Cosmic Curiosity: Stories that spark the imagination

Calling all the curious!

Are you ready to journey into space with the University of Hertfordshire’s Department of Physics, Astronomy and Maths and Hertfordshire Libraries?

We are going to read some great stories about space, learn about four very important space jobs and do some fun activities along the way. These sessions are aimed at children ages 4-7 to explore the wonderful world of science. We are going to read some great stories about space, learn about four very important space jobs and do some fun activities along the way. Find out who you could be by browsing our cosmic activities below.

Contact Nuala O'Flynn for more information.

You could be an… Astronaut
Astronauts are trained by different space agencies such as NASA in order to command, pilot or serve as a crew member aboard spacecraft and the International Space Station. Astronauts have to be fit, healthy and fully prepared before they go into space. When they are in space, they carry out scientific experiments and research.
Watch our astronaut book session: Astro Girl read by Ken Wilson Max
What did you think of the story?
Now we get to be an Astronaut! We are going to be using skills today that everyone has but are especially useful for being an astronaut which are Hard Work, Teamwork and Communication.
Access all astronaut activities
You could be an… Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace engineers design and build aircrafts, satellites, missiles and spacecrafts. Without them astronauts wouldn’t get off the ground! People have never set foot on any other planets in our solar system. We have visited the moon, but it is much harder to make spacecrafts which support people long enough to visit the planets!
Watch our aerospace book session: Meet the planets by Caryl Hart and Bethan Woollvin
What did you think of the story?
Now we get to be an Aerospace Engineer! We are going to be using skills today that everyone has but are especially useful for being an aerospace engineer which are passion, creativity and determination.
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You could be a… Planetary Geologist
A planetary geologist is someone who studies how other planets (and moons and asteroids and comets and whatever else is floating out there) are made and change over time.
We like to study the moon because we actually have samples of rocks and soils from the moon which helps planetary geologists understand it better, let’s learn some more about it in our story.
Watch our planetary geologist book session: Moon by Britta Trekentrup and Patricia Hergartly
What did you think of the story?
Now we get to be a planetary geologist! We are going to be using skills today that everyone has but are especially useful for being a planetary geologist which are creativity, curiosity and observant.
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You could be an... Astronomer
Astronomers study objects in space. One of the most important things they study are stars! The closest star to Earth is the Sun, but there are millions and billions of stars in our Universe.
If you have ever looked up into the night sky you may have noticed that some stars are grouped together, these are called constellations. A constellation is a bit like a dot-to-dot puzzle. If you join the stars and use lots of imagination, the picture would look like an object, animal, or person.
As long ago as 32,500 years ago, humans have been naming constellation and giving them stories and we are going to do the same.
Watch our astronomer book session: Look up by Nathan Byron and Dapo Adeola
What did you think of the story?
Now we get tobe an Astronomer! We are going to be using skills today that everyone has but are especially useful for being an astronomer which are Open-minded, Motivationand Patience.
Access the full Astronomer activities
Great Books to Increase your Cosmic Curiosity
There’s lots of exciting space books for children and grown-ups alike.
All books will be available in your local Hertfordshire library where you can pick up your Cosmic Curiosity Loyalty Card which you can get it stamped when you take out one of these books or any book that is about Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths. Once you get four stamps, you’ll get a surprise!
Access see the full list of books