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Secondary School Science Workshop... Stars & Planets! | Fizzics Education
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Stars & Planets

Go out of this world as we explore our solar system, galaxies and more. Cosmology for the classroom!

Students investigate our Universe and space exploration techniques in this hands-on workshop.

  • How does the Earth, Moon and Sun work in the Solar System?
  • How are the tides formed?
  • What did the big bang really look like?
  • How do we observe distant galaxies and what does that tell us about our Universe?
  • What technological developments were necessary to allow astronauts to work and survive outside of Earth’s atmosphere and much more!

Students will gain an appreciation of astronomy and gain insight into our place in the Universe.

Full risk assessments available on request.

Available as a school science incursion within Australia or as a video conference to any school around the globe.

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Online Class Version

We’ve run live interactive distance programs since 2010 and are highly experienced in making online classes engaging for students on a variety of web conferencing platforms.

  • All of the activities listed below will be covered during the conference.
  • Upon booking, you will receive a PDF outlining the materials that you can have on hand to make the workshop more interactive. It’s not a problem if you can’t source all of the materials, as we’ll have these on hand for the workshop
  • Full child protections are in place
  • We usually connect to classes & homes via Zoom, however if you wish to use a different software we can work with you on getting the connection live.

If you connect with us via Zoom

Australian ACARA Content Outcomes:
Science

Predictable phenomena on Earth, including seasons and eclipses, are caused by the relative positions of the sun, Earth and the moon (ACSSU115)

Earth’s gravity pulls objects towards the centre of the Earth (ACSSU118)

The universe contains features including galaxies, stars and solar systems and the Big Bang theory can be used to explain the origin of the universe (ACSSU188)

Advances in science and emerging sciences and technologies can significantly affect people’s lives, including generating new career opportunities (ACSHE195)

Advances in scientific understanding often rely on developments in technology and technological advances are often linked to scientific discoveries (ACSHE192)

Australian National Curriculum Mapping for all our science workshops & shows

NSW Science 7–10 Syllabus

For explanatory points & implementation advice for each dot point, please visit the Science 7 -10 Curriculum site

A student:

  • uses scientific tools and instruments for observations SC4-WS-01
  • identifies questions and makes predictions to guide scientific investigations SC4-WS-02
  • follows a planned procedure to undertake safe and valid investigations SC4-WS-04
  • explains how observations are used by scientists to increase knowledge and understanding of the Universe SC4-OTU-01
  • describes the effects of forces in everyday contexts SC4-FOR-01
  • explains how data is used by scientists to model and predict scientific phenomena SC4-DA1-01
  • develops questions and hypotheses for scientific investigation SC5-WS-02
  • assesses the uses of materials based on their physical and chemical properties SC5-MAT-01
  • explains the motion of objects using Newton’s laws of motion SC5-WAM-02
  • describes a range of reaction types SC5-RXN-01

VIC Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0

  • the particle and kinetic theories of matter can be used to describe the arrangement and motion of particles in a substance, including the attraction between particles, and to explain the properties and behaviour of substances, including melting point, boiling point, density, compressibility, gas pressure, viscosity, diffusion, sublimation, and expansion and contraction. VC2S8U05
  • physical changes can be distinguished from chemical changes; a chemical change can be identified by a colour change, a temperature change, the production of a gas (including laboratory preparation and testing of oxygen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen gases) or the formation of a precipitate. VC2S8U08
  • balanced and unbalanced forces acting on objects, including gravitational force, may be investigated and represented using force diagrams; changes in an object’s motion can be related to its mass and the magnitude and direction of the forces acting on it. VC2S8U14
  • cyclic changes in the relative positions of Earth, the Sun and the Moon can be modelled to show how these cycles cause eclipses and influence predictable phenomena on Earth, including seasons and tides. VC2S8U12
  • investigable questions, reasoned predictions and hypotheses can be developed in guiding investigations to identify patterns, test relationships and analyse and evaluate scientific models. VC2S8I01
  • scientific methods, conclusions and claims can be analysed to identify assumptions, possible sources of error, conflicting evidence and unanswered questions. VC2S8I06
  • evidence-based arguments can be constructed to support conclusions or evaluate claims, including consideration of ethical issues and protocols associated with using or citing secondary data or information. VC2S8I07
  • space exploration seeks to expand knowledge of the origins and structure of the universe and to resolve the challenges of humans travelling and living away from Earth’s surface. VC2S10U12
  • the universe contains features including galaxies, stars, solar systems and black holes; the big bang theory models the origin and evolution of the universe and is supported by evidence. VC2S10U13
  • investigable questions, reasoned predictions and hypotheses can be used in guiding investigations to test and develop explanatory models and relationships. VC2S10I01
  • the validity and reproducibility of investigation methods and the validity of conclusions and claims can be evaluated, including by identifying assumptions, conflicting evidence, biases that may influence observations and conclusions, sources of error and areas of uncertainty. VC2S10I06
  • arguments based on a variety of evidence can be constructed to support conclusions or evaluate claims, including consideration of any ethical issues and cultural protocols associated with accessing, using or citing secondary data or information. VC2S10I07

