Training in Space

In this activity pupils will be able to discuss various ways of simulating gravity in space and the importance for maintaining a healthy body for the return to Earth. Working in teams of four, pupils should choose their favourite exercise or sport and adapt it for space. They should identify the forces required for...

Preparing for Space

For the g-forces activity pupils will be able to discuss how astronauts use forces to simulate the effect of launch and landing on their bodies, when preparing to go into space. The pupils look at the forces on a ball at the end of a piece of elastic and discuss the forces on an Astronaut in a centrifuge. For the...

Design a Thermal Protection Shield

Aerospace engineers need to take into account the heat generated when the space craft move through the atmosphere at extreme speeds, both during launch and at re-entry, as without proper thermal protection the space craft could be destroyed. Insulating blankets, foams and tiles are used to protect the spacecraft....

Explore Saturn and Titan

On 14 January 2005, the European probe Huygens entered the atmosphere of Titan - one of Saturn's moons. Based on this major event in space exploration, ESA offers a cartoon-style teaching aid with fact sheets for teachers to use in the classroom. The factsheets are available for use with different aged students -...

The Search for Dark Matter

This film, from Twig World, looks at the work of scientists, deep underground in a disused mine in Yorkshire, searching for particles that can't be seen and have never been detected, but might bind our Universe together.

The key points made in the film are:

•Dark matter is believed to make up about...

Telescopes

This film, from Twig World, looks at who invented telescopes and how they have developed throughout history.

The key points made in the film are:

•The first optical telescopes were made around 1608. •Early telescopes consisted of a convex lens and an eyepiece.

•Later telescope designs used...

What is a Light Year?

This film, from Twig World, looks at what a light year is, how it is measured and why we measure distance in terms of time?

The key points made in the film are:

•Light travels through space at 300 million metres per second

•A light year is the distance that light travels in one year

•...

One of Our Scientists Is Missing

This Science upd8 activity offers an opportunity to test students' understanding of the solar system, and their skills as independent enquirers, problem solvers and effective communicators. Students are part of an earth-bound team set the task of interpreting a range of data relating to the solar system/universe....

Experience the Moon

In this ASE SYCD: Science Year Primary resource, Holidays on the Moon! Universal Tours Limited wants sales executives to develop extra-terrestrial trips for tourists. 

Pupil Research Briefs – Biology Briefs

This Pupil Research Brief (PRB), designed by a team at the Centre for Science Education, supports the teaching and learning of biology at GCSE and Scottish Standard Grade levels. Each brief was targeted at a topic within the curriculum at the time. The study guide provides a structure to guide the students through...