Teacher guide · Curious Lab · Easier · about 50 min

👽 Space Zoo Keeper

Pupils practise curiosity and creativity through "Space Zoo Keeper": Look after funny alien animals on a space zoo.

Lesson guide

1. Hook · 5 min
Show the 👽 mission title and read the opening: "A new alien has arrived! Look at the clues.". Take three quick guesses.
2. Model · 5 min
Think aloud through the first step together. Use Sniff the Beagle's line as your prompt: "Great question! Ready to dig one layer deeper? Pick your next mission below."
3. Do · 25 min
Pairs work through the 7 steps on screen or on the printed sheet. Circulate and ask "why?"
4. Discuss · 10 min
Use two or three of the discussion questions. Ask pairs to share different answers, not just correct ones.
5. Reflect · 5 min
Exit ticket: one sentence on how they used curiosity today.

What was the hardest choice in "Space Zoo Keeper", and why?
Where should it live — explain your reasoning to a partner.
An alien is sad. What could help — explain your reasoning to a partner.
Invent your own alien. What does it look like — explain your reasoning to a partner.
Where could you use curiosity outside school this week?
If you did this again, what would you change?

Support: Read prompts aloud, pair with a confident partner, and accept spoken or drawn answers for writing steps.

Stretch: Ask pupils to create their own extra step for a partner and explain the correct answer.

National Curriculum: Science: working scientifically — asking questions and observing
National Curriculum: Geography/History: enquiry and using sources
PSHE: Living in the wider world: media literacy and checking information

Pupil sheet

Name: ____________________ Date: __________

1. A new alien has arrived! Look at the clues.
Clue — Its feet: Big and flat, like flippers.
Clue — Its skin: Wet and shiny.
Clue — Its food bowl: Full of tiny fish.
2. Where should it live?
☐ In a tree
☐ In the desert
☐ Next to the space pond
3. Match each alien to its home.
🦑 Wiggly squid → ________________
🦇 Night flapper → ________________
🌵 Prickle pup → ________________
🐦 Sky fluff → ________________
4. An alien is sad. What could help?
☐ Give it a friend to play with
☐ Shout at it
5. Feeding time order.
___ Clean up
___ Feed aliens
___ Fill bowls
___ Wash hands
6. Invent your own alien. What does it look like?
7. What is your alien called?