Curated OER
Pocket Solar System
Motivate your class with this lesson. Learners explore the solar system and practice working with fractions using this resource. They construct scale models of our solar system, and use fractions to correctly configure the solar system...
Curated OER
The Ellipse
This is a practical sheet with the instructions to draw a set of ellipses. After following the diagrams, there are ten questions to complete, with calculations expected for alternate orbits and comparisons related to actual planets in...
Curated OER
Electron Arrangement Worksheet
In this electron worksheet students complete an orbital diagram and electron configuration using a set of chemicals on the periodic table.
Curated OER
Quantum Numbers and Electron Configuration Worksheet
For this electron worksheet students find values for the given letters including their subshells and in which orbital it occurs.
Curated OER
A Matter of Timing
In this orbital period worksheet, students solve 2 problems about satellites and their orbits. They determine how many days it takes for two satellites to be in "opposition", they find the least common factor between their orbit periods...
Curated OER
Drawing Ellipses Lab
In this ellipse worksheet, students learn the difference between an orbit and an ellipse. They draw ellipses and calculate the distance between foci, they calculate the length of the major axis and they determine the eccentricity. They...
Curated OER
Phases of the Moon
In this moon phases activity, students learn about the different phases that the moon goes through. They then use the information the learned to answer the 9 questions in the packet. The answers are on the last page.
Curated OER
TE Activity: A Roundabout Way to Mars
Students investigate Hohmann orbit transfers using cardboard and string while focusing on the orbits of Earth and Mars. They look at the planets orbits around the sun and transfer orbit form one planet to another to determine what a...
Curated OER
Let's Think About Day and Night
Students explore day and night and the relationships between the Earth, the sun and the moon. They discuss the ways in which the sun and moon help us. They watch a short video that helps illustrate these concepts.
Curated OER
Comets and Meteors
Young scholars construct a model of a comet nucleus using dry ice. They add other materials and describe the features. They complete related exercises on an Internet Web site.
Curated OER
Day and Night
Third graders view a classroom simulation that demonstrates how the Earth's rotation creates day and night.
University of Arizona
The Exotic Vacation
Students explain the concepts and vocabulary of Earth's rotation. They plan imaginary vacations based on the seasons in different locations. This is a very creative lesson plan, which students enjoy.
Curated OER
Cosmic Collisions and Risk Assessment
In groups, pupils create their own scientific impact experiments using ordinary materials, and observe and measure results with a variety of impacting bodies and velocities.
Curated OER
How Can a Spacecraft Always Face the Sun?
Students determine the correct orbital path for a satellite that collects data about the sun so that its view of the sun never be obstructed by the Earth.
Curated OER
Kepler's Third Law
High schoolers use Kepler's third law to derive the velocity in a circular orbit of any radius, and identify the Earth escape velocity.
Curated OER
Bouncing Sunlight
Third graders use flashlights and balls to demonstrate how the light bounces off of the sun and reflects onto the moon. They record their observations in a journal.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: All Planet Sizes
This illustration from the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory shows the approximate sizes of the planets relative to each other. Note that the planets are not shown at appropriate distances from the Sun.
Harvard University
Harvard University: The Solar System
These hands-on activities are a great way for students to gain perspective on the relative sizes and distances of each planet, the relationship between the sun and Earth, and much more.
Science Museum, London
Making the Modern World: Gravity
The learning module helps students gain a deeper understanding of gravity. Some topics explored are orbits, the mission to the Moon, and the first space walk. Activities and videos are included.
NASA
Nasa: The Space Place: Orbits 'R' Us
Learn about how Earth orbits the sun and how satellites orbit the Earth. Discover the different types of satellites such as GOES and POES and what they are used to monitor.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Plot Your Course Navigation
In this unit, students learn the very basics of navigation, including the different kinds of navigation and their purpose. The concepts of relative and absolute location, latitude, longitude and cardinal directions are discussed, as well...
NASA
Nasa Star Child: The Hubble Space Telescope (Level 1)
This article for younger students introduces the Hubble Space Telescope and what it is doing in outer space.
Utah Education Network
Uen: As the World Turns
Third graders use their bodies to act out the motions of earth.