Searching for Signs of Life on Mars

This resource is set in the context of soil tests in a Martian environment. Students begin by researching suitable criteria for defining the presence of life. They analyse soil samples in tests similar to the experiments on the Mars Viking Lander and use their operational definition of life to determine whether...

Global Warming

Scientists say that the average global temperature has increased by around 0.5^oC over the last century. Is this evidence of global warming, initiated by the excessive production of greenhouse gases? Students will look at real monthly maximum and minimum temperature and rainfall data taken in Southampton...

The Temperature on Mars

Students will begin by comparing the range of temperatures on the Earth, Mars and the Moon, using the student worksheet ‘Temperature: from one extreme to another!’ They will have to plot the temperature over a ten-day period from 4 September to 13 September, as measured by three different craft that landed on the...

I Wouldn’t Send a Dog Out on a Night Like This!

In this resource, students attempt to apply their understanding of heat transfer (convection, conduction and radiation) to the novel case of the Beagle 2 Lander.

Students are set the challenge of creating the best...

Earth Ball Activity Book

This booklet provides a range of activities which look at the Earth and what we can find out about it. Cross curricular activities encompass science, geography and literacy and include facts, question sheets and practical activities, all designed to provoke interest and awareness of the Earth and its place in the...

Volcanoes on Earth and Mars

Volcanoes can be found on many planets and satellites in the Solar System, although not all volcanoes are the same as those found on Earth. It is the conditions on the planet and its composition that determine the shape of the volcanoes and the material that is erupted.

Students will use topography data to...

Solar System activities

This resource, aimed at primary level, contains three activities relating to the Solar System. In the first activity children create a solar system flip book to show that the four planets closest to the Sun (Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars) revolve around the Sun in the...

Radioastronomy

This resource contains 12 lessons, for students aged 8 to 12, that look at radio waves and other invisible forms of light. Lesson 1: Looking at radio telescopes and objects that do and do not use radio waves Lesson 2: Making an antenna dish from paper to amplify your voice Lesson 3: A discussion on X-rays Lesson 4...

Safe Sun Viewer

In this activity children are introduced to safe solar observation. Using everyday materials, the activity provides a step by step guide to create a safe sun viewer. A second activity investigates ‘sunspots’ and looks at how to use binoculars as a projector to see 'sunspots'. ‘Sunspots’ are areas of the sun which...

The Earth is a Ball

This activity looks at the shape of the Earth and the reasons why we have day and night. It includes a game “The Earth goes on a Spin”; in which children role-play the Sun and the Earth. In other activities children think about the sounds that are heard during day and night. The activities require the use of an...