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Our universe
For this quiz, students are asked 20 questions about the magnitude of planets and stars both in and out of our Solar System. An answer key is provided.
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Earth, the Universe, and Culture
Students explore different scientists throughout history. In this scientists and culture lesson students research using the Internet and complete a handout.
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Cosmic Poetry: Words and Ideas Bring the Cosmos to Life
Sixth graders study the cosmos and their thoughts and feelings about the universe. In this cosmic poetry instructional activity students create a venue where they can "safely" ask questions and discuss ideas.
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Our Knowledge of the Universe
Students explore an idea about the history of human knowledge of the universe and understand the process of scientific exploration. In this scientific exploration lesson students contemplate the state of astronomy and future missions.
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The Big Bang
Learners explore our universe. For this solar system lesson, students gain knowledge about the solar system, galaxy, the universe and the Big Bang Theory. Learners watch videos and view a slideshow.
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Are we alone? Do aliens exist?
Students discuss the existence of aliens in the universe. In this alien lesson, students discuss the answers to the questions: What are the chances that aliens exist in the universe? and What are the chances that aliens have visited earth?
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The Expanding Universe
In this expanding universe instructional activity, students create a universe with balloons, clothes pins, markers, and more and see what this means for the distance between the Earth and stars. Students follow 6 directions and answer 3...
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Decoding a Mystery Message from Space
Students examine a message sent from outer space and do their best to interpret its meaning. In this problem solving lesson, students investigate a code sent to them from "outer space." The students collaborate with their classmates to...
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The Big Bang Theory
Students explore the Big Bang Theory and discover how it can be used to explain the origin of the universe. For this Big Bang Theory lesson, students use a balloon with colored paper inside, blow it up and pop it, group the colored...
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The Solar System
In this solar system instructional activity, students complete a word puzzle by determining the terms associated with the 10 statements about the planets.
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Scavenger Hunt: Who am I?
In this space science activity, students use the sites listed on the Solar System and Planets page of the Kid Zone to locate the names of the people credited with each discovery. They identify and name 26 different scientists who made...
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Watch This Space!
In this space worksheet, students, with a partner, answer five questions about the universe and read and discuss ten questions regarding astronomy.
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Types Of Nebulae
Eighth graders explore the different types of nebulae that can be found in the solar system. They view a PowerPoint presentation about the material and identify each nebulae as it is presented. Students also discuss the life cycle of a...
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A Journey Through Our Solar System
High schoolers investigate the concept of the solar system in our universe by constructing a model that is made to a measurable scale. Once the model is constructed it should be placed in a wide open space for observation and...
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20th-Century Astronomy
Pupils examine and explain how the distance to nearby stars can be measured by the parallax method, discuss the role of women in the history of American astronomy, form their own opinions of the importance of Harlow Shapley and Edwin...
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Solar System Socratic Questions
Students reflect on and discuss theories of how the solar system was formed. They respond to prompts in a structured sequence to relate the formation of the solar system and the age of the Earth.
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Galaxies
Students use the provided website to classify galaxies after exploring information about elliptical, spiral, lenticular, and irregular galaxies and using the Hubble Tuning Fork.
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The Great Planetary Debate
Learners' are given a research sheet to complete in small groups. They are to select a planet or moon to research using the Internet. With this research and their completed form, each group defends their planet or moon in a debate...
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A Look At Sunspots
High schoolers research how the development of new technology has increased our knowledge of how the sun works. This lesson is part of a three-part series aimed at showing students how our knowledge of the universe must be inferred...
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Our Universe: Designed or Evolved?
Students brainstorm and write arguments for Evolution and Intelligent Design. They research the history of each of these ideas. They also examine the controversy of teaching one or both ideas in schools.
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Spacing Out on the Internet
Young scholars explore and locate information about the universe using the Internet.
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Working in Space
Students design and build one of three engineering problems dealing with living and working in space.
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Baseball Lesson: The Universe
This PowerPoint provides a look at vocabulary associated with the structure of the solar system. Students review definitions for 8 solar system terms included as well as notes about the universe.
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Observing Motion
First graders explore movement and motion. In this motion lesson, 1st graders how objects can move as well as how the Earth is in constant motion and the force of gravity. Students complete a coloring sheet.