Space
Did you manage to tell a space rock from an earth rock? Would you like to know more about meteorites? Use these resources to inspire investigative work linked to the topic of space and ask the big question 'Does life exist on other planets?' Find out what the Natural History Museum website has to offer or borrow some moon rocks to create a buzz in your lessons. Learn what it means to train to be an astronaut, look at life inside a space station or use these fantastic images from the Mars Rover with these activities which link space with science, literacy, art and PE.
Is There Anyone Out There?
This is a great resource for Primary, with fun experiements that are easy (and cheap!) to do. It was produced with help from scientists working on Mars projects at Imperial College and written by experienced primary teachers.
This would be an ideal resource to use this year (2012) to link in with the landing of the Mars Curiosity Rover on 6 August 2012. You can keep track of the journey of the Mars Science Laboratory here http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/WhereIsCuriosity.html
Phoenix Mars Lander
A short video, from NASA, which shows the Phoenix Lander mission which looked for the possibility of life on Mars. It can be used as an introduction to space exploration.
Mission X: train like an astronaut *suitable for home teaching*
An education programme developed by NASA scientists and fitness professional. Mission X uses the excitement of space exploration to inspire students to learn more about nutrition, exercise, science and space exploration.
The activities in this resource are designed for students aged 8 -14 but can be adapted to older and younger age groups. They can also be used enrich learning in afterschool clubs and extra projects.
They are organised into Science and PE challenges however they could also be used to inspire in other curruculum areas.
International Space Station (ISS) Education Kit - Primary
A great resource with lots of ideas for planning lessons across the curricuum using space as a stimulus. Looks at life in space and what is it like to live and work on board the International Space Station. It includes: background information, worksheets, colour posters and a teachers' guide.
ESA-Kids
The European Space Agency website specially designed for children with all you need to know about space.
It has animations, facts, games, puzzles and quizzes to stimulate and enrich learning about earth and space.
NHM-Meteorites
The Natural History Museum in London houses one of the world's finest collections of meteorites, about 2000 individual meteorites in about 5000 registered pieces.
This website has everything you should wish to know abour meteorites and is a great place to enrich learning or just to view images of the meteorites. There is a kids zone with facts on meteorites presented in a child friendly format.
Lunar and meteorite samples loan scheme
Engage and excite children with real moon rocks in your lessons. The STFC loan scheme will provide the moon rocks and the website contains facts about the rocks, teaching resource ideas and links to other websites.