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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why Do We Have Night?

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students engage in a fun, creative way to discover how the Earth moves. This lesson helps students explain why there is day and night. It can also create curiosity to further study the solar system and eclipses!
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Tour of Saturn and Uranus

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders draw and label each planet, Saturn and Uranus, showing 2 specific individual characteristics of each.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stellar Discoveries That Are Out of This World

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students hear of the recent discovery of a group of planets orbiting the star Upsilon Andromedae. Each student create a page about an element of the universe,
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biography of a Star: Our Sun's Birth, Life, and Death

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how astronomers use parallax to determine the distances of stars in the Sun's neighborhood. They construct a pinhole protractor, and measure angles and calculate distances.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Space Shuttle Mission STS-128

For Students 6th - 9th
In this space science worksheet, students read about the space shuttle mission and answer 6 short answer questions about life of astronauts in space stations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why is There a Tidal Bulge Opposite the Moon?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students simulate how the Moon causes ocean tides. In this earth science lesson, students calculate gravitational acceleration using a mathematical formula. They compare the force of attraction between the Earth, Moon and Sun system.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constellations

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders create their own constellations using pin holes and black paper. In this space science lesson, 5th graders write a story about their constellation. They share their project with the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Distance Makes a Difference

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a clay model of the Sun and Earth. In this space science lesson, students explain how distance affects the appearance of objects. They write a poem or riddle about the Sun in their journal.
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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 instructional activity, 8th graders explain how solar radiation varies depending on the season. They create a collage or poster on each of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Moon

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students design and build an ideal lunar settlement. In this astronomy lesson, students identify the key features of the moon. They compare its environmental condition with the Earth's.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Bead Distance Activity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a scaled solar system model using colorful beads. In this space science lesson, students convert AU units into metric measurements. They arrange the planets according to their distances from the sun.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Black Holes

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore what black holes are and how gravity is associated with them.  In this space instructional activity students are given enough information to imagine a journey to a black hole. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Radio Astronomy and Radio Telescope

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students construct a simple radio telescope. In this astronomy lesson, students explain how this telescope works and what information it collects.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Black Holes... What's inside IX

For Students 11th - Higher Ed
In this space science activity, students solve 7 problems related to black hole space and time. They answer questions related to the spacetime dimension.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observational Astronomy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research about the characteristics of celestial bodies using a database. In this space science lesson, students collect data such as brightness, apparent color and size by observing the night sky. They share their findings with...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moving and Working in Space

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students complete four tasks with certain restrictions. In this astronomy lesson, students explore different ways that astronauts can anchor and maneuver in space. They recognize the challenges they face from day to day.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seasonal CEENBoT

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students simulate the Earth's revolution around the sun using CEENBoT. In this earth science lesson students calculate the Earth's distance in AU and it's speed of revolution. They explain how the Earth's movement cause seasonal variation.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planetary Terrain

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students research the unique features of their assigned planet. In this astronomy lesson, students organize their findings and present it to class. They recreate planetary terrain and use CEENBoT to drive over it.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A CEENic Galaxy Quest!

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students research the distances between objects in the Milky Way. In this astronomy activity, students calculate the time it would take for a robot to travel from Milky Way object to another. They create a travel package for customers...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tracking and Tracing Sunspots

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine sunspots. In this sunspot lesson, students use applets to investigate the movement of sunspots. Students research sunspots and evaluate the rotation of the sun. Lesson references outside resources not available in this...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hunting for galaxies in the Hubble Deep Field

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine Hubble Deep Field images. In this galaxy classification lesson, students research galaxy classification. Students view and classify Hubble Deep field images of galaxies.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Astronomy

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore space science by utilizing education software. In this moon cycles lesson, students discuss the importance of the moon and the different phases we observe from earth. Students demonstrate the earth's orbit by creating a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cosmic Poetry: Words and Ideas Bring the Cosmos to Life

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders study the cosmos and their thoughts and feelings about the universe.  In this cosmic poetry lesson students create a venue where they can "safely" ask questions and discuss ideas. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Distance in Space

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore space science by measuring distances between planets. In this solar system instructional activity, 6th graders view a Bill Nye video and discover the conversion between the metric system and imperial measuring...