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Mars 2020 Perserverance Rover Reading Comprehension

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Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Comprehension Questions Support

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NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Landing Animations

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Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Comprehension Questions

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BW 2 Reproduction, Evolution and genetics

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BW 2 Reproduction, Evolution and genetics

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By converting our sims to HTML5, we make them seamlessly available across platforms and devices. Whether you have laptops, iPads, chromebooks, or BYOD, your favorite PhET sims are always right at your fingertips.Become part of our mission today, and transform the learning experiences of students everywhere!

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Special report: A Plastic Tide | #OceanRescue

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The link between the presence of Congolese people in Irish direct provision centres and the mobile phones in our pockets may be hard to trace at first. It's to do with the complex interconnectedness of our world and how the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the source of more than 60 per cent of the world's cobalt - a key component of the lithium-ion battery in your phone.

The sudden peak in demand for this metallic element has led to widespread violence and corruption in the DRC, with tribal warfare and child slavery now rife in the northeast of the country where cobalt is mined. Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee and, inevitably, some end up on our shores.

The complexity of the situation is beyond the remit of this column, but the one element that is within our control is our use of cobalt. Every ounce extracted for use in mobile phones further contributes to violence in the region, and so we need to make sure we consume as little of it as possible.

We have a duty to ensure our phones last as long as possible and are then correctly recycled.

Almost every part of our phones can be reused or recycled, but we're evidently not doing this as there are 4.9 million unused devices in Ireland right now, and a further 23,964 tonnes of old handsets lying idle in the world ( according to a study carried out in November 2020). For every 100 people in Ireland there are 87 phones, and there are a further 101 disused phones for every 100 people. We need to tackle this; the sooner the better, as the older a phone is the harder it is to find a new user.

So, the One Change we can embark on this week is to gather up our old phones and sell them to a local repair shop, or online at the likes of eBay or Facebook Marketplace. Alternatively, donate them to a charity who can earn money by selling them in bulk for recycling. Or just take the old handsets to a civic amenity site (look at your local authority's website for locations) or WEEE recycling point (there's a helpful map on weeeireland.ie), to be recycled with the electrical items. This ensures that each component is either disposed of safely or reused, and doesn't end up in landfill.

Better still, keep your phone in use. Give up this addiction to a new "free" handset from your mobile provider when the contract ends. Switching to a SIM-only contract can save a significant amount of money, which can then be put towards the cost of something more meaningful and less destructive.

In the medium term, the big challenge is to make phones more robust and repairable so that we keep them longer than the average three years. The annual climate impact of Europe's stock of over 600 million smartphones is more than 14 million tonnes of CO2 - more than the annual emissions of Latvia.

It will take international intervention to force changes on the manufacturers, and to help focus the minds of European Union law makers on this goal there's a petition you can sign at repair.eu/smartphones

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The blood on your phone: Why you must recycle your old mobile

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The link between the presence of Congolese people in Irish direct provision centres and the mobile phones in our pockets may be hard to trace at first. It's to do with the complex interconnectedness of our world and how the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the source of more than 60 per cent of the world's cobalt - a key component of the lithium-ion battery in your phone.

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Drop in the Ocean? Ireland and Climate Change

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Climate change is the biggest threat facing humanity today and yet our political systems refuse to move quickly enough to do anything about it. It threatens to undo all the gains that have been made against poverty in recent decades.

But how does it affect Ireland and where do we fit in the global picture? ‘Drop in the Ocean?’ talks to some of Ireland’s leading environmental scientists, writers and activists to find out. 

