Astronomy Websites for Schools

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Armagh Observatory http://www.arm.ac.uk

Armagh Planetarium http://www.armaghplanet.com

UNAWE International http://www.unawe.org/

UNAWE UK http://uk.unawe.org/

http://www.unawe.org/resources/edu UNAWE Educational Material cation/

UNAWE Activity Sheets - upcoming area of http://www.unawe.org/resources/act website - may not be live yet ivities/ http://star.arm.ac.uk/~lmk/Armagh- Our Creativity video Observatory-CreativityNI.mp4 Universe in a box activity book, don’t forget zip http://www.unawe.org/resources/edu cation/Universe_in_Box_activityboo

file has the images to use k/ Kepler/NASA information - exoplanet counter in

http://kepler.nasa.gov/education/ gold bar http://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/features/st BBC Stargazing LIVE argazing/star-guides.shtml

Armagh Observatory FETTU Posters http://star.arm.ac.uk/fettu/

http://sciencenetlinks.com/media/fil Moon phase worksheet er/2011/10/14/moon_worksheet.html

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/c Paper plate resources rafts/stars/

ESA for younger kids: follow Paxi http://www.esa.int/esaKIDSen/Lifei

nSpace.html

ESA Materials – online http://www.esa.int/Education

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Lesso ESA Education ns_online/index.html

http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/news/w NASA Mars Rover Curiosity: latest info hatsnew/ http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/ UFO paper bowl craft for kids outer-space-

crafts.html#paperplateufo Heavens Above, configure your location "From

Database" on page that opens and save as your http://www.heavens-above.com home location

Beautiful time Lapse of ISS journey over Earth http://vimeo.com/61487989

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http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/aro Views from the International Space Station (ISS) und-the-world-in-90-minutes/

http://www.iau.org/public/constellati IAU Origin of the Constellations ons/ http://www.jodrellbank.manchester.a Details of the night sky each month c.uk/astronomy/nightsky/nskyaug12.

html http://uk.eu- Send your school message into space in 2013!!! unawe.org/updates/gathering/

ASTROEDU peer-reviewed astronomy education http://astroedu.iau.org/ activities Jocelyn Bell Burnell and John Stewart Bell are http://www.jurysinns.com/hotels/bel fast/unsung-heroes featured on the 'Unsung Heroes of Belfast' list http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkid NASA Kids s/kidsclub/flash/index.html

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/ Keep up with Kepler discoveries with NASA kepler/main/index.html

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree NASA Picture of the Day index .html

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepi NASA Picture of the Day archive x.html

http://www.unawe.org/activity/eu- UNAWE DIY Solar System, icosahedrons unawe1328/ http://education.scholastic.co.uk/sea Scholastic, buy books or download very useful rch/search?age_type=&log=t&now=qu worksheets ery&search%5Bquery%5D=space&sea

rch%5Bsection_id%5D=

Irish Astronomical Association http://irishastro.org.uk/

Astronomy Ireland http://astronomy.ie/

http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/alert Aurora alerts to your email s http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/tv/starg BBC Universe Through Time poster azinglive/sgl_universe_through_time.

pdf http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.h Eclipse table – Sun and Moon tml

Hubble Space Telescope Gallery http://hubblesite.org

Nine Planets, general audience information http://nineplanets.org

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary Planet factsheet from NASA /factsheet

http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ NASA young astronomers StarChild/StarChild.html

http://www.atnf.csiro.au/research/A What is Aboriginal Astronomy? boriginalAstronomy/whatis.htm

http://www.dcalni.gov.uk/quick_links- DCAL NI Learning Strategy dcal_learning_strategy

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Discover Science and Engineering (DSE) http://www.discover-science.ie/

http://www.discover- DSE links with ESERO science.ie/programmes-and-

audiences/esero-and-dse http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/video/index. Mars Rover Landing Video php?id=1090 http://star.arm.ac.uk/~mdp/IYA- beyond/news/universe- Nursery Age Star Movie – slow to download awareness/nursery-astronomy-

mov.mov http://tools.atozteacherstuff.com/w Word search generators ord-search-maker/wordsearch.php

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/ BBC’s Explore the solar system solarsystem http://www.childrensuniversity.manc Children's University Manchester - Astronomy hester.ac.uk/interactives/science/ea

rthandbeyond/ http://science.nasa.gov/science- Near Mars Comet October 2014 news/science-at-

nasa/2013/26mar_marscomet/ http://www.guardian.co.uk/teacher- network/2012/sep/28/teaching-education-ideas- Ideas from other countries from-other- countries?newsfeed=true&utm_source=buffer&bu

ffer_share=77254

Stellarium, the sky at your location - downloadable http://www.stellarium.org

Royal Astronomical Society http://www.ras.org.uk/

Teacher's Pet (currently £12 per year http://activities.tpet.co.uk/#/Searc subscription) h/space http://aer.aas.org/resource/1/aersc Music inspired by Astronomy z/v11/i1/p010303_s1?view=fulltext

http://dingo.care2.com/cards/flash/ Monty Python Galaxy Song 5409/galaxy.swf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocent Geogentric explanation ric_model

