Cosmic Cadet Activity Pack
Mission Logbook • Grade 1-2
Cosmic Cadet Flight Log
Cadet Name: ______________________
Launch Date: ______________________
Cadet Mission Order: You have been selected for Space Mission Bravo! Complete each training mission, build your flight equipment, and earn your official Junior Astronaut Wings.
1
Design Your Official Astronaut Badge
Draw your face inside the visor!
Helmet Visor
Astronaut Self-Portrait
Space Cadet Call Sign (Your Nickname):
Spacecraft Name:
My Astronaut Super Skill:
Badge Status: FLIGHT CERTIFIED
2
Cosmic Word Detective: Trace & Match
Read each space word, trace the dotted letters neatly, and draw a line to its matching cosmic picture.
1. R O C K E T straw craft
2. P L A N E T orbits sun
3. C R A T E R moon bowl
4. O R B I T round path
Deep round dent on the moon
A circular path around a star
Vehicle pushed by burning gas
A giant sphere like Earth or Mars
Cosmic Craft Adventure • Student Activity Pack Page 1 of 4
Activity 2 • Night Sky Science
Constellation Creation Station
Cadet Name: ______________________
Star Fact: A constellation is a group of stars that forms a recognizable pattern in the sky! Ancient stargazers used them like a giant sky map to tell stories and navigate ships.
A
3D Constellation Builder Cards
Hands-On Craft
Connect the stars with pencil lines first. Then, build the 3D model using mini marshmallows (or clay balls) for stars and toothpicks (or dry spaghetti) for the connecting lines!
The Big Dipper (Ursa Major) 7 Stars • 6 Sticks
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Marshmallows needed: 7 Toothpicks needed: 6
Cassiopeia (The Crown 'W') 5 Stars • 4 Sticks
1 2 3 4 5
Marshmallows needed: 5 Toothpicks needed: 4
B
Invent Your Own Constellation
Pick 4 to 8 dots to connect!
Connect dots to make an animal, tool, or space creature. Give your new constellation a name!
Constellation Name:
What shape is it?
Stars in pattern:
Cosmic Craft Adventure • Student Activity Pack Page 2 of 4
Activity 3 • Rocket Science & Math
Straw Rocket Lab & Flight Tracker
Cadet Name: ______________________
Rocket Cut-Out & Assembly Template
Cut Along Dotted Lines
ROCKET BODY #1
USA-1
Color, cut & tape around straw
ROCKET BODY #2 (DESIGN YOUR OWN)
Draw your custom mission logo!
Stabilizer Fins (Cut & Fold)
Quick Build Steps:
1. Wrap paper strip around wider straw.
2. Tape top shut so air cannot escape.
3. Slide over launch straw and blow!
B
Blastoff Distance & Angle Experiment
Measure in floor tiles or footsteps!
Launch your straw rocket 3 times. Test blowing straight ahead (flat) versus tilted up toward the ceiling (45° angle)!
| Launch | Launch Angle | Puff Power | Distance (Tiles / Footsteps) | Flight Notes |
|---|
| Test 1 | Flat (Straight Ahead) | Medium Puff | ________ tiles | Straight / Wobble |
| Test 2 | Tilted Up (High Arc) | Big Puff | ________ tiles | High soar / Dive |
| Test 3 | Your Favorite Angle | Super Puff! | ________ tiles | Personal Best! |
Rocket Scientist Question: Which launch went the furthest, and why?
Cosmic Craft Adventure • Student Activity Pack Page 3 of 4
Activity 4 • Solar System & Creative Writing
Planet Parade & Alien Habitat
Cadet Name: ______________________
A
Solar System Order: 1 to 8
Memory Trick: My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos!
Write the numbers 1 through 8 in the circles to put the planets in order starting closest to the Sun.
1
Mercury Closest & Rocky
2
Venus Super Hot Clouds
3
Earth Our Home & Water
4
Mars The Red Planet
5
Jupiter Biggest & Giant Red Spot
6
Saturn Shiny Icy Rings
7
Uranus Icy & Tilts on Side
8
Neptune Cold Windy Giant
B
Deep Space Alien Discovery
Draw & Write
Alien Portrait & Planet Habitat:
My Alien's Name:
Which planet does it live on?
Special body feature (e.g. 3 eyes, fur, antenna):
What does it eat for space breakfast?
