November 2020

November brought some wet and windy weather to our school but we did not let that dampen our spirits here in Killurney N.S.

During the month of November, we celebrated our Science fortnight. Although restrictions meant that we couldn't welcome our Lismore Primary scientists to our school this year we engaged in a variety of zoom interactive lessons and experiments instead.

1. The Magic of Water lessons: An Forum Uisce: Children in the senior room learned all about the physics of water, the chemistry of water and water as an ecosystem. All children learned about the three states of water, the chemical elements that make up water and some of the species that live in our water. They learned about the importance of oxygen in our rivers and how maintaining a stable pH is so important for our wildlife. We also discussed the effects of pollution on our rivers and streams.
2. The Amazing Cosmo Journey: Limerick Science Festival: All children from Junior Infants to 6th class learned about planet Earth in space, other planets in our solar system and the sun. They also learned about light and the speed of light and the life cycle of a star. They were taken on a journey through space and engaged in a question and answer session with an astronomer from UL.
3. Kahoot Science Quiz: Senior Room children participated in a Kahoot Science Quiz.
4. WIT Calmast Festival of Science: Senior Room children participated in the zoom lesson 'The Science of Sport'. They learned about what it is like to study Sport science in Waterford Institute of Technology and they learned all about the science and technology behind improving your performance as a sports person. They engaged in a question and answer session with professional footballer Mark Langtry.
5. Limerick Festival of Science: All classes participated in a zoom lesson ‘How to become a superhero scientist’ They learned all about the science and technology behind the Avengers costumes and superpowers. Junior Room pupils created their own superheroes.
   
   All children also participated in hands on Science experiments.
   
   All classes made volcanoes using Vinegar, food colouring and baking soda.
   
   The senior room used the same chemical reaction to inflate rubber gloves.
   The senior room also investigated how to make a rocket fly and how to steer it using just the following equipment: a balloon, a piece of string, a straw and a piece of selloptape.
   
   The senior room also had great fun learning about the distance of each of the planets in our solar system from the sun. They each made a scaled drawing of our solar system.
   
   The Junior room had lots of fun making colourful rainbows and lava lamps.
   
   
   Also this month we marked the 100th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. (21st November 2020)
   The children in the senior room enjoyed learning all about Bloody Sunday and the fight for Irish Independence. They made beautiful concept maps depicting all they had learned. 
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   We were also delighted this month to hear that John Joe Morrissey won a prize in the Credit Union Art Competition. He came 'Highly Commended' and won a certificate and a cheque for €10. Well done John Joe! We are all so proud of you!