Space: Primary resources
List created by Tom Lyons - ESERO UK Teacher Fellow
Is There Anyone Out There?
A brilliant resource with plenty of scientific enquiry for the students to engage in. Set in the context of landing on Mars
International Space Station (ISS) Education Kit - Primary
The ISS Education Kit, from ESA, is a resource for teachers with ideas on how to use the International Space Station as a thematic frame for teaching a wide variety of topics that are part of European curricula. Four chapters devoted to explaining various aspects of life in space and what is it like to live and work on board the International Space Station. Each chapter contains background information, worksheets and a teachers' guide. A glossary and colour posters complete the content.
Mission X
Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut is an international educational challenge focusing on fitness and nutrition as we encourage students to "train like an astronaut."
Phoenix Mars Lander
Video about the Phoenix Mars Lander
Footagevault Space Video Clips
A selection of video clips showing astronauts in space
Birth of the Solar System
Nice video showing the formation of the Solar System
The Hammer and the Feather on the Moon
You can replicate this using a pen and a heavy book in the classroom. They take the same time to reach the ground and the book makes a satisfying bang to wake up sleepy students.
Moonsaics
Jigsaw puzzles of the Moon
Eggnaut
Practical exercise where students try to build something to stop their egg breaking on impact
Drinking Straw Rocket
Students construct and fly small "indoor" paper rockets
Activity Case Study 14: Vicki Hodges
Vicki Hodges is a systems engineer with Europe's largest satellite contractor - EADS Astrium. Vicki talks about her outreach work as a STEM Ambassador
The Earth in Space Teachers’ Guide (Ages 5-7)
This resource is from the early 1990s but contains some good ideas for discussion and activities
Exploring Space
Produced by Richard Garriott during his visit to the International Space Station, look at some of the more unusual questions and areas involved in the exploration of space. The video clips look at: • Do watches work in space? • Design a mission patch • Does mould grow in space? • Useful items on the ISS • Radio signals in space
Gravity and Light Traffic Lights
The kids use traffic lights to explore some of the ideas and misconceptions associated with gravity and space
Earth and space: space presenters
Produced by the Hamilton Trust, these resources give details of six lessons on space. This includes lesson plans, practical activities and all student materials. Students find facts about the Sun, Moon and Earth. They develop an understanding of day and night, the four seasons and the Moon’s phases. The Sun and planets making up our Solar System are investigated, along with the other stars in their constellations.
