Key Stage 2 Space and Rockets workshop
Learn about the wonders of the space race with a brilliant rocket launch finale!
THIS SCIENCE WORKSHOP
AT A GLANCE
National Curriculum suggested year:
Any KS2 classes who are covering Earth and Space or Forces topics
Duration:
Half day for single class or full day for several classes
NC objectives covered:
Earth and space / Forces associated objectives
Suitable for between one and three classes over the course of the day, our popular "Space adn Rockets" KS2 science workshop is an excellent way for pupils to learn about the forces of thrust, gravity and air resistance (ie drag) involved in lifting a rocket from the ground shared with similar acticvities to our "Spaceman" and "KS2 Rocket Challenge" workshops.
Pupils also learn about earth and space via the history of manned space flight in an exciting and inspiring day of related themed activities.
As per all our science workshops, it is also history based, with an all important timeline running through the initial presentation and also referred to throughout the rest of the activities to add context to the pupils' learning and make it a truly worthwhile and educational experience.
Activities in this workshop
1) Interactive 'Space race' presentation
The workshop starts with a presentation featuring HD videos, scale models, front of class demonstrations involving pupils and the handling of actual space flown items from the Apollo 11 moon mission and space shuttle (see video above).
Front of class activities include:
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testing the strength of the type of gold Kapton foil used in the moon landings;
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using models to show the (surprising) distance between the earth and the moon
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guessing mystery objects actually flown in space missions and
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finding out what it was like to sit in Yuri Gagarin's seat at the top of his Vostok 1 rocket.
There is also an interactive timeline (as included in all our science school workshops) to show the important chronology of the space race between the USSR and the USA.
2) Making and launching powerful paper rockets!
The next activity really gets pupils thinking about forces as they design and make their own paper space rockets before launching them using our own compressed air launcher, either outside or inside dependent on the weather.
After a brief demonstration, it is up to pupils to decide how to modify their designs for the highest or most accurate flight before entering a competition against their class mates. This is an activity that can be adapted to indoors in poor weather simply by aiming at targets rather than going for height.
As you can imagine this is a VERY popular activity!