NASA
Nasa: Planets in a Bottle
In this simple lesson, students grow yeast to learn how the climates on each of the nine planets would affect life.
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.
Read Works
Read Works: What's Up in Space?
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about outer space. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Other
Paper Plate Education: Serving the Universe on a Paper Plate
Excellent resource for "paper-plate" activities that help simplify various astronomy topics. Learn how to build a "Moon Finder" and "Planet Pointer," and create a paper-plate model that explains the Transit of Venus.
NASA
Nasa: Io: Overview: Volcanic Moon
Find out about most volcanically active world in the Solar System, Jupiter's moon named Io.
Other
Uppsala Astronomical Observatory: Planetary Imaging
Images of Mercury, Venus, the Moon, Mars, and Jupiter by the Swedish Vacuum Solar Telescope.
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.
NASA
Nasa: The Space Place
This site from NASA's Space Place is geared towards early elementary learners. It offers detailed instructions for crafts and activities related to space, games and a teacher resource area. Students can also ask an expert at this site.
NASA
Nasa: Mission Archives: Pioneer Project
This is the home page of NASA's Pioneer Project. Content includes a general overview of the probes' missions, news, and history.
Quia
Quia: Brushing Your Teeth
This site gives you opportunities to practice putting the planets in the correct order from the sun. Press "Click here to begin" to get started.
Curated OER
Sunspots
A portal to resources on the sun, the Earth's neighboring planets, and the weather in space. Find out why Saturn is the "jewel of the Solar System" and explore what happens when Venus and Mercury make their rare transits across the sun.
Curated OER
Auroras
A portal to resources on the sun, the Earth's neighboring planets, and the weather in space. Find out why Saturn is the "jewel of the Solar System" and explore what happens when Venus and Mercury make their rare transits across the sun.
Curated OER
Nasa Logo
A portal to resources on the sun, the Earth's neighboring planets, and the weather in space. Find out why Saturn is the "jewel of the Solar System" and explore what happens when Venus and Mercury make their rare transits across the sun.