+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets Curriculum

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Pupils investigate the planets in our solar system. They conduct research using a variety of resources in order for students to make cognitive connections with the demonstrations made by the teacher. Pupils discover how to recognize the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets Curriculum

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students complete an in-depth study of the known planets in the solar system. As a class, students identify the planets that are known in the universe, in the night sky. They explain the differences between planets and stars and the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Windows to the Universe Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students access the Internet to go on a scavenger hunt to investigate the solar system.  In this space mission lessons students fill out a worksheet  and explain how technology and scientific inquiry have helped us learn about the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Quiz: Astronomy

For Teachers 3rd
In this science worksheet, 3rd graders will focus on various aspects of astronomy. Students will respond to ten questions all pertaining to stars, constellations, planets, and our solar system.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physics The Earth and Beyond

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders will explore our solar system. In this physics instructional activity students create a model of the solar system to explore the movement of Earth, the Sun, and stars.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Astronomy

For Students 4th - 5th
In this astronomy worksheet, students read a detailed text about our solar system. Students then answer 15 questions about the information presented.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Night Sky: Fall/Winter

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explain how moon phases occur. They explain three ways that the night sky has been used through history. Students locate some of the constellations in the night sky. They discuss stories and myths surrounding stars.
+
App
Q Continuum

Planets

For Students K - 12th
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what constellation you were seeing or whether that bright object was a star or a planet? Are you searching for the best tilt-to-view constellation and planet app that money can't buy?...
+
Activity
1
1
Lake Afton Public Observatory

Shadows, Angles, and the Seasons

For Teachers 3rd - 7th Standards
Shine some light on the topic of seasonal change with this collection of activities. Whether it's by measuring the change in the length of their shadows, or modeling the earth's orbit around the sun using a lamp and a globe, these simple...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constellations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the major constellations. After reviewing the Earth's basic motions and their significance, students discuss the moon's orbit and revolutions. Using a Digitarium Alpha portable planetarium projector, they...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mercury

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the planet Mercury and develop an understanding of the planet's composition, geology, and other important characteristics. They explore a Web resource on the planet Mercury which is the central focus of this lesson.
+
Worksheet
K5 Learning

Sun, Stars and Moon

For Students 1st Standards
Learners read about the objects we see in our night and day skies before answering five short answer comprehension questions.
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
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. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Quest

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students engage in a lesson of using maps in order to find constellations in the night sky. They also conduct research using three constellations. The research is used to create a project to inform others. The teacher also leads the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Mars

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Learners, working in small groups construct scale models of the planets and solar system. They examine images of Mars and discuss what might have caused the features. They record facts about their planetary research in their journals and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bouncing Sunlight

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders use flashlights and balls to demonstrate how the light bounces off of the sun and reflects onto the moon. They record their observations in a journal.
+
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...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science - Lesson 42 - Astronomy

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders demonstrate the position of the Earth, Moon, and Sun in a solar and lunar eclipse. They list uses for manmade satellites and write a description of how a satellite would be use.
+
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...
+
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 instructional activity, students first read information about these space bodies. Students make Comet Cookies and use them to model a meteor...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Sky Show

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Young scholars use lecture and research to answer the question: Why is the sky blue? students research a variety of other sky phenomena, chart their observations and participate in experiments.
+
Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

What is Astronomy?

For Students 6th - 12th
Go study the universe. Pupils learn seven aspects about astronomy and astronomers. They begin to learn about constellations; distance and motion between objects; gravity; the electromagnetic spectrum; dark matter and energy; and teams of...
+
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Galileo: Revealing the Universe

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
To gain an understanding of the significance of Galileo Galilei's revolutionary ideas, class members watch the short video "Stargazing Before Galileo," and conduct a close reading of Galileo's Sidereal Messsenger. They then compare...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Bright are the Stars?

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students observe the brightness of stars and are introduced to the concept of apparent brightness as a measure of how much light hits a detector of a surface area during a given time. In this star instructional activity, students make...