This week’s primary school assembly and classroom discussion explores an exciting news story: Dr Rosemary Coogan, the UK’s new astronaut, is currently training with NASA and is expected to take part in a space mission within the next five years. Dr Coogan, who has a degree in astronomy, could potentially become the first British person to walk on the Moon. There are even discussions about future missions to Mars! Learning from Dr Rosemary Coogan’s Story Dr Coogan’s journey shows us that becoming an astronaut requires dedication, education, and resilience. Her experiences offer a perfect opportunity to learn about what it means to be the first to try something new—whether it’s exploring space or making a difference in our own communities. Classroom Questions and Reflections To spark discussion, consider these questions with your class: Would you like to travel to space if you had the opportunity? Why or why not? Have you ever been the first to do something? How did it feel? Was it exciting, scary, or both? Why do you think being the first often requires courage? What qualities help people step into the unknown? Can you name any famous people who achieved something for the first time? What impact did they make? What can we learn from people who were the first to do something? Why Are ‘Firsts’ Important? Being the first to do something is about more than just winning or recognition. It can inspire others, encourage brave actions, and help create positive change. People remember milestones like the first Moon landing or the first flight not just because they were new, but because they showed what humanity is capable of achieving. Astronauts and Daily Life in Space A typical day for an astronaut combines work, exercise, eating, and relaxation—all while floating in microgravity! Astronauts must exercise every day to keep their bodies healthy, since lack of gravity can make muscles weak. Even simple tasks like sleeping or eating are different in space, as everything floats. Reflection Activities Compare your daily routine to that of an astronaut. How is your day the same or different? If you could travel into space, what would you take with you? What do you think would be challenging? Courage and Inspiration in the Classroom Try creating a ‘courage tree’ with your class. Write hopes, dreams, or things you’d like to try on paper leaves. Add words of encouragement to help everyone feel more confident about trying something new. Or, as a creative project, draw or paint a portrait of someone who achieved something for the first time. This could be Dr Coogan, another famous figure, or someone you know personally. Add a caption to share their story and inspire others. Fun Extension Activities Star Number Constellation Challenge: Create your own star pattern by drawing stars and connecting them with lines according to a number sequence. Give your constellation a creative name! Astronaut Daily Routine Wheel: Make a spinning wheel that shows different parts of an astronaut’s day, such as working, exercising, eating, or sleeping in space. Key Vocabulary Astronaut: Someone specially trained to travel and work in space. Degree: A qualification from a college or university, showing in-depth knowledge about a subject. NASA: The USA’s space agency, known for training astronauts and leading space missions. Spacewalk: When an astronaut moves around outside their vehicle while still attached for safety. Humanity: The race of human beings; people. Mars: A planet in our solar system, believed to be able to support life in the future. Final Reflections Being the first to do something often takes courage and determination. Even small steps can inspire others, lead to big changes, and help someone else feel braver too. Astronauts like Dr Rosemary Coogan remind us how important it is to dream big, try new things, and keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
