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activities
Our collection of fun, educational and interesting things to do. Activities and classroom resources for teachers and students.
Activities associated with our movies can be found on the corresponding movie page.
Please note that all links are external. Starr's Planetarium has no control of and bears no responsibility for their content.
JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE
The greatest origin story of all unfolds with the James Webb Space Telescope. Destined to be a household name, like its predecessor, Hubble.
A feat of human ingenuity. The mission has been developed over two decades, with contributions from thousands of scientists, engineers, and other professionals from more than 14 countries.
It’s a giant leap forward in our quest to understand humanity’s place in the great cosmic expanse.
For all ages
Activities can be found [here]
Star Stories Of The Dreaming Guide
The study of the sky knowledge of ancient and traditional cultures is called 'cultural astronomy' and it looks at how the knowledge of the night sky was important in Indigenous peoples’ culture, ceremonies and daily life.
The Star Stories of the Dreaming guide tells some of the rich cultural astronomy stories of the Kamilaroi and Euahlayi peoples.
For School Years K-10
Activity can be found [here]
Space Scoop News Service
Astronomy news service for children. The idea behind Space Scoop is to change the way science is often perceived by children as an outdated and dull subject. By sharing exciting new astronomical discoveries with them, we can inspire children to develop an interest in science and technology.
For ages 8+ with links to scientific publications for older children and adults.
Activity can be found [here]
NASA STEM @ home. Grades K - 4
Build it!
Launch it!
Solve it!
Colour it!
Play it!
Read it!
Fantastic at home projects from NASA.
For School Years K-4
Activity can be found [here]
NASA STEM @ home. Grades 5 - 8
Crew-2 is on the Space Station!
Taking Flight on Mars With Fun Activities!
Fun Earth Stuff To Do
Explore the Space Station!
Screens Off! Hands-on Activities
Play It! and More
Fantastic at home projects from NASA.
For School Years 5-8
Activity can be found [here]
NASA STEM @ home. Grades 9 - 12
Explore the International Space Station!
Screens Off! Hands-on Activities
Be an Astronaut!
Think Like a Rocket Scientist!
Screens Off! Hands-on Activities
Build Model Spacecraft and More!
Fantastic at home projects from NASA.
For School Years 9-12
Activity can be found [here]
Space Awareness
Space Awareness offers a series of complementary activities and resources to inspire children from 8 to 18 years old, primary and secondary school teachers, and families.
The project strives to inform children and young adults about current research and issues related to space sciences and the numerous career opportunities offered by space, and to show them that space science can be fun and inspiring.
For ages 8 - 18
Activities are found [here]
The Awesome Amateur Astronomer
This guide will introduce you to every aspect of astronomy—in 10 steps! Each step has a list of things you can do to conquer that topic and a badge you can earn to show you've reached that level of awesomeness! When you have collected all 10 badges, you get the superbadge, declaring you the awesome amateur astronomer that you’ll be!
For all ages.
Activity can be found [here]
NASA's Field Guide To Black Holes
Thinking about doing some black hole watching the next time you’re on an intergalactic vacation, but you’re not quite sure where to start? Well, look no further!
This series of videos show you everything you need to know.
In addition to the videos, you can also download a printable guide that has even more information.
Videos can be included in any planetarium show.
For School Years 3 - 8.
Activity can be found [here]
Story Time From Space
Imagine Astronauts on the Space Station reading stories to, and conducting science experiments for the children of Earth as the world rotates below.
Imagine no more…
It’s Story Time from Space!
For ages 5+
Activity can be found [here]
Invisible Universe Activity
Not until recently have we been able to look at the Universe with the help of other sorts of light than just visible light. Radio-, infrared-, gamma-, UV- and X-rays give astronomers a peek into a completely new world: the ‘invisible’ Universe.
The activity guide ‘The Invisible Universe’ was created to inspire school students and introduce them to this ‘invisible’ world.
For ages 8+
Activity can be found [here]
Solar System Lithograph Set
This solar system lithograph set is NASA's most downloaded file. The set features images of the planets, the sun, asteroids, comets, meteors and meteorites, the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud, and moons of the solar system. General information, significant dates, interesting facts and brief descriptions of the images are included
For all ages
Activity can be found [here]
NASA Explorers Video Series
NASA Explorers is a new digital series that takes you inside the space agency and follows the pioneers, risk-takers and experts at the front line of exploration.
There are 4 seasons so far about the Cryosphere, Apollo, Fires, and Microgravity.
Season 1 - Cryosphere can be found [here]
Season 2 - Apollo can be found [here]
Season 3 - Explorers can be found [here]
Season 4 - Microgravity can be found [here]
Pilot the SpaceX NASA spacecraft
SpaceX has created an on-line, docking simulator that you can use, free-of-charge.
Although many video games are action-packed, with objectives being achieved quickly, this is not true for the SpaceX simulator. This simulator shows that docking a spacecraft with the ISS is painstakingly slow and precise.
To be successful with this simulator, you have to carefully manipulate the controls. Although it is not easy, the simulator includes some instructions to help the “virtual astronaut.”
