大象传媒

Video summary

In this video narrated by presenter Maddie Moate, a group of children find out about those who have explored space in the past and what they found out.

They learn about the first people to travel into space, what they learnt and space expert Dr Becky Smethurst explains how we use the International Space Station to answer questions we have about space today.

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Teacher notes

Discussion points:

1. Space explorers:

  • What challenges do people travelling into space have and how are these overcome?
  • What do pupils think travelling into space feels like and why?

2. The space station:

  • What is the International Space Station (ISS)?
  • Discuss how humans can get there and what life is like on board.
  • What do we learn and find out from the work of the ISS?

3. Using space:

  • What do humans use satellites sent into space for?
  • How do pupils think satellites sent into space stay there, what stops them from coming back to Earth?

4. Space junk:

  • Over time, humans have sent a large number of satellites and other items into space. Discuss how pupils think we can get these back down to Earth?
  • What is the danger of leaving 鈥榮pace junk鈥 in space and not bringing it back to Earth?

Suggested activities:

1. Space explorers:

  • After watching the video, discuss key people who have been involved in space exploration.
  • Can pupils research into some of these key people and create profiles to highlight their life and legacy.

2. Space station diary:

  • Following learning from the ISS, can pupils write a diary entry as an explorer working on the ISS, describing what it feels and what life looks like on board.
  • Pupils to share their diary entries and discuss key messages from these.

3. Recycled artwork:

  • After learning about the issue of 鈥榮pace junk鈥, can pupils create a space-scape of the solar system using recycled materials?
  • What key messages does such recycling give and how can we ensure we reduce, reuse and recycle, both on planet Earth and in space?

Curriculum notes:

This video aligns with Science in the National Curriculum in England, Northern Ireland, and 1st Level in Scotland. It also supports the Science and Technology Area of Learning and Experience within the Curriculum for Wales.

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The Earth. video

A visit to the Space Centre to find out all about our planet, how it works and why we have things such as the seasons.

The Earth

What is the Solar System? video

This video explores the key characteristics of each planet within our solar system.

What is the Solar System?
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