Armageddon time?

This activity uses the context of asteroids and meteorites, and the film Armageddon, to allow students to explore kinetic energy, momentum, and critical thinking by asking them to establish whether the information presented in the film is correct. 

Curriculum links:

• Kinetic energy.
• Unit...

Our Earth under threat

This activity is designed as a ‘virtual mission’. Students will play the part of Near Earth Asteroid (NEA) scientists to the scenario of a possible asteroid impact with the Earth. By following the story of the mission (led by an automated powerpoint), students will apply their understanding of kinetic energy,...

Meteorite investigators

In this lesson, students will investigate some of the meteorites and associated rocks in the loan box. They will test them for magnetism, do a visual analysis and measure their mass to calculate the densities of their items. This activity is particularly geared towards getting students to estimate the volume of the...

Meteorite scientists (11-14)

In this lesson, students will investigate some of the loan box’s meteorites and associated rocks. They will test them for magnetism and perform a visual analysis of the samples. In addition, they will make a to scale model of the samples out of plasticine and perform a displacement test to allow them to determine...

Lunar lift off

In this lesson, students will consider the differences in gravity between the Earth and the Moon and the meaning of mass, weight and gravity. They will then use stills from footage of the Apollo 17 Lunar lift off to calculate the speed during the initial ascent.

Curriculum links:

• Reading and...

Following the astronauts

This lesson is designed to introduce students to the Apollo missions and set the scene for the Lunar samples by investigating the landing sites where some of the samples in the Lunar disk came from. Students will use Google Earth to explore the Apollo 15 landing site, finding out information about the samples...

Meteorite hunters

In this activity, students will learn about the properties of the different types of Earth rocks and the rock cycle. They will also learn the basics of meteorite hunting. They will then apply this, along with the use of a classification chart and scientific testing, to identify the samples in their meteorite hunter...

Moon conspiracies

This lesson is designed to generate discussion in students regarding the common Lunar conspiracy theories. Through looking at statements, analysing the reliability of the sources, and critically analysing the comments and applying scientific principles, students will come to their own conclusions about whether the...

Locating lunar landers

This lesson goes into more detail about the specific Apollo missions that returned the Lunar samples in this kit. It also combines coordinate systems with high resolution Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter images to challenge students to locate the lunar landing sites and hardware that was left behind on the surface of...

Meteorite scientists (7-11)

In this lesson, students will learn about where meteorites come from and the different types of meteorites. They will then use this knowledge to describe the rocks in the lunar loan box and try to work out what they are.

Curriculum links:

• Observing closely, using simple equipment.
• ...