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Orbits and Satellites
Levels 3 and 4
NZC Achievement Objectives
Te Mātauranga o Aotearoa
Astronomy: Learn about the parts of the solar system, including the planets and their moons, with a developing understanding of the distances involved, and the factors relating to space exploration.
Ranginui: Ka ako haere i ngā wāhanga o te whānau a Tama-nui-te-rā, tae atu ki ngā aorangi me ō rātou marama, e mārama haere ai ki ngā tawhiti, ki ngā āhuatanga hoki e pā ana ki te toro ātea.
Learning Intentions
Integration Ideas
Learning Intentions are from the Ministry of Education
Integration ideas are from the Ministry of Education
Level 3
Students can find information obtained from space exploration. They can use this information to suggest explanations for the characteristics of and environmental patterns associated with the Earth, the Sun, the Moon, and the planets in our solar system.
Level 4
Students can use binoculars, telescopes, and star maps to observe and describe the night sky. Such major features as the Moon, planets, prominent stars, and significant constellations.
Technology: Describe and identify the positive and negative effects of some instances of technologies on people’s lives and the environment eg. the effects of fast ferries on shorelines.
Related Topics
Resources
Talking with two experts: Dr Haki Tuaupiki from the University of Waikato, and Dr Ian Griffin from Otago Museum, Dr Michelle Dickinson will cover the concepts around our solar system and planets and carry out a hands-on experiment you can do at home.
Level
3-4
Type
Video
Astronomy: BREAKING IT DOWN Episode 12
Nanogirl
Talking with two experts: Dr Haki Tuaupiki from the University of Waikato, and Dr Ian Griffin from Otago Museum, Dr Michelle Dickinson will cover the concepts around our solar system and planets and carry out a hands-on experiment you can do at home.
Explore the topic of space in this fun, hands-on STEM lesson. Available free for teachers, it includes curriculum-matched teaching notes.
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Comet Catcher
Nanogirl
Explore the topic of space in this fun, hands-on STEM lesson. Available free for teachers, it includes curriculum-matched teaching notes.
In 2004, the European Space Agency sent a spacecraft (called Rosetta) to chase a rubber-ducky-shaped comet called Comet Churyumov-Gerasamenko/67P. In 2014, Rosetta caught up with Comet 67P and sent a lander (called Philae) down to the surface of the comet. Scientists are using the information Rosetta and Philae are sending back to figure out more about comets and other secrets of our solar system.
Level
3
Type
Book
Connected 2015 Level 3: ‘Catching a Space Duck’
Ministry of Education NZ
In 2004, the European Space Agency sent a spacecraft (called Rosetta) to chase a rubber-ducky-shaped comet called Comet Churyumov-Gerasamenko/67P. In 2014, Rosetta caught up with Comet 67P and sent a lander (called Philae) down to the surface of the comet. Scientists are using the information Rosetta and Philae are sending back to figure out more about comets and other secrets of our solar system.
Ms Maxwell sends her class on a treasure hunt. The students must use their prior knowledge of the electromagnetic spectrum to find out how different types of energy can be used in their everyday lives.
Level
3
Type
Book
Connected 2016 Level 3: ‘Over the Rainbow’
Ministry of Education NZ
Ms Maxwell sends her class on a treasure hunt. The students must use their prior knowledge of the electromagnetic spectrum to find out how different types of energy can be used in their everyday lives.
This detailed article looks at the science and politics of climate change. It examines what global warming is, explores how scientists use computer modelling to predict the impact of climate change, and explains how scientific innovations in New Zealand could help reduce our agricultural emissions.
Level
4
Type
Book
Connected 2017 Level 4: ‘Global Action’
Ministry of Education NZ
This detailed article looks at the science and politics of climate change. It examines what global warming is, explores how scientists use computer modelling to predict the impact of climate change, and explains how scientific innovations in New Zealand could help reduce our agricultural emissions.
In January 2018, New Zealand became one of only eleven countries that have successfully built and launched a rocket capable of sending satellites into space. This interview with Rocket Lab Avionics Manager Naomi Altman explains the science and technology behind that incredible achievement.
Level
4
Type
Book
Connected 2018 Level 4: ‘Kiwis in Space’
Ministry of Education NZ
In January 2018, New Zealand became one of only eleven countries that have successfully built and launched a rocket capable of sending satellites into space. This interview with Rocket Lab Avionics Manager Naomi Altman explains the science and technology behind that incredible achievement.