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_solar_eclips Solar eclipses visible from UK to 2090 es_visible_from_the_United_Kingdom_AD_1000–

2090 http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b BBC Sky at night 006mk7h

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b BBC Moore Marathon 006mk7h/clips

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p Plough – cultural stories 00cydkv

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p Orion – stars in the constellation 00fd2qx http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencete ch/article-2155140/Transit-Venus- Transit of Venus in June 2012 2012-Spectacular-seen-time-

2117.html?ito=feeds-newsxml http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencete ch/article-2156273/Amazing-new- Pictures from just after Big Bang pictures-moments-following-Big-

Bang.html

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http://www.gresham.ac.uk/professor More advanced lectures for parents and teachers s-and-speakers/professor-ian-

morison National STEM Centre – you may have to register http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.u k/elibrary/resource/1922/birth-of-

free the-solar-system

http://www.playbackschools.org.uk/programme/3

STEM Centre, mass, gravity etc. 020/ks2-science-forces-mass-weight-and-gravity

http://www.sciencedaily.com/release Science News Daily: Life from space? s/2012/09/120924144751.htm

http://www.sheisanastronomer.org/in Women in Astronomy - from the past dex.php/history

http://www.sheisanastronomer.org/in Women in Astronomy - modern Day dex.php/profiles http://www.space.com/16332-milky- Black Hole event 2013 and other videos way-black-hole-eats-gas-cloud-

coming-2013-video.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidereal Constellations and Astrology etc. _and_tropical_astrology

FORA.tv a conference channel with over 100 http://fora.tv/search_video?q=astro astronomy videos nomy http://science.howstuffworks.com/e Gravity question and video nvironmental/earth/geophysics/ques

tion232.htm http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multime NASA Trading Cards dia/downloads/SSE_trading_card.pd

f http://star.arm.ac.uk/annrep/annrep Armagh Observatory Annual Report 2012/annrep2012_small.pdf http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/ BBC Scientists - Galileo solarsystem/scientists/galileo_galilei

#p006hq3n http://spaceinvideos.esa.int/Videos/ 2013/08/Did_you_know_How_often ESA videos _do_astronauts_wash_their_clothes

_in_space CLEAPSS H&S etc. use your UK school’s http://www.cleapss.org.uk/ L198 Earth in Space KS2 and safe

membership password observing of Sun PS17 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article- 2156466/Meteor-carved-30-mile-crater-Mars- Mars crater reveals-buried-layers-carved-ancient-water-

flows.html

Posters http://www.daydreameducation.co.uk

A day in the life of European Southern http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/

Observatory ESO 50years/webcast.html http://www.goodsitesforkids.org/Ast “Good sites for Kids” ronomy.htm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/teacher- International Projects network/2012/sep/24/international-

collaboration-curriculum-learning/print

International Astronomical Union (IAU) Defining http://www.iau.org/public/place_in_c our place in the cosmos osmos/

Met Office weather conditions for observing http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/

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http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/borowitz For real?!! report/2013/02/house-science-committee-

questions-existence-of-meteors.html http://www.so.stfc.ac.uk/publications STFC – download or order materials /publorderform.aspx#PSA

STFC Public Engagement http://www.stfc.ac.uk/1360.aspx

http://www.teachitprimary.co.uk/ind Teachit Primary UK (can do free registration) ex.asp?CurrMenu=1405

http://www.youtube.com/SVAstrono Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures myLectures/ http://science.nasa.gov/science- Comet ISON news/science-at-

nasa/2013/18jan_cometison/ http://nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=125 “Babies are born scientists” 575&org=NSF&from=news&utm_source=buffer&b

uffer_share=3e565

Were the Aboriginal Australians the world's first http://www.atnf.csiro.au/people/rnor astronomers? ris/papers/_n217.pdf

th http://www.worldspaceweek.org/wsw World Space Week 4-10 October /index.php

http://www.clearskyinstitute.com/xe XEphem – Astronomical software phem/ http://www.rmg.co.uk/schools/royal- KS2 Resources from Royal Obs Greenwich observatory/classroom- resources/key-stage-2/ http://www.rte.ie/news/special- RTE interview Irish Scientists at CERN reports/2013/0718/463278-irish- scientists-at-cerns-cutting-edge/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz Children chatting with an ISS astronaut KVPnmI-8Q