Official Cadet Sign-Off: Mission Completed By Cadet ____________________
EARNED SPACE WINGS
Cosmic Craft Adventure • Student Activity Pack Page 4 of 4
Cosmic Mission Slides
Mission Control • Grade 1-2
Space Cadet Headquarters
Cosmic Craft Adventure
Put on your space helmets! Today we explore distant planets, engineer flying rockets, and map out glowing star patterns.
Station 1
Planet Parade
Station 2
Constellation Art
Station 3
Straw Rocket Lab
1
Meet Our Cosmic Neighborhood
8 Planets Orbit 1 Sun
"My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos!"
Mercury • Venus • Earth • Mars • Jupiter • Saturn • Uranus • Neptune
Rocky Inner Planets
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
These four planets are made of solid rock and metal. You can stand your boots right on the ground!
Giant Gas & Ice Planets
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
Huge swirling balls of gas and ice! Jupiter has a giant storm and Saturn wears dazzling icy rings.
2
Constellation Creation Station
Marshmallows & Toothpicks
1
Count Your Stars
Gather your mini marshmallows or clay balls. Each marshmallow will be one bright star in your pattern!
Big Dipper = 7 Stars
2
Connect the Beams
Gently poke toothpicks into the marshmallows following the dotted blueprint map on your cadet log.
Cassiopeia = 4 Sticks
3
Name Your Pattern
Flip to Activity B and invent your own star pattern! Give it an awesome space name like "Cosmic Dragon" or "Super Comet."
Be Creative!
Cadet Pro Tip: Press gently so your marshmallows don't squish flat! Sturdy frames stand proud on the desk.
3
Straw Rocket Science & Blastoff
Pneumatic Air Power
How Does It Fly?
When you blow into the straw, your lungs trap a pocket of high-pressure air inside the closed rocket top.
"Push air backward → Rocket shoots forward!"
This is the exact same scientific rule NASA uses to send astronauts into orbit!
The Angle Test
Flat Point straight ahead. Does it drop quickly to the floor?
Tilted 45° Angle up toward the ceiling. Can it soar across the room?
Count your footsteps to measure your personal best!
Safety Check: Always point rockets away from faces and eyes!
Cadet Oath
The Junior Astronaut Pledge
Space Mission Teacher Guide
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Cosmic Craft Adventure: Lesson Plan
Target Grades: 1st & 2nd Grade
Duration: 60 Mins (or 4 Stations)
Subject: Earth & Space STEM
Key Learning Objectives
1. Astronomy: Identify the 8 planets in sequence and recognize that stars form patterns called constellations.
2. Engineering: Assemble a sealed straw rocket and test how launch angle influences travel distance.
3. Fine Motor & STEM: Connect 3D vertices using sticks and connectors to build geometric sky figures.
Required Materials & Teacher Prep
Supplies Per Student:
- 1 Plastic drinking straw (standard launch pipe)
- 1 Wider milkshake straw or paper tube (fits over launch straw)
- 10-12 Mini marshmallows (or small balls of playdough)
- 8-10 Toothpicks (or snapped dry spaghetti sticks)
- Clear Scotch tape & child safety scissors
Classroom Setup Tips:
- Launch Runway: Clear an aisle or open hallway floor with tape marks every 2 feet to make measuring distance easy for young learners.
- Marshmallow Management: Stale marshmallows work best! Leave bags open the night before for firmer grip on toothpicks.
- Hygiene Rule: Label straws with student names using a sharpie so straws are not mixed up.
Pacing Guide (60-Minute Lesson or Station Rotation)
10 Mins
Launch & Astronaut Induction (Slides 1-2):
Introduce mission goals, rehearse planet mnemonic rhyme, and have students fill in their Astronaut Cadet ID visor and call sign.
15 Mins
Constellation Creation Station (Slide 3 & Page 2):
Model tracing the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia. Students assemble toothpick/marshmallow 3D models, then design and name their custom constellation.
20 Mins
Straw Rocket Aerodynamics Lab (Slide 4 & Page 3):
Step-by-step assembly of the paper rocket sleeve. Students conduct 3 controlled test launches, compare flat vs 45° angles, and count footsteps.
15 Mins
Planet Parade & Cadet Debrief (Slide 5 & Page 4):
Number planets 1 to 8, draw the creative alien creature, take the Astronaut Pledge, and award the official Cadet Wings stamp!
