Space Junk | Space Science Research Project Template | Digital + Print

Make space junk instantly teachable with a structured research project template that turns a headline worthy topic into rigorous, student driven science learning for middle and high school. Students build clear understanding of orbital debris, collisions, and the real risks to satellites, astronauts, and future space missions by completing a one paragraph summary, a mathematics connection that brings in data such as speeds, altitudes, and collision probability, and an engineering or technological connection focused on tracking systems, shielding, and debris removal solutions.

A five term glossary strengthens scientific vocabulary, while the inquiry section is easy to differentiate with three core challenging questions plus two optional sets of three additional questions, one more accessible for younger learners and one more advanced for older students, so you can swap prompts to match your class. The creative item space adds engagement and ownership without sacrificing academic quality, and the included 20 point rubric streamlines self, peer, or teacher assessment while clarifying expectations. With extra teacher guidance for smooth implementation, this space junk research project supports critical thinking, STEM problem solving, and real world connections across physics, Earth and space science, engineering, and environmental impact units.

This space junk science research project template (webquest) provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can help your students learn all about the topic of space junk. For digital, you can provide a Google doc copy for ease of submission or a Microsoft word version as well.

THIS SPACE JUNK SCIENCE RESEARCH PROJECT TEMPLATE CAN BE USED SO MANY WAYS:

• Useful for substitute (sub) teaching
• To extend students
• To increase scientific literacy in your class
• A weekly reading task
• Great as a lesson filler when class goes too fast
• To inspire students on a particular topic
• Give a selection of these articles for students to choose from

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THIS SPACE JUNK SCIENCE RESEARCH PROJECT TEMPLATE:

• 7 page Google doc image - textboxes teacher version with supporting appendix items
• 3 page Google doc image - textboxes student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
• 7 page Word doc image - textboxes teacher version with supporting appendix items
• 3 page Word doc image - textboxes student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
• 7 page PDF teacher version with supporting appendix items
• 3 page PDF student version with space to fill in answers
• 1 page 20 point rubric for self or teacher assessment in all three - Google doc, Word doc and PDF form

Please note: That the Google Doc / Microsoft Doc versions are images with editable text boxes overlayed on top and this is the most effective way to keep the article sleek and well-designed and also that students cannot change things significantly.