the solar system
and Beyond
STUDENT WORKBOOK
with
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
hello from
upschool
I'm Gavin McCormack and this is Richard Mills. Over the next
10 weeks, we invite you to join us on an extraordinary expedition
through our Solar System and Beyond. Throughout this
captivating course, spanning several weeks, we'll guide you in
unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos.
Meet your
teachers
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
Karl Kruszelnicki is an Australian science communicator,
popularly known as "Dr. Karl". He is a science writer and a
public speaker who has written many books on science
and hosts several science-related radio and television
programs in Australia. Dr. Karl has a passion for making
science accessible and interesting to people of all ages
and backgrounds.
Gavin McCormack
Gavin McCormack is an Australian Montessori educator
and author who is best known for his work in developing
education programs for underprivileged children in
Nepal. He is also the author of several books and has
been a teacher for over 25 years.
main objectives
Cross - Curricular mathematics creative arts
learning
Cosmic Voyage Mathematic Explorations Artistic Expressions
Embark on a journey Harness the awe-inspiring Dive into different art forms
through space, reflecting on "big numbers" of space to each week, culminating in a
humanity's place in the explore real-world final piece showcasing 9
universe, past, present, and applications of creative skills learned while
future. measurement, time, exploring space themes.
distance, and mass.
Embark on a captivating journey through our universe! This course unravels the mysteries
of space, starting with our solar system and venturing outwards to explore planets, stars,
and galaxies. Dive deep into the structure of Earth, the Moon, and beyond, while uncovering
the wonders of asteroids, comets, and space exploration methods. By course end, you'll
possess a comprehensive understanding of our cosmic home, empowered to express your
newfound knowledge through creative art and mathematical exploration. Throughout, the
course emphasizes your agency and choice, weaving in cross-curricular themes for a truly
holistic learning experience.
Look for these inside
Buckle up, space cadets!
Blast off on a mind-blowing
adventure to explore the
universe's greatest
mysteries!
Reading activity Doing activity Writing activity Important advice
week 1
Blast Off with Dr. Karl: Your Space Adventure Begins!
Get ready to embark on an incredible 10-week journey through
our solar system and beyond! Join the one and only Dr. Karl as
your guide on this exciting exploration.
This week's mission:
Learn about the legendary Dr. Karl and kick off your space
adventure!
Unravel the mysteries of our solar system, starting with a deep
dive into Earth and its neighboring planets, both inner and
outer.
Become mini space educators! Create awesome flashcards
about the solar system to share with another class and ignite
their cosmic curiosity.
Learn engaging teaching techniques to effectively share your
newfound space knowledge with younger explorers.
This is just the beginning! Each week, you'll learn new, beautiful
materials to share your passion for space with others.
Remember, exploration is key, so ask questions, be curious, and
let your imagination soar!
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
Your Cosmic Quote Quest!
Get ready to unlock the mysteries of the moon through the inspiring words of the 12
legendary astronauts who walked its surface! Each week, you'll embark on a mission
to decipher a powerful quote, unraveling its meaning and diving deeper into the
lunar explorer behind it.
Your Mission:
Decode the Quote: Read the weekly quote and ponder its hidden
message. What did the astronaut mean? Let your imagination take
flight!
Become a Space Sleuth: Conduct research! Uncover the
astronaut's story and their mission's details. Fill your notebook with
fascinating discoveries.
Express Your Understanding: Unleash your creativity! Draw, paint,
sculpt - anything that visualizes your interpretation of the quote.
Engage and Reflect: Each week, your artistic expression and
research findings will deepen your connection to the quote and the
astronaut's legacy.
Remember, curiosity is your fuel! Dive into the adventure, unlock
the magic of words, and celebrate the spirit of exploration!
I believe every human has
a finite number of
heartbeats. I don’t intend
to waste any of mine.
- Neil Armstrong
You will need:
Pencils
Colour pencils
or crayons
Write the meaning of the quote in your own words.
Mission details
What was the mission about?
Use your imagination
Visualise your interpretation of the quote
Solar System Exploration
Challenge
Welcome, cosmic investigators! Dive into the introduction to our solar system
provided on the opposite page and gear up for an exhilarating quest. Your mission?
Tackle the comprehension questions that follow with the knowledge gained. Engage
with your classmates and utilize classroom resources to crack as many questions as
possible.
Feel free to extend your cosmic exploration beyond the classroom by continuing
your research at home for any unanswered queries. The questions vary in difficulty,
offering a spectrum of challenges. Strive to answer each one in full sentences, and
don't forget to jot down noteworthy diagrams and fascinating facts to enhance your
cosmic memory.
