Space-related educational resources
These include lesson plans for teachers, other resources for the classroom as well as exercises and activities for home learning for both children and adults.
UK Space Agency and NASA Perseverance
Arrange a school visit or experience
Welcome a STEM Ambassador
Bring science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects to life in your classroom with the help of a STEM Ambassador. These volunteers come from a wide range of STEM-related jobs and disciplines across the UK, including the space sector.
Borrow the Moon
Get a box containing a slice of moon rock, meteorite samples and related learning activities for up to a week through the Borrow the Moon programme. The scheme books up well in advance, so apply early.
Connect with an astronaut
Invite a European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut to participate in an interview, video or public appearance through the Public Appearance Request Organisation System (PAROS). Astronauts are in high demand, so make sure to inquire well in advance.
Make radio contact with the International Space Station (ISS)
Your students can use amateur radio to ask astronauts aboard the ISS up to 20 questions through ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) Europe. There is usually a waiting list of 6 to 12 months, so apply early.
Get classroom resources
Tim Peake: Principia
Principia was British ESA astronaut’s 6 month mission aboard the International Space Station in 2015/16. There are a wide range of space-related educational resources related to the mission, including:
- Tim Peake’s video responses to pupils’ questions, hosted by the Attenborough Arts Centre
- Tim Peake’s written responses to frequently asked questions on his Principia blog, hosted by ESA
- a full live lesson Tim Peake delivered from the ISS in 2016, watched by nearly half a million pupils
- STEM subject teaching resources related to the Principia mission, curated by ESERO-UK
Curved Kids Discovery Diaries
These comic book activities get primary students engaged in STEM subjects by focusing on Tim Peake’s Principia Mission, a Mars mission and the James Webb Space Telescope. They’re available to purchase on the Curved Kids Discovery Diaries website.
Future Learn’s space-related courses for teachers
Teaching Primary Science: Human Space Flight shows primary teachers how to use the topic of human spaceflight to engage pupils across the science curriculum.
Future Learn’s Physics, Astronomy and Space: Teaching Secondary Science shows teachers how to teach students about physics, space science, and astronomy while giving them transferable skills.
James Webb Space Telescope
Learn about the James Webb Space Telescope, launched in 2021 to study the formation of galaxies and the composition of distant solar systems. A resources network on the project’s UK website includes resource packs for teachers, STEM programmes and classroom exercises. It also has educational videos and competitions for students.
National Space Academy’s resources for teachers
The National Space Academy’s resources page features lesson starter clips on astrobiology, space-themed videos in support of STEM lessons and much more.
Spaceport UK
Teachers of primary science and maths can download the UK Space Agency’s Spaceport UK resource from the STEM Learning website. Its 8 activities focus on the development of a UK spaceport and the launch of satellites into orbit and involve geography, science and engineering.
STEM teaching tools from ESERO-UK
The European Space Education Research Office, UK branch, (ESERO-UK) offers teachers and parents resources that use space as a context for teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Among the school projects for the 2021-22 school year are:
Logo Lift Off!
Logo Lift Off! was a UK Space Agency competition for primary school children to design a logo to go on the first rockets launched from UK spaceports. As part of entering, children were required to learn about climate change, and how small satellites could help us reduce its impacts.
Though the competition has now closed, there are a number of resources including lesson plans and experiments available, covering topics on: climate change, extreme weather, satellite imaging and data, orbit, planetary weather and the Solar System, and ocean temperature monitoring.
Learn outside the classroom
Browse a collection of space facts
The independent Space Facts website gathers a collection of scientific, historical and cultural facts about space, galaxies, the planets and other objects in the solar system.
Discover ‘Destination Space’ Mission Modules
Try the free Destination Space learning exercises for families and young people. Created by the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC), its modules run the gamut from ‘Spot astronauts in space’ to ‘Learn about astronaut toilet training’.
Earn a Scouts Astronautics Activity Badge
Even if you’re not in Scouts, you can learn a lot about space by completing free activities like:
- Is there life out there?
- Satellite insight
- Operation research rover
- Wacky worlds
- Create a planetscape
- Astronaut pudding
Escape from the International Space Station!
In this satellite-themed escape room challenge, children ages 7 to 11 solve puzzles while they learn about satellites. Created by the Centre for Satellite Data in Environmental Science (SENSE), this resource supports the science and geography curriculum
Explore the ISS in augmented reality
Download AR Adventure in Space, the app that takes you on a multilayered walk-through of the ISS, narrated by astronaut Tim Peake. The app is free to download.
Explore the National Space Academy’s resources for students
The National Space Academy’s resources page includes a wide range of videos and interactive experiences for students’ home learning. These include films about the visionaries who helped pave the way for space exploration, an interactive tour of the ISS, and much more.
Get pictures from the ISS and become a radio pro
Astronauts aboard the ISS regularly transmit images back to earth using amateur radio. Watch this video from the ESA to learn how to receive these in real-time at home using a browser-based radio receiver.
Take the Astro Science Challenge
By getting them to complete a series of learning-based missions, the Astro Science Challenge app will inspire children ages 7 to 11 to learn more about STEM subjects.
Watch OAK National Academy videos about space
Teachers can use these video lessons as part of distance learning for STEM subjects. Just search the Oak National Academy website for terms such as ‘space’, ‘the solar system’, ‘stars and constellations’ or ‘satellites and rockets’.
Watch the ‘Tim Talks Space’ video series
Visit the UK Space Agency’s Youtube channel to watch Tim Peake interview special guests about rocket science, satellites and planets, and a range of other exciting subjects.
Further and higher education
Apply for a scholarship to the International Space University
UK citizens can apply for a UKSA-funded scholarship to participate in one of the International Space University’s programmes of study. These range from short courses for professionals to a Master of Space Studies degree.
Enrol in an online aerospace engineering course
edX offers online courses in aerospace engineering and other space-related subjects. There are both free courses and ones with tuition fees, and some lead to accreditation.
Take a free online space science course
Open Learn offers free online courses in astronomy, engineering and technology, including Microgravity: Living on the International Space Station.
Awards and competitions
Get funding for your space-related educational project
Have an idea for an educational project that capitalises on the inspirational value of space? The Space for All community award scheme makes grants of up to £10,000 available for winning proposals. The deadline for proposals for the 2022 scheme was 18 February.
Share your ideas on how satellites can improve life on Earth
The deadline for entering the UK Space Agency’s SatelLife Competition 2022 was 17 March 2022. Watch this space for announcements on winning entries and future competitions.
Last updated 22 January 2024 + show all updates
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Under the 'Get classroom resources' heading, a subheading for Logo Lift Off! has been added. It links to a page with teacher resources covering topics relating to climate change. The activity 'Exercise with Tim Peake aboard the ISS' has been removed.
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Added date of close for open call.
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Added rocketry competition call.
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First published.