© ABC 2008

Space kids Space exploration has come a long way since the 1950s when animals were sent into space. These days space travel has become more common with some humans calling space home.

Focus Questions

1. Who was the first living creature to be sent into space? 2. Why do you think animals were sent into space? 3. What is the International Space Station? 4. How many countries have been involved in setting up the ISS? 5. What did students from a High School astronomy club learn about

living in space? 6. What question would you ask if you had the opportunity? 7. What sort of work do the astronauts do on the space station? 8. What is the aim of the seed project? 9. Predict what you think will happen. 10. What other seed experiments do you think they could have

conducted in space?

The pros and cons of space exploration Students will investigate the benefits and costs to humans of space exploration and research. Based on their research, students will create a news report (radio, print, television or online) about space exploration. The focus of the article will depend on their research. Ask students to complete the following chart as they go through the inquiry process. What do I know? What do I want to

know? How will I find out?

What I have learnt?

Students brainstorm the topic to determine what they know about space exploration and what they would like to find out. Possible questions to brainstorm/discuss include:

• Why explore space? • Is space travel too dangerous for humans?

EPISODE 27

23RD SEPTEMBER 2008

Learning Area

Science, English

Key learning

Students will explore and report on the benefits and costs to humanity of space exploration and research.

© ABC 2008

• Is too much money spent on space travel? • What are the benefits of space exploration?

Students then research the questions/issues generated from the brainstorming task. This will form the basis of their news report. The following websites will support students to write a news report.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/presspack/newsroom/writeareport.shtml http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/hh/writeideas/articles/0,28372,634430,00.html http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/press_corps/tips.asp

Reflection What were the parts of the inquiry you found enjoyable, difficult and interesting?

Further investigations

Analyse a planet for feasibility of life. Present your findings in a creative way.

Debate the following statement: ‘Australia should be more involved in space exploration’.

Give a detailed explanation of the following: gravity, galaxy and black holes.

Illustrate an event in space history.

Related Research Links

ABC Catalyst – Millennium Seed http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/2358723.htm NASA – International Space Station http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html ISS – Interactive guide http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/ISSRG/ Children’s BBC – International Space Station http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_1610000/newsid_1614400/1614431.stm Children’s BBC – Guide to Space http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_1590000/newsid_1595900/1595962.stm Space ThinkQuests http://www.thinkquest.org/library/cat_show.html?cat_id=169 Brainpop – Space animations http://www.brainpop.com/science/space/