SFI Curious Minds
The SFI Curious Minds programme is an initiative led by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) aimed at enhancing the interest and engagement of primary school students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The programme encourages a hands-on, inquiry-based approach to learning, making STEM subjects enjoyable and interactive for young learners.
The SFI Curious Minds Awards celebrate schools that actively engage in STEM education. In June 2023 and June 2024, we were awarded the Gold Award.
Maths in Action: Counting Sales From JEP
Our budding entrepreneurs put their real maths skills into action today as they diligently counted the generous earnings from their sales for their Junior Entrepreneur Programme (JEP) venture! It was fantastic to see addition, subtraction, and problem-solving come to life as the children worked together to tally their earnings. This hands-on experience truly demonstrates the practical application of mathematics in a meaningful context. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed and supported our young entrepreneurs on their exciting JEP journey – your generosity is invaluable!
Capacity with 3rd and 4th Class
Dive into a fun-filled maths lesson in our latest video, where our young learners explore the concept of capacity! In a creative twist, the children utilised a collection of bottles generously brought in for our school's Re-Turn Scheme fundraiser, turning a recycling initiative into an engaging educational experience. This hands-on lesson allowed students to delve into various mathematical areas, from estimating and measuring to comparing volumes, all while contributing to a worthy cause. Watch the video to see how practical resources and a spirit of giving can make learning truly come alive!
Area with 3rd and 4th Class
Today, our 3rd and 4th Class pupils had great fun exploring the concept of area in a hands-on way! They estimated, measured, and compared the areas of various objects around the classroom and school grounds. Using everything from rulers to non-standard units like copies and cards, they worked together to put their maths skills into action. This exciting activity helped them see how measurement applies to the world around them while making learning both interactive and enjoyable. Check out the video to see their fantastic work in action!
Week 3 of STEM Club with the Senior Classes
Our senior pupils recently took part in an exciting STEM session exploring coding through Scratch software. This hands-on activity allowed them to develop their problem-solving and computational thinking skills while creating interactive animations. Using Scratch, they experimented with coding blocks to bring their ideas to life, fostering creativity and collaboration. Check out the video to see their fantastic work in action!
Week 2 of STEM Club with the Senior Classes
The senior pupils at our school are actively engaged in STEM lessons, where they have the opportunity to explore both coding and hands-on construction using manipulatives. These lessons foster creativity, problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Through these engaging activities, our pupils are developing a strong foundation for future success in STEM fields.
Week 1 of STEM Club with the Senior Classes
Our senior pupils at STEM Club truly impressed us! They dove headfirst into some challenging coding puzzles, flexing their problem-solving muscles and demonstrating incredible creativity. Their projects were nothing short of impressive!
Check out the video and photos to see their coding skills in action! Witness the teamwork, the concentration, and the sheer joy of learning!
Week 4 of STEM Club with the Junior Classes
Our junior pupils had a fantastic time exploring, creating, and problem-solving at STEM Club! They immersed themselves in coding activities, developing their logical thinking and digital skills in a fun and engaging way. Using the Plus-Plus resources and the Flagship set, they built imaginative structures, tested their creativity, and worked collaboratively to bring their ideas to life. STEM Club is a great opportunity for our young learners to develop curiosity and confidence in science, technology, engineering, and maths. Watch the video to see their amazing work in action!
Week 3 of STEM Club with the Junior Classes
Week 3 of our STEM Club was a whirlwind of creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on fun! Our junior pupils eagerly explored the Flagship Set, Plus-Plus, and Block, bringing their ideas to life through building and construction. From intricate structures to imaginative designs, the children worked collaboratively, developing their fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and engineering thinking. Their excitement was contagious as they experimented, adjusted, and proudly showcased their creations. Watch the video to see their innovation in action—STEM learning has never been this exciting!
Length with 3rd & 4th Class
Our 3rd and 4th class students had great fun exploring the concept of length in a hands-on and playful way! They worked together to measure each other's heights and then challenged themselves to order from shortest to tallest. It was fantastic to see their teamwork, problem-solving, and enthusiasm in action. Well done to everyone for making learning so engaging and enjoyable!
Week 2 of STEM Club with the Junior Classes
Our STEM Club students are developing their problem-solving and critical thinking skills through coding and hands-on activities. This week, they tackled coding challenges, explored landmarks, and collaborated using building blocks. See their learning journey in this week's video!
Time with 1st and 2nd Class
Our 1st and 2nd class students recently became time detectives, exploring the concept of a minute through a series of fun, hands-on activities! This engaging video captures their playful exploration of time as they estimated and then carried out a variety of tasks within a single minute. From counting how many hops they could do to seeing how many words they could write, the children were fully immersed in the learning process. Laughter and excitement filled the air as they discovered just how much can happen in 60 seconds. The video captures their journey of discovery and the joy of learning about time through active participation!
3D Shapes with 3rd and 4th Class
Our 3rd and 4th class students recently embarked on an exciting mathematical adventure, diving into the fascinating world of 3D shapes! Through hands-on exploration, they unleashed their creativity, constructing unique 3D structures with solid shapes. The learning journey continued as they analyzed their creations, identifying the properties of stable and unstable shapes. Our budding mathematicians then put their problem-solving skills to the test, discovering innovative ways to transform unstable structures into sturdy masterpieces. It was a joy to witness the power of collaborative learning in action!
STEM Club with the Junior Classes
In the first week of our Junior STEM Club, the children kicked off their learning adventure with Magneboards and the Flag Set, tools that encouraged them to explore the principles of magnetism and engineering. Using the Magneboards, the students experimented with magnetic shapes to create their own designs, enhancing their spatial awareness and problem-solving skills. The Flag Set allowed them to build structures, unlocking their creativity while developing essential teamwork and engineering skills. These photos and videos capture the excitement of the students as they worked together to bring their ideas to life, setting the stage for a fun-filled STEM journey ahead!
Science Week 2024
Our school was buzzing with curiosity and excitement as we celebrated Science Week 2024! The children participated in hands-on experiments, fun STEM challenges, and interactive activities that sparked their imagination and love for discovery.
A big thank you to all our young scientists for their enthusiasm and creativity, and to the teachers and parents who helped make this week so memorable. Check out the photos and videos for a glimpse into our Science Week adventures!
Junior Infants had great fun meeting the "Man in the Moon"
1st and 2nd Class did some fantastic project work and art based on the Solar System.
Maths Weeks 2024
We are so proud of all the children who participated in this year’s Maths Week! From fun challenges and brain teasers to problem-solving activities, our students embraced the excitement of maths with enthusiasm and creativity. Well done to everyone for their fantastic efforts and teamwork!
Check out our video below, capturing some of the highlights and showcasing our budding mathematicians in action.
Maths is More Than Numbers: A Fun and Engaging Learning Experience
Have you ever wondered how maths can be more than just numbers and equations? At Scoil Naomh Mhuire, we believe that maths is a fascinating subject that can be learned through fun and engaging activities. That's why our junior pupils have been exploring the new primary maths curriculum through hands-on learning experiences.
From building towers and measuring their heights to sorting and counting colourful objects, our young learners are discovering the joy of maths in a playful and interactive way. These activities help them develop essential mathematical skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and spatial awareness.
Check out these photos to see our pupils having a blast while learning:
By making maths relevant and enjoyable, we hope to inspire a lifelong love of learning in our students. After all, who says maths can't be fun?
SFI Curious Minds Gold Award 2024