The PostcardsFromSpace postcards themselves offer material that will stretch students’ vocabulary and scientific literacy. Especially:
PostcardsFromSpace!
The PostcardsFromSpace series takes in the Solar System. Junior astronaut Tanno, and their spacedog, Iguda, will send a series of 12 postcards straight to your home.
Learn MoreSchools PackagePostcardsFromSpace Educational Benefits
Year 5 Programme of Study:
- describe the movement of the Earth and other planets relative to the sun in the solar system
- describe the movement of the moon relative to the Earth
- describe the sun, Earth and moon as approximately spherical bodies
- explain that unsupported objects fall towards the Earth because of the force of gravity acting between the Earth and the falling object
- identifying scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments
- reporting and presenting findings from enquiries, including conclusions, in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations
KS3 Programme of Study:
- gravity force, weight = mass x gravitational field strength (g), on Earth g=10 N/kg, different on other planets and stars; gravity forces between Earth and Moon, and between Earth and sun (qualitative only)
- our sun as a star, other stars in our galaxy, other galaxies
PostcardsFromSpace Content
Each card features a different location with fun facts and the next instalment of Tanno and Iguda’s story. A QR code printed on the card links to a “secret” web page detailing fun activities and further learning.
Location
Activity
Skills & Learning
Equipment needed
The Moon
Design Moon Mission Patch
Research; history of science; space missions; drawing
Drawing pens and paper
Venus
Draw design for base on Venus
Research; properties of space object; planning; space missions; drawing
Poster making materials, pens and paper
Mercury
Poster about five craters on Mercury
Research; internet searching; space objects; cultural history; poster making
Poster making materials, pens and paper
The Sun
Write TV news script for solar eclipse story
Research; storyboarding; writing to a certain audience; creating video content;
Pens and paper (extension possibility: video recording)
Mars
Write fantasy journey to Mars, with illustrations
Creative writing; cultural history; drawing
Drawing pens and paper
Asteroids
Poster about asteroid Vesta
Research; source credibility; fact checking; poster making
Poster making materials, pens and paper
Jupiter
Research plan to search for life on Europa
Research; properties of space object; planning; space missions; experiment reporting
Report writing materials, drawing pens and paper
Saturn
Making model of Cassini probe.**
Following instructions; model making
Paper/card, scissors, tape, printer
Uranus
Mythology research and invention
Research; internet searching; space objects; cultural history; drawing
Report writing materials, drawing pens and paper
Neptune
Modelling the solar system.
Scale calculations; modelling; model making; the planets;
Tape measure, pens and paper, paper scissors
Pluto
Plan a new mission to the Kuiper Belt, including map.
Research; the range of space objects; planning; space missions; experiments; map and chart drawing
Report writing materials, pens and paper
Earth
Draw tree diagram for biological classifications of living things.
Research; biological kingdoms of life; classification systems;
Poster making materials, pens and paper
**adult supervision/help required