American Museum of Natural History
Planetary Mysteries
Get to know our little part of the vast universe. Learners read about the common and not-so-common facts about each of the planets in the solar system. The interactive lesson includes a large amount of information as well as a quiz to...
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The Cassini Robot
Students compare the functions of a robot to that of the human body. In this technology instructional activity, students identify the important components of the Cassini robot that would enable it to carry out space missions. They design...
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Rocketry
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...
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Scavenger Hunt: Who am I?
For this solar system worksheet, students use an on line source to find the names of the people who discovered the planets, comets, asteroids, black holes and the idea of the big bang theory.
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The Magic School Bus Lost in Space
Students learn along with Ms. Frizzle's class. In this Magic School Bus lesson plan, students explore outer space as they visit the Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Mars in order to learn about our solar system.
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From Asteroids to Planets
In this asteroids and planets learning exercise, students read about the formation of planets from asteroids. Students solve 6 mathematical problems including finding the rate of growth of a planet, determining the mass of a planet at a...
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Please Ex-Planet!
What is most useful about this lesson plan is the "Student Explanet Worksheet," a set of instructions for collaborative groups to use to collect information about an assigned planet. After students have researched and organized their...
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Scavenger Hunt: Who am I?
In this space science activity, students use the sites listed on the Solar System and Planets page of the Kid Zone to locate the names of the people credited with each discovery. They identify and name 26 different scientists who made...
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What's "Out" There?
First graders investigate the five outer planets. In this space science lesson, 1st graders read the book Our Solar System and identify the five outer planets. Students create a booklet and write about outer planets.
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Out of This World (Science)
Students participate in various hands-on activities to visually demonstrate the positions of the planets from the sun. Then they draw a pictorial representation of the order of planets from the sun.
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Astronomy
Students complete a unit of lessons on our solar system, its stars, and astronomers. They record information in a space journal, design constellations, define key vocabulary, observe the phases of the moon, and create a group planet...
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The Solar System
In this solar system worksheet, high schoolers complete a word puzzle by determining the terms associated with the 10 statements about the planets.
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Introduction to the Planets
Young scholars become familiar with the members of the solar system and planetary order. They identify differences and characteristics of individual planets. Finally students visualize the great size of the solar system and make the...
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Physics of Space Flight
In this space flight activity, high schoolers will review physics terms relating to space which includes measuring the distance of space objects, how rockets work, and electromagnetic waves. This activity has 10 terms in a crossword...
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Planets in Balance
Students study the solar system by researching the planets. For this exploratory lesson students divide into teams and create mobiles.
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Drop Zone! Design and Test a Probe
Learners work together to develop their own parachuting probe. They test it and record the results. They simulate other experiments that are going to be carried out by the Huygens probe.
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Astronomy 1 Quiz- Online Interactive
For this space science worksheet, learners complete 5 multiple choice questions pertaining to the planets and other space bodies. This is an online interactive quiz. Prior knowledge is assumed.
Nine Planets
The Nine Planets: Titan
This site from The Eight Planets shows that Titan may serve as a model of a highly reduced early Earth atmosphere in which the first stages of organic chemical evolution could take place in the atmosphere.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: A Guide to Astronomy Resources
A portal to resources on the sun, the Earth's neighboring planets, and the weather in space. Find out why Saturn is the "jewel of the Solar System" and explore what happens when Venus and Mercury make their rare transits across the sun.
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Saturn Photo
In this activity, "You will investigate the concepts of relative size and distance by creating a basic model of our solar system." Planet printouts are provided and this site contains related links.
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University of Maryland: The Astronomy Workshop
Find tools to calculate astronomical distances and sizes, to view various Solar System models, to compare gravity's affect on weight, and more. A good place to find interesting facts, simple animations, and astronomy links to physics and...
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: Zoom Astronomy
Where is our Solar System? How far away is the sun? What makes up the sun? Find out all you want to know about our solar system. This is a comprehensive on-line site about space and astronomy. Check out all of the excitement!