Middle schoolers investigate the cycles of solar activity. They plot the solar activity and use the graph to answer a number of questions and explain the relationship between the solar storms and sunspots and the impact on earth and...

Students recognize that the other eight known planets, which revolve around the Sun, have characteristics and surface conditions that are different from Earth; and identify examples of those differences.

In this moon worksheet, students review the Clementine exploration of the Earth's moon. This worksheet has 8 matching and 14 true or false questions.

Eighth graders study weight, force and mass as it pertains to the earths pull.  In this weightlessness activity students are divided into groups and complete an activity. 

In this modeling celestial motion worksheet, students fill in the blank about the motion of celestial bodies: planets and stars. Students complete the blanks with information about the scientists and philosophers responsible for early...

In this distance activity, students calculate the angular size or angular diameter of objects at a given distance. This activity has 6 problems to solve.

In this science card worksheet, students cut out the different cards and study the planets Earth, Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus. Students' objective is to learn each planets' orbit, rotation, distance...

Not novel, but fun, this instructional activity gets your space science learners to model the size of the planets and the solar system along your school's hallway. Scaled measurements as well as actual distances are provided for both...

Your charges will enjoy putting together this model of the space shuttle and completing the three challenge activities described in the lesson. The worksheets embedded in the plan that pupils use to cut out their gliders are beautifully...

Looking for a terrific lesson on the phases of the moon that has lots of good worksheets? With two excellent websites are embedded in the plan, the activity is sure to spark some interest in your astronomy unit. Some common...

Everything you have ever wanted to know about our solar system, space exploration, and more can be found here. Be prepared to clear your schedule; you will be sucked into the app like a star into a black hole.

Here is a terrific science instructional activity 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...

Students discuss the benefits of the International Space Station. They evaluate the challenges the designers faced when trying to design the space station. Students discuss the use of scale models when designing large structures and...

For this asteroid, comet and meteor worksheet, students complete a chart by determining which of 8 given characteristics belong to asteroids, comets or meteors.

Review conversion of decimal numbers into SN form with these examples of common astronomical applications and quantities. Young learners rewrite those numbers with scientific notation and with the correct units. The answers are available...

Facts and opinions are clearly defined in this organized PowerPoint. Following the definitions are a few examples that students must identify as facts or opinions. Tip: After viewing this presentation, ask students to share some of their...

In a nose-cone to nose-cone competition, which rocket will prevail? Teams form rocket companies to design and build a rocket while competing against other teams in an economic challenge. The team that comes up with the best benefit/cost...

Students design and construct a paper rocket that can be launched with a drinking straw. They participate in a lecture and read an article about rocketry and how Newton's Third Law applies to rocket launches. Each student constructs...

This resource provides an explanation of NASA's GALEX mission and how the space-based telescope can view distant galaxies as they were billions of years ago. The resource also discusses the other aspects of galaxies that GALEX...

Students explore the physical properties of water.  In this water instructional activity, students observe, measure, and describe water as it changes state. There are 2 extensions for this instructional activity that one can access...

In this asteroid, comet, and meteor graphic organizer worksheet, students compare and contrast asteroids, comets, and meteors as they mark the characteristics of each.

Students explain how moon phases occur. They describe and explain at least two common misconceptions that people have about the moon. Students explain what a star is. They explain 3 ways that the night sky has been used throughout history.

Students study the nomenclature, operation and purpose of America's Space Transportation system. They demonstrate how water can be broken down into its component gases of hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis. They construct and use the...

Students study the planet Mercury and develop an understanding of the planet's composition, geology, and other important characteristics. They explore a Web resource on the planet Mercury which is the central focus of this lesson.