Ireland · NCCA Curriculum Specifications
2nd Year Young Explorers: Investigating Our World
A hands-on science curriculum for Year 2 students focusing on the interconnectedness of living things, the properties of materials, and the forces that shape our environment. Students develop scientific inquiry skills through active observation, prediction, and experimental testing.
01The Secret Life of Plants and Animals
Students explore the diversity of living things and the essential conditions required for growth and survival.
Distinguishing between living, non-living, and once-living things through observation of life processes.
Investigating the fundamental requirements for all living organisms to survive and thrive.
Investigating the life cycle of flowering plants and the role of light and water in their development.
Identifying and describing the functions of different parts of a plant, such as roots, stems, leaves, and flowers.
Exploring the variety of animals and simple ways to group them based on observable characteristics.
Observing and comparing the life cycles of different animals, such as butterflies and frogs.
Exploring how different environments provide for the basic needs of local animals and plants.
Understanding simple food chains and the roles of producers and consumers.
Discussing ways to protect local habitats and the importance of conservation.
Learning the basic steps of asking questions, making predictions, and observing.
Practicing observation skills and simple methods for recording findings.
Developing the skill of making educated guesses based on prior knowledge.
Learning to share observations and conclusions through drawing and simple sentences.
02Materials and Their Magic
An investigation into the properties of everyday materials and how they can be changed by heat or force.
Classifying materials based on physical properties such as hardness, flexibility, and waterproofness.
Exploring how the shape of solid objects made from some materials can be changed by various forces.
Observing how materials like water, wax, and chocolate change state when heated or cooled.
Introducing the three states of matter and their basic properties through hands-on exploration.
Exploring how different materials can be combined and then separated.
Understanding the importance of recycling and finding new uses for old materials.
Identifying forces in the environment and how they start or stop motion.
Investigating how different surfaces affect the distance an object travels.
Exploring the invisible force of magnetism and identifying magnetic materials.
Introducing the concept of gravity as the force that pulls objects down.
Exploring how simple machines like levers and ramps can make work easier.
Using simple tools to measure and compare the strength of different forces.
Discussing how forces can be both helpful and harmful, and the importance of safety.
03Earth, Moon, and Sky
An introduction to the patterns of the sun and moon and the changing characteristics of the seasons.
Understanding the rotation of the Earth and how it creates the cycle of day and night.
Observing and recording the apparent change in the shape of the moon over a month.
Investigating how the weather and daylight hours change across the four seasons in Ireland.
Observing and recording daily weather patterns like temperature, clouds, and rain.
Understanding the sun as a source of light and heat, and its importance for life on Earth.
Investigating how sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch provide information about our surroundings.
Understanding the importance of exercise, nutrition, and hygiene for a healthy body.
Identifying the role of bones and muscles in supporting the body and allowing movement.
Exploring how sounds are produced by vibrating objects and how they travel to our ears.
Investigating light sources and how shadows are formed when light is blocked.
Exploring how light reflects off surfaces and how white light can be split into colors.
Identifying natural and artificial sources of light and their uses.
Understanding how loud sounds can be harmful and ways to protect our hearing.
Exploring how light interacts with objects to create the colors we see.