+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

After 7 years, capsule of comet dust heads to Earth

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Young scholars examine an article on a space capsule and explore NASA.  In this space exploration instructional activity students brainstorm the pros and cons of space exploration, then rehearse a sketch and present it to the...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

NASA Search

For Students 6th - 10th
In this space worksheet, learners identify and locate vocabulary terms related to NASA and space. There are 31 words located in the puzzle.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Solar System

For Students 3rd - 6th
In this space worksheet, students identify and locate vocabulary terms and names related to the Solar System. There are 23 words located in the puzzle.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Solar System

For Students 6th - 9th
For this space worksheet, students identify and locate vocabulary terms related to the Solar System. There are 30 words located in the puzzle.
+
Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences: Solar System

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A university-level course that looks at the structure of the solar system, the sun, the planets, and other bodies in space. Includes course readings, assignments, and study notes.
+
Website
University of California

Univ. Of Cal Berkeley: The Comet's Tale

For Students 9th - 10th
Site provides extensive information in the study of comets. Includes excellent graphics that depict what comets look like as they travel through the solar system. Also includes information on how comets may have effected the Earth's...
+
Website
Northeast Parallel Architectures Center, Syracuse University

Npac Reu Program: Comet Shoemaker Levy 9 Collision

For Students 9th - 10th
Northeast Parallel Architectures Center at Syracuse University provides a site dedicated to compiling the best images and information regarding Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 and its collision with Jupiter. Great animations.
+
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Comet

For Students 9th - 10th
A nice encyclopedia article from Wikipedia on comets describes what they are, their physical characteristics, gives a history of comet study, and provides a list of well-known comets.
+
Handout
Other

Killer Asteroid Project: Asteroids and Comets

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains the differences between asteroids and comets. Presents a chart showing a size comparison between some known asteroids and comets.
+
Handout
Other

University of Leicester: Comets

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed look at comets. Content outlines our observational history, as well as the origins of comets and an explanation of the appearance of comets.
+
Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: A Brief History of Astronomy

For Students 9th - 10th
In this interactive module students will explore what different ancient cultures believe was an explanation of the stars and planets. They will look at how the work of Nicolas Copernicus revolutionize the world of astronomy and learn how...
+
Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Our Solar System

For Students 9th - 10th
This interactive tutorial will take students on a tour of our solar system. Students begin near the Sun with the really hot planets of Mercury and Venus. They will learn about Mars, probably the first planet that humans will visit. Next...
+
Handout
NASA

Nasa: The Space Place: What's in the Heart of a Comet?

For Students 3rd - 8th
NASA site explores what a comet's nucleus is composed of. Animation and photographs are provided as well.
+
Website
NASA

Nasa Space Science Data Archive: Photo Gallery

For Students 9th - 10th
A website featuring a collection of images from NASA. Collection includes images of planets, comets, nebulae, galaxies, stars, sun, and spacecrafts.
+
Website
NASA

Nasa Space Science Data Archive: Photo Gallery: Galileo

For Students 9th - 10th
A well-indexed collection of NASA images taken by the Galileo spacecraft. Images include the spacecraft itself prior to launch and all of the solar system objects this incredible mission has visited.
+
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Earth Impact

For Teachers 7th - 9th
This activity poses the question: What would happen if a meteor or comet impacted Earth? Students simulate an impact in a container of sand using various-sized rocks, all while measuring, recording and graphing results and conclusions....
+
Handout
NASA

Nasa Space Science Data Archive:comet Collision With Jupiter

For Students 9th - 10th
Comet collision with Jupiter with lots of pictures and some text. Links to the information about the comet, the impacts, and observations made by four different spacecraft.
+
Website
NASA

Nasa Space Place: El Space Place

For Students 3rd - 8th
NASA's space science site for kids - en Espanol. Features a wide range of activities, including games, projects, animations, and more. Also contains useful information on basic physics, chemistry, and other natural sciences, offering...
+
Unit Plan
NASA

Nasa: Stardust Educator's Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
Features lots of projects for students to learn about space and space exploration.
+
Graphic
NASA

Nasa: Comet Hale Bopp Images

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains 5,161 images of the Hale-Bopp comet from 1995 to 2000. This incredible photo archive is definitely worth a visit.
+
Handout
NASA

Nasa Space Science Data Archive: Galileo Project Information

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the homepage of all of the archived information about and from the Galileo Mission. Included is data from the flybys of Venus, Earth, Moon, and Asteroids Gaspra and Ida, as well as the current data from Jupiter and its moons. See...
+
Website
Enchanted Learning

Enchanted Learning: Zoom Astronomy: All About Space

For Students 3rd - 8th
A fantastic collection of information about the solar system. Includes information on all of the planets, the moon, the sun, asteroids, comets, meteoroids, and stars. Also find puzzles, a dictionary, quizzes, classroom activities, and...
+
Website
Virginia Tech

Virginia Polytechnic Institute: Greenhouse Dinosaur Extinction Theory

For Students 9th - 10th
This comprehensive page discusses the Asteroid Impact vs. Volcano-Greenhouse dinosaur extinction debate. It was written by paleontologist, professor, and scientist Dr. Dewey McLean.
+
Unit Plan
NASA

Nasa: Solar System

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides a general overview of all the planets in the solar system, as well as the sun, various comets and asteroids, the deep space network, and the latest solar system news.