Activity can be found [here]
Zooniverse
Help NASA Scientists. Multiple NASA projects depend on volunteers. Just a few minutes of training is enough to contribute to the search for black holes, comets exoplanets, and asteroids. Anyone can contribute to real academic research. Projects available across all of the sciences.
Whatever your interest, there's a Zooniverse project for you. Perfect for the school holidays.
Suitable for all ages.
Activity can be found [here
Universe In A Box
Universe in a Box was developed to meet a demand for practical, interactive, and fun resources to bring astronomy to the classroom. It provides teachers and educators with over 40 practical activities as well as the materials and models required to do them.
For ages 4-10
The DIY guide is [here]
The activity book is [here]
Creating Eclipses In The Classroom
Eclipses have been shrouded in myth and legend throughout history. How do they happen?
In this activity, explore these fascinating phenomena with an easy to build model and learn about the movement of the Sun, the Earth and Moon.
For ages 6+
Activity can be found [here]
Design An Alien
Review the environmental factors that make the Earth habitable and compare them to other worlds within our Solar System. Use creative thinking to design an alien life form suited for specific environmental conditions on an extra-terrestrial world within our Solar System.
For ages 8+
Activity can be found [here]
Colouring The Earth
See the Earth as it really is in this colouring activity, with no borders
between countries. Just a sphere sitting in space.
This activity improves observational skills and creativity and gives a sense of global citizenship.
For ages 4+
Activity can be found [here]
DIY Solar System
In this imaginative craft activity, children make the planets of our Solar System using a template of an icosahedron (a polyhedron with 20 triangular faces, 30 edges and 12 vertices). They then decorate their planets with sand, glue, cotton wool, paint, glitter...the sky is the limit!
For ages 6+
Activity can be found [here]
NASA Space Place
NASA Space Place's mission is to inspire and enrich primary aged kids' learning of space and Earth science online through fun games, hands-on activities, informative articles and engaging short videos. With resources for parents and teachers, NASA Space Place has something for everyone.
For School Years 3 - 8.
Activity can be found [here]
Cassini's Grand Finale Video
The final chapter in a remarkable mission of exploration and discovery.
This animated video tells the story of Cassini's final, daring assignment and looks back at what the mission has accomplished.
For all ages
Activity can be found [here]
Cosmos In Your Pocket Book
There are loads of creative, artsy activities all related to our night sky; design your own constellations, write an ode to your favourite planet or draw a portrait of the Moon. Alternately, just learn some fun facts about the Universe. This little book fits right in your pocket, so you can take it anywhere.
For ages 4+
Activity can be found [here]
NASA 60th Anniversary
For six decades, NASA has led the peaceful exploration of space, making discoveries about our planet, our solar system, and our universe.
Join us in celebrating this historic event with some great classroom resources.
Available movies: The Space Shuttle. Journeys Of Apollo. 50 Years Of Spacewalks.
Suitable for all ages.
Activity can be found [here]
MARS 2020 - Perseverance
We are going to Mars - again.
The Perseverance rover will get closer than ever to answer some of the longest standing questions about the red planet, including whether there has ever been life on Mars.
NASA's Mars Exploration Program is jam-packed with news, facts, videos, posters and so much more. Get excited!
For all ages
Activity can be found [here]
Build Your Own Solar System
Creating a scale model of the solar system with your students is a great way for them to experience the vastness of the solar system and the relative sizes and locations of the planets and other solar system objects. Some of these activities can work in a classroom. For others, you will need to go outside.
For all ages
Activities are found [here]
As The World Turns
Night and day are like two different worlds. In this creative activity for very young children, we introduce the concept of the spinning Earth.
Children learn the concept of the motion of the Earth and the idea that we are not living on a static world.
For ages 4+
Activity can be found [here]
ISS EarthKAM
A NASA program that enables students, teachers, and the public to learn about Earth from the unique perspective of space. Students request ISS images of specific locations on Earth. Images are available in a EarthKAM image archive. This image collection and accompanying activities are extraordinary resources to engage students in Earth and space science, geography, social studies, mathematics and communications.
For School Years 5-9
Activity can be found [here]
Wired - The Game (non-astronomy)
Designed at the University of Cambridge, this gives teenagers an understanding of electricity by solving a series of puzzles in a bid to encourage more of them to study engineering at university.
The game teaches the key mathematical concepts underpinning electricity and gets players solving problems that are not usually encountered until A-level physics.
For School Years 7+
Activity can be found [here]
NASA Earth Observatory
The purpose of NASA’s Earth Observatory is to provide a freely-accessible publication where the public can obtain new imagery and scientific information about our home planet.
EO Kids is written for audiences aged 9 to 14. It includes cool experiments and focuses on the Earth’s climate and environmental change.
NASA EO kids is for School Years 3 - 9
NASA EO is for School Years 9+
Activity can be found [here]
Cassini Retro Posters
A series of retro posters designed to celebrate Cassini's Grand Finale after almost 20 years in space. Cassini's 20th-century technology has shaped the future of 21st-century science. So maybe it's not surprising artists have found inspiration both the past and the future in creating inspiring artwork to celebrate the mission.
For all ages
Activity can be found [here]