The BIS has worked with partners to develop our resources, as well as being able to sign-post you to fantastic activities from others.
BIS Resources
Yuri Gagarin Resources
2021 marks 60 years since humanity entered into space, when Yuri Gagarin was the first person in space. Download teaching resources and activities for this here.
Activity Outline:
Introduction to the life and achievements of Yuri Gagarin through a simple Powerpoint presentation, and activity pack.
Target Audience:
KS1 and KS2
Equipment Needed:
Activity sheets (printed)
Pen / Pencil
Colouring-in equipment: felt-tip pens, pencils, crayons
Fun Prizes/incentives
Lesson Time:
45 mins
Topics Covered:
Space
Yuri Gagarin’s life and achievements
The first human spaceflight
Russian Space Programme
Learning Outcomes:
Basic introduction to the history of human spaceflight.
The intention is to engage and inspire whilst being entertaining and fun
Download presentation:
Yuri Gagarin KS1 & KS2 Presentation
(The presentation is edit-protected: please choose ‘Read Only’ to access it)
Download teachers’ resource:
YG Activity Pack KS1 (with solutions)
Air-Powered Rocket Instructions (YG50)
Activity Outline:
These instructions include a Gagarin information sheet, UK in space information sheet, curriculum links, and air-powered rocket making instructions.
NB: These resources were created to celebrate Yuri Gagarin’s 50th anniversary in 2011, so some links are no longer active.
Target Audience:
KS1, KS2, KS3 and KS4
Curriculum links were created for KS3 and KS4 in 2011
Equipment Needed:
Items are per maker:
1cm diameter tube, or sheet of thin card
1 piece A4 paper
1 piece A5 paper
Scissors
Sticky Tape
Poster putty (blu-tac, plasticine, playdoh)
Lesson Time:
45 mins – 1 hour (with launches)
Topics Covered:
Space, Rockets, energy and forces
Yuri Gagarin’s life
The UK in Space (in 2011)
Learning Outcomes:
Fun introduction to rockets and space travel
Download:
Space Nutrition Activity Sheet
Activity Outline:
Fun activity sheet, which uses a space theme to focus on good nutrition.
NB: This activity was created by Vix Southgate for a chain of restaurants in Northern Ireland in 2014 as part of nutrition awareness, and it has been kindly offered as a fun resource to BIS.
Target Audience:
KS1 and KS2
Equipment Needed:
Activity sheets (printed)
Pen / Pencil
Lesson Time:
30 mins
Topics Covered:
Space
Nutrition
Learning Outcomes:
Basic nutritional information and space facts.
Download:
Space Nutrition Activity Sheet
Download teachers’ resource:
Educational Partner Resources
Build your own model Satellites
- Build your own spacecraft (NASA)
- Build your own Aeolus (ESA)
- Build your own Rosetta (ESA – opens as PDF)
- Airbus Activities
Geocaching links
- As Creatives – creative learning programmes for children and young people.
- The National Schools Observatory – providing schools in the UK and
- Ireland with free access to the Liverpool Telescope
- CASSiE the STEM Mascot – For use in schools to enhance Space Science and STEM engagement.