Uk Space Agency
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 astronauts 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 Peakes video responses to pupils questions, hosted by the Attenborough Arts Centre
- Tim Peakes 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 Peakes Principia Mission, a Mars mission and the James Webb Space Telescope. Theyre available to purchase on the Curved Kids Discovery Diaries website.
Future Learns 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 Learns 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 projects UK website includes resource packs for teachers, STEM programmes and classroom exercises. It also has educational videos and competitions for students.
National Space Academys resources for teachers
The National Space Academys 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 UKSAs 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:
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 youre 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 scienc