Science Show Demonstrations

Caught in the
Shadow

Model the difference between solar and lunar eclipses.

Celestial
cross-sections

How are stars and planets constructed differently?

Escape Plan

Launch a rocket at different pressures to find out what escape velocity is

Giant Gyro

How do spacecraft turn in space anyway?

Gravity Pull

Model the gravity on Earth vs. Mars. Which planet's gravity is greater?

Gyrating Gyros

Why does the Earth wobble on it's axis in a 25,800 year cycle?

Planetary orbits

Measure the difference in orbits between the planets in the Solar System

Predict the
Tide

Interpret a real tidal chart. How are tidal patterns formed anyway?

Rocket launcher

Launch a rocket using a chemical propellent

Scanning
for Signals

Picking up faint signals from distant star systems.

Solar Spacecraft

What is the power source of some space probes?

Spiralling satellites

Satellite attenuation; what comes up must come down

Star viewers

What are the different type of galaxies?

Talking
with friends

Lasers may replace radio in future communication

Telescopic vision

Use a telescopic lens to read distant information

The
Big Bang

The Universe is expanding, what does it look like?

Thermal Tiles

How do spacecraft survive atmospheric re-entry?

Troublesome tools

How is working in space affect tool design and use?

Turn the
tide

A simple model showing the effects of gravity on water bodies

Shuttle tile
burn

How much a heat can a real shuttle tile take?

shuttle tile

Optional extension - Join an International Space Station Experiment!

Join ExoLab, a science experiment where students from across the world compare their results with an identical growth chamber on the International Space Station (ISS).

  • Join an international school community to share results & ideas along with the U.S. National Laboratory.
  • Collect and analyze data to identify the optimal combination of legume, bacteria, and soil to produce nodulation in the harsh environment of the space.
  • Engage in experimental design, data collection and analysis, writing and revising hypotheses, and communicating about what they’ve learned using evidence from their experiments.
  • Direct curriculum outcomes for high school
  • Guided by experienced educators from Fizzics Education & Magnitude.
  • Available Australia-wide

The experiments are initiated on the ISS in accordance with resupply missions. This allows for multiple experiments per year, giving options on when to align the classroom experiment with the ISS experiment. Students look for relationships between the environmental conditions, including the effect of microgravity on the growth of living things in general.

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A picture of the ISS experiment ExoLab under lights (logos of Fizzics Education and Magnitude above this'. The tagline 'Investigate the effects of microgravity on living things' is also shown

Requirements

Appropriate for Years 7 to 10 with a maximum of 30 students per class

Access to 2 electrical power sockets and 12 to 14 tables.

Chairs are not required.

Duration 60 or 90 minutes.

Set up time 45 minutes and pack up time 45 minutes

During Social Distancing – Contact us
and we’ll tailor a program to suit both your school and the State’s social distancing requirements. Further details here

We're a COVID SAFE Company

Did you know about our larger stage shows?

Designed to engage groups of up to 240 students, pair this workshop with one of these school favourites!

Big Science Big Fun

tick tick BOOM!

Destination Moon

Cost

$580 inc. GST for a 60-minute workshop or $660 inc. GST for a 90-minute workshop.

Available as a video conference anywhere around the world.

Find out about offers & discounts here!

In a regional area? Find out how we can attend your school as part of a country science tour!

Find out more about the ExoLab extension opportunity

Call 1300 856 828, or click below to make a booking for your high school.


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