Teacher Testimonials
Springhill Primary School’s P7 teacher Mark Gaston taught Lesson 1: Our Solar System, in his class in October 2020, and followed up with a live video Q&A session with Prof Smartt.
Mark Gaston’s Feedback:
“This was a really fun lesson that the pupils very much enjoyed. The material aligns with the Key Stage 2 curriculum and the topic of 'Our place in the universe' , which is very helpful. The materials are nicely presented and it was easy to deliver, the pupils enjoyed the quiz, the planet naming worksheet and mnemonic activity. The kids were excited at the prospect of a video call with Prof Smartt and they came up with dozens of questions. They were delighted with the call and being able to ask questions directly with a working scientist. This went really well and there were genuinely ‘jaw drop’ moments for the pupils at the answers to their questions. I was genuinely surprised at the imaginative questions they came up with and they really enjoyed the interaction. We would be very happy to get involved in any further plans for more material of this type.”
Prof Smartt said “The questions were fantastic, the kids had clearly thought about the solar system and our place in the Universe. Springhill is a school in one of most economically deprived areas of Northern Ireland and I’m really delighted to provide the children with an opportunity to learn some science in fun way and ask questions. I was impressed with the level of questioning and thought.”
"Primary 5 pupils at St Colman’s Primary School Annaclone thoroughly enjoyed this lesson on space. The lesson was delivered to pupils via video call during Home Learning (February 2021) as part of their new World Around Us topic ‘Space’. The material provided aligned excellently with the KS2 Primary Curriculum for Northern Ireland. The presentation and worksheets were easily delivered and easy to follow, pupils enjoyed learning about the planets in the Solar System and the facts about each planet. Pupils generated their own questions about space and were thrilled to have the opportunity to ask Professor Smartt questions directly. Pupils were mesmerised by how Professor Smartt answered their questions and gave facts about the Solar System. This lesson sparked an interest for many pupils who then went onto complete some independent reading into space and the Solar System.
I am delighted with the levels of engagement that this lesson created for my pupils and the opportunity this lesson provided them with. Pupils showed a keen interest in this topic and were eager to further their learning and knowledge. As a school we would be eager to become involved in further programmes from SmarttScience."
Prof Smartt said "The Q&A session through google classroom worked well. The questions showed how they had thought about the topic and understood the lesson from Mr White. The questions on gravity and life beyond earth were very imaginative and a couple of them had me thinking on my feet. Delighted to see them enjoy learning and thinking like junior scientists!”
St Colman’s School Annaclone P5 teacher Cáolan White taught Lesson 1: Our Solar System, in his class in February 2020, and followed up with a live video Q&A session with Prof Smartt.
