Loans Box: Space

This box has a range of interesting and interactive resources to help teach the space topic to Key Stage 2 children.

Curriculum links

Year 5 Science Earth and Space

  • describe the movement of the Earth, and other planets, relative to the Sun in the
    solar system
  • describe the movement of the Moon relative to the Earth
  • describe the Sun, Earth and Moon as approximately spherical bodies
  • use the idea of the Earth’s rotation to explain day and night and the apparent
    movement of the sun across the sky.

What’s in the box?

  • Inflatable solar system
  • Solar system mats
  • Earth, Moon and Sun orbiter model
  • Microslide viewer and microslides
  • Dark and light inflatable Moon

Download the complete contents list here.

Download the hazard identification sheet for this box here.

Activities to support the use of this box in school and at home

Do you want to look at the stars but don’t own a telescope? Make a constellation tube and you can see the stars whenever you want to. All you need is a cardboard tube, a sharp pencil, scissors, glue and our constellation printout.

Have you ever wondered how those holes on the moon got there? You can investigate these impact craters at home using balls, a bowl or tray and some sand, soil or even flour!

You could make our Moon flipbook to track the Moon phases over a month using a print out, scissors and staples, tape or a clip.

Careers links

The Primary Science Teaching Trust has some additional careers links you may like to look at. These are called “A scientist just like me” and introduce children to a diverse range of scientists.

The downloadable power points relevant to this box are:

Space Scientist Stephanie Yardley

Space Scientist Dr Karen Aplin

Astrophysicist Emily Rickman

Astrophysicist Vanessa Emeka-Okafor

Planetary Physicist Sheila Kanani

Space Scientist Helen Mason

Space Science Communicator Emma Wride

Astronomer Kerem Osman Cubuk

Astrophysicist – Haley Gomez

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