(Above) Walk this way... to some out of this world events and resources to celebrate the first Moon Landings and International Year of Astronomy 2009. Joshua Ellis leads the NASA team of Shuttle STS-119 across the road into MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry). Picture © MOSI.
2009 is the International Year of Astronomy and also the 40th anniversary since the first Moon landing (July 20 1969).
Before the round-up of online resources though, here's a quick plug for all the amazing opportunities for hands-on learning about space at science museums and centres round the UK:
Armagh Planetarium Northern Ireland
w5 (Whowhatwherewhenwhy) Northern Ireland
Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences Cambridge
South Downs Planetarium and Science Centre Chichester
Sensation Science Centre Dundee
The Observatory Science Centre East Sussex
INTECH - Science Centre and Planetarium Hampshire
National Space Science Centre Leicester
The Science Museum London
Life Science Centre Newcastle
Green's Mill & Science Centre Nottingham
Magna Science Adventure Centre Rotherham
Glasgow Science Centre Scotland
Star Centre West Yorkshire
Catalyst Science Discovery Centre Widnes
And now for our favourite online space resources, such as interactives and games, from UK science museums and centres. We've also sneaked in a couple of extra recommendations from science websites too.
Screenshot (above) of Glasgow Science Centre's space interactives.
There are lots of free pupil-friendly astronomy resources about space, stars and the planets on Glasgow Science Centre's website.
Included are: factfiles, worksheets, activities and teaching resources suitable for both primary and secondary level. Many of the resources would make great starter activities on the interactive whiteboard or could be used for topic research.
There are fun, interactive concept cartoons and games for pupils to play, and they can find out more about space via the fact files (which can double up as posters), make a constellation viewer, use star maps to navigate their way around the stars and make their own moon chart.
Screenshot (above) of the Science Museum's online space section.
For older pupils and confident readers, try the Science Museum’s Space sections. There is lots of helpful and detailed background information and source material including video footage and slide shows.
Screenshot (above) of the Planet 10 interactive of the solar system from Planet Science.
Planet Science is also well worth a mention. It's a NESTA funded website packed full of free resources for kids and teachers.
Planet 10 on the Planet Science website is a virtual model of the solar system. There are two interactives where pupils can explore the solar system and create their own perfect world.
Screenshot (above) from the Culture24 kids' site Show Me.
For some more space resources try our kids' site Show Me, which has a dedicated Teacher section on Science and Technology.
There's also a Science and Technology Topic Page for kids, which could be good for homework. Show Me is a government funded website to promote UK museums, galleries, science centres and heritage sites to kids.
There are also some online links that you might find useful on the National Space Centre website.
Here are some more cosmic space games from science museums and centres round the UK.
Screenshot (above) of the Asteroid Defence game on Glasgow Science Centre's website.
Can pupils hold their nerve and blast those asteroids before they hit their space ship?
Screenshot (above) from the game, Martin's Maze on the Science Museum website.
The Science Museum has a great game called Martin’s Maze.
Pupils can help Martin get ready to explore different planets and collect samples along the way.
Screenshot (above) of the Blast Off! game on the Eureka website.
For younger pupils, there’s Eureka’s Blast Off! game where they can learn about angles as they help the alien, Orby, launch her landing pod over three hills to get to the Eureka centre.
Screenshot (above) of the Time Twins, Einstein Year game on the physics.org website.
Pupils can go into virtual battle 