No water and light
- No water and no light.
They made predictions as to whether the seeds would grow or not, under the above conditions.
One week later all was revealed. We intend to taste any mustard that grows.
Rang Naomh Eoin
Special Class
Do Plants Drink Water?
We really wanted to learn how plants drink water so we decided to do an experiment using food colouring to find out.
We ended up with green white and gold (orange) flowers just in time for St Patrick’s Day. Here’s what we did ….
Firstly we bought white chrysanths.
Patrick’s Day. Here’s what we did ….
Firstly we bought white chrysanths.
Next step was to trim the end of the flower stems, remove any leaves and leave them out for 30 minutes.
Lucy and Aibhe did a great job of pulling off the leaves.
Our next step was to half fill small jars with water and add a few flowers into each jar.
Then we added green and orange food colouring to the jars.
Lucy was very careful when adding the food colouring. She didn’t spill one drop!
Then we had to wait and wait for over 24 hours. Emma was very good at waiting!!!
The flower petals had changed colours. Plant stems have narrow tubes inside that draw up the dyed water into the petals. The coloured dots inside a stem are the ends of the tubes. Plants need water to stay healthy. Without it, cut flowers will wilt and die.
Yes, Yes, Yes Plants Drink Water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Energy and Forces
First Class
Floating and Sinking
First class investigated how some materials float and others sink. We enjoyed predicting and experimenting.
Second Class
Magnetism- Magnetic Cars
We made cars and roads from paper. We then stuck magnets to the bottoms of our cars. We raced them along our roads, using magnetism to move them.
Electricity
Lighthouses
Third Class
We have been learning about electricity in 3rd class. We have learned where we get electricity, how it comes to our homes and different sources of energy for electricity, such as the sun or the wind. We also experimented with circuits and made lighthouse pictures with a bulb to test our circuits.
First Class
Circuits
First class had fun experimenting with Electricity. We investigated circuits, got a bulb to light, a buzzer to buzz, and a fan to spin on a whirring motor!
Materials
Junior Infants
Design and make a lava lamp
We discussed, predicted and investigated what happens when we mix certain things; oil and water, water and a non-effervescent tablet, water and a piece of an Alka-Seltzer tablet, water and food colouring, oil and food colouring and oil and a piece of an Alka-Seltzer tablet. The children were then introduced to the term ‘a chemical reaction’. Following this we made our own lava lamp by combining water, food colouring and oil in a plastic water bottle. Next I encouraged the children to predict what would happen if I dropped an Alka-Seltzer tablet into the water. We dropped it in and observed what happened. The children loved this activity and there was great excitement when we increased the chemical reaction by increasing the size of the tablet.
Materials
Solids, Liquids and Gasses
4th and 6th class spent time on the topics of materials. We revised solids, liquids and gases and recalled how materials can change states by heating and cooling. We investigated whether certain materials were acids or bases. We used litmus paper to test coke, milk, baking soda, vinegar, orange juice, cleaning agent and soap. We learned about the ph scale.
We then mixed vinegar (acetic acid and water) and baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) to form carbon dioxide. We showed that carbon dioxide was present by placing a balloon over a bottle where the two substances were mixed and the carbon dioxide released caused the balloon to inflate.
Environmental Awareness & Care
The Apple Tree Project.
Apple Tree Project
Over 65 families in the school have got involved in the Appletown project. The aim of the project is to have 2020 trees planted in and around the town of Skibbereen by 2020. Michael Burke, who has spearheaded the project, came to the school with different varieties of apple trees to dispense. He then gave a talk to all the children on how to plant and care for an apple tree. It was wonderful to see the children heading home with their apple trees to plant and care for them. Last year, as part of the project we planted apple trees on in the school grounds and we keep a good eye on them. We are all looking forward to future Autumn harvests.
Animal Magic.
Animal Magic Roadshow.
On the 16th May, we are all looking forward to the arrival of some exotic animals to our school. The pupils will have the opportunity to handle and question experts on wildlife that they might not have come across as yet. They will also be educated in how to care for animals, why animals need to be rescued and the need to maintain animal habitats.
Seventh Green Flag Acheived.
We have achieved our seventh Green Flag which is for Global Citizenship and Litter and Waste.
Meet Our Green School Committee


Climate Action Week

Green School Surveys
Thank you to all of the school community who took part in our surveys. Please find the results underneath. Well done to all on keeping up their hard work in relation to recycling and reducing waste. We are aiming to be more globally aware and aware of our role as Global Citizens. Special thank you to 5th class who presented the findings so beautifully.
Litter Pick-Up
The pupils take part in the litter pick up rota to keep St. Joseph’s as clean and green as possible! See 4th class hard at work using the litter pickers and other safety equipment during their month in charge of litter checks.
The Lorax
Third class have been learning about caring for our environment through Dr. Seuss’ story “The Lorax”. As the book states “Unless someone like you, cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better its not”.
International Projects
Fifth class have been busy researching different countries and cultures around the world. They have been learning about the differences and similarities between these countries. They focused on countries represented in our school community.
Global Links
Global Survey
Christmas shoe box appeal
The Christmas Shoe Box appeal has been running in St Joseph’s NS for many years. Parents, teachers and children have all worked to decorate and fill the shoeboxes. Sally Daly our local organiser, has as always, been on hand to encourage and educate us on the project. In total St Joseph’s has provided 125 shoe boxes for Christmas 2017. Well done to everyone involved.
Collections for the Missions
The school contributes to the Cork and Ross Mission in Peru. The funds we raise here are used to help provide access to after-school education for poor families who cannot afford it. Sr Immaculata Murphy runs an after-school club for children whose parents are working, where they are fed and can complete their homework. Our contribution allows the poorest children to attend this club.
We also collect batteries for recycling with WEEE Ireland.
Extras
UCC Science Quiz
Each year St Joseph’s NS sends two teams to the Science Quiz in UCC. It is always a wonderful experience. This year our school was represented by Ellen, Lara and Ava from sixth class and Ellen, Tara and Fiona from fifth class. Round after round both teams answered well even though the questions were difficult.
Supported by their coach Mr Hickey, Mrs Lyons and their parents our sixth class team was one of five teams in the final of the sixth class level. They were beaten by only one question in the tiebreaker round. We are very proud of this team and would like to thank them for representing us so well on the night.
The fifth class team performed very well too, so well, that they won the fifth class level. They were the best team on the night and won the quiz outright. Well done fifth class.
Blackrock Castle Observatory
What great excitement hit the school when space arrived to our school on 30th January. It was such a thrill to be almost sucked into the dome and another place. All the classes in the school availed of this wonderful opportunity. We learned about the solar system, the planet we live on and our place in space. It was an amazing experience!
Discovery Science Centre Visit.
On 15th June 2018 Senior infants will be making a very exciting journey to The Discover Science Centre in Manch. They can look forward to a whole host of interesting activities—mini beast hunt, exploration, Scavenger Hunt, Animal Orienteering, Pond dipping and much more.