Year 5's Autumn Term Adventure in Science: Exploring the Solar System

This autumn term, Year 5 embarked on an exciting voyage of discovery as they explored the fascinating topic of Earth and Space. Their studies covered the wonders of our solar system, from the Sun and planets to the phases of the Moon and how day and night occur. 

A highlight of the term was the enrichment trip to the Winchester Science Museum and Planetarium, where pupils were thrilled by an immersive planetarium show that took them on a visual tour of the solar system. 

Our pupils also had the opportunity to showcase their learning through home learning projects, creating impressive models and presentations of the solar system. These projects demonstrated their understanding of key facts, including the order of planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—and their unique characteristics. 

This topic encouraged pupils to think critically about the mysteries of space, asking questions such as, "Do we know everything about the solar system?" It also introduced them to British astronaut Tim Peake, who famously walked in space during his mission on the International Space Station in 2016. 

From lessons in the classroom to hands-on projects and the memorable museum trip, Year 5's exploration of Earth and space has left them with a deeper appreciation of the universe around us. 

Did you know? Jupiter is so massive that all the other planets in our solar system could fit inside it—twice!