Key Stage 3 - Student activities


The following two sections take a look at the Solar System and our place in it. It also introduces the concept of gravity in relation to the workings of the Universe. Important ideas introduced in the Key Stage 3 syllabus include:

Use the NSO website links (below right) to take you to appropriate sections on this website.


Key Stage 3 : Ages 11-14 : The solar system and beyond
Learning points NSO link
to explain phenomena such as day and night, and the apparent movement of the Sun. Day and Night
to represent the system as a model and as a diagram . Earth, Sun and Moon
that there are luminous and non-luminous objects, and that the Sun is a light source, but the Moon and Earth are seen by reflected light. Luminous Objects
how the view from the Earth of the Moon causes the phases in a regular sequence. Moon Phases
how eclipses of the Sun occur, and how eclipses of the Moon occur. Eclipses
about the evidence eclipses provide about the solar system and how scientists use it. Eclipses
to write about a physical phenomenon from a personal point of view. Eclipse Animation
to use a model to show that the axis of spin of the Earth is at an angle to its orbit round the Sun. Seasons
to collect data about temperature and day length, using ICT Sunrise/Sunset Times
to relate ideas about the Sun, Earth and Moon to familiar phenomena. Earth, Sun and Moon
that our solar system includes the Sun, its planets and asteroids and the natural satellites of the planets. Solar System
that the planets orbit the Sun in similar ways to the Earth. Electric Orrery
how evidence about the solar system has been collected and interpreted. Telescopes
to use secondary sources to find out about planets. Solar System
how to find out about the relative sizes of the Sun, Earth, Moon and other planets and the relative distances of the planets from the Sun. Solar System
that within our solar system only Earth is known to support any life forms. Exolife
that the Sun and other stars are light sources. Stars
that the apparent movement of the stars is a result of the Earth's rotation. Day and Night
that stars are spread throughout the universe. Milky Way



Key Stage 3 : Ages 11-14 : Gravity and space
Learning points NSO link
that gravity is an attractive force which acts on the Earth towards the centre of the planet, and that gravity is an attractive force between objects with mass. Gravity
that where the gravitational force is lower than on the Earth, the mass of an object remains the same, but its weight is less. Mass
that gravitational attraction between bodies decreases as the distance between them increases. Gravity Animation
that the weight of an object can vary whilst the mass remains the same. Weight on Planets
that our ideas about the solar system have changed over time Awaiting Link
that the Sun is massive and exerts a very large gravitational force, which keeps planets in orbit. Orbits
that the Moon is a natural satellite of the Earth, whose orbit is maintained by the Earth's gravitational pull. Orbits
about some uses of artificial satellites, and how information can be gained through the use of satellites. Satellites


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