Lesson Packs

Please note: you must be logged in to view teaching resources with the icon.

Teaching resources with the computer icon are best done with student access to a windows computer (or emulator on a mac), students can work in groups.

We are currently moving these Lesson Packs into our new Things to Do! page. For the time being we will keep this page as it is, so you can still find all your amazing lesson resources. We have over 80 new Things to Do with additional notes just for Teachers, so take a look!

Preview Age Suitability Title Short Description Duration Keywords
11 to 14
14 to 16

3-Colour Imaging
Create your own 3-colour image of an astronomical object. 60 mins Software, Technology, Observations, Photometry, Chemistry, Primary, Secondary, Galaxies, Light
14 to 16
16 to 18

Barnard's Star
Measure the movement and velocity of Barnard's Star. 60 mins Software, Observations, Parallax, Maths, Secondary, Stars
7 to 11
Day and Night Using a ball of play-doh and a torch discover what causes day and night here on Earth. 60 mins Solar System, Primary, Orbits, Light
14 to 16
16 to 18
Galaxy Classification Use the Hubble Tuning Fork to classify galaxies. 60 mins Observations, Secondary, Galaxies, Cosomology
14 to 16
16 to 18

Gravity Workshop
Use a gravity simulator to investigate how gravity changes depending upon where you are in the Solar System. 60 mins Maths, Solar System, Secondary, Gravity Forces, Experiment
14 to 16
16 to 18
Hubble Flow Calculate the expansion of the Universe using real galaxy data, to recreate the work of Edwin Hubble. 60 mins Maths, Secondary, Galaxies, Cosomology, Forces, Big Bang, Redshift
7 to 11
11 to 14

Hunting For Asteroids
Detect and calculate the velocity of nearby asteroids. 60 mins Software, Observations, Maths, Solar System, Primary, Secondary
11 to 14
14 to 16

Jupiter's Day
Calculate the length of Jupiter's day by tracking the Great Red Spot and using trigonometry. 60 mins Observations, Maths, Solar System, Secondary
14 to 16
16 to 18

Kepler's Laws
Take a look at Kepler's Laws of planetary motion and how they relate to the Solar System, but also exoplanets, investigating the TRAPPIST-1 stellar system. 90 mins Solar System, Secondary, Orbits, Gravity, Forces, Exoplanets
7 to 11
Life on Earth Explore how living things are connected and the factors that make Earth a special place in our Solar System. 60 mins Earth, Solar System
7 to 11
Light and Mirrors Investigate how light travels, how we see objects and how to write technical reports using this series of cross-curricular lessons. 5 x 60 mins Primary, Experiment, Light, Literacy
7 to 11
Literacy: Biographies Combine literacy and space by looking at how to construct biographies and autobiographies using Dr Helen Sharman as an example. 4 x 60 mins Primary, Literacy, Space Exploration
7 to 11
Lunar Craters Primary Investigate the number and distribution of craters on the Moon's surface. 2 x 60 mins Observations, Maths, Solar System, Primary
11 to 14
Lunar Craters Secondary Investigate the distribution and size of craters on the Moon's surface. 60 mins Observations, Maths, Solar System, Secondary
11 to 14
14 to 16
Lunar Mountains Uses algebra and images of the Moon to calculate the height of lunar mountains. 60 mins Observations, Maths, Solar System, Secondary, Light
7 to 11
Moonsaic Assemble mosaics of the Moon during different phases. 60 mins Observations, Solar, System, Primary, Secondary
14 to 16
16 to 18

Seeing Workshop
Introduction to the concept of astronomical seeing and it's link to refractive index. 60 mins Technology, Observations, Secondary, Light, Stars
14 to 16
16 to 18

Solar Rotation
Use real data from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory to estimate the rotation period of our Sun.    60 mins Technology, Observations, Maths, Solar System, Secondary, Stars
7 to 11
11 to 14
Space Jobs Develop knowledge and understanding of the different jobs available to people who enjoy space and science. 60 mins Primary, space Exploration, careers
11 to 14
14 to 16
Speed Of The Planets A lesson that looks at the relationship between distance, time and speed. 60 mins Maths, Solar System, Secondary, Orbits
5 to 7
Stars and Stories A lesson guiding students to create their own constellations, using art, design, and maths skills. 60 mins Maths, Primary, Stars, Literacy, Art & Design
14 to 16
16 to 18

Stellar Spectroscopy
Introduces and use spectroscopy to classify a range of stars. 90 mins Chemistry, Secondary, Spectroscopy, Redshift, Light, Stars
14 to 16
16 to 18

Sunspots Workshop
Uses sunspot data to calculate the solar cycle. 60 mins Observations, Solar System, Secondary, Forces, Experiment, Stars
7 to 11
The Space Debate (Primary) This activity allows pupils to think about why we explore space. Pupils will form their own opinions, discuss ideas, and work in teams to form persuasive arguments. The session allows pupils to improve their speaking and listening skills, as well as develop their critical thinking and confidence.    45 mins Primary, Literacy
11 to 14
14 to 16
16 to 18
The Space Debate (Secondary) This activity supports students to debate a topic linked to physics and astronomy. Students will practice their oracy skills and use of persuasive language, and develop their teamwork and critical thinking skills.    45 mins Secondary, Literacy
14 to 16
16 to 18
Weighing The Universe A lesson that introduces the concept of standard index notation. 60 mins Maths, Secondary, Galaxies, Cosomology
11 to 14

Weight on Planets
How do the effects of gravity depend upon where in the universe we are? 60 mins Software, Solar System, Secondary, Gravity, Forces

Please note: you must be logged in to view activities with the icon.