Deep Space Diary with the Science and Technology Facilities Council
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In 2015 we created the Principia Space Diary to empower younger students to learn about space and science while they followed my mission to the International Space Station. That book, and the subsequent Mars Diary sequel, were a huge success as they tackle a range of challenging subjects in a creative and hands-on way. I’m excited to see the ideas and innovations our young British space experts come up with as they complete this new Deep Space Diary and explore the biggest questions about our Universe.
ESA Astronaut Tim Peake
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In 2015 we created the Principia Space Diary to empower younger students to learn about space and science while they followed my mission to the International Space Station. That book, and the subsequent Mars Diary sequel, were a huge success as they tackle a range of challenging subjects in a creative and hands-on way. I’m excited to see the ideas and innovations our young British space experts come up with as they complete this new Deep Space Diary and explore the biggest questions about our Universe.
Have you ever wondered what’s out there beyond the stars and planets of our own galaxy? To uncover the secrets of the Universe, you’ll need a powerful space telescope…
Themed around the James Webb Space Telescope – or Webb – our latest Discovery Diary for KS2/P5-7 is now available! This STEM-literacy education programme presents complex parts of the curriculum – like light, forces and maths – in fun and accessible activities that educators can use with confidence. Students learn about the wonders of the Universe while they experiment, research code and decode their way through their deep space mission.
Developed with the Science and Technology Facilities Council in Edinburgh, who have designed Webb’s infrared camera, the Deep Space Diary contains 60+ hours of curriculum-linked content and a suite of teaching materials including suggested teaching timelines, teaching notes, PowerPoint presentations and original videos.
The Deep Space Diary showcases diverse STEM experts, all working together across the sciences and engineering to design, build and deploy Webb. You can find interviews with these inspiring individuals on the Discovery Diaries’ Community page.
You can download all the Deep Space Diary activities and teaching materials for FREE by visiting discoverydiaries.org or purchase hard copy diaries from the Shop. Teachers can also purchase a Teacher’s Resource Book which contains all the activities – ready to photocopy – along with teaching notes and other support materials.
Thanks to support from the STFC, we were able to provide 15,000 copies of the Deep Space Diary to schools across the UK in disadvantaged areas.
Highlights
• 15,000 free books given to schools with high numbers of pupil premium
• 60+ hours of KS2/P5-7 STEM-literacy content available for free download
• Hard copy diaries available for purchase
• Teaching notes with ideas for differentiation for each activity
• Curriculum guides for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
• Suggested teaching schedule for running the course over a week, half-term or term
• Blank lesson plan and reflection templates
• Flexible structure that allows activities to be experienced in order, chapter-by-chapter, or used standalone for individual lessons
• Multimedia features including original video footage and a special message from ESA Astronaut Tim Peake
• Profiles of real STEM experts to help students ‘see’ themselves in STEM
• Incentives for students like Mission Badge stickers
• Approved for Children’s University Passport programme
