A set of real life questions on the topic of standard form based on images from the Hubble Space Telescope. Answers and workings included. Great for teaching problem solving skills, cross-curricular Maths and Physics.

GCSE higher, inverse proportion activity/worksheet. Mathematics, Physics cross-curricular task based on applying the inverse square law to Newton’s laws of gravity. In this real life application of inverse proportion, pupils will investigate how gravity fields on various planets are inversely proportional to their radius and, subsequently, how they are related to their mass. This is followed by some particularly testing questions to really check pupil’s mathematical, physical and logical reasoning. Answers and internet links included.

This is a space-based KS2 / KS3 / GCSE matchup activity. Pupils consider and then rank relative altitudes of Earth features, satellites (natural & artificial) & stars. Pupils will match up and order the images, numbers and written information about each object. There are loads of maths aspects in here, deliberately included to make pupils think and question the points raised. A good real life ordering task or use as a prompt to introduce scale and scale models. Includes plenty of information to inspire as well as aspects to prompt questions and thinking skills. As well as maths and space science, can also be used as a literacy resource. Tried and tested in the classroom with various groups and ages (Yr5, Yr7, Yr8, Yr9, PGCE students). This download includes three versions of this activity - one specifically for primary pupils. Includes pdf files as well as the original powerpoint/word documents for easy editing.

KS2, KS3, GCSE matchup activity. Pupils consider order and relative altitudes of Earth features, satellites (natural & artificial) é stars. A good real life ordering task or use as a prompt to introduce scale and scale models. Answer included.

KS3 and GCSE, circles (circumference formula) activity. Real life application of circumference of a circle formula to work out the circumference of the Earth using altitude, speed and orbital time of the International Space Station. A good extension task is to then find percentage error between this answer and actual answer. Teachers notes, internet links, the answer and workings are included, in both miles and kilometres, together with printer-friendly version of main slide.

A high school assembly presentation on the search for & implications of alien life. A 10-15 minute talk on various sensible aspects concerned with the question of alien life. Use the commentary alongside the presentation/link. This assembly was very well received by all yeargroups at my school and would also work well as a starting point for a citizenship, physics or applied science lesson.

This is a similar triangles activity based on the real life science behind a total solar eclipse. Use the inspiring context of what a total solar eclipse is and why it causes a path of shadow on the Earth to engage students in proportional reasoning. Easier and harder version of the main task each followed by several extension tasks including a metric/imperial measures exercise and a practical ‘pin hole camera’ activity where students calculate distance to and/or size of the sun. Two tasks, answers, lesson plan, lesson bullet points, internet links and eclipse map included.

GCSE higher extension, proportion activity. Mathematics, Physics cross-curricular task based on exploring Keplar’s third law. Students learn how to apply this to the planets, as they orbit the sun, and then to the moon, space station and geostationary satellites, as they orbit the Earth. Answers, internet links and lesson plan included.

KS2, KS3, GCSE Powerpoint animation about scale and sizes of various astronomical objects. How exactly do all of those astronomical things shape up? Which are bigger & which are smaller than others? This Powerpoint animation shows the relative sizes of planets, the solar system, our galaxy and beyond. Possible extensions include using a prompt to explore standard form and/or the speed of light. Open powerpoint, begin slideshow, prepare to discuss various concepts that arise. Pdf version also included.

KS2, KS3, GCSE enrichment, logical thinking, prime numbers. Inspired by Sir Patrick Moore, this activity prompts pupils to think about what kind of message we would send to aliens and how we would send it. After considering various issues, pupils complete a 'paint by numbers&' activity to see what Sir Patrick Moore recommends. A second, real life, extension task based on the Arecibo Message is also included. Answers and internet links included, plus a link to the message that NASA put aboard the Voyager spacecraft (the only spacecraft to leave our solar system).

KS3 (with support) & KS4, application of standard (right-angle) trigonometry and transformations of curves. This task involves students making and using measurements from Hubble Space Telescope images to determine Saturn’s orbital period and then transform the sin curve using the excel file to establish when it will next appear ‘edge-on’. Lots of geometrical reasoning, problem solving and ICT. Teachers notes, internet links, images, Excel file and Powerpoint animation included.