Interactive
ABCya

Ab Cya: Orbital Order

For Students 4th - 6th
Launch into space with Orbital Order! Amplify your knowledge of the Sun and the planets of our Solar System in this astronomical activity. Do you have what it takes to put the planets back in order?
Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Planets of the Solar System Study Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
Review the main facts and figures that describe the eight planets in the solar system.
Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Planets in Our Solar System Study Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
A quick overview of the eight planets in our solar system.
Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Formation of the Sun and Planets Study Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
Understand the formation of the sun and planets in our solar system.
Lesson Plan
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Kinesthetic Astronomy: Earth's Rotation

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This kinesthetic activity will demonstrate concepts like rotation and orbit, clarify movement and direction, and help young scholars understand why earthlings see different things in the sky.
Article
University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Neptune

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover interesting facts about Neptune, the fourth-largest planet.
Article
University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Jupiter

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover interesting facts about Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system.
Article
University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Uranus

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn interesting facts about the planet Uranus and its unique history.
Article
University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Mars

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover interesting facts about Mars, the furthest planet from the sun.
Article
University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Venus

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover interesting facts about Venus, the hottest planet and the second planet from the Sun.
Article
University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Mercury

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover interesting facts about the tiny planet Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun.
Article
University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Pluto

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover interesting information about Pluto, a member of the Kuiper Belt and no longer a planet since 2006.
Article
University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Saturn

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover interesting facts about Saturn, the second-largest planet in the Solar System.
Lesson Plan
University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Solar System Science

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Each student becomes the "ambassador" for a planet and prepares by researching their planet, then meets with other ambassadors to form new mini-solar systems.
Lesson Plan
University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Rock Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This activity combines the concept of Earth's rock cycle with the characteristics of other planets in the solar system.
Article
University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Asteroids

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover interesting facts about asteroids, large chunks of rock that were leftover from the formation of the solar system.
Article
University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Meteorites

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover fascinating facts about meteorites, pieces of asteroids that originate in outer space and survives their passage through the atmosphere to reach the ground.
Article
University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Comets

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover interesting facts about comets, an icy time capsule left over from the birth of planets.
Article
University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn interesting information about the Earth, the largest of the "terrestrial" planets.
Lesson Plan
University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Sunspots

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Experiment involves identifying sunspots, temporary phenomena on the Sun's photosphere that appear as spots darker than the surrounding areas.
Lesson Plan
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Kinesthetic Astronomy: Longer Days, Shorter Nights

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This kinesthetic activity demonstrates to students that the Earth's tilt is what is responsible for shifting light patterns and the change in seasons.
Lesson Plan
Ohio State University

Osu History Teaching Institute: The Trial of Galileo

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will become familiar with the Trial of Galileo Galilei, will understand who Galileo was, and how the controversy around his ideas about the solar system reflected the conflict of ideas in a time of change.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Stargazing for Satellites

For Students 3rd - 5th
Did you know you can see many satellites with the naked eye? Try this activity and find out for yourself!
Handout
NASA

Nasa Space Place: What Is a Comet?

For Students 3rd - 8th
Provides a brief description of comets, where they come from, and the different parts that make up a comet.