Exciting rare samples of moon rocks and a collection of impressive meteorites landed at Cottingley Primary Academy, Leeds recently for a week’s visit.
Students were able to enjoy a unique, interactive experience of astronomy during their lessons. Highlights included getting up close and personal with some hand-sized meteorites, enabling students to touch a real piece of space. Included in the educational pack is a 1.2 billion year old piece of Mars and a 4.3 billion year old nickel meteorite – the oldest object you will ever hold in your hands! Our solar system is only 4.6 billion years old.
The lunar samples, provided by the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) were collected in the late 1960s and early 1970s during some of NASA’s first manned space missions to the Moon. A massive 382kg of lunar material was brought back to Earth – mostly for use by scientists in their studies of the Moon, but small quantities are used to develop lunar and planetary sciences educational packages like this one.
Samples like these can tell us a great deal about where they originate, but we still have so much to learn! STFC is dedicated to providing science outreach programmes to inspire young people and compliment classroom studies.
STFC’s Chief Executive Officer, Doctor Brian Bowsher said “This is a great opportunity for young people to be able to see, touch and really experience such important and exciting messengers from space –turning science fiction into science fact. It’s an unforgettable experience to be able to hold such an important part of science history that has made such an incredible journey over millions of miles to reach us – and one we hope will inspire the scientists of the future!”
Hannah Marshall, Cottingley Primary Academy said; “We celebrated “Space Week”.
“We have recently been awarded the PSQM Silver award for all our work in science and enrichment has been a huge part of this.
“Each class has held a parent workshop and all the children have taken part in activities which have engaged them with the samples.
“We have held a Space Crafts competition- children from each year group were invited to create a craft to do with space with a winner announced in assembly from each phase.
“We also had a fancy dress space day.
“As science leader, I can say taking part in the PSQM has changed science in our school and made it exciting and engaging for all the children. We regularly hold whole school events such as Space Week and the children get so much out of it. We are constantly looking for new enrichment ideas and holding the moon is a once in a lifetime opportunity!”
The children said they loved exploring the samples and having opportunities that other children don’t have.
STFC offers a free of charge, short-term loan of the lunar samples to educational and scientific organisations within the United Kingdom.
