Handling box
Our meteorite handling boxes help educators integrate space and planetary science into classroom teaching, aligning with the national curriculum and space sector needs. These boxes aim to introduce planetary geoscience to students as well as extending their geoscience knowledge.
The boxes are free to loan and are available for up to one term per school. The boxes contain real meteorite samples with curriculum linked lessons designed to be interactive and engaging for all key stages. Everything needed to deliver these lessons and activities are included in the box.
Contents
The contents of the sample handling box include:
- Meteorite samples: lunar, martian, pallasite
- Impactites: tektite, impact breccia, Libyan glass
- Earth rocks: basalt, anorthosite, haematite
- Replica regolith: lunar, martian
- Tactile crater models: earth, moon, and mars craters
Using these materials, all lessons can be delivered. All lessons include a presentation, lesson plan, and hand-outs.
To request a box please visit the ORBIT webpage.
Learn what a meteorite is, where they come from and what happens on their journey to earth. Students will put their observation skills to the test to try and identify real meteorites amongst earth rocks!
Curriculum Links:
- Earth and Space
- Forces
- Rocks
- Working Scientifically
Download the lesson plan, handout sheet and presentation here:
What happens when a meteorite hits Earth? Discover impact craters found on Earth as well as the Moon, and Mars. Students will learn the features of an impact crater and be able to describe the 3 stages of crater formation.
Curriculum Links:
- Earth and Space
- Forces
- Rocks
- Properties and Changes of Materials
- Working Scientifically
Download the lesson plan, handout sheet and presentation here:
Add-on activity: Crater making activity
This activity could be used as an add-on to Lesson 2, contributing to the pupils’ understanding of what a crater is, how it forms, and what features it has.
Multiple space agencies are currently investigating how to build permanent moon bases that humans could survive in, students will use their knowledge and creativity to identify the best way to build a Moon base.
Curriculum Links:
- Earth and Space
- Properties and Changes of Materials
- Working Scientifically
