NASA
Exploring Exoplanets with Kepler
Calculate the movement and properties of planets like professional astronomers! Scholars use Kepler's third law to find Mercury and Venus's distance from the sun. Using changes in brightness of distant stars and Kepler's third law,...
PHET
Planetary Magnetism
What do magnetic fields look like? The best way to learn about magnetic fields is to try identifying them for yourself. Scholars will understand the importance of magnetic fields after completing this experiment. The extension activities...
Curated OER
Solar Eclipse
Students demonstrate the revolution of the moon around the earth and the effect of its direct alignment in between the earth and the sun.
Curated OER
Graphing the Facts
Students investigate the correlation between our planet's weather and solar activity. They analyze and discuss data regarding the solar activity cycle, graph annual precipitation and temperature averages over a period of 100 years, and...
Curated OER
Zodiac Constellations
In this space science learning exercise, students learn to identify the 12 constellations of the Zodiac. Students read the information and look at the detailed drawings of each constellation and when it is visible in the night sky.
Curated OER
Spacecraft Launched on Mission to Pluto
Students read a news article about a space mission being launched to the planet Pluto. They study the necessary vocabulary and complete an anticipation guide of questions which they revisit after they read the article.
NASA
Solar System Scale & Size
Use a variety of whole fruits to represent the different planets in the solar system to introduce scale sizes to your math or space science class. They follow suit by creating a non-scaled model of the solar system using specific-colored...
Curated OER
Astronomy
In this astronomy worksheet, students read a detailed text about our solar system. Students then answer 15 questions about the information presented.
Curated OER
Sensing the Invisible
Students study visible light and explain why we want to use infrared radiation to study Mercury. In this sunlight instructional activity students construct a device to measure the presence of infrared radiation in sunlight.
Curated OER
Watch This Space!
In this space worksheet, students, with a partner, answer five questions about the universe and read and discuss ten questions regarding astronomy.
Curated OER
My Shadow is following me
In this outer space worksheet, students read "My Shadow is following me" and learn about the Solar System and how shadows are created. They then complete the 2 students tasks and answer the 5 questions in the packet. The answers are on...
Curated OER
Day and Night
Third graders view a classroom simulation that demonstrates how the Earth's rotation creates day and night.
Curated OER
A Mission-To-Mars Quiz
In this space exploration worksheet, students complete a 6 question multiple choice on-line interactive exercise about the exploration of Mars.
Curated OER
Windows to the Universe Scavenger Hunt
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...
Curated OER
Finding the Pole Star
Students study the constellations fo the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia and their use in finding the Pole Star. They realize that other celestial objects--Sun, Moon and planets--share the rotation (and hence rise and set), even though their...
Curated OER
Solar Effects on Global Warming
Students explore the greenhouse effect and how it affects our climate. In this global warming instructional activity students draw the sun and label features and describe the effects of the sun's energy on the world.
Curated OER
What Orbital Dynamic Variables are Responsible for Earth's Weather?
Students explore the changing of the seasons. In this astronomy and seasons instructional activity, students construct a model of the revolution of the sun and the moon. Students compare the recorded solstice/equinox orbital positions...
Curated OER
The Sky Jeopardy
First graders reinforce concepts about sun, moon, day, night and sky by playing the Sky Jeopardy game. In the end, 1st graders get to nibble crackers in order to show the different phases of the moon.
Curated OER
The Mathematical Dynamics of Celestial Navigation and Astronavigation
Students explore the different methods used in celestial Navigation and astronavigation. In this math lesson, students construct a sextant and demonstrate how it works.
Curated OER
Pluto
In this planet science worksheet, students learn 6 facts about the planet Pluto. Students then read a short paragraph about the planet.
Curated OER
Does the Distance Between the Earth and Sun Cause the seasons?
Learners reflect upon the concepts of seasons. The concepts are taught using a variety of different teaching approaches. A activities lead to a reflection that will help students to make a cognitive transfer of information form...
Curated OER
The Earth, Sun Mood and Stars Unit (Planets too!)
Fifth graders prepare five activities to do then show their energy saving skills. In this investigative lesson students create five projects then participate in an energy saving demonstration.
Curated OER
Pollution - What is It Doing to Us?
Students recognize some forms of pollution. In this science lesson plan, students recognize and understand some of the devastating effects of the acid rains and other possible factors that are contrary to the pH balance of nature.
American Museum of Natural History
What is Astronomy?
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...