This resource, from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, is a video that explains why the northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere experience different seasons at the same time. It uses clear diagrams and animations to demonstrate how the tilt of...

‘Why do we send humans and robots into space? What will Mars be like, compared to Earth?’

In this introduction chapter students find out more about Mars, including:

• comparing Earth to Mars
• describing past, present and future missions to Mars
• writing a diary to Tim Peake...

This activity has been designed to help pupils understand the different applications of satellites in the field of Earth observation. Scientists use the data collected by these satellites to monitor changes in environments across the planet.

There are three satellites that pupils can build:

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Rockets are used to launch satellites, probes and even astronauts into space. A rocket launch is extremely impressive. Thousands of kilograms are burned in just a few minutes in order to provide the force that the rocket needs in order to overcome the gravity of the Earth. Rockets provide an exciting context to...

This resource, from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, is an animated video, teacher guidance and pupil activities that explore some of the challenges that exist for getting astronauts to Mars, and what it would be like to live there for a while....

‘Before you set off on your next space adventure, tell the people back on Earth why Mars is worth a visit.’

In this concluding activity students are encouraged to summarise their findings from the other five chapters, by:

• creating a poster about space tourism,
• drawing/writing a comic...

This series of videos introduce NASA's DART spacecraft which was set on a course to collide with an asteroid Dimorphos in October 2022, to create a crater and alter its velocity. 

The series starts with 'Presenting Hera' a video introducing Hera, the asteroid detective, and its adventure to travel to and...

The Deep Space Diary resources are a comprehensive series aimed at helping KS2 students find out more about our Solar System, light, colour, infrared and much more. There are six chapters that make up the Deep Space Diary; together they provide over 60 hours learning, but individual activities can also be...

This activity, from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, is designed to help students find out all about the Moon, and some of the other 200+ moons that orbit other planets in the solar system.

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This resource, from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, discusses a range of topics about how the Sun, planets, asteroids and/or moons have been formed over millions of years.

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This resource, from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, helps students to understand how we see things, and in particular how light travels.

There is a short video introduction accompanied by two suggested activities.

In the...

This resource, from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, includes a short video about rocks from space, and then a short activity sheet that students can use to discuss the difference between magnetic and...

The Mars Diary resources are a comprehensive series aimed at helping KS2 students find out more about the planet Mars, as well as the challenges and opportunities that will be involved in exploring our Solar System. There are six chapters...

‘Design a city that has everything you'll need for a happy, productive and safe life on Mars.’

In this chapter students work out they could overcome Martian conditions to create a sustainable habitat, including

• mapping what is required by a community,
• designing buildings/domes that...

‘Work with your rover to collect scientific samples then head to the lab. It's time to experiment!’

In this chapter students think about the challenges of running experiments on Mars using a robotic rover, including

• programming the rover to navigate,
• decrypting coded messages,
• ...