What people are saying about Drop in the Ocean 

'Deserves to be seen widely' Philip Boucher-Hayes, RTE
 
'This eye-opening video from Trocaire on climate change in Ireland and around the world is a must watch for everyone.'  Sorcha Pollock, Journalist, Irish Times
 
'Very well-made short climate change documentary by Eoghan RIce and trocaire team - really worth watching' John Burke, RTE, This Week
 
'Maybe the most urgent 27 min clip you will ever watch. Thanks trocaire .' Trevor Sargent
 
'If anyone cares about Climate Change there's a film worth seeing at http://www.trocaire.org/drop' Liz McManus
 
'Really brilliant documentary joining the dots on Climate Change -please watch (even if you know it all already!)' Anja Murray, Ecologist, Eco Eye Presenter on RTE
 
'Stunning film about Ireland and climate change by Eoghan Rice and Alan Whelan for Trocare. Watch, be informed. Beautifully shot and produced, balanced and objective and overall thoroughly compelling.'  Tom Halpin, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland


Credits:
Produced and Directed by Alan Whelan and Eoghan Rice
Filmed and Edited by Alan Whelan
Interviews by Eoghan Rice
Associate Producer Liz Evers
Additional Interviews by Alan Whelan, Marie Moriarty
David O'Hare and Liz Evers
Additional Filming: Emmet Sheerin
Archive Trocaire Footage: Ross McDonnell
Translator: Martha Welday 
Additional Translation: Seble O'Rourke
Still Photography: Jeannie O'Brien, Emmet Sheerin, Alan Whelan, 
Eoghan Rice.
Footage used with creative commons licence
Mary Robinson interview/Pablo Solon/Kumi Nadoo/OneWorldTV
Judi Wakhungu/CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change
Solar Panel Installation TIme Lapse Erik dHersigny
Obama UN Speech/White House
People's Climate March/Barry Solow
Naomi Klein/Pirate TV Seattle
Bill McKibben Lecture/Randy Chatterjee
Durban Climate March/Oxfam International
Maryland flooding/Maryland Guard
Durban Climate Change March/One World TV
Clontarf Floods/Jacob Thomas
Galway Floods/Max Clements
Colorado Floods/Ed Duffy
Hurricane Sandy/US Navy
Earth/Hurricane Sandy/NASA
Phillippines Floods/Apa Nama
Daniel Barkely/Carrickfergus Floods
Creative FreeHD

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Irish Water is Ireland's national water utility that has the responsibility for the development and delivery of water and wastewater services to homes and businesses.

Video Series

Irish Waters' Resources

Irish Water has produced a superb high-quality documentary that focuses on the critical value of our most precious natural resource and explores the ongoing threats to its future. Featuring Ireland's coastal and inland waterways the documentary explores the development and current state of Ireland's public water network. The full documentary is 45 minutes in length, but segments of the video are broken up for educational purposes below...

Water may cover 71% of our planet's surface, but less than 1% of it is usable by humans. And it's under threat from drought, pollution and climate change. Drinking, cooking, washing, bathing - we use water in so many ways. We take raw water and put it through a complex treatment process so you can use it safely every day.

Take the Quiz | Teacher Copy of Quiz

Extensive research work and public consultations undertaken by Irish Water, and previously by Dublin City Council, have concluded definitively that existing water supply sources do not have the capacity or resilience to meet future requirements of homes and businesses in Dublin and the midlands.

Take the Quiz | Teacher Copy of Quiz

A fascinating video explaining the complex challenge of finding and repairing leaks in Ireland's water network. Irish Water are investing €500 million in the public water network up to the end of 2021 to reduce high levels of leakage and provide a more reliable water supply.

Take the Quiz | Teacher Copy of Quiz

A captivating video showing the environmental impact of untreated sewage flowing directly into our rivers, lakes, and seas causes dire consequences for plants, fish, wildlife and for our amenities.

Take the Quiz | Teacher Copy of Quiz

A wonderful video showing that by using only what we need, we can all play our part in safeguarding our water for our future. Find out more about what we can all do to reduce our usage, and how schools play an important role in educating about the value of water.

Take the Quiz | Teacher Copy of Quiz

This beautiful video explains our future and the future of our water are inextricably linked. Securing them both requires more than just investment, it needs awareness and a new respect for this precious resource.

