Principia Mission Space Diary with the UK Space Agency
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Each chapter has led to infinite possibilities in all curricular areas.
Jennifer LovePrimary School Teacher
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Engaging students in STEM has always been at the core of the Principia mission and the Space Diary has proven to be a really effective and empowering resource for doing that at primary school level.
Are you ready to venture into space with ESA Astronaut Tim Peake? Published to celebrate the 2015-2016 Principia Mission, this free STEM-literacy primary programme follows the UK’s much loved astronaut during his time aboard the International Space Station. Students complete 60+ hours of curriculum-linked activities, which take them through astronaut training, launch and conducting experiments in space. All activities and their ancillary materials are available for free download via our web portal.
Ideal for KS2/P5-7 students, the Space Diary is fully supported by teaching notes which provide ideas for differentiation for KS1/P2-3, making the programme flexible for primary and home educators. Curriculum guides with extension activities and other teaching resources are also available via the portal.
While the aspirational figure of Tim Peake inspires many children, our cross-curricular and multimodal activities engage them by making STEM accessible, regardless of interest or ability. As students personalise their diary, they become more confident and deeply invested in their work.
Written and developed by Lucy Hawking and Curved House Kids, the Space Diary programme was made possible by funding from the UK Space Agency and the European Space Agency, with additional academic support from Professor Peter McOwan at Queen Mary University of London and a fabulous team of teacher consultant and STEM experts.
Highlights
• 100,000+ students already enrolled
• 60+ hours of KS2/P5-7 STEM-literacy content available for free download
• Ideas for differentiation for KS1/P2-3
• Hard copy diaries available for purchase
• Teaching notes for each activity
• Curriculum guides for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
• 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, plus photos and other videos of Tim taken aboard the ISS
• 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
