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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Making of a Star

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create schematic diagrams of the new Russian space station module. They compose an imaginary yet realistic series of diary entries from the point of view of an astronaut living on board the completed space station.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Explore the Characteristics of Stars with Microsoft WorldWide Telescope

For Teachers 2nd - 9th
Students explore the characteristics of stars. In this space science activity, students use the Microsoft WorldWide Telescope program to identify the properties of stars and identify the stars in the galaxy.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Probing Below the Surface of Mars

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Learners simulate the search for water in Mars using simple apparatus. For this space science lesson, students explain how soil temperature affects the cooling of probes. They graph the data collected from the simulation.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mission Discovery

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners examine the changes to the space shuttle Discovery and its history by creating a classroom exhibition about NASA's space shuttle program. They create an informative and attractive invitation about the gallery for outside visitors.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mission Makeover

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine their prior knowledge of the space program. After reading an article, they explore the conclusions of the Columbia accident. In groups, they research various space programs and discover the scope of NASA. They write...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flight Paths of Orbiting Satellites

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students examine the path a satellite follows as it orbits the earth. In this space science instructional activity, students use a globe as they illustrate a satellite in its orbital plane, then plot points on the satellite's path on the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make a Comet Model and Eat It!

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Young scholars construct a comet model based on procedure provided. In this space science lesson, students compare the physical properties of comets to the models they made. They record their observations and share them with the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dream Big

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss the success of privately built and flown space crafts by reading and discussing a news article. They develop adventure trip proposals to present to Sir Richard Branson. Students write essays reflecting on the importance...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Sun in Our Lives

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders identify the different parts of the sun. In this astronomy lesson plan, 3rd graders examine how the sun's energy drive life processes on Earth. They construct a model of a solar system using large rolls of toilet paper.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Day on the Space Station

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discover what it would be like to live in space. In this technological advancements lesson, 5th graders discuss how space life would be different from Earth life. Students also identify how technology has made life in space...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Science Astronomy Unit: Seasons on Earth

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders describe how the Earth's position causes seasonal changes. In this astronomy lesson, 8th graders explain how solar radiation varies depending on the season. They create a collage or poster on each of the Earth's four seasons.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Watch This Space!

For Students 7th - 9th
In this space activity, students, with a partner, answer five questions about the universe and read and discuss ten questions regarding astronomy.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science Trail

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the solar system by conducting Earth science experiments. In this Sun lesson, students identify the different seasons on Earth and discuss their purpose and cause. Students create a sundial and observe the changes to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Path to Mars

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students compare the similarities between both Earth and Mars. In this space lesson students use the Internet for research and to obtain geographical pictures of both planets. Students then analyze the pictures of both planets and...
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Lesson Plan
Denver Art Museum

So Much to See, So Little Time

For Teachers K - 5th
How do humans and animals impact the environment? What is land division? Youngsters tape off a 12x12 inch square in an outdoor natural space. They sketch everything they see, then compare their drawings as a class. They will then be...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Team Moon

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read "Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon," by Catherine Thimmesh. They watch portions of the movie "Apollo 13." Students use the internet and the attached study guide to discover specific information...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Health Issues Related to Space Experiments

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students participate in a science instructional activity that integrates connections between health issues on Earth and how those issues are related to studies conducted on the International Space Station. T
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Far Out Food and Work in Space

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students discuss aspects of living and working in space as astronauts, as well as other careers in space science. They demonstrate their understanding of the food guide pyramid by designing a healthy food tray for an astronaut.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lunch in Outer Space!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the challenges astronauts face while eating in outer space. In small groups, they design and construct an original model device to assist astronauts eat in a microgravity environment.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Hot and How Big?

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students explore star color and size. In this space science lesson, students conduct various inquiry activities to explore how the color of a star affects the amount of heat produced. They also investigate how the color of stars affects...
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Can Plants Be Grown in Space?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate finding a solution to growing plants in space. They define key vocabulary terms, conduct an experiment growing plants, explore various websites, and participate in a live video conference with NASA regarding the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spacing Out

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore environmental and geological conditions on other planets in our solar system, comparing their findings to information about Earth. They propose technologies that might assist in supporting human life on those planets.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Patterns, Functions, and Algebra: Wired for Space

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students assess how patterns, functions and algebra can assist NASA engineers design new ways of propelling spacecrafts. They explore how electricity and magnetism are replacing the fuel-consuming rocket propulsion. Electromagnetism is...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Science of Sleep and Daily Rhythms: Sleeping in Space

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students write about strange places that they have slept. For this sleep science lesson students read about astronauts sleeping experience in space. They reflect on unusual places that they have slept and write about it.