Take the Quiz | Teacher Copy of Quiz

Test your Knowledge on the FULL documentary

Irish Waters' educational resources are now available on Scoilnet, to help pupils learn all about water in a fun and engaging way with videos, fun activities, and support material.

Primary teacher, Niamh Carroll, has uploaded some supporting lesson activities to accompany the Irish Waters' educational resources.

Either your browser does not support JavaScript or it is disabled. Scoilnet.ie works best with JavaScript enabled.
Add a resource

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Upgrade your browser now

What you need...

To register for a Scoilnet Account you will need to have a Teaching Council number and a roll number for your school in Ireland.

If you already have a Scoilnet Account then you can sign in here.

The benefits...

A Scoilnet account will allow you to upload your resources or weblinks to Scoilnet as well as enabling you to share and add resources to a favourites listing. Users who have a Scoilnet Account will also be able to fully access Scoilnet Maps and Census@School from home.

Register

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Official education portal of the Department of Education and Skills in Ireland. Curriculum focused resources and support for primary and post primary teachers.

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CW 10 Sustainability Sir David Attenborough

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CW 10 Sustainability Sir David Attenborough

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ES 7 National Geographic Global Warming 

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ES 7 National Geographic Global Warming 

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Global Warming 101 | National Geographic

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Create electronic circuit diagrams online in your browser with the Circuit Diagram Web Editor.

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His Epic Message Will Make You Want to Save the World | Short Film Showcase

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What really happens to the plastic you throw away - Emma Bryce

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Lil Dicky - Earth (Official Music Video)

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White Blood Cell chasing Bacteria with Benny Hill theme and ON NOM NOM (2)

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Mystery Tubes for Classroom Science Inquiry

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What's inside the box? That's exactly what your students will be trying to find out in this engaging hands-on classroom activity. Mystery Boxes is a complete lesson that helps you to teach key elements of How Science Works to your students through a practical activity.

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Distance-Time Graphs

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CW 2 States of Matter Phet simulation worksheet.

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CW 2 States of Matter Phet simulation worksheet.

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CW 2 States of matter phet simulation Answer key.

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CW 2 States of matter phet simulation Answer key.

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Galapagos Finch Evolution — HHMI BioInteractive Video

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Galapagos Finch Evolution — HHMI BioInteractive Video

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Alkali Metals

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A physics game about circuits that will spark your curiosity! Use batteries, bulbs and switches to solve the mystery circuit. Learn about series and parallel, short circuits and more!

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Moon phase activity

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A fun and interactive way to learn about phases of the moon, there is little wonder why this is our most popular DIY learning toy! As the cup turns, the child will see the moon change throughout the lunar phase. Here's how to make one!

Materials
This list contains affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer for details.
Directions to make this Moon Phases Learning Toy

1) Measure the height of the plastic cup. Cut a rectangular piece of black construction paper with the height of the plastic cup as the length of the paper.

2) Paste the yellow circle on the black construction paper.

3) Roll the black paper up with the yellow circle facing out. Making sure that the yellow circle is not covered by the black paper. Insert the roll of black paper into one of the plastic cup. Then secure the black paper onto the cup.

4) Put this plastic cup with the black paper and yellow circle INTO the second plastic cup. NOTE: We will be drawing on the second plastic cup that's outside in the following steps.

5) Start by locating the yellow circle and write the name full moon under the yellow circle.

TIP: To make sure we have enough space for all 8 phases of the moon, I drew the full moon, new moon and the two half moons (or first quarter moon and last quarter moon) first. Then I filled in the gibbous moons and crescent moons in the remaining spaces.

6) Imagine the cups like a clock, with the full moon as the 12'o clock position, turn the cup so that the yellow circle is now in the 3'o clock position. Trace the outline of the left half of the yellow circle and fill in with the black marker. The left half of the yellow circle will be covered and the right half will appear as a half moon or first quarter moon. Write the name below.

