KS1 / KS2 Science - Rockets and astronauts

This film is from the series Little Stargazing available on BBC Teach.

Astronaut, Jeff Hoffman, helps the children launch their very own rockets and describes the feeling of weightlessness.

They then speak to NASA astronaut Bonnie Dunbar over an internet video call.

Bonnie answers their questions about living in space and shows them some amazing videos of astronauts in space.

Teacher Notes

This clip could be used to develop an awareness of space rockets and the work of astronauts.

The class could discuss together how the first men on the moon were part of the Apollo 11 mission, finding out about their rocket, Saturn V, which had three different sections, with a command or service module and a lunar module at the top.

Children could then make an air rocket from a small empty drinks carton.

Ask children to think about what an astronaut needs to be good at and encourage children to find out from books and the internet about how people become astronauts, and about the work they do in space.

Curriculum Notes

This clip will be relevant for teaching Physics or Science Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 in England and Northern Ireland, Key Stage 2 in Wales and First / Second Level in Scotland.

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