NASA
Cosmic Microwave Background
Begin your next class with a BANG! Pupils discuss the formation of our universe and its expansion before proceeding with an activity designed to demonstrate what most likely occurred billions of years ago. They conclude with a discussion...
American Institute of Physics
Meet Four Pioneering African American Astronauts
An out-of-this-world resource introduces young scientists to four African American astronauts: Michael P. Anderson, Ronald E. McNair, Guion S. Bluford Jr., and Jeanette J. Epps. Groups read biographies of these individuals and prepare...
Curated OER
Where Next?
Students read an article explaining NASA's possible Mars landing sites. They use the Internet to research Mars and the Module. They are able to submit their own proposals for a landing site after researching the planet.
PHET
Planet Designer: Retro Planet Red
What does the atmosphere on Mars look like? This fourth lesson plan in the series of five is designed for high schoolers. Scholars apply previous knowledge to add atmosphere to Mars in an online simulation. This comprehensive lesson plan...
Curated OER
After 7 years, capsule of comet dust heads to Earth
Students examine an article on a space capsule and explore NASA. In this space exploration lesson students brainstorm the pros and cons of space exploration, then rehearse a sketch and present it to the class.
Curated OER
Sweet Candy Comets
Fourth graders use candy to make a comet. In this lesson, 4th graders examine the role comets have played throughout history, students watch NASA videos about comets and complete the lesson by making an edible model of a comet. This...
Curated OER
Stardust Delivers Comet's Clues
Young scholars explore the NASA test center and comet facts through an interactive program. They examine the idea if comets are predictable. They finally analyze the materials that combine to make a comet.
Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX)
Robots in Space
Learners investigate the history of robotics in space exploration. They design and create a robot using various online resources, develop a list of questions about robots in space, and participate in a video conference with the Johnson...
Curated OER
A Tough Nut to Crack
Children, based on a set of criteria, evaluate the quality of pecans. They research recorded history of pecan trees as well as how their seeds moved across western Missouri into southeastern Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Mexico. In...
Curated OER
757 Glider Kit
Students work together to complete a 757 Glider kit. They use a GPS to discover how it operates in all weather landings. They complete different obstacles with the glider as well.
Curated OER
#2 Pencil Innovations: Inventions, Science
Ask your class to consider a #2 Pencil to show how inventive thinking can be stimulated by making innovations to an everyday object. There is also an interesting extension included that refers to a book about the history of the pencil....
Workforce Solutions
A Colony for Lunar Living
Two lessons explore the possibility of living on the moon. First, scholars read various scenarios to identify which careers would best transfer to life in space. Finally, pupils examine a website to locate items made for outer space,...
Curated OER
Cape Canaveral: Launchpad to the Stars
Students identify the geographic and climatic characteristics of Florida that made it the best location for the space program. They describe how the space program affected the economy and growth of the eastern coast of Florida.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
The Wrights' Flight: History Through Primary Sources
Pupils read primary source material about the Wrights' first flight such as a journal and a telegram. In this The Wrights' Flight lesson, students select the most reliable primary source and compare the pros and cons of using primary...
Curated OER
Milestones in the Space Program
Students brainstorm names of astronauts from NASA space missions. They are explained that the Cold War was not actually a war but pervasive tension that existed between the United States and the Soviet Union for several decades...
Curated OER
A Turning Point in the Space Shuttle Program
Students study about the Columbia crew and their mission, how space shuttles work, and explore the history of the shuttle program. By accessing many websites imbedded in this plan, students gain a deep understanding of the Space Shuttle...
Curated OER
Exploring the Night Sky: Fall/Winter
Learners explain how moon phases occur. They explain three ways that the night sky has been used through history. Students locate some of the constellations in the night sky. They discuss stories and myths surrounding stars.
Curated OER
Sundials
Students investigate the different types of sundials and their history. In this shadows and time of day lesson plan students build their own sundials.
Curated OER
How Do We Explore Strange Environments?
Young scholars identify and label the different parts of a robot, rover, or a spacecraft. They discuss and record all of the features their robot will need to accomplish its mission and be able to explain why they chose these features...
Curated OER
A New Regime: The Beginning of SupersonicFlight
Students learn through multimedia about the history of supersonic flight and the men who made it possible.
Curated OER
Spacd Day:Probing For Knowledge
Students investigate the uses and purpose of the Hubble telescope. They create a model of the telescope and conduct research about the history behind the invention of it. Students use the information in order to create a context for the...
Curated OER
Time Marches On
Students research the development of remote sensing, various instruments used throughout time and create a time line depicting the history of remote sensing.
Curated OER
GPS - The War Hero
Students understand what the Global Positioning System (GPS) is and how it works. They discover the history of the development of GPS and how the military uses GPS. They realize why GPS was essential to the success of Operation Desert...