NASA’s Artemis Programme is one of the most ambitious engineering and exploration missions in human history — a real-time, unfolding story of teamwork, innovation and adventure. Our Artemis Missions Sessions Plan brings this extraordinary journey into your classroom with a ready‑to‑teach STEM experience that captures imaginations and builds deep scientific understanding.
Designed for time‑poor teachers who want maximum impact with minimal preparation, this session explains Artemis I, II and III, the Space Launch System (SLS), the Orion spacecraft, the Gateway Space Station, deep‑space radiation research, and the mission stages from launch to splashdown. It turns cutting‑edge space science into an accessible, gripping lesson series that students cannot stop talking about.
What the Artemis Missions Sessions Plan Covers
These sessions guide students through the entire Artemis story, including:
A cinematic introduction — the dramatic launch of Artemis I
Students relive the night the world’s most powerful rocket lit up the sky and began its journey to the Moon.
Artemis I, II & III explained
From uncrewed lunar flybys to the planned first woman and next man on the Moon, students explore the purpose and future of each mission.
The SLS & Orion spacecraft
They learn how NASA’s mega‑rocket works, why Orion is designed for deep space, and how engineering teams across continents built the world’s most powerful launch system.
Building the biggest rocket in the world
Students discover the enormous Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), rocket stacking, and how rockets are transported to the launch pad.
Science experiments in space
Mannequins Helga, Zohar and Moonikin Campos help explain solar storms, radiation and astronaut protection.
Lunar orbits, CubeSats & deep-space travel
Real mission data helps students understand:
- Distant retrograde orbits (DRO)
- CubeSats
- Splashdown and heat shields
- Solar sail missions
- Water ice on the Moon
All of this is packaged in a narrative that feels like watching a blockbuster — but grounded in real science.
What Students Will Learn
These sessions help students:
- Understand lunar travel, orbits, re‑entry and propulsion
- Learn Newton’s laws through rocket examples
- Discover international collaboration in aerospace
- Explore real astronaut challenges (gravity, radiation, isolation)
- Appreciate engineering careers and future Mars exploration
- Recognise how science, technology and teamwork drive human achievement
Students leave the lesson feeling like they are part of the Artemis generation.
Curriculum Connections
Perfect for:
- KS2 & KS3 Physics: forces, motion, thrust, gravity, space
- KS2 & KS3 STEM: engineering design, scientific enquiry
- Space science units: satellites, rockets, orbits, the Moon
- Careers education: engineering, astrophysics, aerospace
- Cross-curricular links: literacy (storytelling), geography (Earth/Moon), history (Apollo missions)
Artemis provides a real-world “why” behind the curriculum.
Real World Examples That Light Up the Classroom
- How rockets produce 39 million newtons of thrust
- Why astronauts only weigh 1/6 their Earth weight on the Moon
- How a heat shield protects a spacecraft at 5,000°F
- How CubeSats are searching for water ice
- How solar sails propel spacecraft
- How astronauts train with mannequins and vests for radiation safety
- How the Gateway Space Station will orbit the Moon as a staging point for Mars
This is physics, engineering and human exploration — brought to life.
Benefits for Teachers
- Zero prep — everything is written for you
- Engaging narrative students instantly connect with
- Clear explanations of complex ideas
- Teacher prompts, questions & quizzes included
- Connects perfectly with water rocket activities
- Flexible format — assembly, full lesson, enrichment day or mini‑series
- Ideal for STEM, science and space‑themed events
Teachers report that students continue talking about the Artemis missions for weeks after this session.
Get the Artemis Missions Sessions Plan from our Learning Zone.