Classroom Kit / Chapter Five: To Boldly Go
Download: www.principiaspacediary.org/lessons/chapter-five
CLASSROOM KIT
FOR TEACHERS, PARENT AND CARERS
ABOUT THIS CHAPTER
• This chapter of the Principia Mission Space Diary looks at space exploration history – both manned and
robotic. It encourages students to think about space history and the part that they could play in future
exploration – as a scientist, engineer or as a space resident. Children today may well be part of the
Mars Generation, who could one day live and work on other planets. It also offers students a chance to
think about the role of robots in space as explorers, co-workers and as vehicles.
• We are so lucky this month to have Professor Stephen Hawking to introduce the concept of space
exploration. This wonderful video is co-produced with Lucy Hawking and invites our young Space Apprentices to come up with ideas and designs for their own space habitats. Professor Hawking thinks we
may just need these ideas some day, to find a home for humans other than Earth.
• Timing: Complete this chapter any time during May or early June, 2016.
• Number of activities: 3
• Themes and STEM Linkages: Literacy, creative writing, art, technology history, science, computing,
research and reporting.
RUNNING THE ACTIVITIES
The activities in this chapter create an opportunity for students to think about space exploration: past,
present and future. Additional information for the Making History activity is available at the end of these
teaching notes.
If you have a museum, observatory or science centre in your area, you might like to plan an excursion. You
may also wish to contact your local university or branch of the Institution of Engineering and Technology,
which has ambassadors and an excellent range of online resources: http://www.theiet.org/resources/teachers/.
A list of science centres in the UK is available at: http://sciencecentres.org.uk/centres/.
SHARING YOUR WORK
It’s been exciting to read more creative writing pieces from our Space Apprentices this month, and to
receive some blog posts too. A big thank you particularly to the Hillmead Primary School Gardening Club
for updating us on your space adventures adventures and projects. We’re excited to see what your students got up to during Science Week too. Send photos of your students’ work to our Space Diary Feed
(http://principiaspacediary.org/mission-feed/) by using the hashtag #spacediary on Twitter, Facebook and
Instagram. Just remember to only include pictures on the Mission Feed that have permission clearances
from parents/guardians.
QUESTIONS?
Feel free to email the publishing team at Curved House Kids: Kristen, Lucie or Alice. We are here to
help! [email protected]
Classroom Kit / Chapter Five: To Boldly Go
Download: www.principiaspacediary.org/lessons/chapter-five
ACTIVITY 1: SPACE TIMELINE
The space timeline in the diary starts at 1950 and
children are invited to include the birth dates
of family and friends. This provides an excellent
opportunity for children to interview people about
their favourite space memories, and to research
different space anniversaries.
You might like to discuss timeline scale with your
Space Apprentices, to help them understand where
to plot different dates along the timeline. You could
demonstrate this by drawing a chalk timeline in
your playground covering the years your students
were born and asking them to stand in the spot that
represents their birthdate.
ADDENDUM: On the timeline, the date 2004 should read 2001, the correct date for the first official space
tourist, American businessman Dennis Tito. For details of the events marked on the timeline, see page 5 of
this document.
QUESTIONS FOR THE CLASS
• What other events could be included in the timeline: first woman in space, first spacewalk, first animals
in space?
• What do you think could happen between 2016 and 2020 in space travel?
• There are also some very sad events that have happened with the Columbia and Space Shuttle
disasters. How have these events affected space travel?
• The Voyager missions each took a Golden Record to space, filled with sounds and images of Earth.
What would you put on a Golden Record to explain our planet?
• Which other British born astronauts have visited space and when? Research Michael Foale, Nick
Patrick, Richard Garriott, Piers Sellers.
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Find pictures of Pluto and the planets taken during the Voyager and New Horizons missions (see Helpful
Links below).
Space Apprentices can bring their timeline to life by adding pictures, quotes and mission patches to it. You
might like to make a timeline on the classroom wall which all students can add to, or you can investigate
and create your own interactive timeline using an app like the one available at: http://www.readwritethink.
org/classroom-resources/mobile-apps/timeline-b-31047.html.
HELPFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES
Timelines of space are available at: http://www.spacekids.co.uk/spacehistory/ and
http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/space-exploration-timeline-dfd0454b-b6c7-4d07-9de0262e90abc550
A short animated clip on the history of space exploration is available at: https://youtu.be/_hO6WpwFpf8
Images from the Voyager missions are available at: voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/
Images from the New Horizons mission to Jupiter and the Kuiper Belt are available at: https://www.nasa.
gov/mission_pages/newhorizons/images
Classroom Kit / Chapter Five: To Boldly Go
Download: www.principiaspacediary.org/lessons/chapter-five
ACTIVITY 2: SPACE HABITAT
This activity encourages Space Apprentices to think
about a planet to make their home. You may want
to discuss things like the ‘Goldilocks Zone’ and the
conditions we need for successful life on another
planet. Encourage students to consider things like
the atmosphere on the planet, its temperatures,
gravitational forces, the availability of water and the
length of day and night.
