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The Sun in Our Lives
Third graders identify the different parts of the sun. In this astronomy lesson plan, 3rd graders examine how the sun's energy drive life processes on Earth. They construct a model of a solar system using large rolls of toilet paper.
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Shoot for the Moon
Second graders distinguish the different phases of the moon. In this astronomy lesson, 2nd graders study the history of its discovery and myths about its origin. They simulate how the moon's surface is illuminated by the sun.
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Astronomy and Me: Moons Over New Haven
Third graders study the features of different moons orbiting the planets. For this astronomy lesson, 3rd graders explore the different phases of the moon using an interactive online website. They compare and contrast the features of the...
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The Space Cadet's Laboratory: Using Electromagnetic Energy to Study Astronomy
Students build their own spectrophotometer to study light. In this physics lesson, students explain the dual nature of light. They calculate the angle of incidence and refraction using Snell's law equation.
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Mathematics at the Frontier of Astronomy
Young scholars explore the different types of measurements used in astronomy. In this space science lesson, students explain the relationship between planets' orbits and distance from the sun using Kepler's Laws. They discuss how math...
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Probing Below the Surface of Mars
Learners simulate the search for water in Mars using simple apparatus. In this space science activity, students explain how soil temperature affects the cooling of probes. They graph the data collected from the simulation.
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Impact Craters: Holes in the Ground!
Young scholars simulate crater formation through a lab activity. In this space science instructional activity, students calculate how much energy is transferred during meteorite impact. They identify different factors affecting the size...
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Navigation and Trajectory
Learners prepare a creative demonstration of how Earth and Mars revolve around the Sun. In this astronomy lesson, students determine the different challenges engineers face when building spacecrafts. They draw possible paths for a...
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Length of the Day
Students investigate how the Earth's rotation affect the length of day. In this earth science lesson, students construct a sighting apparatus and record their observations over a few days. They analyze data collected and formulate a...
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Strange New Planet
Students simulate different spacecraft missions using materials provided. In this space science lesson plan, students observe and record a planetary model's features from a distance. They relate this activity to scientists' space...
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Solar Cycle
Students explore the solar cycle through a series of experiments. In this space science lesson, students construct and evaluate solar cycle graphs. They explain how this phenomenon affects the Earth.
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Rover Races
Students identify the challenges encountered by astronauts in operating a planetary rover. In this space science activity, students create a rover using their team members. They follow a command sequence from the driver and navigate...
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Hot Air
High schoolers conduct an experiment to determine how hot air affect the path of laser. In this physics lesson plan, students explain why stars appear to twinkle at night. They discuss how light travels from space to Earth.
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Telescope Allocation Committee
Students create a research proposal and write letters to researchers to explain why their proposals were rejected. In this astronomy lesson students use the Internet to help them to write a proposal on what they observed through a...
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Astro-Madness
Students study the different telescopes and instruments used in the Observatory. In this engineering and research lesson plan students explore telescopes using a website and build data tables about them.
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A Star is Born
High schoolers research the life cycle of a star. In this astronomy instructional activity, students work in groups to research on stage in stellar evolution and report back to the class their findings. They will discuss as a class the...
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Color of Stars
Students study the color of stars. In this astronomy based activity, students observe the colors in an open flame and apply the information collected about color and temperature to the visible light emitting from the photosphere of...
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Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Lab
In this space science instructional activity, 7th graders use the star circles given but the teacher to complete 14 short answer questions. They plot the stars on the graph.
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The Spectrum of a Star
Tenth graders identify stars based on their line spectra. In this astronomy lesson, 10th graders analyze spectrograph and determine the elements present in the star. They explain the relationship between temperature and star classes.
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History of Saturn Discoveries
Students interpret how scientists have explored Saturn. In this NASA based astronomy lesson plan, students create a timeline depicting the study of Saturn from 1610 until 2010. Each student will write a letter to Galileo discussing how...
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Time Line of Astronomy Events and Discoveries
Students work in groups to present a segment of a timeline of events and discoveries in astronomy. In this astronomy lesson plan, students teach their classmates about their section of the timeline.
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Our Sky Clock
Students explore space science by completing a worksheet in class. In this astronomy instructional activity, students discuss and identify star patterns in the night sky and relate these patterns to the approximate time they appear....
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Night Sky Observation
Students explore space science by completing an observational worksheet. In this astronomy lesson, students view several worksheets in which students identify minor changes between separate images in preparation for real star...
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Observing the Sky
Students explore astronomy. In this astronomy lesson, students discuss the history of the movement of celestial bodies and then communicate with other students regarding the movements that they observe in the sky nightly. Students...