Michael Cripps - classroom projects

Are those stars or suns?

A literacy activity looking at the historical battle between the Geocentric and Heliocentric systems. Suitable for Science, History and English at KS4
Teachers' Notes | Evidence Cards | Student Brief

Basketball Earth

A KS3 and KS4 ICT/model-making resource for getting an appreciation of the relative sizes and distances involved in space travel between the Earth, Sun and Moon. This project is practical and fun and relates to the Earth and Beyond section of Sun|trek.
Teachers' Notes | Labels | Student Sheet | Spreadsheet

Earth-Sun-Moon-SOHO distances

A KS3 numeracy exercise in distances and speed. This project relates to the Earth and Beyond and Solar Spacecraft sections of Sun|trek.
Teachers' Notes | Student Brief

How big?

A KS4 ICT exercise to compare the sizes of stars. This section relates to the Sun as a Star section of Sun|trek.
Teachers' Notes | Spreadsheet

How far?

A KS4 ICT exercise to show the 3D spatial relationships between stars. This section relates to the Sun as a Star section of Sun|trek.
Teachers' Notes | Spreadsheet

Hubble’s universe

A KS3 or KS4 ICT and literacy exercise into the structure of the universe. This section relates to the Sun as a Star section of Sun|trek.
Teachers' Notes | Data | Student Brief | Spreadsheet

I am a star

An ICT resource that looks at the element composition of the human body and the origin of the elements. Can be used in KS3, K4 and above. This section relates to the Sun as a Star section of Sun|trek. Information on atoms, spectra and the chemical composition of the Sun can be found in the section Hot Solar Atmosphere: Fingerprints of Sun|trek.
Teachers' Notes | Data | Student Brief | Spreadsheet

Lava lamp Sun

A KS3 practical project involving speed and convection. This relates to convection processes taking place inside the Sun as discussed in the Solar Surface and Beneath: Energy Chain section of Sun|trek.
Teachers' Notes | PowerPoint | Student Brief

Measuring the diameter of our star

Daytime practical astronomy with simple equipment. Useful in KS3 and KS4 science and maths. This project is practical and fun and relates to the Sun as a Star of Sun|trek.
Teachers' Notes | Spreadsheet | Student Brief

Measuring the hours in a day

Daytime practical astronomy using a Sunspotter produced by Marcus Leuw. Useful in KS3 and KS4 science and maths. This relates to the Earth and Beyond section of Sun|trek.
Student Brief

Pinhead solar system

A practical and fun KS3 project, modelling the solar system in the school grounds. Object size and distances are on the same scale. This relates to the Earth and Beyond section of Sun|trek.
Teachers' Notes | Student Brief

Scaling the solar system

A KS3 ICT exercise on the relative sizes of planets. This relates to the Earth and Beyond section of Sun|trek.
Teachers' Notes | Student Brief

Solar tornadoes

Novel KS3 and KS4 investigations into speed and energy. Relates to real solar observations from SOHO.
Teachers' Notes | Extras | Student KS3 | Student KS4

Solar wind surfing

A KS4 project involving ICT web-based data logging and analysis using a real space observatory. Relates to the Solar Spacecraft section of Sun|trek
Teachers' Notes | Example Spreadsheet | Student Brief
Report Sheet | Example Report | Spreadsheet

Taking the temperature of the Sun

A KS4 practical exercise into energy from the Sun. Relates to the Solar Surface and Below and the Sun as a Star sections of Sun|trek.
Teachers' Notes | Data | Student Brief | Spreadsheet

What is your real star sign?

KS3 or KS4 modelling exercise to develop an understanding of the movements of the Earth. Relates to the Earth and Beyond section of Sun|trek.
Teachers' Notes | Zodiac | Student Brief | Constellation

Scavenger hunt KS3

Searching the Sun|trek site for interesting facts at KS3..
Teachers' Notes | Student Brief

Scavenger hunt KS4

Searching the Sun|trek site for interesting facts at KS4.
Teachers' Notes | Student Brief