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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Interstellar Medium

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students investigate the Interstellar Medium and the Local Bubble that the Sun is inside. They read and discuss a handout, answer discussion questions, observe a demonstration of light scattering, and conduct an experiment on the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Best of the Solar System (Grades 4-7)

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore planetary research and become familiar with the planets and their characteristics. They compare and contrasts planets and moons.
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

The Strength of the Sun

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students explore the sun and take a "trip" to outer space.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Determining Red-Shift in a Receding Star

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers practice manipulating algebra formulas with more than one variable. They examine the topics of velocity, wavelength and frequency. They determine the amount of red-shift in a receding star.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mission Impossible! Are We Alone in the Universe, or Are We Just One of Its Citizens?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine NASA strategy for scientifically studying any celestial body. They brainstorm about all previous space explorations and missions they can recall, and propose an expedition plan to become space explorers of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space Science: Constellations and the Sun

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students review the zodiac signs and illustrate their movement using constellations on the wall and themselves to represent earth. Individually or in groups, they stand in the center of the room while a shadeless lamp is placed between...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Planetary Debate

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners' are given a research sheet to complete in small groups. They are to select a planet or moon to research using the Internet. With this research and their completed form, each group defends their planet or moon in a debate...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students use a simple physical model of the Earth, sun, and moon to understand why the moon changes phases from the perspective of Earthly observers. They hold up balls representing the moon in a room with a single light source to see...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Planet Sizes

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students compare planet sizes using class members holding fruit to represent the planets. They arrange the nine students in planetary order and compare and contrast the planets. Working in groups, students color and decorate planet...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planetary Problem Solving

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students create their own planet. They determine its diameter, density, composition, mass and orbit. Students create a list of elements necessary to sustain human life. They present their model to the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stellar Lunar Curriculum

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students engage in a lesson that covers the concept of different phases of the moon. They name the cycles of the phases of the moon while using flashlights to simulate the light of the sun. They research information about several...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Objects in the Solar System

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders define a planet by the orbit around the sun, have a large enough gravitational force to hold a sphere shape and needs to clear the neighboorhood of it own orbital zone. They describe comets, meteoroids, meteor, meteorites...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cometary Orbits

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study orbits and ellipses and see the differences between orbits and comets.  In this investigative lesson students do an activity that shows them what objects are more like comets and fill out a worksheet. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meteor, Meteoroid, Meteorite: What's the Difference?

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explore the difference between a meteor, meteorite and meteoroid. In this space science lesson, students first read information about these space bodies. Students make Comet Cookies and use them to model a meteor shower with a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

High in the Sky

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the concept of constellations. In this constellations lesson, 6th graders research Internet and print sources regarding constellations, particularly those that are named for mythological creatures. Students compose...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning About the Stars

For Teachers 1st
First graders study stars. For this space science lesson, 1st graders determine that it is best to observe stars on a clear night and define various qualities of stars.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Sun's Role in Living Systems

For Teachers K - 8th
Learners create graphic organizer webs that illustrate their thinking about seasonal physical and biological changes caused by changes in sunlight. They identify the central role of sunlight in living systems.
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Lesson Plan
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Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

Where Are We Going?

For Teachers 2nd - 6th Standards
Come take a ride on the space bus! Scholars go on an imaginary trip to pick up their peers from the inner and outer planets while reinforcing math skills. First, learners round decimals to identify each planets' distance from Earth....
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Lesson Plan
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University of Colorado

The Jovian System: A Scale Model

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Jupiter has 67 moons! As the seventh in a series of 22, the exercise shows learners the size and scale of Jupiter and its Galilean moons through a model. They then arrange the model to show how probes orbited and gathered data.
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Lesson Plan
1
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Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

The Planets and Scale

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Scholars gain an insight into the relative size of planets and distance between inner and outer planets with the help of informational text, a data table, and a series of four questions.  
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Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Living in the Milky Way

For Teachers 1st - 5th Standards
Get to know our galaxy with an astronomy-themed, hands-on activity. Scholars watch an informative video, answer questions, and construct a model of the Milky Way in order to examine its contents and the distance inside it.  
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Lesson Plan
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Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

Space Travel Guide

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
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. 
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Lesson Plan
1
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Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

Jupiter’s Relative Size

For Teachers 4th - 6th
How do you properly illustrate the extreme size difference between two planets—Earth and Jupiter? With the help of jellybeans, of course! Create a scale model of Jupiter's mass compared to Earth using a fishbowl, 1,400 beans, and a dixie...
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Lesson Plan
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Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

Charting the Progress of New Horizons

For Teachers 2nd - 6th Standards
In 2006, New Horizons began its mission to fly to Pluto. As it continues its journey, scholars track its progress with the help of an informative website, all the while reinforcing measurement concepts with the construction of a scaled...

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