It doesn’t matter if it’s spring, summer, winter, or fall – Bill Nye is always in season.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9z-aGB3atg
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Earth's Seasons
Bill Nye The Science Guy
It doesn’t matter if it’s spring, summer, winter, or fall – Bill Nye is always in season.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9z-aGB3atg
Humans have always looked with wonder at the movement of celestial bodies in the sky. Investigate movement, size and scale by creating 3D models of the solar system.
Level
3
Type
Unit
Earth's place in space
Primary Connections
Humans have always looked with wonder at the movement of celestial bodies in the sky. Investigate movement, size and scale by creating 3D models of the solar system.
Next time you throw a ball in the air, and it doesn’t fly off into outer space, thank gravity.
Link to video: https://www.schooltube.com/media/Bill+Nye+Gravity/1_50ttw7hz
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Gravity
Bill Nye The Science Guy
Next time you throw a ball in the air, and it doesn’t fly off into outer space, thank gravity.
Link to video: https://www.schooltube.com/media/Bill+Nye+Gravity/1_50ttw7hz
Blast off in to space by building your own spaceship, space station or satellite. Kids will have fun with their project while they think more about what designs will work in the harsh conditions of space.
Level
1-4
Type
Activity
Make a Spaceship
Science Kids
Blast off in to space by building your own spaceship, space station or satellite. Kids will have fun with their project while they think more about what designs will work in the harsh conditions of space.
A sun inclinometer (in-cli-no-me-ter, try saying that three times fast!) helps us find the angle of the sun. Did you know that you can use the angle of the sun to tell the time and the season? Watch our video to make and test your own sun inclinometer at school or home.
Level
3-4
Type
Activity
Make a Sun Inclinometer
Genesis School-Gen
A sun inclinometer (in-cli-no-me-ter, try saying that three times fast!) helps us find the angle of the sun. Did you know that you can use the angle of the sun to tell the time and the season? Watch our video to make and test your own sun inclinometer at school or home.
As we celebrate Matariki and look to the night sky it's probably the perfect time to ask the question that has been challenging star gazers for years... Why does the moon change shape?
Level
1-2
Type
Video
Moon: Why does the moon change its shape?
Suzy's World
As we celebrate Matariki and look to the night sky it's probably the perfect time to ask the question that has been challenging star gazers for years... Why does the moon change shape?
The Moon is big. Not as big as the Earth, but still pretty huge. Sometimes the Moon looks bigger than usual, but it’s always the same size. Try this!
Level
1-4
Type
Experiment
Once in a Mega-Moon
Bill Nye The Science Guy
The Moon is big. Not as big as the Earth, but still pretty huge. Sometimes the Moon looks bigger than usual, but it’s always the same size. Try this!
When the Space Shuttle orbits the Earth, it goes really fast — about 11 kilometers (7 miles) every second. You can make a marble ORBIT like the SPACE SHUTTLE!
Level
1-4
Type
Experiment
Orbiting Marbles
Bill Nye The Science Guy
When the Space Shuttle orbits the Earth, it goes really fast — about 11 kilometers (7 miles) every second. You can make a marble ORBIT like the SPACE SHUTTLE!
Did you know that te rā (the sun) will cast a shadow in the same direction at the same time of day, every sunny day of the year? In Aotearoa, during the middle of the day the sun is always to raki (the North), although its height changes through the year. This means it can help us tell direction, date and time!
Level
1-4
Type
Activity
Solar Clock
Whenua Iti Outdoors
Did you know that te rā (the sun) will cast a shadow in the same direction at the same time of day, every sunny day of the year? In Aotearoa, during the middle of the day the sun is always to raki (the North), although its height changes through the year. This means it can help us tell direction, date and time!
Bill Nye is spacing out – with space exploration.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5ARFPYGGZk&list=PLC1A0KOYvlM7HWpQfsCu2z-PkwUHfn10S&index=2
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Space Exploration
Bill Nye The Science Guy
Bill Nye is spacing out – with space exploration.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5ARFPYGGZk&list=PLC1A0KOYvlM7HWpQfsCu2z-PkwUHfn10S&index=2
Nanogirl wants to travel to SPACE! Join her as she investigates everything she'll need to survive her first superhero space mission!
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Space Superpower Series
Nanogirl
Nanogirl wants to travel to SPACE! Join her as she investigates everything she'll need to survive her first superhero space mission!