Curated OER
Introduction to the Planets
Students become familiar with the members of the solar system and planetary order. They identify differences and characteristics of individual planets. Finally students visualize the great size of the solar system and make the image more...
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Asteroids Between Mars and the Sun
In this asteroids of the solar system activity, students observe a diagram showing all the minor planets found in the orbit of Mars. Students answer 4 questions about the minor planets inside the orbit of other planets, they find the...
Curated OER
Solar System Bead Distance Activity
Middle schoolers create a scaled solar system model using colorful beads. In this space science instructional activity, students convert AU units into metric measurements. They arrange the planets according to their distances from the sun.
Curated OER
The Solar System Walk
A unique lesson on the solar system, and some of the mathematics associated with it, is here for your high schoolers. Pupils are put into groups of four, and each group is assigned one of the planets from our solar system. They must...
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Solar System Distance Activity
Learners examine the distances between the Sun, planets, and smaller objects in the Solar System. They design a model using beads that shows the scale distances of the Solar System using astronomical units converted into a 10 centimeter...
Curated OER
Bringing the Solar System Down to Earth
Students develop a scaled down model of the solar system. In small groups, they calculate the scaled-down diameters of the planets and the sun, the scaled-down distance of the planets from the sun, complete two charts, and create a...
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Moons Of The Solar System
Learners investigate the solar system and its moons. They conduct research in groups to find information. Also the teacher uses models of the planets in order to teach different facts about the solar system through the use of...
Curated OER
The Solar System
Students describe the different bodies that make up our solar system, explain the place of our solar system within the Milky Way Galaxy and the universe, explain day and night and the Earth's movement, and describe the relationship...
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Chandra Explores Angular Size
In this angular size worksheet, learners read about how astronomers determine the size of objects in the sky by using their angular size. Students are given equations that allow scientists to convert the angular size into kilometers....
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Look at those Leaves!
Young scholars observe and measure tree leaves. In this leaf lesson students do on a "leaf walk" then use the leaves they find to complete a few activities.
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Temperature Variations and Habitability
Pupils, in groups, evaluate conditions outside the building and inside the classroom using thermometers, barometers, anemometers, etc. They compare interior and exterior conditions. They consider and discuss factors that contribute to...
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Sun too close? We'll just change Earth's orbit
Pupils study an article and discuss what would happen if the Earth's orbit changed. In this Earth's orbit instructional activity students answer a list of questions and complete an activity.
NASA
Nasa: Space Place: Messenger: Planet Mass Comparison
Compare the masses of planets in this interactive animation. Simply pile a number of Earths on one side of the scale, to balance with the mass of one Jupiter. Then try this with all the planets.
Curated OER
Exploratorium: Your Weight on Other Worlds
Want to lose weight in a hurry? Just step on a scale on almost any other planet! This page allows you to enter your weight on Earth and it will calculate your weight on all of the other planets, some moons and even some stars. Requires a...