7) Now turn the cup so that the yellow circle is in the 6'o clock position. Using the black permanent marker pen, trace the outline of the yellow circle and fill in completely with the black marker. The yellow circle will be covered and will look like the new moon. Write the name new moon below.

8) Turn the cup so that the yellow circle is now in the 9'o clock position. Trace the outline of the right half of the yellow circle and fill in with the black marker. The right half of the yellow circle will be covered and the left half will appear as a half moon or last quarter moon. Write the name below.

9) Turn the cup so that the yellow circle is now in the 1.30 clock position. Trace a crescent on the left of the yellow circle and fill in with the black marker. The right uncovered part of the yellow circle will appear as the (waxing) gibbous moon. Write the name below.

10) Turn the cup so that the yellow circle is now in the 4.30 clock position. Trace a gibbous (less than the full circle, but larger than the semicircle shape) on the left of the yellow circle and fill in with the black marker. The right uncovered part of the yellow circle will appear as the (waxing) crescent moon. Write the name below.

11) Turn the cup so that the yellow circle is now in the 7.30 clock position. Trace a gibbous (less than the full circle, but larger than the semicircle shape) on the right of the yellow circle and fill in with the black marker. The left uncovered part of the yellow circle will appear as the (waning) crescent moon. Write the name below.

12) Turn the cup so that the yellow circle is now in the 10.30 clock position. Trace a crescent on the right of the yellow circle and fill in with the black marker. The left uncovered part of the yellow circle will appear as the (waning) gibbous moon. Write the name below. The learning toy is completed! Now to play and learn with it!

NOTE: I used this toy as a teaching tool for my then 4yo son to teach him about shapes of the moon during the lunar phase. Hence the use of the names half moons and not including the terms 'waxing' and 'waning'. For teaching older children, you may like to use the full terms first quarter moon/ last quarter moon and include the terms 'waxing' and 'waning'. Older kids might be able to make this learning toy themselves too!

Bonus: Join my mailing list and download this free guide: 9 Simple Ways to Spark a Love of Learning in your Children. Get this guide now>>

Don't forget to pin this idea for later!

Are you following HTS on Instagram?
I share lots of fun and hands on learning ideas daily over at HTS Instagram. Follow us on IG too!

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Moon Phases Learning Toy - Happy Tot Shelf

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A fun and interactive way to learn about moon phases, using plastic cups! Turn the cup to see the moon change. Learn how to make one here.

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Periodic Table - Royal Society of Chemistry

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The Royal Society of Chemistry's interactive periodic table features history, alchemy, podcasts, videos, and data trends across the periodic table. Click the tabs at the top to explore each section. Use the buttons above to change your view of the periodic table and view Murray Robertson's stunning Visual Elements artwork. Click each element to read detailed information.

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Periodic Table - Royal Society of Chemistry

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The Royal Society of Chemistry's interactive periodic table features history, alchemy, podcasts, videos, and data trends across the periodic table. Click the tabs at the top to explore each section. Use the buttons above to change your view of the periodic table and view Murray Robertson's stunning Visual Elements artwork.

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Hundreds of scientific articles. Written for kids. Approved by scientists.

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Science Articles

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Difference between Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

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Genetic Mutations - Hidden Secret (Nat Geo)

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“Dream” (feat. Natalie Bergman, Ryan Merchant, Keenan O’Meara & Tal Altman)

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His Epic Message Will Make You Want to Save the World | Short Film Showcase

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Vacation or Conservation (Of Mass): Crash Course Kids #23.1

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Online 3D simulation of the Solar System and night sky in real time - the Sun, planets, dwarf planets, comets, stars and constellations

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Universe Size Comparison | Cosmic Eye (Original HD)

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How do cigarettes affect the body? - Krishna Sudhir

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How do cigarettes affect the body? - Krishna Sudhir

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Drug and Alcohol Information and Support for Teenagers, Parents and Carers. Free, Confidential Live Chat. Advice and Support from Drugs.ie

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How taking a bath led to Archimedes' principle - Mark Salata