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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tracking and Tracing Sunspots

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine sunspots. In this sunspot lesson, students use applets to investigate the movement of sunspots. Students research sunspots and evaluate the rotation of the sun. Lesson references outside resources not available in this...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plan a Mission to Recently Discovered Planet

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students plan a mission to a recently discovered planet. In this science lesson, students research spacecraft design, distances in space, long-term missions in space, and life-sustaining planets. Students work in groups to research an...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hunting for galaxies in the Hubble Deep Field

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine Hubble Deep Field images. In this galaxy classification instructional activity, students research galaxy classification. Students view and classify Hubble Deep field images of galaxies.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Facts and Myths about our Solar System

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore popular ideas about the Sun and Moon. In this space science lesson, 6th graders separate commonly accepted details about our solar system into facts and myths. Students research a particular idea and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stellar Lunar Curriculum

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars engage in a lesson that covers the concept of different phases of the moon. They name the cycles of the phases of the moon while using flashlights to simulate the light of the sun. They research information about several...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Big Is That Star?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Aspiring astronomers study stars. They compare stars and explain the relationship between radius, mass, and diameter. By creating a star simulation, they discover how a binary star system's orbit can cause changes in the observed...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to the Day and Night Sky

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore space science by participating in a sky observation activity. In this astronomy lesson, students define a list of astronomy vocabulary terms and examine star charts of the four seasons. Students gather with their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Illustrate the Constellations

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore space science by participating in a star identification activity. In this astronomy instructional activity, students identify different star patterns and discuss the movement of stars across the sky as the seasons...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Timeline of Technology

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students choose an aspect of Astronomy to research. In this lesson on technology, students  make a timeline of notable events in the development of astronomy and aerospace technology.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Expanding Universe

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore the expanding universe.  In this science instructional activity, students use balloons to model the expansion of the universe. Students take measurements of the balloon expansion and answer questions directed...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Properties of Dust

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the dust in their classroom and relate it to the dust in space.  In this investigative lesson students collect dust and graph their findings.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Glowing Glimpses of Our Universe

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students will complete hands-on space activities. In this space science activity, students will create a glow-in-the-dark model of the solar system, visit a planetarium, make star pictures, and paint constellations. Activities are meant...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Search

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore stars. In this star lesson, 7th graders apply generalities about space objects to constellations and explore the differences between radio waves and light waves by answering essential questions in their research.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Working on the Moon

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Students take a mission to the moon. In this space science lesson, students visit selected websites to discover information about Earth's moon and the solar system. Students may take virtual missions to the moon and share...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chandra X-Ray Observatory

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students tour Chandra's top galactic X-ray images. In this Chandra X-Ray Observatory lesson, students play games and complete puzzles based on the Chandra Mission and X-Ray Astronomy. Students listen to pod casts, question an...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Beyond The Earth Part I

For Teachers K - 4th
Students explore the solar system. In this space science lesson, students take notes on the solar system provided by their instructors. Students then collaborate to design a computer-generated drawing of the solar system.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reach for the Stars

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider the significance of space exploration. In this space science lesson, students  visit selected websites to discover information about astronomy, lunar missions, and space travel. Students discuss...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Journey To The Solar System

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders engage in a lesson plan to find different facts and connect them to the concept of the solar system. They conduct research using the technology integration of the internet. Using the information the students create a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stellar Observations

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders study the uses of spectroscopy and the operation of the Hubble space telescope.  In this astronomy lesson students complete a lab activity that includes graphing star color and temperature.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Science

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the planets and celestial bodies in our solar system. In this outer space instructional activity, students identify the planets and record journal information about them and other celestial bodies. Students define outer...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sky Quest

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students identify constellations in the evening sky. In this Sky Quest lesson, students create their own star patterns using a star map worksheet. Students explain how different celestial bodies in space are viewed through a telescope.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Bead Distance Activity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a scaled solar system model using colorful beads. For this space science lesson, students convert AU units into metric measurements. They arrange the planets according to their distances from the sun.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Distance Makes a Difference

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers create a clay model of the Sun and Earth. In this space science lesson plan, students explain how distance affects the appearance of objects. They write a poem or riddle about the Sun in their journal.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Track the Meteor Storm Online!: Leonid Meteor Showers, Astronomy

For Teachers 1st - Higher Ed
Students are guided through an online series of readings and questions to explore the Leonid Meteor Showers and related topics. Modifications are provided for teaching this instructional activity to k-4, 5-8, and 9-12 students.