Lesson Plan
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science

Life on Mars

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Through reading and discussion, aspiring astronomers consider the question of whether or not there was ever life on the planet Mars. Throughout the process, they review how scientific investigations are carried out, examine the...
Lesson Plan
Pacific Science Center

Worlds in Comparison

For Teachers 4th - 12th Standards
Young astronomers follow a step-by-step procedure for dividing a lump of dough into parts, resulting in a scaled volume set of puny planets. Along with the printable directions is a template chart of planet names on which learners can...
Activity
Mr. Jones's Science Class

Planet Presentation

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Upper-elementary astronomers take on the role of interplanetary real estate salesmen. They research an assigned planet and create a PowerPoint to persuade the rest of the class to purchase property and move there. This fun project would...
Lesson Plan
NASA

Earth, Earth’s Moon, Mars Balloons

For Teachers K - 8th Standards
Very specific diameters are given for blowing up three different balloons to represent, in scale, the moon, Earth, and Mars. In groups of three, amateur astronomers explore scale measurements and distance in space.
Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

Planetary Mysteries

For Students 6th - 12th
A website all about planetary mysteries—it's a one-stop-shop for all things, stars, planets, and space travel. Scholars read an astronomy overview to discover the page's big ideas, then choose from the plethora of resources, including...
Unit Plan
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Core Knowledge Foundation

Astronomy Tell It Again!™ Read-Aloud Anthologys

For Teachers 1st Standards
A read-aloud anthology focuses on astronomy. Each week for three weeks, first graders are introduced to and listen to a text, answer comprehension questions, then complete extensions that include a learning activity and skills practice....
Worksheet
Curated OER

How Many Quasars Are There?

For Students 9th - 11th
In this quasars worksheet, students read about how astronomers can detect quasars by their luminosity. Students use a given equation to solve 4 problems including finding quasar magnitude, determining the number of quasars with given...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Imagining China Through Words

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers create a drawing from a written description to examine images of China in European art. In this art analysis lesson, students create a visual image from a written description of an object. Middle schoolers compare their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Runaway Greenhouse Effect Exercise

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students role-play biologists, coal geologists, space warfare experts, astronomers, pollution-control scientists, and hydrophysicists as they answer the question, "Why is Venus so much hotter than the Earth?"
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Categorizing Celestial Objects

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students work together to develop a classification system for planets. They take a class vote and read an article about an astronomer's classification system. They write an essay on how scientists make decisions for the general public.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Chandra Explores Angular Size

For Students 9th - 12th
In this angular size learning exercise, students read about how astronomers determine the size of objects in the sky by using their angular size. Kids are given equations that allow scientists to convert the angular size into kilometers....
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.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Astronomer/ Multiplying Fractions

For Students 6th - 8th
In this math worksheet, students use the operation of multiplication for fractions. Then they simply the answers into their simplest forms.
App
Q Continuum

Planets

For Students K - 12th
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what constellation you were seeing or whether that bright object was a star or a planet? Are you searching for the best tilt-to-view constellation and planet app that money can't buy?...
Unit Plan
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NASA

The Atmospheric Filter

For Teachers 5th - 8th
What is the difference between a comet and a meteoroid? An educational lesson includes five demonstrations of how the atmosphere can inhibit our ability to measure many things in the galaxy. 
Worksheet
Curated OER

Super Scientists Bingo

For Students 6th - 8th
In this science worksheet, middle schoolers select twenty-five scientists from the list to fill in their bingo card. Then they match each of the scientists listed to their correct description strip.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Unveiling the Secrets of Saturn

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students read and study an article then answer questions on Saturn.  In this investigative lesson students identify ways space exploration has helped humanity and then they search the Internet for space pictures and sketch a drawing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

When a Ruler is Too Short

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars measure distances using parallax. In this math lesson, students explain how this method helped astronomers with their studies of the solar system. They determine the length of their arm using parallax and compare it with...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Phases of the Moon

For Students 3rd - 6th
Circles, divided into halves, are arranged in a cycle for aspiring astronomers to color in according the phases of the moon. Next to each are lines on which they can write the name of the phase and boxes in which they can number the...
Interactive
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Scholastic

Study Jams! The Moon

For Students 4th - 8th
Take your class to the moon and back with this compact slide show. A mix of computer-generated images and photographs are supported by explanatory text. Observers learn about the moon's movements, its physical features, and its phases....
App
GoSoftWorks

GoSkyWatch Planetarium for iPad - The Astronomy Star Guide

For Students 6th - Higher Ed
Digital compass alignment enables navigation of the skies with true orientation at any time. Just point to the sky or "aim for the stars!" This application acts as a virtual telescope, allowing you to zoom in on any object that is...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Astronomer sees a 'Brake' in Cosmic expansion

For Students 7th
Seventh graders examine and read an article.  In this investigative lesson students discuss questions about the article and complete an activity. 
Worksheet
Curated OER

Speed of Light

For Students 7th - 12th
For this speed of light worksheet, students read about Danish Astronomer ole Roemer and his discovery of the speed of light. Students complete 4 short answer questions based on the reading.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Do We Know...?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify and explain how various inventions and astronomers have improved our appreciation of the universe. Students identify at least two constellations in the sky and discuss how they were used in ancient times to tell time...

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