Curated OER
The Solar System
Students study the planets of the solar system. Students observe a model of the solar system, and name each planet, in order. In pairs, students write acronyms to assist in remembering the plants in order and share them with their...
Curated OER
Our Solar System
Students explain the classification of planets according to various criteria. They create charts illustrating comparative data.
Curated OER
Solar System: Fantasy Planet
Students create their own fantasy planet using computer software on KidPix. In this planets lesson plan, students also write a paragraph about their planet including the name, population, weather, and more.
Curated OER
Solar System Scramble
In this solar system word scramble worksheet, students unscramble 8 sets of letters to reveal the names of 8 planets. Students use their answers to answer 1 coded question.
Curated OER
The Discovery Of The Solar System
High schoolers study the heliocentric theory of Copernicus, the ideas behind it and the explanations which it displaced. A discussion of retrograde motion of planets helps students explain the logic underlying the ideas of both Ptolemy...
Curated OER
Solar System Search
Students learn the names of the nine planets. They are then given a worksheet which they use to identify the planets based on actively listening to the teacher's oral description. This is a great listening activity.
Curated OER
Sample the Solar System
Students identify different features of the solar system. They analyze the sun, moon, planets, comets, and asteroids. They use the Internet and other resource sources to find information about the solar system.
Curated OER
A Tour of the Solar System
Students construct a spacecraft out of Lego blocks and other materials. They work on their models in small groups while building. They become familar with the planets while working cooperatively.
Curated OER
Exploring The Neighborhood of the Solar System
Students explain why exploring the universe for life on other planets is an important field of study. They use mathematical formulas to calculate the temperatures of planets as it relates to their distance from the sun. Students use...
Curated OER
The Best of the Solar System (Grades 6-8)
Young scholars are introduced to planetary research and become familiar with the planets and their features. They view images of the planets, and fill in an information chart which is imbedded in this plan.
Curated OER
Solar System Word Search
In this solar system word search worksheet, learners locate and mark the 8 planet names within the word search puzzle. No word bank is provided.
Curated OER
Please Ex-Planet!
What is most useful about this lesson plan is the "Student Explanet Worksheet," a set of instructions for collaborative groups to use to collect information about an assigned planet. After students have researched and organized their...
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Space Travel Guide
Looking to take a trip? Why not go to space? Here, scholars take on the role as travel agent to create a guide to their favorite planet including travel tips and sightseeing recommendations.
Curated OER
Solar Car Series: Angle/Energy Amount
Does the angle of a solar panel change the output? Emerging engineers find out! Demonstrate for your class how they can angle a straw to match the angle of light rays coming from a source. Then turn them loose to experiment with the...
University of Colorado
Strange New Planet
The first remote sensors were people in hot air balloons taking photographs of Earth to make maps. Expose middle school learners to space exploration with the use of remote sensing. Groups explore and make observations of a new...
NOAA
The Great, Glowing Orb What You Will Do: Make a Solar Heat Engine
How is solar energy able to move wind and water to control the climate? Scholars explore the concept of solar energy in the first of 10 activities in the Discover Your Changing World series. They follow instructions to build homemade...
McGraw Hill
Gravity Variations Interactive
What would a baseball game look like on the moon? Probably a lot of home runs! A creative activity explores the motion of a projectile on the surface of different bodies in the solar system. Participants adjust the angle and...
McGraw Hill
Kepler's Second Law Interactive
Kepler decided to think outside the box and discovered that planets orbit in elliptical patterns. An engaging activity demonstrates the elliptical orbit pattern in relationship to the area of a planet to explain Kepler's Second Law....
Curated OER
Out of this world! 2
In this solar system worksheet, students fill in the blank to sentences that refer to the solar system. Students fill in 15 blanks with planet names.
Curated OER
Out of this World! 2
In this science and research skills worksheet, students use Internet searches to find the answers to 15 questions about the planets in the solar system.
Curated OER
Strange New Planet
Students simulate different spacecraft missions using materials provided. For this space science lesson, students observe and record a planetary model's features from a distance. They relate this activity to scientists' space exploration...
Curated OER
The Solar Cycle
Students research the solar cycle. In this Science lesson plan, students use the internet to investigate the solar cycle. Students produce a spreadsheet and graph from the information collected.
California Academy of Science
Kinesthetic Astronomy: Longer Days, Shorter Nights
A lamp, four globes, and some signs taped around the room are all you need to set up a solar system simulation for teaching how Earth's tilted axis creates the seasons. (Sticky dots are also needed, but not mentioned in the materials...
Curated OER
Puzzling Planets
Students examine the concept of a solar system. In this research based lesson, students compare a star and a planet. They explain the requirements for life in a biosphere.