Ireland · NCCA Curriculum Specifications
3rd Class Curious Investigators: Exploring Our World
A hands-on science curriculum for 3rd Class students that emphasizes the skills of working scientifically. Students engage in inquiry-based learning across biology, physics, and chemistry to understand the natural and man-made world.
01The Living World: Plants and Animals
Students explore the diversity of living things and the complex life cycles of plants and animals in their local environment.
Students will identify and describe different microhabitats within the school grounds or local park.
Students will classify and record various plants and animals observed in their immediate environment, noting their features.
Students will investigate the relationships between plants and animals, focusing on food chains and mutual dependencies.
Students will set up an experiment to observe the conditions necessary for seeds to germinate.
Students will observe and document the different stages of plant development from seedling to mature plant.
Students will explore how plants reproduce and how seeds are dispersed in various ways.
Students will identify major bones and understand the basic function of the skeletal system.
Students will investigate how muscles work in pairs to create movement at joints.
Students will learn about the importance of exercise and nutrition for healthy bones and muscles.
02Materials and Change
An exploration of the properties of different materials and how they can be changed by heating, cooling, or mixing.
Students will conduct hands-on tests to observe and record properties like hardness, flexibility, and texture.
Students will test materials for transparency, opacity, and magnetic attraction.
Students will apply their knowledge of material properties to select appropriate materials for specific purposes.
Students will observe and describe the process of melting and freezing with various substances.
Students will investigate how liquids can turn into gases and back again through evaporation and condensation.
Students will explore changes that cannot be easily reversed, such as burning and cooking.
Students will combine different solids and liquids to create various mixtures.
Students will investigate the process of dissolving and identify factors affecting solubility.
Students will experiment with different methods to separate components of a mixture, such as filtering and sieving.
03Energy, Forces, and Motion
Investigating the invisible forces that move objects and the different forms of energy in our lives.
Students will explore how push and pull forces cause objects to start, stop, or change direction.
Students will investigate how friction acts as a force that opposes motion and its effects.
Students will explore the concept of gravity as a force that pulls objects towards the Earth.
Students will identify natural and artificial light sources and investigate how light travels in straight lines.
Students will explore how shadows are formed when light is blocked and how their size and shape can change.
Students will investigate how light reflects off surfaces, particularly mirrors, and its applications.
Students will explore how sound is created by vibrations and experiment with different sound sources.
Students will investigate how sound travels through different materials (solids, liquids, gases).
Students will explore the concepts of pitch and volume and how they relate to sound waves.
04Earth and Space
Discovering the relationship between the Earth, Sun, and Moon, and exploring the composition of our planet.
Students will model the Earth's rotation to understand the cause of day and night.
Students will observe and model the different phases of the Moon.
Students will explore how Earth's tilt and orbit around the Sun cause the seasons.
Students will examine and classify different types of rocks based on their observable properties.
Students will learn about the continuous process of rocks changing from one type to another.
Students will investigate the components of soil and understand how it is formed.
Students will explore the process of evaporation as the first step in the water cycle.
Students will investigate how water vapor condenses to form clouds.
Students will learn about different forms of precipitation and how water collects on Earth.
05Design and Engineering
Applying scientific knowledge to solve problems and build functional prototypes.
Students will investigate which geometric shapes provide the most strength and stability in structures.
Students will explore how the properties of materials influence their suitability for construction.
Students will design and construct tall, stable towers using various materials and engineering principles.
Students will investigate how levers can be used to lift heavy objects with less effort.
Students will explore how pulleys and wheels make it easier to move objects.
Students will identify simple machines in everyday objects and understand their function.
Students will learn about the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle to minimize waste.
Students will explore scientific methods for cleaning up pollution and protecting natural resources.
Students will investigate different sources of renewable energy and their benefits.
Students will explore why water conservation is important and ways to conserve water.