Explorers and Great Achievements · Spring Term

Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay: Everest

Discovering the first successful ascent of Mount Everest and the challenges of high-altitude climbing.

About This Topic

Tim Peake's mission to the International Space Station (ISS) brings space exploration into the modern day. As a significant British individual within living memory, Peake's story allows students to see how science and exploration continue to evolve. They learn about life in microgravity, the importance of fitness in space, and how astronauts communicate with Earth.

This topic encourages students to think about the future of exploration and the role of the UK in global scientific efforts. It also provides a great opportunity to look at modern primary sources like video blogs and social media. Students grasp this concept faster through structured simulation of daily life on the ISS.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: Life on the ISS

Set up stations for 'Space Chores' (using thick gloves to pick up small items), 'Space Exercise' (doing a workout), and 'Space Food' (trying to eat without using hands). Students rotate to experience the challenges of zero gravity.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: Asking an Astronaut

If you could send a message to Tim Peake on the ISS, what would you ask? Students think of a question, share it with a partner, and then the class votes on the top three questions.

⏱ 15 min·Pairs

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Inquiry Circle: The Principia Mission

Groups look at photos of the experiments Tim Peake did in space (like growing seeds). They have to guess what he was trying to find out and why it's useful for people on Earth.

⏱ 25 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Tim Peake went to the Moon.

What to Teach Instead

He went to the International Space Station, which orbits the Earth. Using a globe and a small 'station' model helps students see the difference between orbiting Earth and traveling to the Moon.

Common Misconception

Astronauts just float around and have fun.

What to Teach Instead

They have a very busy schedule of science experiments and repairs. A 'daily schedule' matching activity helps students see how hard astronauts work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Tim Peake?

Tim Peake is a British astronaut who spent six months living and working on the International Space Station in 2015. He was the first British astronaut to visit the ISS representing the European Space Agency.

What did Tim Peake do in space?

He performed hundreds of scientific experiments, did a spacewalk to fix the station, and even ran the London Marathon on a treadmill! He also spent a lot of time talking to schools on Earth.

What are the best hands-on strategies for teaching about Tim Peake?

Simulating 'microgravity' challenges is very effective. Using thick oven mitts to perform simple tasks like tying a lace or picking up a coin helps students understand the physical difficulty of working in space. This active learning approach makes the 'modern' aspect of his mission tangible and highlights the skill required by modern astronauts.

How does Tim Peake get back to Earth?

He traveled back in a small capsule called a Soyuz. It plummeted through the atmosphere and landed in the desert in Kazakhstan, using big parachutes to slow down at the end.

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