Reccomendations from ESERO Ireland:

Online resources for Primary Teachers linked to the International Space Station (ISS) Education Kit

Section 1 : Gravity, the earth & the moon • Discover Primary Science & Maths (DPSM) Gravity Activity • Weightlessness/Free-Fall animation- http://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/issedukit/en/html/t040505r1.html • DPSM Cosmic Collisions • Greenwave – what is spring? • Met Eireann Education Resources http://www.met.ie/education • The earth & the moon (Orrery) Stargazing Live (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00wnvpf) http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/tv/guides/bbc_stargazing_live_activity_pack .pdf

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• Make a Moon Watch Flip book http://www.amnh.org/ology/features/stufftodo_astro/imgs/moonflipboo k.pdf • DPSM The moon, craters and meteorites • DPSM – How big is the moon? • Scale Models : Playdoh : Playdoh Earth and Moon

Section 2 : Being an Astronaut and travelling to Space • DPSM Make your own hovercraft (Note: we have found that using bluetak is just as effective as glue for this activity) • DPSM Aeroplanes • DPSM Rockets (note foam rockets will be added soon) • The NASA Rocket Educator’s Guide http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype /Rockets.html • Mission V Train Like an Astronaut http://trainlikeanastronaut.org/mission-data a physical education linked series of activities – with maths and space an integral part. • Eggnaut – bring your astronaut (egg) safely back to earth! http://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/edu/Eggnaut_EN.pdf • European Astronauts http://www.esa.int/esaHS/eurastronauts.html • Timeline of space exploration http://www.instantdisplay.co.uk/spacetraveltimeline.jpg http://www.spacekids.co.uk/spacehistory

Section 3 : On Board the ISS • Building the ISS – DPSM Design a bridge • DPSM Amazing Triangles • DPSM Satellites & Reflection • Earth Observation http://www.esa.int/esaEO/index.html • DPSM Astronomy & Football • Receipt roll/cash register (Pocket) Solar System is at: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download-view.cfm?Doc_ID=392 • Calulate relative size & distance to the Sun of all the planets in the Solar System http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/solar_system/ • The 3-D Big Dipper / Plough is at the American Museum of Natural History Site: http://clccomet.wikispaces.com/file/view/3DConst.pdf • Make a Star Wheel (planisphere) http://www.skyandtelescope.com/letsgo/familyfun/Make_a_Star_Wheel. html • Make a star finder: http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/starfinder/

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• Use this model of the Milky Way and other galaxies to indicate relative distances to other galaxies. A Universe of Galaxys is at: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download-view.cfm?Doc_ID=389 • Observing the sun safely http://resources.yesican-science.ca/trek/eclipse0602/pinhole2.html http://solar-center.stanford.edu/observe/#section1

Section 4 : Living in Space • Daily schedule for crew of ISS http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/timelines/index.html • Where/when to see the ISS : Heavens Above (printable sky map, times of sunrise and sunset, ISS spotting) http://www.heavens-above.com/ • Flash for the Mars Rover Driving http://www.marsquestonline.org/tour/rovers/drivearover/index.html • Little Green Martians http://www.athena.cornell.edu/kids/home_08.html • Mars Express http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/index.html • Daily updates and images from Mars Rover Curiosity http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/index.html

Other useful links/references • http://spacemath.gsfc.nasa.gov/ use with caution – the suggested American grade levels are not good matches, and some of the language used in the sheets is too advanced. Great use of visuals though. Kindergarten – aged 5, will turn 6; 1st grade – 6 yrs; 2nd grade – 7 yrs; 3rd grade – 8 yrs; 4th grade – 9 yrs; 5th grade - 10 yrs; 6th grade – 11 yrs, so grades are a near enough match for classes-but the grade references are not always suitable • Night Sky Network – wonderful searchable list of activities: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download-search.cfm • Black Holes is at: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download- view.cfm?Doc_ID=317 • Galaxy Zoo, Moon Zoo and Ice Hunters: http://www.galaxyzoo.org/ http://www.moonzoo.org/ http://www.icehunters.org/ all linked, require free registration. • Astronomy Picture of the Day http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ • Multimedia imagery http://www.esa.int/esammg/mmg.pl?b=b&type=IVA&keyword=IOW&start =2 • Hubble images http://hubblesite.org/gallery/ • Daily images of the sun http://www.esa.int/esaCP/ASE08Y9KOYC_Protecting_0.html • Aboriginal: http://www.atnf.csiro.au/people/rnorris/papers/_n217.pdf

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