Curated OER
What's Out There? Space Shuttle Exploration and Simulation
Students simulate life in space aboard the space shuttle. In this space exploration lesson, students work in small groups to model life aboard the space shuttle. Each student is given a job, conducts Internet research on space, and...
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Gingerbread Spacecraft
Students explore the different parts of the Cassini spacecraft. In this space science instructional activity, students create a model of the spacecraft using food products. They compare and contrast their model with the real one and...
NASA
Space Shuttle Glider
Your charges will enjoy putting together this model of the space shuttle and completing the three challenge activities described in the lesson plan. The worksheets embedded in the plan that pupils use to cut out their gliders are...
NASA
Radiation Shielding on Spacecraft
Here is a terrific science lesson for your elementary schoolers. In it, learners analyze different materials to simulate space radiation shielding on spacecraft, then select the best material to use to build one. This is a classic...
Curated OER
The International Space Station
A mini-poster and diagram of the International Space Station are provided for young astronauts to refer to as they construct a space station of their own. Detailed parameters must be adhered to as small gropus build. Instructions and...
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Destination Outer Space
Students investigate space travel. In this space travel lesson students examine space exploration history, engineers and scientists involved in space exploration, and Newton's third law of motion. Students make rockets.
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Edible Mars Spacecraft
Fourth graders identify the Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Pathfinder and the rover, Sojourner.
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Space Shuttle Simulator
Fourth graders discuss the space shuttle and its parts. They vote on a class symbol to be placed on their models of the space shuttle. Students build a model of the space shuttle. They discuss the different media that they will use and...
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Spaceship Earth
Students develop an understanding of our planet as a system by designing a very-long-duration space mission in which the life-support system is patterned after that of earth.
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Space Shuttles in Space
Students use a pencil and paper to practice drawing their own space shuttle doodle. Using new directions, they draw another doodle in which they are allowed to add elements that were not allowed in the first drawing. They paint a space...
Curated OER
Solar Arrays for the Space Station
Students explore the challenges that are faced when transporting materials into space. They review the various forms of energy, including solar arrays, that are used on the International Space Station and how generating this energy calls...
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Mission Discovery
Students examine the changes to the space shuttle Discovery and its history by creating a classroom exhibition about NASA's space shuttle program. They create an informative and attractive invitation about the gallery for outside visitors.
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Bigger, Faster, Stronger . . . Higher
Students analyze popular feelings and beliefs about two major disasters: the sinking of the Titanic (1912) and the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger (1986). They compile evidence, through research and interviews, about how much...
Curated OER
Voyage to Outer Space
Learners design and construct a spacecraft. In this space voyage lesson plan, students read Regards to the Man in the Moon by Ezra Jack Keats and gather materials before constructing their own spacecraft.
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Spaced Out
Students are introduced to the space environment. This lesson plan covers the major differences between the environment on Earth and that of outer space and the engineering challenges that arise because of these discrepancies. In order...
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Elements of Physics: Motion, Force and Gravity
Learners research about different human space explorations conducted by NASA. In this physical science lesson plan, students discuss why space exploration is important. They write a paper about their thoughts on continuing NASA's space...
Curated OER
Discovering Saturn, The Real "Lord of the Rings"
Reading, writing, and rings! A lesson from NASA combines space science with authentic reading and writing tasks. Included in this lesson are pre-reading activities, four mini informational booklets on Saturn, a structured note-taking...
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SALLY RIDE
Pupils express what it would be like to launch off into outer space in a space shuttle. They include what it might feel like, look like, sound like, and any thoughts that go through their mind as they dart away from the Earth's atmosphere.
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Systems, UP, Up and Away!
Young scholars discuss rockets and how they work. Students research basic information about the Space Shuttle. Young scholars work in collaborative groups creating "rockets" with empty film canisters. Students launch their "rockets" and...
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Make a Spaceship
Students create a spaceship, satellite, or space station. In this space lesson, students consider design elements for buildings and objects in space. Students use K'Nex, Legos, or other household materials for their creation. Students...
Curated OER
Technology for Studying Comets
Young scholars design an Aerogel model to capture clay particles. In this space science lesson, students discover what happens to comets as they hit a surface. They explain how the Aerogel technology would help scientists study comets...
Curated OER
The Earth, Sun, Moon, And Stars
Fifth graders explore the solar system. In this solar system unit, 5th graders investigate numerous projects while rotating through learning centers. Students write about space and construct a space shuttle model. Students practice map...
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Captain Invincible and the Space Shapes
Students recognize the features of geometric shapes. In this geometric shapes lesson, students listen to Captain Invincible and the Space Shapes. Students create solid figures with marshmallows and toothpicks. Students create a...
Curated OER
Strange New Planet
Students simulate different spacecraft missions using materials provided. For this space science lesson, students observe and record a planetary model's features from a distance. They relate this activity to scientists' space exploration...