Let the Solar System Exploration Challenge begin!
mic
a cos er the
on ov n our
ark unc i
Emb re and iverse ion
tu u n a t
en e lor
adv ts of th m Exp every f
re te re o
sec lar Sys – whe ourney s!
So llenge ks a j ar
r e st
Cha on spa ong th
st i am
que overy
dis c
Answer Set 1
Answer Set 2
Answer Set 3
Answer Set 4
Cosmic Fact-Finding Mission
Team up, fly solo, or join forces with your cosmic companions as you delve into the
task card provided. Your mission: unearth mind-blowing facts about each of the
twelve celestial objects listed. Seek out the most fascinating and awe-inspiring
tidbits from a variety of sources, recording your cosmic discoveries in the
designated space.
These stellar facts will play a pivotal role in our next activity, so choose wisely! This
research project is your ticket to igniting excitement about the extraordinary
universe beyond our home planet, laying the groundwork for our upcoming
exploration of the solar system.
Ready, set, embark on your Cosmic Fact-Finding Mission!
Explore solo or
team up - unearth
facts about the
solar system!
space Flashcard Creations
Get ready to embark on a stellar learning adventure! This week, your mission is to
craft captivating flashcards about space – from the solar system to the farthest
reaches beyond. Utilize our special template to create these educational gems.
Once crafted, cut them out, cover them in plastic, and voilà – you've got interactive
tools to teach fellow young learners about the wonders of space! Consider donating
your vibrant flashcards to your school or another classroom, ensuring they spark
curiosity again and again.
Make your flashcards visually appealing and straightforward, designed for the
younger minds eager to explore space. Who knows, your colorful creations might
just inspire the next generation of astronauts or astronomers!
Let the Space Flashcard Creations commence!
Dive into the cosmic unknown with our Space
Flashcard Adventure, where creativity meets
curiosity, and every flashcard becomes a portal
to the wonders of the universe!
To craft these
flashcards, you will
need pencil, crayons
and scissors
cosmic math quest
Go on a thrilling journey where math intertwines with the mysteries of the solar
system! This week, your mission is to explore the incredible world of numbers in
space, from Earth's proximity to the vast expanses of the solar system.
Consult the task card as your guide, utilizing various research tools to unveil the
numerical wonders posed on the opposite side. Before delving into your research,
take a moment to make an estimate – you might be in for a surprise!
This cosmic math expedition is your ticket to discovering the enchanting
connections between mathematics and the celestial wonders that surround us.
Ready, set, let the numbers in space captivate your mathematical curiosity!
For this activity, you
will have to use math
skills to estimate,
research, solve!
Celestial Artistry Unleashed
Unlock your artistic potential and delve into the wonders of the Solar System and
Space! Each week, we present you with a unique art activity inspired by our class
discoveries, offering a chance to both hone your creative skills and deepen your
cosmic knowledge.
Join Jordan weekly as we brainstorm imaginative ways to showcase our space
learnings while making a positive impact on the world. Get ready for challenges that
may involve using recycled materials, sharing your creations with others, or gifting
them to brighten someone's day.
Watch the video on the other side for a sneak peek into this week's creative
endeavor, and follow Jordan's guidance to contribute to making the world a better
place through your artistic talents.
Let the cosmos inspire your creativity – let's get artistic!
Art meets space!
Use recycled stuff,
share your
creations!
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
Unleash your creativity
In this cosmic quest,
your curiosity is the
brightest
constellation.
Weekly reflection
As we conclude our inaugural week of cosmic exploration, let's take a moment
to reflect on the discoveries and adventures that unfolded in our journey
You're not just filling
pages; you're
Reflect on space
charting the
insights, challenges,
cosmos within.
surprises, and the
multidisciplinary
connections.
Weekly Art Therapy
Put on some relaxing music, gather some lovely coloured pencils, and spend
some time carefully colouring in the image below!
week 2
Embark on a captivating exploration as we delve into the
intricacies of the Earth's structure this week. Journey through
the layers of our planet, uncovering the mysteries of the 5th
layer, and extend your curiosity into the vastness of space,
exploring from the Earth's core to the far reaches of the
universe.
Throughout the week, our focus will be on unraveling the
specifics of the Earth's structure, delving into the composition
of each layer. As a hands-on follow-up task, you'll be challenged
to create your own model of the Earth, utilizing your newfound
knowledge and resources. The ultimate goal? Become a cosmic
teacher, sharing your insights with fellow young learners.
Get ready for a week of cosmic discovery, and best of luck on
your journey!
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
