Galactic Science Teacher Guide
Grades 1–2 • Educator Resource
Galactic Science Teacher Guide
★ Star Wars Science Week
Mission Command Briefing
Welcome, Science Commander! This theme pack uses high-interest galaxy lore to teach core 1st and 2nd grade physical and Earth science concepts. Each mission pairs an inquiry-based investigation with an engaging craft. All activities use low-cost, classroom-safe materials.
The Four Galactic Missions
1
Space & Planets
Crater Impact Drop
Explore meteorite craters and moon landscapes with flour & cocoa.
2
Matter & Reactions
Kyber Crystal Fizz
Mix solids and liquids to produce gas bubbles and reveal hidden colors.
3
Light & Color
Glow Saber Light Lab
Investigate transparent vs opaque shields and color beam filters.
4
Forces & Motion
Speeder Balloon Thrusters
Test pushes, pulls, air thrust propulsion, and speed variables.
Master Supply Depot Checklist
Mission 1: Trays, flour, cocoa, sifter, marbles/pebbles, rulers.
Mission 2: Baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, food dye, droppers, cups.
Mission 3: Flashlights, paper tubes, colored cellophane, rubber bands.
Mission 4: Balloons, plastic straws, yarn/string, tape, clothespins.
Cadet Safety & Station Flow Rules
- Goggles on for Reactions: Keep vinegar and fizzy mixtures away from eyes and mouth.
- Gentle Space Drop: Drop impact spheres straight down into the dust pan—no throwing!
- Flashlight Care: Remind cadets never to shine beams directly into eyes.
- Partner System: Assign Cadets in Flight Pairs (Navigator + Pilot) to share materials smoothly.
Galactic Science Academy • Teacher Guide Page 1 of 3
Station Instructions
Missions 1 & 2: Planets & Reactions
Day 1 & Day 2
1
Crater Impact Drop (Space & Planets)
Duration: 35–45 min
The Science
Meteoroids crash into rocky worlds without atmospheres, transferring kinetic energy to create impact craters with ejecta rays.
Galaxy Tie-In
Like the cratered moons of Endor or desert worlds like Tatooine, space rocks shape planetary surfaces over millions of years.
Prep Note
Fill tray with 1.5 inches of flour. Sift a thin, dark dusting of cocoa powder on top. Place newspaper beneath trays!
Mission Steps for Cadets:
- Predict: Cadets predict whether small or large space rocks create wider craters.
- Drop Test A (Small Rock): Hold marble 12 inches above tray and release without pushing.
- Observe & Measure: Lift rock out gently. Observe the white flour "ejecta" rays across the cocoa!
- Drop Test B (Heavy Rock / Higher Drop): Repeat with a heavier sphere or from shoulder height.
- Record & Craft: Sketch the crater in the Lab Booklet and create a planetary surface rubbing.
2
Kyber Crystal Fizz Lab (Matter & Reactions)
Duration: 30–40 min
The Science
Acid (vinegar) and base (baking soda) react chemically to create carbon dioxide gas bubbles trapped by soap foam.
Galaxy Tie-In
Kyber crystals power lightsabers. Hidden mineral crystals reveal their glowing blue, green, or red energy when activated!
Secret Prep
Put 2 drops food coloring at bottom of cup, cover with 2 tbsp baking soda. Color is hidden until liquid triggers fizzing!
Mission Steps for Cadets:
- Touch & Feel: Examine baking soda powder (solid) and vinegar (liquid). Describe texture and smell.
- Fuel Injection: Fill dropper with activator liquid (vinegar with a drop of dish soap).
- The Eruption: Squeeze liquid into powder. Observe bubbling gas uncovering the hidden crystal color!
- Sensory Check: Listen to the crackling foam sound and touch the outside of cup to feel the cool reaction.
- Crystal Craft: Use the foam with droppers to tint a cardstock "Kyber Crystal" insignia.
Galactic Science Academy • Teacher Guide Page 2 of 3
Station Instructions
Missions 3 & 4: Light & Motion
Day 3 & Day 4
3
Glow Saber Light Lab (Light & Color)
Duration: 35–45 min
The Science
Light travels in straight lines. Transparent materials let light pass; colored filters absorb wavebands; opaque shields block light and make shadows.
Galaxy Tie-In
Cadets construct laser blade tubes and test energy deflector shields against photon beams, just like starship deflector screens.
Station Tip
Dim classroom lights or provide cardboard "Hangar Box" viewing tunnels for dramatic color beam contrast.
Mission Steps for Cadets:
- Craft Saber Tube: Roll white paper into a tube and tape it around the flashlight neck to disperse glowing light.
- Color Filter Test: Fasten cellophane (blue, red, green) over the lens with a rubber band to see the beam shift color.
- Beam Mixing: In flight pairs, overlap a red beam and blue beam onto white cardstock to observe purple fusion.
- Shield Block Test: Shine light through plastic wrap, wax paper, and foil/black paper; record as Clear, Hazy, or Blocked.
4
Speeder Balloon Thrusters (Forces & Motion)
Duration: 40–50 min
The Science
Forces are pushes and pulls. Air rushing backward exerts a forward thrust push on the speeder. String friction opposes motion.
Galaxy Tie-In
Starfighters and landspeeders rely on ion propulsion. Cadets calibrate thrust volume to navigate asteroid belts.
