Why are there launch windows when traveling to outer space? Scholars explore the trajectory of traveling from one planet to another. By adjusting the departure and destination planets, as well as the launch date, they observe the ideal...

Technology has undoubtedly improved the lives of people around the world—but has it improved communication? Seventh graders read two informative passages about the rise of texting and emailing versus in-person conversations before...

Students explore the action-reaction principle of Newton's Third Law of Motion. In this rocketry lesson, students construct a pinwheel using a balloon, soda straw, and wooden pencil. Students investigate the results.

Pupils build a four-wing paper boomerang. In this aeronautics lesson, students construct a paper boomerang and identify the forces at work during flight.

Students read to discover the sequence of events of the LCROSS moon mission.  In this space science lesson, students read an article about the LCROSS moon mission and the events that took place.  After reading, students answer...

Students discover why Antarctica is the most fruitful place on earth for locating meteorites. They work in groups. Students are given a Museum or University Name for each group. They are explained that each group is allowed to comb...

Students perform a literature search and use reputable research resources in order to find the surface temperature of different planets in our solar system. They speculate about the observed and unobserved factors. Then brainstorming is...

After reading an interesting account of how the X-1 aircraft was designed, built, and utilized, young engineers try their hand at constructing a paper glider version of the airplane. They cut out the plane out of a nicely designed...

Students measure the angles of wings and tails of various aircraft using a protractor. They estimate and check their measurements. They investigate aircraft being developed and tested at NASA Dryden.

High schoolers research facts about each of the nine planets and record them on Planetary Trading Cards. Students use these cards to later construct a poster that is part of their mission day. High schoolers use a variety of resources...

Students explain the cause of and effects of fluid shift in a microgravity environment. Students identify the effects of microgravity during long duration space flight. Students describe research on cardiovascular effects in microgravity...

Students investigate the possibility of life existing on other planets. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The lesson includes an overview that is used for classroom discussion practices. They tell the teacher how to...

Sixth graders research payload specialists and see how many are men and how many are women and what countries they come from. They then create an excel spreadsheet to reflect data they found and must have two graphs for interpretation.

Students use the internet to research problems related to space. They complete a questionaire to direct their research before beginning. They create a database of moon and planet characteristics.

Fourth graders are given a scenario in the instructional activity that presents a problem that needs to be solved. They conduct research from multiple sources in order to gather information. This is used to contribute to possible...

Young scholars research the characteristics of planets in our solar system. In this space science lesson, students create a solar system model with each planet arranged according to their distance from the sun. They solve problems using...

Third graders read books about the moon and discuss its perceived changes as it moves across the sky. They observe the moon over the course of a month and chart their observations. They discuss their observations and conduct further...

Students test commercial sunscreens or sunglasses for accuracy of their Sun Protection Factor. They devise a method for testing UV beads with a visual clues which they publish as research. They investigate occupations such as...

Pupils examine the possibilities of communication with other living organisms within our solar system through research and hands on activities, as well as observing and analyzing teacher demonstrations.

Students examine the reasons why the temperature is higher on Venus than on Mercury. In groups, they analzye both planet's atmospheres and determine the rate of global warming on each. They use the internet to research the planets in...

Join the tree house detectives in learning about the processes of the water cycle, water conservation, water treatment, and water as a limited resource.

Students examine how to locate and access data sets.  In this climate change lesson students import data into Excel and graph it.   

Middle schoolers gain understanding of several of the biogeochemical processes in microbial mats. They acquire knowledge of the different roles of organisms in a microbial mat ecosystem. They understand how microbial mat ecosystems...

Decide whether weather is changing! A two-part activity first challenges classes to review the differences between weather and climate. Once finished, individuals then analyze historical data to determine if climate change is happening...