If you've a budding astronaut or star gazer on your hands, a wealth of resources can help fuel their imagination.
Space exploration, astronauts, the moon landing and the solar system are fascinating subjects for kids to learn about. Many resources now exist to help them discover even more about the world beyond our own planet. It is also a topic covered in schools that parents can enjoy learning with their children at home, which is exactly what we did earlier this year.
The UK Space Agency learning zone supports the teaching of space topics covered in science and ICT at Key Stage 2. It includes sections for space cadets, space explorers and advanced explorers at increasing levels of difficulty.
The NASA Kids’ Club is full of colourful, interactive games including Buzz Lightyear Returns from Space which contains six missions to be completed, and Astro-Matic 3000 which calculates your age and weight on different plants and moons. It also contains interesting facts about the solar system.
The BBC provides more detailed information on the solar system, black holes, stars, space exploration and more. The site includes games, quizzes, video clips and an interactive space map. Astronomy for Kids contains facts and figures about planets, stars, comets and galaxies, and an impressive range of photos from the Hubble Space Telescope.
For kids keen on bringing space exploration to life, there are several places to visit in the UK. The National Space Centre in Leicestershire is the UK’s largest space visitor attraction and home to over 150 interactive experiences. Visitors can test if they have what it takes to be an astronaut, explore the universe, visit the Rocket Tower and become an astronaut on the Human Spaceflight.
The Glasgow Science Centre hosts a range of activities over three floors aimed at getting kids involved in science and technology. Visitors learn through workshops, exhibitions and science shows. The centre’s planetarium includes a Zeiss Starmaster projector allowing visitors impressive views of the night sky.
The Centre for Life in Newcastle has a Life Science Centre and planetarium which hold shows and exhibitions for families keen to learn more about space and the planets. The Science Museum in London has an Exploring Space gallery with rockets, satellites, space probes and landers including a full-sized replica of ‘Eagle’ which took astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin to the Moon.
Are your children budding astronauts? How have you helped them learn more about space?
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mum
11 July, 2010
Great ideas. I know someone who will love the NASA kids' club.
As you point out the Glasgow Science Centre is fab. There's also the Paisley Observatory where you can go and gaze at the stars - in the winter, obviously.
admin
12 July, 2010
I have a budding astronaut at home and I know he's also going to love the NASA page as he is in love with Buzz, and really into memory games too (he has a Toy Story one) so that will be a big hit.
We were fortunate enough to see the International Space Station fly over our house one evening which was very exciting and you can find out when it next flies over yours on the European Space Agency's site. You simply type in the name of your town and it tells you if any are due in the next couple of weeks. You can normally see it with the naked eye so no need for any fancy equipment.
Leigh
Ready for Ten Team