Earth in Space Incursion (Levels 5/6)

Ever wanted to explore space? Our out of this world ‘Earth in space’ incursion allows students to do just that! In this fantastic 90-minute incursion, students identify the planets in the solar system, model the relative sizes of the sun and planets, and investigate the forces that hold planets in their orbit. This incursion provides students with a thorough understanding of the solar system, forces, heat, light, atmosphere, movement, and position. Students learn about the forces required to launch a rocket into space and investigate the possible challenges that would be faced if humans were to live in space or on other planets. Our passionate science educators carefully guide students through each step, prompting students to predict, observe and reflect on each activity.

• Students investigate the forces involved around Earth and the Solar System.
• Students gain an awareness of forces, heat, light, atmosphere, movement, and position.

• Discussing prior knowledge of space and our place in it.
• Experiencing the pressure of the air around us.
• Identifying the planets of the Solar System and their order from the sun.
• Modelling the relative sizes of the Sun and planets.
• Using a scale model to show the relative distances of each planet from the sun and how long it takes each planet to complete an orbit.
• Investigating the forces that hold planets in their orbit including gravity and centripetal forces.
• Modelling Earth’s rotation and orbit to explore regular changes such as day and night and the seasons.
• Investigating Earth’s unique atmosphere and learning how it protects us and gives the sky colours.
• Learning about space exploration and exploring the forces needed to launch a rocket.

• Earth is part of a system of planets orbiting around a star (the Sun) (VCSSU078).
• Sudden geological changes or extreme weather conditions can affect Earth’s surface (VCSSU079).
• Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to inform personal and community decisions and to solve problems that directly affect people’s lives (VCSSU073).
• Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations (VCSIS086).
• Communicate ideas and processes using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena and to identify simple cause-and-effect relationships (VCSIS088).