Webb outreach resources
The below resources relating to the James Webb Space Telescope were produced by AstroBoost unless otherwise stated. AstroBoost resources are free for download and use by amateur astronomical societies, or by anyone else running education projects on a non-profit basis.
If you would like editable Word document versions of any AstroBoost documents to allow you to adapt them to your needs, please get in touch.
Webb / Infrared Light
Please let us know if you find any of these resources useful. Having evidence for how they are used will help us in planning future funding proposals.
Some background about what UK school children of different ages will be learning about the physics of light, including concepts and jargon words. Written in 2019.
How an infrared camera works (based on the Flir-C2, but applicable to most other models too). Especially useful for anyone who isn’t confident with the physics of electromagnetic radiation, or with the difference between emission and reflection .
Suggested demonstrations and activities to carry out using an infrared camera. Also check out these short videos about using infrared cameras made by the excellent Sophy Allen and aimed at secondary school teachers and students.
The jigsaw pieces are constructed from A3 mirror board and greyboard. Ours were laser-cut (download the .dxf file here), then glued together with a flap handle that lies flat when not required. Thanks to Dave Hills for constructing these for the initial pilot, and for writing these helpful notes.
Ideas for how to use the jigsaw. Also some background information about Webb’s primary mirror.
Print sheets for use as a self-led activity, Includes add-on activity where children explore tessalating small, paper pentagons and hexagons.
Find-the-stars activity. Requires infared camera, a print-tray (for AstroBoost this was sprayed mat black), an IR-transparent lid (we used a few layers of bin-bag material), and heated ball-bearings (for AstroBoost we warmed these using an electrical heat pad as used by the elderly).
Tricky to pull off, this document explains how you can repeat Herschel’s experiment which showed the existence of infrared. You will need three closely-matched thermometers, with the bulbs painted black, a good prism, reliable sunlight, and a lot of patience!
A short list of recommended internet resources from AstroBoost (2020). Including where to find images and video, and other activites that may be of interest.
Printable instruction sheets for making mini LEGO models of Webb. Be aware it may take longer than you anticipate to source all the required parts.
Printable Avery E3613 labels for LEGO kits, to warn that these are choke hazards and therefore unsuitable for ages 0-3yr.
Cardboard diffraction glasses are popular with all ages and cheap to buy online. They are a great way to show how white light is made up of many different colours of light.
These 2019 AstroBoost Powerpoint slides were made before Webb’s launch. They are placed here in pdf form (which removes some animations, but makes the file a manageable size) for information. If you would like the Powerpoint file to update this presentation, please get in touch.
Detailed 3D model appropriate for 3D printing, available from The Space Telescope Science Insitute. AstroBoost 3D-printed a 20cm version of the simpler model for the pilot-project resource kits.
These cute/engaging but not dumbed-down video introductions to Webb and MIRI could be nice to run as an introduction to a talk, or as something to have running on a loop on a display stand.
Videos from the Space Telescope Science Insitute’s Webb website. The most useful things here might be the short videos showing launch highlights and the location of Webb’s orbit.
A library of printable images from the Space Telescope Science Insititute’s Webb website.
Short videos about diverse British people who have been involved with Webb. The videos show who they are as people and a bit about their personal/daily lives, as well as about how their work relates to Webb. Seeing role models is really important for girls and other under-represented groups.
The website of the UK Webb Campaign. There are a variety of resources here in addition to those linked above.
This ESA media kit was designed for the Webb launch, but it includes a lot of information that is still relevant. You can download individual ‘pages’ at high-res to print into posters or to display on screens. Most are a bit too complicated for Powerpoint talks, but they are perfect for displays.
Dave Eagle from Northants AS beautifully adapted his by facing the mirrors with gold mirror card. Much cheaper than LEGO equivalents, available for ~£25 from Ali Express (this is where Dave got his).