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Worksheet
Curated OER

Observing The Sky

For Students 6th - 8th
In this space science instructional activity, learners find the words that are related to the observations made of constellations and other related puzzles.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

How Do Astronomers Measure Distances to Stars?

For Students 8th - 9th
In this astronomy instructional activity, students participate in an activity using the parallax effect to measure star distances. They record their information in a data table then complete 5 fill in the blank conclusion questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram

For Teachers 7th - 8th
In this astronomy worksheet, students use a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to examine the relationship between the average temperatures of stars and their absolute magnitude. After viewing the diagram, they complete 10 short answer questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Night Sky: Summer

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explain how moon phases occur. They describe and explain at least two common misconceptions that people have about the moon. Students explain what a star is. They explain 3 ways that the night sky has been used throughout history.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Stars

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students discuss the life of a star and the different types of stars after watching the Discovery video "Exploring Stars". They create a flipbook that demonstrates the life of a star after collecting information on the life cycles of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Habitable Zones

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students focus on stellar luminosities to estimate size of habitable zones, map out habitable zone around hot light bulbs that serve as models of stars, investigate how size of model "habitable zone" around light bulbs depends on...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Universe

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students describe what scientists mean by an "expanding universe" in their own words. They explain how scientists comprehend the universie is expanding. Students comprehend the vast scale of the universe. They comprehend how theory...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sky Stories

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students are introduced to the branch of science known as astronomy. They discuss stars and constellations and then view the night sky using a portable digital planetarium projector. They identify a variety of constellations and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Quest

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students review the concepts of the branch of science known as astronomy. They discuss stars and constellations and then view the night sky using a portable digital planetarium projector. They identify a variety of constellations using a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stellar Navigation

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers are introduced to the concept of stellar navigation. Inside a portable digital planetarium they identify various stars that were used as a navigational tool. They go through several activities in which they attempt to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders sing the son "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." They are asked:"How many of you have looked at the stars in the sky on a clear night? Have you ever wished on a star? What did you wish?" Students are explained the concept...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stars and Constellations

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders investigate how ancient cultures viewed their world in terms of astronomy. They read and discuss an informational handout, construct an astrolabe, and locate stars and constellations using star charts.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Asteroids!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore how to visually identify asteroids in SDSS images. They are able to explain that stars are so far away that they do not appear to move, even over the course of a human lifespan. Students identify the location...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Making of a Star

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create schematic diagrams of the new Russian space station module. They compose an imaginary yet realistic series of diary entries from the point of view of an astronaut living on board the completed space station.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Count

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the night sky with their star counter. They to determine the types of stars and the number that can be seen from their local area and share their data via the Internet. They participate in NASA online projects.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space Science: Zodiac Track

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students create posters of the constellations using glow-in-the-dark glue and black paper. They hang their posters around the room starting with Aries and moving through all the signs. Students create a jingle or acronym to help them...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Illustrate the Constellations

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students research ancient Greek heroes immortalized in constellations. They choose three constellations in either the summer or winter sky to illustrate and reinforce their understanding of the northern constellations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Demonstrating the Distances of Stars

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the distance from Earth to stars. They create a model to show the arrangement of constellations. They also identify the importance of the parallax effect.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map the Constellations

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners build constellation guides from empty sotf drink cans. Using star charts, they use straight pins to mark the major stars in the constellations. After turning the charts over, they connect the dots. When they look through cans...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space - Make a Constellation

For Teachers All
Students discuss stars and constellations; they experiment with star stickers, chalk, and construction paper to create constellations, while developing fine motor skills.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Two Views of the Universe

For Teachers K - 6th
Students build the two models of the universe created by Aristotle and Copernicus. They compare and contrast the two universes. They create hypothesis on how each model functions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dot to Dot: Patterns in the Night Sky

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders are introduced to several major constellations and locate them in the night sky. They graph the constellations on grid paper and work in groups to research common myths and stories associated with specific constellations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Astronomy Merit Badge

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars explore astronomy through the Starry Night Constellation Adventure software. They print star charts and identify constellations. They sketch the Big Dipper and describe the Milky Way. They list the five most visible...
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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Spinning into Space

For Teachers 1st
Students, through hands-on activities, teacher demonstrations, pictures, and informational books, complete a unit on the Earth and its place in the Universe. They make mobiles of the Milky Way and watch demonstrations of lunar and solar...