Curated OER
Life Beyond Earth
Students investigate the solar system and what makes a planet habitable. They complete an online Webquest, simulate a NASA training program online, take an online quiz, answer discussion questions, and locate newspaper articles about the...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: A Needle in Countless Haystacks: Finding Habitable Worlds
In this video, Ariel Anbar describes the characteristics scientists use to determine whether a planet might be habitable. [5:11] Followed by a short quiz and a list of additional resources to explore.
Society for Science and the Public
Science News for Students: So Many 'Earths'
Article reports on the recent discovery that many suns in the universe host "Earth-like" planets. Includes a vocabularly list.
PBS
Pbs Nova: Hunt for Alien Worlds
Ever wonder if we are alone in the Universe? How are scientists searching for alien life? Learn the answers to these questions and find out about other solar systems.
BBC
Bbc Newsround: One in Five Suns Has Habitable World
Using the Kepler telescope, NASA scientists have estimated that one in five of suns in space host an Earth-like planet in what is called the habitable zone.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation: News in Science: Astronomers Seek Life at End of Rainbow
From ABC News in Science, Marilyn Head's article explores the possibility entertained by several researchers that the key to discovering life beyond Earth (or habitable planets) is in studying rainbows.