May the Fourth: Using Star Wars Day to inspire teaching and learning about space

May the fourth be with you! Regardless of whether you and your pupils are familiar with the beloved franchise, Star Wars day is a great opportunity to explore the themes and ideas covered in space science.

Although pupils are not directly introduced to the concept of space and the solar system until KS2, KS1 students can become curious about the workings of the universe and its inhabitants through their understanding of Seasonal Changes and Habitats around the World. As a follow-up from these units, introduce the students to space and our solar system, concepts that are prominent in Star Wars. Using pictures and videos from the franchise can help bring these concepts to life by showcasing different planets and their features. For example, in the original Star Wars trilogy, we see the desert planet of Tatooine and the ice planet of Hoth. Your students can learn about the different characteristics of these planets and compare them to the planets in our own solar system. To challenge the enthusiastic scientists in your class, ask them to explore the idea of habitable planets, connecting their ideas to their understanding of seasonal changes and weather patterns. 

Moving on to key stage 2, students are introduced to more complex ideas -  such as the Earth's rotation and orbit, the solar system and the universe - in Year 5 Earth and Space. Star Wars can be a great visual aid to show these concepts and challenges students by showcasing different spacecraft and their movements. For example, in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, we see the Naboo starfighter execute complex maneuvers in space. You could even go a step beyond the unit’s lessons and get your students to track the movement of interplanetary space probes. 

In addition, Star Wars can help us teach the phases of the moon, which is the key concept covered in Explain the movement of the moon. In the original Star Wars film, the Death Star's superlaser is powered by kyber crystals, which are mined on the moons Ilum and Jedha. Your students can use this lesson to learn about the different phases of the moon and how they relate to the tides on Earth. They can also explore the idea of lunar mining and how it might be used in the future.

Are your students curious about the possibility of life beyond Earth? In the sequel trilogy, we are introduced to a variety of alien species, each with their own unique characteristics. Discuss the idea of extraterrestrial life with your class. What conditions do they think might be necessary for it to exist? 

May the Force be with you on this Star Wars Day!