Satellites and Orbits - Dragons' Den Science Project

Contains: PowerPoint lesson on Satellites and orbits, PowerPoint explaining project, Word document feedback grid to be used by all students (plus additional bonus lesson on orbits and circular motion for stretch and challenge)
Types of satellites, natural and artificial, types of orbits, geostationary and polar

Suitable for KS3 / Year 7 to 9 / ages 11 to 14 / Science or Physics / Philosophy

Lesson plan Satellites and Orbits

• Starter - Questions to assess prior knowledge (5 minutes)
• Main - Present types of satellites and types of orbit either on the board or by printing slides and organising an information hunt. Students draw and complete table of definition, uses, advantages and disadvantages (15 minutes)
• Plenary - Exam style question practice with a 6 mark question on the difference between types of orbit (10 minutes)

Dragons Den Science Project

• Explain project brief to students using the slides (10 minutes).
• Allow students a lesson to design their satellite and create a pitch
• Print a feedback grid for teacher and for each student. Students assess each other while listening to each other’s pitches during final lesson.