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Activity
Harvard University

Harvard University: The Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
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.
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Website
NASA

Nasa: The Sun

For Students 9th - 10th
An introduction to the Sun including its size and distance from the Earth, sunspots, flares and coronal mass ejections.
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Sunspots on the Move

For Students K - 1st
The following videos show sunspots using wavelengths of light that the human eye cannot see. Watch sunspots emerging on the earth's surface, a sunspot moving across the earth's surface, and the rotation of the sun as a sunspot evolves...
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Lesson Plan
Other

Simple Science: Planetary Gallery

For Teachers 5th - 8th
The innovative resource examines images of the Sun, Moon, Pluto, and all eight planets in the Solar System. Learners calculate the diameter of each object and rank the objects in order of size. The activity has an interactive online...
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Graphic
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Our Solar System Lithograph Set

For Students 6th - 8th
View these amazing high-quality images of our solar system from NASA with this lithograph set. Each lithograph contains images, facts, dates, and general information on a particular subject. Background information and teaching tips are...
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Graphic
NASA

Nasa: Great Images in Nasa

For Students 9th - 10th
Fascinating collection of images from NASA, chosen for their historical or aesthetic significance. Images are searchable by subject, by NASA center, and by keyword, and each is available in three sizes. With links to more information...
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Website
NOAA

Noaa: National Weather Service: The Sun and Its Effect on the Earth [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
The Space Environment Center (SEC) put together a slide show for use by teachers on Space weather. Begin with discussing solar emission and the sun itself. Then end with a summary of climatic effects of space weather, and a note on space...
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Website
American Geosciences Institute

American Geosciences Institute: Astronomy

For Students 3rd - 8th
Eight hands-on lessons module in which students explore the characteristics of planet Earth, its moons, the sun, the solar system, planets, and the difference between science fact and science fiction.
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Website
NASA

Goddard Education: Eclipse 99

For Students 9th - 10th
Information is provided about the eclipse of 1999; in addition, facts about elcipses throughout history are also included.
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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.
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Passive Solar Design

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars are introduced to passive solar design for buildings--an approach that uses the sun's energy and the surrounding climate to provide natural heating and cooling. They learn about some of the disadvantage of conventional...
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Our Amazing, Powerful Sun

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers are introduced to the Sun by exploring various aspects of it, including its composition, interior workings, and relationship to the Earth.
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Unit Plan
Texas Education Agency

Texas Gateway: What Is the Universe?

For Students 9th - 10th
The following tutorial is an explanation of what the universe is composed of.
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Website
Other

Sea and Sky: A Tour of the Solar System

For Students 9th - 10th
Take a virtual tour of the solar system starting with detailed information about the sun.
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Website
NASA

Nasa: Image Science Center: Ask the Space Scientist

For Students 9th - 10th
A NASA space scientist provides 98 questions and answers about the sun, the center of our solar system.
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Website
National Earth Science Teachers Association

Windows to the Universe: History & People

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographies of people throughout history who looked at the sky and wondered what was there. Links to a detailed description of the planets and interactive activities.
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Website
Nine Planets

The Eight Planets: The Sun Solar Wind

For Students 9th - 10th
This Eight Planets site briefly describes solar wind, a low density stream of charged particles emitted by the Sun. It also provides the basics on the sun's composition and additional sun links.
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Interactive
Other

Uso Eficiente De Energia Electrica

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the efficient use of electric energy in Spanish. See the products and services responsible for saving energy.
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Unit Plan
Sophia Learning

Sophia: The Sun and the Moon Tutorial

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Created to teach students of the 21st century, SOPHIA is bringing the sun and the moon straight to your fingertips. Become the commander of your own learning experiences as you take part in this interactive tutorial.
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Interactive
BBC

Bbc Schools: Ks2 Bitesize: Science: Physical Processes: Earth, Sun, and Moon

For Students 3rd - 5th
Help Sarah Jane and her team put the solar system's planets back in order. Following the activity, read more about the sun, the Earth, and its moon, and then take a quick quiz to check for understanding.
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Lesson Plan
Crayola

Crayola: Celestial Characters (Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A fun lesson plan incorporating language arts, science, and art. Students read myths and legends about the sun, moon, or stars, then create a sculpture, and write their own story about it. Also provides adaptations and a list of...
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Website
European Space Agency

European Space Agency: Ulysses Overview

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource presents extensive information about Ulysses and its mission to the sun.
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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...
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Website
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Planet Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
A series of seven instructional, hour-long videos presenting Earth-science topics such as plate tectonics, oceans, climate changes, natural resources, the Sun, and the future of our planet. Closed captioning option provided for each video.