Students can create and draw their space city but
you can also use Lego or craft materials to model
a future habitat in 3D. Students might also enjoy
using cartoon or drawing apps to help them imagine
their city of the future, using programmes such
as Startopia (https://www.mobygames.com/game/startopia) and the Kerbal Space Programme (https://
kerbalspaceprogram.com/en/).
You might also want to revisit the information about planets in our solar system, on the Curved House Kids
blog: http://curvedhousekids.com/exploring-our-solar-system/
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Watch our introductory video for this month and ask students to consider why we might need to design
space habitats. Professor Stephen Hawking offers a few ideas that may provoke a conversation about our
planet, the environment and how we can protect and preserve our Earth.
To look at how imagination could become reality, discuss science fiction films and books such as The
Martian, Star Trek, 2001 Space Odyssey.
Using Google Maps Mars (http://www.google.com/mars/), choose a location for a Martian settlement.
QUESTIONS FOR THE CLASS
• How would you grow food on your new home?
• What sort of rules and laws would you want on the planet?
• What are the pros and cons of settling on another planet?
HELPFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES
Information about the further exploration of Mars is available at: http://www.marssociety.org
Buzz Aldrin has recorded a message for our future space explorers here: http://buzzaldrin.com/space-vision/generation-mars/
Classroom Kit / Chapter Five: To Boldly Go
Download: www.principiaspacediary.org/lessons/chapter-five
ACTIVITY 3: ROBOTS IN SPACE
Robots are really useful in space. They can do lot
of different jobs, some of which are too difficult or
dangerous for humans. Here are some examples:
Robonaut is a robot that will one day be used for
spacewalks or extravehicular activities. The robonaut
has a humanoid shape and is controlled by a human
operator with a computer. Robonaut 2 – or R2 – flew
to the ISS in 2011. R2 has hands and fingers like a
human, and can perform tasks which involve a high
level of dexterity. Engineers and scientists are now
developing legs for R2, so that it can perform tasks
inside and outside the ISS.
Robotic Arms are used to help handle cargo and
inspect the ISS and spacecraft for damage. The
current robotic arm on the ISS is called the Canadarm 2. It is 17.6 metres long and weighs 1800kg. It can
lift up to 116,000kg! It is a clever system which can relocate itself and move like an inchworm to reach
different parts of the ISS.
Space probes are spacecraft that can explore other planets, asteroids or comets without the need for
astronauts. Controlled by humans on Earth, they provide information about temperatures, radiation,
magnetic fields, what a planet’s atmosphere is made of, soil composition and the presence of water.
Space telescopes, like the Hubble Space Telescope http://hubblesite.org, have provided breathtaking
images of the solar system. The Hubble Telescope will be replaced by the James Webb Space Telescope
http://www.jwst.nasa.gov in 2018. These telescopes have helped us find out about the birth and death of
stars, and the existence of exoplanets.
Moon buggies are also known as Lunar Roving Vehicles (LRVs) and were used in 1971 and 1972 to extend
the distance that astronauts could explore on the Moon, during the Apollo missions.
Mars Rovers have been used to explore and map the red planet. There are some great links including
videos set to music on http://cosmonline.facultimedia.com/mars-challenge-resources.
There is a family of Mars rovers who have been exploring and mapping Mars. These include Spirit and
Opportunity and Curiosity. Space Apprentices can follow Curiosity’s adventures at: http://mars.nasa.gov/
msl/ and http://mars.nasa.gov/mer/home/.
QUESTIONS FOR THE CLASS
•
•
•
•
Should robots or humans explore other planets?
What would you let a robotic companion do for you? What wouldn’t you let it do for you?
What is your favourite type of space robot? Why?
Why would you want to send a robotic probe to the distant planets, rather than humans?
HELPFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES
Information about robonauts: http://robonaut.jsc.nasa.gov/ISS/
ESA information about the ISS robotic arm: http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/International_Space_Station/European_Robotic_Arm
Information about the exploration of Mars: http://exploration.esa.int/mars/
Classroom Kit / Chapter Five: To Boldly Go
Download: www.principiaspacediary.org/lessons/chapter-five
EXTENSION INFORMATION FOR ACTIVITY 1: MAKING HISTORY
4 October 1957: The Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I. The world’s first artificial satellite
was about the size of a beach ball (58cm or 22.8 inches in diameter), weighing only 83.6kg or 183.9
pounds, and took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth on its elliptical path. Each year, World Space Day is
celebrated on October 4.
