Curated OER
The Guest Investigator Puzzle
Students conduct a brief astrophysics lab matching the EUVE spectra of various kinds of "mystery" stars with the spectra of known stars taken at Extreme Ultraviolet and optical wavelengths to determine their type.
Curated OER
The Path of the Sun: The Ecliptic
Pupils investigate the celestial sphere and the paths it takes in the solar system.
Curated OER
Soil Comparison and Analysis
Students perform tests on different soil samples. In this earth science activity, students classify the soil into groups according to test results. They write a lab report following a certain criteria.
Curated OER
The Vocabulary of Space
Students build their knowledge and understanding of vocabulary related to space. In this space lesson, students discuss four categories of words and phrases related to space.
Curated OER
Collecting Electromagnetic Radiation
Students using different experiments and activities explore electromagnetic radiation and the effect on the Earth.
Curated OER
The Chinese Zodiac
Students create their own personalized Zodiac page on a word processing
document after researching and discussing the origins of Zodiak signs. This lesson does include resource links and may be controversial.
Curated OER
The Chinese Zodiac And The Western Zodiac
High schoolers create individual horoscopes that contrast and compare Western and
Chinese views of their futures using poster boards and magic markers. In-class discussion is used to evaluate the use of the Zodiac in different cultures.
Curated OER
Kepler's Third Law
High schoolers use Kepler's third law to derive the velocity in a circular orbit of any radius, and identify the Earth escape velocity.
Curated OER
Pinhole Viewer
Young scholars make a pinhole viewer to demonstrate how it inverts light passing through it which produces inverted images.
Curated OER
Follow The Falling Meteorite
Middle schoolers investigate the supposed traveling path of a meteorite. They use sound in order to triangulate the path. The results of the experiment are written on a map to display the path of the meteorite. The culminating activity...
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: Zoom Astronomy: All About Space
A fantastic collection of information about the solar system. Includes information on all of the planets, the moon, the sun, asteroids, comets, meteoroids, and stars. Also find puzzles, a dictionary, quizzes, classroom activities, and...
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: The Planets
This survey of the planets includes all the basics, size, mass, atmosphere, length of day, and the like. It features interactive activities and learning exercises and compares all of the planets in colorful tables.
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Astronomy: Our Place in Space
This resource is a place for learning all about astronomy--stargazing, planets, space science, and interesting astronomical phenomena and discoveries. Explore, ask questions, find information, and meet American Museum of Natural History...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: All Planet Sizes
This illustration from the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory shows the approximate sizes of the planets relative to each other. Note that the planets are not shown at appropriate distances from the Sun.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: A Brief History of Astronomy
In this interactive module students will explore what different ancient cultures believe was an explanation of the stars and planets. They will look at how the work of Nicolas Copernicus revolutionize the world of astronomy and learn how...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Hands on Astronomy: Observing Stars and Planets
A university-level course in basic observational procedures in astronomy. Covers how to use a telescope, and includes lecture notes.
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: Ology: Astronomy: Are You Cut Out for Mars?
Do you have what it takes to go on a space mission to the Red Planet? Think you can handle it? Take this quiz to find out!
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: What Do You Know? Astronomy
Take this ten-question self-scoring quiz to test your knowledge of astronomy facts: age of the universe, why stars and planets are spheres, where other life might exist in the outer space, the Milky Way, and more.
Smithsonian Institution
National Air and Space Museum: Exploring the Planets: Ancient Times & the Greeks
In ancient times only five planets were known: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Learn about Greek astronomer Ptolemy's theory for the solar system that was to survive for fourteen centuries.
PBS
Pbs: Find the Planets
Find out how astronomers locate new planets by observing the traits of the stars they orbit. Get some tips at locating stars with the help of star maps.
Read Works
Read Works: Alien Planets
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction piece discusses the discovery of previously unknown planets in the solar system. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies...
Other
The Astronomy Cafe
NASA scientist Sten Odenwald calls this his "web site for the astronomically disadvantaged." Do you have lots of questions about space that you can't seem to get answers to? Would you like to learn about a career in astronomy, Big Bang...
University of California
At Home Astronomy: Hands on Science Experiments for the Entire Family
A collection of ten hands-on science experiments for the entire family that will help you understand concepts in astronomy. Make an astrolabe, find the size of the sun and moon, build a lunar settlement, find out about meteoroids, shadow...
NASA
Nasa: Kepler: A Search for Habitable Planets: Transit Tracks
Classroom lesson for teaching astronomy uses PowerPoint presentations and illustrations of Kepler's light curves used to discover planets.