Curated OER
Rates and Slopes: An Astronomical Perspective
In this rates and slopes worksheet, students solve 2 problems where they find the rate corresponding to the speed of the galaxies in a Hubble diagram for galaxies and they calculate the rate of the sunspot number change between indicated...
Curated OER
Astronomical Distances and Space Travel
Students estimate the size of the solar system and the distance to the nearest star. In this space lesson students complete calculations and use Sattgast Hall as a scale model.
Curated OER
Solar System Distance Activity
Learners examine the distances between the Sun, planets, and smaller objects in the Solar System. They design a model using beads that shows the scale distances of the Solar System using astronomical units converted into a 10 centimeter...
Center for Math and Science Education
Pocket Solar System
How in the world can something as big as the solar system possibly fit in your pocket? Complete this simple modeling activity and find out, as young scientists gain an appreciation for the incredible scale of outer space.
Curated OER
Interplanetary Distance and Travel Time
Young scholars are introduced to the challenges involved in understanding the space travel distances and the time involved to do so through the use of an interactive fable. The modeling and comparisons deal with specific distances at...
Curated OER
Image Processing in the Classroom
Twelfth graders determine how scientists study the universe and particular astronomical objects using Internet research, images and NIH software. They work in groups to examine and use imaging software as they study astronomical objects.
Curated OER
The North (Wall) Star
Students engage in a instructional activity which shows them that celestial navigation is the art and science of finding one's geographic position by means of astronomical observations, particularly by measuring altitudes of celestial...
NASA
Benford's Law
In this Benford's Law learning exercise, high schoolers read about the first digit frequency of numbers. Learners solve 3 problems about sunspot numbers, solar wind magnetism and the depth of the latest earthquakes by using on line sites...
Curated OER
Integrating Science and Literature: Life as We Knew It
Supplement your science units with science fiction novels!
Space Awareness
Britannia Rule the Waves
Could you determine longitude based on measuring time? Early explorers used a longitude clock to do just that. Scholars learn about early exploration and the importance of the invention of the clock. Then pupils build their own longitude...
Space Awareness
Model of a Black Hole
Even light cannot leave the force of a black hole! Learners use a model to explore the gravitational force of a black hole. An elastic bandage and heavy ball serve to create the hole, while marbles become the victims of its strong force.
Curated OER
Solar System Bead Distance Activity
Middle schoolers 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.
Curated OER
Understanding Distance in Space
Pupils discover the vocabulary used for distances in space and review measurement units and instruments before creating a scale model of the planets. They determine how to calculate the relative distances between the planets using a...
Curated OER
A Trillion Here...A Trillion There
In this working with large numbers worksheet, students are given the finance statistics for the US and the world for the 2006-2007 year. Students solve 11 problems including finding averages and percentages for the given statistics and...
Curated OER
My 2011 Resolution: Investigate Mathematics of Calendars and Fitness
Ring in the new year with interdisciplinary units related to the development of calendars and getting fit.
Curated OER
Measurement Via Triangulation
Students investigate various common terms of measurement, sort them into categories, select the uncommon terms, and construct conversion tables for both the common and the uncommon terms of measurement.
Curated OER
Eyes in the Sky
Students complete a unit on orbiting spacecraft designed to study astronomical objects. They conduct Internet research on NASA missions, use a satellite dish to downlink information, and construct and launch a rocket out of paper and tape.
California Academy of Science
Kinesthetic Astronomy: The Meaning of a Year
How many times have you traveled around the sun? Aspiring astronomers grasp what a year is and they differentiate between orbit and rotation by walking around the sun right within your classroom. Place a lamp in the center of the room to...
Curated OER
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.
Center for Math and Science Education
Solar System Launch
Trying to understand the vastness of outer space can be quite a challenge for young scientists. Help put things in perspective with this cross-curricular activity as students work in pairs creating scaled models of the solar system,...
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Planetary Distances on the Playground
There's no need to stay inside; get out of the classroom and create a scaled map of the solar system on your playground field! In collaborative groups, scholars identify the distance between the sun and other planets, place planet...
University of Colorado
Planetary Distances on the Playground
Earth is 149,600,000 km, or 92,957,130.4 miles, from the sun. Young astronauts create an interactive model to learn the distances between planets. Nine groups, each representing a different planet, are spread around at class-calculated...
University of Texas
Lives of Stars
Stars exist from a few million years to over 10 billion years, depending on their mass. Scholars perform a play acting as stars to learn about their different life cycles. They develop an understanding of many of the fundamental concepts...
Curated OER
The Mathematical Dynamics of Celestial Navigation and Astronavigation
High schoolers explore the different methods used in celestial Navigation and astronavigation. In this math lesson plan, students construct a sextant and demonstrate how it works.