Astronomy and STEM Skills

Teacher notes

Students will watch 6 short NASA animations about Lucy's mission into space and meet Donya, an engineer leading a 1,000 person team there. Lucy gained her name from one of the oldest known human ancestors, an Australopithecus afarensis specimen nicknamed “Lucy,”. Her fossilised skeleton was discovered in Hadar, Ethiopia in 1974. The team that excavated her remains, led by American paleo-anthropologist Donald Johanson and French geologist Maurice Taieb, nicknamed the skeleton “Lucy” after the Beatles song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” which was played at the celebration the day she was found. The lesson can be delivered either from the front of the classroom using a central computer and screen, or for students who have access to their own computers or devices. This lesson is aimed at KS3 or KS4 but could also be used in KS2. Lyfta Core themes: Technology & engineering, professions and entrepreneurship. Lyfta Core Skills & Values: Collaboration & teamwork, Creativity & innovation, Professionalism. SDGs: 5, 9. National Curriculum Objectives (England): KS2 Science: Earth and Space - the movement of the Earth, and other planets, relative to the Sun in the solar system. KS3 Science/ Space physics: Science/ Solar Energy - Lucy collects solar energy from the large umbrella arrays (mentioned in the follow up activity). KS3 Design and Technology understand developments in design and technology and the responsibilities of designers, engineers and technologists KS4 Design and Technology consider creative design ideas using a range of different design strategies using collaborative working. KS4 Science: Physics/ Space Physics - the main features of our solar system KS2 PSHE L26. that there is a broad range of different jobs/careers that people can have L30. about some of the skills that will help them in their future careers e.g. teamwork, communication and negotiation L31. to identify the kind of job that they might like to do when they are older. KS3 PSHE L4. about the range of opportunities available to them for careers L12. about different work roles and career pathways, including clarifying their own early aspirations. KS4 PSHE L7. about the labour market, local, national and international employment opportunities. Careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) STEM Careers (astrophysics, astronomy, engineer, analytical scientist).