12 April 1961: Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to venture into space. Yuri said on
his return:
“Circling the Earth in my orbital spaceship I marveled at the beauty of our planet. People of
the world, let us safeguard and enhance this beauty — not destroy it!”
Each year on April 12th, there is a celebration of this first flight and the inaugural launch of the first Space
Shuttle, which happened on 12 April 1981. Astronauts on the ISS celebrate this anniversary too. You can
find a range of resources at: https://yurisnight.net.
20 July 1969: Apollo 11 landed on the moon having launched from Cape Kennedy on July 16.
Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin
“Buzz” Aldrin were the crew. On this day, an estimated 530 million people watched Armstrong’s televised
image and heard his voice say, “...one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”
20 August 1977: Voyager 2 launched on this date from Cape Canaveral, Florida aboard a Titan-Centaur
rocket. On September 5, Voyager 1 launched. Voyager 1 and 2 explored all the giant planets of the outer
solar system. Each Voyager probe contained a gold-plated copper record with sounds and images as a
greeting to potential intelligent life forms and to explain Earth. Find out more about the Golden Records:
http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/spacecraft/goldenrec.html
20 February 1986: The Soviet Proton launcher boosted Mir’s Base Block into space. Mir means ‘peace’
in Russian. Mir was the predecessor to the ISS and initiated international collaboration and joint missions.
It docked with NASA’s Atlantis Space Shuttle for the first time in 1995. Over its lifetime, the space station
hosted 125 cosmonauts and astronauts from 12 different nations. It also became famous for some near
disasters including a fire in space.
18 May 1991: At the age of 27, Helen Sharman became the first Briton in space. Helen came from
Sheffield and worked as a chemist for Mars Confectionary. Helen secured her place in space in 1989 after
answering an advertisement: “Astronaut wanted. No experience necessary.” Helen was chosen from over
13,000 applicants to join the Russian scientific space mission, Project Juno. This year (2016) also marks the
25th anniversary of Helen Sharman’s visit to the Russian Space Station Mir.
31 October 2000: Expedition One became the first permanent crew to man the ISS. The crew was made
up of two Russians – Soyuz commander Yuri Gidzenko and flight engineer Sergei Krikalev – and the
American Space Station Commander Bill Shepherd.
28 April 2001: This date marked the start of space tourism, when American businessman Dennis Tito
became the first private space participant and tourist to visit the ISS. Tito launched aboard a Russian Soyuz
spacecraft thanks to a $20 million deal brokered by the American company Space Adventures.
21 June 2004: Mike Melvill made aviation history by piloting the first privately financed vehicle into space.
In this year, the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act was passed in the US, bringing US civilians
closer to their dreams of space travel.
July 2015: The New Horizons mission launched in January 2006 but only reached Pluto in July 2015. It
sent some amazing pictures of Pluto and its moons.
15 December 2015: Tim Peake launches from Baikonaur to become the first official British ESA Astronaut
to visit the International Space Station.
Classroom Kit / Chapter Five: To Boldly Go
Download: www.principiaspacediary.org/lessons/chapter-five
- MISSION CONTROL YOUR NOTES
Brought to you by Curved House Kids
www.curvedhousekids.com
ABOUT THE SPACE DIARY PROJECT
The Principia Mission Space Diary is a STEM-literacy project published by Curved House Kids. The content
has been developed by author Lucy Hawking and publisher Kristen Harrison at Curved House Kids with
research and puzzle creation from Peter McOwan at the Centre of Public Engagement, Queen Mary
University of London. Ben Hawkes, illustrator extraordinaire, has brough this book to life with his wonderful
illustrations.
This supported learning programme runs for six months and is designed to strengthen literacy and
visual literacy skills, while engaging children in STEM learning. Monthly teaching notes provide a flexible
framework for teachers to develop their own lesson plans.
CAN WE HELP YOU MAKE THE MOST OF THE PRINCIPIA MISSION?
Is there anything we can do to help you make the most of Tim Peake’s Mission? Are there improvements
we can make to these teaching notes to help you plan your lessons?
Please get in touch with [email protected] if you have any feedback, comments or need a little
support with your project. We are here to help and so are the Principia team over at principia.org.uk, the
ESERO UK network of Space Ambassadors and all of the other Principia Mission education projects that
you will find here: https://principia.org.uk/get-involved/.
From us and Astronaut Tim, thank you for being part of this historical mission.
THIS PROJECT IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:
#spacediary
www.principiaspacediary.org