
Space
Levels 1 and 2

NZC Achievement Objectives

Te Mātauranga o Aotearoa
Astronomy: Discuss ideas about the Sun and the Moon and their effects on the Earth.
Ranginui: Ka whakawhitiwhiti whakaaro mō Tama-nui-terā me te Marama, me ngā pānga ki a Papatūānuku.

Learning Intentions

Integration Ideas
Learning Intentions are from the Ministry of Education
Integration ideas are from the Ministry of Education
Level 1
Discuss objects in space and the obvious patterns associated with them.
Students can discuss their ideas about the shape, colour, size, and distance from Earth of the Sun, planets, and stars.
The Arts (Drama): Establish an imaginary space, such as a forest, island, or cave, as the setting for dramatic play.
English (Reading and Viewing): Observe signs and symbols used to identify environmental features and discuss the way in which visual signs convey their meaning.

Related Topics
Resources

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.

Space out with Bill Nye to learn more about comets and meteors.
Link to video: https://www.schooltube.com/media/Bill_Nye_comets_and_meteors/1_b5vy1hun
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Comets and Meteors
Bill Nye The Science Guy
Space out with Bill Nye to learn more about comets and meteors.
Link to video: https://www.schooltube.com/media/Bill_Nye_comets_and_meteors/1_b5vy1hun

What makes a spinning top keep on spinning without falling over? Hint - it's the same type of force that keeps a spinning black hole turning too!
Level
1-4
Type
Video
How to make a spinning top
Nanogirl
What makes a spinning top keep on spinning without falling over? Hint - it's the same type of force that keeps a spinning black hole turning too!

Comets are spectacular objects that fly through space at great speeds. Simulate the path they fly and the way they react to the extreme conditions of space in this fun lesson plan.
Level
1-4
Type
Activity
Make a Comet
Science Kids
Comets are spectacular objects that fly through space at great speeds. Simulate the path they fly and the way they react to the extreme conditions of space in this fun lesson plan.

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.

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!

Learn about why the Sun is so important. Investigate the Sun’s heat and light energy and how it influences people on Earth.
Level
1-2
Type
Lesson Plan
Our Amazing Sun
Genesis School-Gen
Learn about why the Sun is so important. Investigate the Sun’s heat and light energy and how it influences people on Earth.

Read some fascinating facts about the planets that surround Earth in our solar system. Learn about gas giants such as Jupiter and Saturn as well as tiny planets such as Mercury.
Level
1-4
Type
Activity
Planet Facts
Science Kids
Read some fascinating facts about the planets that surround Earth in our solar system. Learn about gas giants such as Jupiter and Saturn as well as tiny planets such as Mercury.

This activity encourages the students to learn about the data coming from the solar panels and how weather and season influences their performance. The data tells the students how much electricity the solar panels are generating.
Level
1-2
Type
Lesson Plan
Solar Data – what can it show us?
Genesis School-Gen
This activity encourages the students to learn about the data coming from the solar panels and how weather and season influences their performance. The data tells the students how much electricity the solar panels are generating.

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

Think you're an expert on space and astronomy? Take our space test and find out! The questions will challenge your knowledge on a variety of interesting space topics.
Level
1-4
Type
Activity
Space Quiz
Science Kids
Think you're an expert on space and astronomy? Take our space test and find out! The questions will challenge your knowledge on a variety of interesting space topics.

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!

Kids will love learning a wide range of fun facts about space and astronomy. Teach them about moons, the solar system, stars and much more.
Level
1-4
Type
Activity
Space facts
Science Kids
Kids will love learning a wide range of fun facts about space and astronomy. Teach them about moons, the solar system, stars and much more.

The Sun is our closest star. It makes huge amounts of heat and light energy. This energy travels through space to Earth.
Level
1-2
Type
Poster
The Sun’s Amazing Energy
Genesis School-Gen
The Sun is our closest star. It makes huge amounts of heat and light energy. This energy travels through space to Earth.

Nanogirl goes on an adventure to find out what would happen if a person got sucked into a black hole. Link to experiment: https://youtu.be/R9yrADl5tAM
Level
1-4
Type
Podcast
What would happen if you got sucked into a black hole?
Nanogirl
Nanogirl goes on an adventure to find out what would happen if a person got sucked into a black hole. Link to experiment: https://youtu.be/R9yrADl5tAM