Journey Through the Universe
Voyage of Discovery
Did you know that Pluto is smaller than the United States of America? It is difficult to conceptualize the size of planets and the distance between them, and the lesson addresses those exact issues. After a discussion, pupils create...
Education World
Every Day Edit - Neptune's Discovery
In this everyday editing instructional activity, students correct grammatical mistakes in a short paragraph about the discovery of Neptune. The errors range from grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation.
Curated OER
Discovering Planet X
Learners investigate the movements of the planet Pluto. Students participate in a hands-on activity to record data similar to the movements of the planet Pluto. Learners compare their data to that found on a website.
Curated OER
Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto
In this planets worksheet, students read information about Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto and then complete 18 multiple choice, 4 true or false, and 2 fill in the blank questions.
Mr. E. Science
Our Solar System
The presentation starts with the scientists who made discoveries about our solar system: Ptolemy, Copernicus, Galileo, Brahe, Kepler, and Newton. It also covers the planets, inner, outer, and Pluto, satellites, and an in-depth discussion...
Curated OER
Exploring Dwarf Planet Eris
In this planet Eris learning exercise, students read about the discovery of this dwarf planet and its characteristics. Students answer 3 questions about the planets, the classification of planets and the definition of planets. Students...
Curated OER
Scavenger Hunt: Who am I?
In this space science worksheet, 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...
Curated OER
Planet/Constellation Mobile
Middle schoolers construct three-dimensional solar system mobiles.
Curated OER
Scavenger Hunt: Who am I?
In this solar system worksheet, students use an on line source to find the names of the people who discovered the planets, comets, asteroids, black holes and the idea of the big bang theory.
Curated OER
Is There a Tenth Planet?
In this planets worksheet, students read about how our solar system's planets were discovered and how scientist believe there might be a tenth planet. After reading, students complete 4 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Planet/Constellation Mobile
Pupils, through small group discussion, identify and share a rationale for shapes and patterns in the construction of a mobile that represents the solar system that makes them think of the creation of our solar system.
Curated OER
Geometry in the Constellations: The ER-2
Students discuss reasons to record the location of stars. They view a picture of the night sky, and discuss constellations. Students complete a worksheet of the various shapes they see in the constellations.
Curated OER
The Undiscovered Planet
Students find a planetary object using star fields. In this investigative lesson students determine the distance to an object using trigonometric parallax.
BBC
Bbc Newsround: Top 5 Amazing Space Discoveries
Read about some of the most important space discoveries in recent times.
Cosmos 4 kids
Cosmos4 Kids: Solar System: Pluto
Learn all about Pluto ..its discovery, basic facts, recognition as a planet, and most recently, its 'demotion' from a planet to a dwarf planet. The brief, to the point text makes this site most suitable for younger researchers.
Science4Fun
Science4 Fun: Pluto
Learn fun facts and details about the atmosphere, geography, composition, and discovery of Pluto, a dwarf planet.
California Institute of Technology
The Discovery of Eris, the Largest Known Dwarf Planet
Until the discovery of Eris, Pluto was known as the largest Keiper belt object. This dwarf planet has replaced Pluto in size and is accompanied by a satellite that has been given the name Dysnomia. Learn about this distant world here...
Arizona State University
Mars Global Surveyor: Kuiper Belt Objects
This site describes the extended belt of small bodies residing just outside the orbit of Pluto, the Kuiper Belt.
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Michael E. Brown
This article discusses the life and scientific discoveries of Michael E. Brown. Learn how he is credited with downgrading Pluto from a planet to dwarf planet.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: The Outer Planets
Students explore the outermost planets of our solar system: Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. They also learn about characteristics of Pluto and its interactions with Neptune. Students learn a little about the history of space travel as well...
Curated OER
Xena Awarded
This regularly updated site chronicles research, key facts, and the reasons for downgrading Pluto from a planet to dwarf planet. Recent discoveries from the New Horizon spacecraft and months of archived articles are kept here as well.
Curated OER
New Horizons Salutes Voyager
This regularly updated site chronicles research, key facts, and the reasons for downgrading Pluto from a planet to dwarf planet. Recent discoveries from the New Horizon spacecraft and months of archived articles are kept here as well.