This online resource introduces students to space exploration.

The resource is a Science ASSIST Connected Learning Experience (CLE) to help teach Year 5 students about the scale of the solar system and human exploration of space.

Description: In this investigation, students will use a model to represent the scale distances between objects in the solar system. Students will understand that scientific discoveries about space have been made by a range of people from different cultures, and that these have been used to solve problems that directly affect people’s lives on Earth. Students will conduct research on space exploration to determine whether space tourism is viable.

NOTE: This CLE is aimed at enhancing a unit already being taught on the solar system.

Learning intentions

Students will be able to:

• use a scale model to demonstrate the distances between the planets in our solar system;
• understand that a model is a representation of some aspect of the real world, which can be useful in developing our understanding of that aspect;
• understand the vast distances within the solar system;
• discuss how scientific discoveries in space have affected people’s lives;
• draw conclusions about the probability of space travel and space tourism.