Curated OER
Exploring the Solar System: All About Spacecraft/Spaceflight
Rarely do you find resources that reach high school astronomy learners. Here is something at their level! The physics of flyby missions is explained via several examples. Landing, penetrating, and roving spacecraft are examined. Diagrams...
Curated OER
Liftoff Into Space
Learners explore the history of space exploration. In this history of space exploration lesson, students create a timeline of space exploration. Learners watch a space video and discuss important events. Students research space...
Curated OER
Mercury and Venus
Students learn about the characteristics of the planets Mercury and Venus. In this planets lesson, students learn about these planets and their differences from Earth. They also learn how the inventions of engineers have made it possible...
Curated OER
Exploring the Planets
Students study robotic spacecrafts that have provided detailed information about the inner and outer planets. In this exploring the planets lesson plan, students use posters and diagrams to study the various robotic spacecraft sent to...
Curated OER
Investigating Falling Particles
Students investigate the characteristics of a clay ball. In this particles lesson students examine what happens to a ball of clay when it is dropped from different heights.
Curated OER
Voyage to Outer Space
Students design and construct a spacecraft. For this space voyage lesson, students read Regards to the Man in the Moon by Ezra Jack Keats and gather materials before constructing their own spacecraft.
Curated OER
To Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before
Students study pictures of space vehicles and make their own space vehicle. In this space vehicle lesson, students study pictures of the vehicles and compare and contrast the pictures. Students classify the space crafts and then create...
Curated OER
Reading: Living in Space
In this living in space reading worksheet, students read a passage about life on the International Space Station written by a former astronaut. Students then answer 6 multiple choice questions.
Curated OER
Space Puzzle
For this space puzzle, students identify names of spacecraft, planets, and items placed in space. A list of 18 words are provided for students to identify.
Curated OER
Navigating a Spacecraft
Students work with a partner to plot the trajectory of a spacecraft traveling between Earth and Mars in the 2018 and returning in 2020. They examine the key factors when planning a mission to and from Mars such as travel time, distances...
Curated OER
The Incredible Light Bulb-Egg Drop Challenge
Students examine how spacecraft land on Mars. Using eggs or lightbulbs, they design a craft that withstand a drop from a table or ladder, competing in groups to see which module demonstrates the most successful landing.
Curated OER
The Cassini Robot
Learners compare the functions of a robot to that of the human body. In this technology lesson, students identify the important components of the Cassini robot that would enable it to carry out space missions. They design and build their...
Curated OER
LCROSS 'Sees" Water on the Moon!
In this moon activity, students calculate information about the crater that was created by a massive impact. This activity has 3 problems to solve.
Curated OER
The Space Shuttle and the Future
In this space shuttle worksheet, students review the different facts associated with the space shuttle and the space station. This worksheet has 23 true or false questions.
Curated OER
Artificial Satellites and Space Probes
For this satellites worksheet, students match the list of facts given with the artificial satellite or space probe that it describes. This worksheet has 12 matching questions.
Curated OER
My Spacecraft Model
Young scholars work together to develop their own model of a spacecraft. They complete illustrations and writings to document their work. They present their information to the class.
California Institute of Technology
Cool Cosmos: Ask an Astronomer for Kids! Spacecraft
Cool Cosmos makes it easy to learn more about spacecrafts through an easy to use list of kid's frequently asked questions. Just click on the question to enhance your understanding of this modern technological wonder.
NASA
Nasa: Solar System Exploration: Galileo
Learn about the Galileo mission in its entirety. Read updates on the mission as well as new picture from the space probe itself.
PBS
Pbs Kids: Design Squad Challenge: Launch It (Pdf) [Pdf]
Hands-on challenge to design an air-powered rocket to take you to the moon that can hit a distant target. Provides full list of materials with ideas on how to design, build, test, evaluate, and redesign it if necessary. Activity focuses...
PBS
Pbs Kids: Design Squad Challenge: Touchdown (Pdf) [Pdf]
Hands-on challenge to build a shock-absorbing system that will protect astronauts when they land on the moon. Provides full list of materials with ideas on how to design, build, test, evaluate, and redesign it if necessary. Activity...
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 Space Science Data Archive: Photo Gallery
A website featuring a collection of images from NASA. Collection includes images of planets, comets, nebulae, galaxies, stars, sun, and spacecrafts.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Spacecraft Design: Beat the Heat
To understand the challenges of satellite construction, student teams design and create model spacecraft to protect vital components from the harsh conditions found on Mercury and Venus. They use slices of butter in plastic eggs to...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Slingshot to the Outer Planets
Students are introduced to the engineering challenges involved with interplanetary space travel. In particular, they learn about the gravity assist or "slingshot" maneuver often used by engineers to send spacecraft to the outer planets....