Sky Trackers :: Resources


ABOUT Sky Trackers>>
Sky Trackersis a science-based drama series revolving around Nikki and Mike. They are both scientists’ children living beneath the massive dishes of a space tracking station in the heart of the Australian outback. The story lines and characters actively model inquiry learning and investigation. The series seeks to break down negative views about science and to encourage children, particularly girls, to think about jobs in science areas as a positive option for the future. Teaching Resources Selected Sky Trackers episodes in 3 Education Packs focusing on the themes: The Environment, Family and Self, and Space. Each Pack comprises a video of three half-hour episodes from Sky Trackers, and a resource book designed to help teachers and students from years 5-10 explore the given topics, using the episodes as inspiration. Order the education packs Free lesson plans that relate to the episodes of Sky Trackers in the 3 themed Education Packs.

KLA, Year Level and Theme	Description
Year Level: Year 5 to Year 9 KLA: English Theme/Topic: Narrative Structure; Environment	1. The Beast Students analyse multiple plots in a story, use of symbols to indicate Australianness, techniques used to create suspense. The story narrative provides stimulus to explore wildlife conservation


Year Level: Year 5 to Year 9 KLA: SOSE Theme/Topic: Environment	2. The Beast B Students explore issues about introduced species. They discuss the issues raised, research a feral animal, participate in a debate about the topic and create solutions to the problem of feral animals.


Year Level: Year 5 to Year 9 KLA: English Theme/Topic: Narrative Structure; Environment	3. Dead Ducks Students explore some narrative devices used to tell stories on film. They identify how information is provided for the viewer, analyse the plotline, and discuss inductive and deductive reasoning.


Year Level: Year 5 to Year 9 KLA: SOSE Theme/Topic: Environment	4. Dead Ducks B With these activities, students explore issues surrounding water pollution and the ownership of found objects.


Year Level: Year 5 to Year 9 KLA: English Theme/Topic: Narrative Structure; Families; Film Language; Self and Relationships	5. Letting Go Students analyse the dialogue, discuss how the passage of time is conveyed to an audience and how sound is used in film, and they create a storyboard for a scene.


Year Level: Year 5 to Year 9 KLA: English Theme/Topic: Narrative Structure; Film Language; War and Conflict	6. Is There Life on Earth? With these activities, students analyse how the development of character, conflict, and relationships is managed through the visual medium of film.


Year Level: Year 5 to Year 9 KLA: SOSE Theme/Topic: Environment; Our Place in Space and Time	7. Is There Life on Earth B? This episode is stimulus for students to undertake research in preparation for a debate about public funding of scientific research and a presentation about the impact of people on other cultures.


Year Level: Year 5 to Year 9 KLA: English Theme/Topic: Narrative Structure; War and Conflict	8. Long Distance Call Students explore narrative techniques including exposition and dramatic licence, write and present a scene to the class, research one of the episode's themes and write a role play or creative essay.


Year Level: Year 5 to Year 9 KLA: SOSE; Science Theme/Topic: Environment; Our Place in Space and Time	9. Long Distance Call B With these activities students undertake an analysis and evaluation of funding spent on space exploration programs.


Year Level: Year 5 to Year 9 KLA: English Theme/Topic: Narrative Structure	10. Meteor Rights Students analyse some film techniques and use of 'the conquest' as a narrative device. They explore conflict, learn about meteorites, write a scene, summarise written and visual information.


Year Level: Year 5 to Year 9 KLA: SOSE Theme/Topic: Environment; Our Place in Space and Time	11. Meteor Rights B Students explore ownership rights to found objects eg meteorites and the mythology and science surrounding meteorites. Students discuss the value of meteorite discoveries and write a creative essay.


Year Level: Year 5 to Year 9 KLA: English Theme/Topic: Narrative Structure; Families; Self and Relationships	12. Origins Students create a storyboard to illustrate some film techniques used to engage the audience; and analyse the role of music in film. They may also discuss issues about adoption and children's rights. Worksheets: worksheet


Year Level: Year 5 to Year 9 KLA: English Theme/Topic: Environment	13. Penguin Point These activities encourage students, through discussion, to explore the purpose of multiple plot lines and ways of conveying a particular message through film.


Year Level: Year 5 to Year 9 KLA: SOSE Theme/Topic: Environment	14. Penguin Point B Students explore the effect of oil spills on the environment and the responsibilities of those involved.


Year Level: Year 5 to Year 9 KLA: English Theme/Topic: Narrative Structure; Families; Film Language; Self and Relationships; War and Conflict	15. Rocket to Me Students analyse the narrative devices used to tell a story about family conflict. They examine family relationships and discuss the apparent contradiction between family conflict and support.


	ABOUT Sky Trackers>>