Space Science Teaching Resources
Browse printable space science worksheets, digital activities and a whole lot more to open the galaxy up for your primary students.
This collection of Australian science curriculum-aligned teaching resources has been created by our expert teacher team to save your valuable lesson planning time with differentiated and editable science printables and Google Slides.
Take off for the Milky Way with a look at the sun and moon and the eight planets of our solar system, introduce your students to astronomy and the history of space exploration and more with classroom-ready resources that have been carefully curated by our expert teacher team!
Looking to learn more about the space science curriculum for primary students, or just need some fresh ideas to engage your students? Read on for a primer from our teacher team!
What Is Space Science? A Kid-Friendly Definition
Space science is the study of the entire universe beyond Earth's atmosphere! It includes studying stars, the moon, the planets, galaxies, constellations and other phenomena that occur outside our planet.
This field of science covers a broad range of topics such as astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, astrobiology and more.
How Do You Teach Space to Primary Students?
It's a complicated question, we realise, and every teacher will have their own answer based on both personal teaching philosophy and the state standards their students need to meet.
But space has fascinated kids (and grown-ups) for centuries, at least as far back as the days of Galileo inventing the telescope in the 1600s. And while more and more kids want to grow up to be a social media influencer, there are still plenty of students who are listing 'astronaut' as a future career aspiration — a fact that we can't help but attribute at least in part to teachers and their inspiring lessons on space!
So how do you write your space lesson plans? It might help to start with the themes and topics that kids typically learn throughout primary school, no matter where you teach:
- The Solar System — Your students will get to know the eight planets of our solar system and the names of each, plus their order from the sun and their characteristics.
- The Sun — Students should be learning that the sun is a star as well as learning how it creates light and heat and how it affects the Earth.
- The Moon — Kids will learn about the moon's phases plus its role in the ocean's tides and its relationship to the Earth.
- Stars and Galaxies — The classification of stars and the constellations they form are on tap at this level. Kids may also learn about galaxies and the universe.
- Space Exploration — Taking off with the astronauts, primary learners should be exposed to lessons about the history of space exploration, the first moon landing and the various space missions.
- Space Travel — Related to the concept of exploration, this is a good time to talk about the challenges of space travel, such as zero gravity, and the importance of spacesuits and other equipment.
- Space Technology — What's going on in that wide space outside of the Earth's atmosphere? It's time to teach about space technology, including satellites, telescopes, and the International Space Station.
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Which Planet Am I? Interactive Activity
Explore the planets of the solar system with this fun and engaging interactive activity.
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Space - Word Wall Vocabulary
Use these space vocabulary words and space terms to unlock the solar system for your elementary students as they learn about space, the solar system, and the world far beyond your school.
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Solar System Mobile – Craft Activity
Use this printable solar system craft when learning about the planets and their position in relation to the Sun.
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Day and Night – Worksheet
Encourage your students to illustrate the day and night cycle with this free worksheet.
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Order of the Planets Display Banner
Display this banner visually showing the order of the planets for students when they are learning about the solar system.
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Planet Bookmark
Help students remember the order of the planets with these personalised planet bookmarks.
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The Solar System - Planets in Order
Show the planets in order with this beautifully designed printable science poster.
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Moon Phases – Cut and Paste Activity
Create a diagram showing the different moon phases and their names with this cut-and-paste activity sheet.
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Rotation vs. Revolution – Cut and Paste Worksheet
Demonstrate an understanding of rotation vs. revolution with this cut and paste worksheet.
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Rotation vs. Revolution Poster Set
Display information in your classroom about the differences between rotation and revolution with this poster set.
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Planets of the Solar System Factbook & Worksheet
Bring the planets in the solar system into focus with a fun worksheet that can be turned into a factbook!
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What About Me? Other Regions and Objects of the Solar System
Explore other features in the solar system besides the sun and the planets with this one-page worksheet.
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Planet Research Templates
Explore the planets with these printable planet research templates to use with your students.
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Earth, Sun and Moon – Comprehension Worksheet
Read about and compare physical characteristics of the Eath, sun and moon with this reading comprehension sheet.
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Individual Planet Posters
Use this set of posters with your space unit to teach about the individual planets.
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Science Experiment - Changing Shadows
Explore how shadows change throughout the day with this hands-on science experiment.
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Sun Facts Writing Template
Research, write and display information about the sun with this printable sun template.
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Day and Night Mini-Book
Learn about the differences between night and day with this printable mini-book.
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Solar and Lunar Eclipse Posters
Display these solar and lunar eclipse diagrams in your classroom when learning about the alignment of the Sun, Earth and moon.
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Oreo® Moon Phases Worksheet
Explore moon phases with Oreos® in this tasty worksheet.
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Interplay of the Sun, Earth and Moon Poster
A poster showing the interplay of the Sun, Earth and Moon.
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Day and Night Venn Diagram
Brainstorm the similarities and differences between day and night using this Venn Diagram worksheet with your students.
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Phases of the Moon Class Display
Learn about the phases of this moon with an out-of-this-world classroom display.
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Planets Collaborative Colouring Display
Combine colouring with awareness of the planets and the solar system with this collaborative colouring sheet.
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Printable Space Book - Leveled Reader
Read and learn about outer space with a printable space book for kids.
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Moon Phases Diagram
Learn the phases of the moon in the southern hemisphere with this set of two posters.
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The Seasons Around the World Posters and Worksheet
Teach about the Earth's rotation around the sun and the corresponding seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres with this 2-page worksheet.
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Moon Facts Writing Template
Describe and illustrate information about the moon with a printable writing template.
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Objects in the Sky – Mini Workbook
Observe, describe and illustrate different objects in the sky with this printable mini-workbook.
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Objects in the Sky – Worksheet Pack
Use this set of worksheets to practise identifying and labelling objects in the sky as well as describing the moon, stars, sun and clouds.
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Moon Phases – Teaching Presentation
Learn about the different phases of the moon and how its appearance changes over time with this teaching presentation.
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Planets of Our Solar System – Worksheet
Use this worksheet to review planet order, features and classifications.