Track Setup
Tightly tie 12 ft smooth string between chairs. Thread a 2-inch plastic straw section on before securing line.
Mission Steps for Cadets:
- Craft Speeder Shell: Cadets color and cut the paper Starfighter body, then tape it to the plastic straw slider.
- Charge the Engine: Inflate balloon, pinch neck with a clothespin (no knots), and tape balloon body beneath straw.
- Launch Countdown: Release clothespin! Observe speeder zooming forward as air escapes backward.
- Variable Trial: Test a half-filled balloon vs fully inflated balloon. Measure and compare landing zones.
Cadet Academy Debrief Prompts
• Space: "Why do meteorites make circular craters even when falling from an angle?"
• Matter: "What proved a chemical change happened? (Bubbles, fizzing sound, cold temperature!)"
• Light: "What happens to a shadow when an object moves closer to your saber beam?"
• Motion: "Which way did the air push, and which way did your starfighter zoom?"
Galactic Science Academy • Teacher Guide Page 3 of 3
Galactic Cadet Lab Booklet
Official Science Academy
Galactic Cadet Lab Booklet
Cadet Rank: Explorer
Cadet Name:
Call Sign (Nickname):
Date & Squad:
Mission Badges:
Mission 1 🪐 Crater
Mission 2 ⚗️ Kyber
Mission 3 ✨ Saber
Mission 4 🚀 Speeder
1
Mission 1: Crater Impact Drop
Space & Planets
Cadet Prediction:
When a heavy meteoroid crashes into the moon surface, what kind of crater will it make?
A tiny, shallow crater A wide, deep crater with dust rays
Crater Telescope View:
Look closely at your crater. Draw the circular hole and the white dust lines (ejecta rays) spreading out!
[ Draw Crater Here ]
Cadet Mission Finding:
The heavier the space rock, the (bigger / smaller) the crater!
Galactic Cadet Lab Booklet Page 1 of 4
2
Mission 2: Kyber Crystal Fizz Lab
Matter & Reactions
Cadet Mission Brief: Today you will mix a white solid powder with a clear activator liquid. Can two quiet ingredients wake up a bubbling, fizzy reaction and reveal your secret crystal energy?
What secret Kyber crystal color erupted in your chamber?
Guardian Blue
Consular Green
Sentinel Purple
Sith Crimson
Reaction Chamber Diagram:
Draw your cup! Show the white powder at the bottom, the liquid activator, and the colorful bubbling foam rising up!
[ Draw Reaction Foam Here ]
3 States of Matter Detective Test:
1. Baking Soda
Dry white powder
SOLID
2. Vinegar
Pouring activator
LIQUID
3. Rising Bubbles
Fizzing foam
GAS
Scientific Fact: The fizzing gas is Carbon Dioxide (\(\text{CO}_2\))!
Galactic Cadet Lab Booklet Page 2 of 4
3
Mission 3: Glow Saber Light Lab
Light & Color
Shield Beam Penetration Test:
Shine saber beam through each shield material!
| Shield Material | What Happened to Beam? | Science Word (Cadet Circle) |
|---|
| 1. Clear Plastic Wrap | Light beams right through | Transparent |
Galactic Mission Briefing Slides
Galactic Science Academy
Grades 1 & 2 Mission HQ
Star Wars Science Squad
Four epic missions across the galaxy: explore impact craters, awaken fizzy Kyber crystals, bend light beams, and launch balloon speeders!
1 Planets & Moons
2 Matter Reactions
3 Light & Color
4 Forces & Motion
MISSION 1 Space & Planets
Lab Station 1
Crater Impact Drop
How do rocky worlds like Tatooine and our Moon get their giant round scars?
🚀 Cadet Goal: Drop space rocks into lunar dust and observe the circular crater and white ejecta rays!
Flight Checklist:
1 Hold rock directly over target tray
2 Release gently—do not throw!
3 Sketch crater rays in your Lab Booklet
Question: Does a heavier space rock make a bigger crater? Predict first!
MISSION 2 Matter & Reactions
Lab Station 2
Kyber Crystal Fizz
Can two quiet ingredients create an eruption of bubbling gas and reveal secret crystal colors?
✨ Science Magic: Solid powder + liquid activator creates carbon dioxide gas bubbles!
Cadet Observations:
👁️ Watch the colorful foam rise up
👂 Listen to the sizzling, crackling gas
✋ Feel how cold the cup becomes!
Safety Alert: Keep activator liquid away from eyes & nose! Goggles On!
MISSION 3 Light & Color
Lab Station 3
Glow Saber Light Lab
Build glowing energy blades, test deflector shields, and mix beam colors across space!
💡 Deflector Test: Does light pass right through, scatter softly, or cast a dark shadow?
Three Types of Shields:
1. Transparent (Clear) Light beams pass straight through!
2. Translucent (Cloudy) Light scatters in a soft glow.
3. Opaque (Solid) Light is blocked completely—makes shadow!
Color Fusion Secret: Red beam + Blue beam = Purple! Try it in pairs!
MISSION 4 Forces & Motion
Lab Station 4
Speeder Balloon Thrusters
Harness the push of air pressure to zoom your starfighter across the flight line!
💨 The Law of Motion: Air rushes backward, pushing your speeder forward!
Flight Test Protocol:
1 Color and tape your paper starfighter hull
2 Fill engine balloon with air & clamp neck
