American Museum of Natural History
A Kid's Guide to Stargazing
Get kids interested in stargazing with a step-by-step guide. The guide begins with the do's and don'ts, what the defines a star, and introduces a journal. The page is linked to see stars if light pollution keeps stars away in your area.
American Museum of Natural History
Journey to the Stars
Fifteen detailed pictures and informative captions delve deep into the exploration of stars—their life cycle and importance in the universe.
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Space Travel Guide
Looking to take a trip? Why not go to space? Here, scholars take on the role as travel agent to create a guide to their favorite planet including travel tips and sightseeing recommendations.
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
A Classroom Solar System
Create a scaled model of our solar system in your classroom! Scholars work collaboratively to build paper mache planets and hang them in their proper position to showcase each planet's location in the solar system.
Curated OER
As the Earth Turns
First graders explore why the sun and moon seems to disappear and reappear creating day and night.
Curated OER
Water Works Wonders
Students examine where water is found in the world, how we use it, and the various forms it takes. They observe the refraction of light through a prism, record the day and night sky over a week's time, and create a topographic model of...
Curated OER
Observing Mars in the Night Sky
Young scholars compare and contrast the orbits of Earth and Mars, locate the planet Mars, and diagram its retrograde motion.
Curated OER
Two Owl Eyes
First graders listen to the story, Olivia Counts, and demonstrate counting to ten. They make predictions, and recognize the day and night sky. They add page number 2 to their counting books.
Curated OER
Starlight, Star Bright
First graders read books and use the Internet to identify several constellations and stars in the night sky. They make star pictures and write a class report about the night sky including a title, complete sentences and a cited reference.
Curated OER
Poetry and Observations
Students compare poetry and the night sky. In this poetry lesson, students read poetry and compare the imagery from the poem with the night sky. Students explore how science and poetry relate to one another.
Curated OER
Let the North Star Tell You Where You Are
Young scholars create an astrolabe and locate the North Star in the night sky. They determine the latitude of the North Star, and calculate an average latitude based on class results.
Curated OER
Let the North Star Tell You Where You Are
Students participate in activities in which they find the Big Dipper and locate the North Star in the night sky, examine the relationship between the angle to Polaris and latitude, and determine latitude by using an astrolabe.
Curated OER
Lowell Observatory Moon Clock
Students construct a paper moon clock to determine the moon's position. In this lunar position lesson, students use the provided printout to create a moon clock. They use the clock to determine the moon's position in the sky based on its...
Curated OER
Tracking an Active Sunspot Region
Eighth graders plot the location of a single active region for 12 days. In this sunspot lesson plan students track an active region across the face of the sun.
Curated OER
Hello, Sunshine!
Middle schoolers investigate how the sun travels across the sky at different latitudes using Solar Motion Demonstrator. In this earth science lesson, students explain why seasons change. They study how the tilt of the Earth's...
Curated OER
Shadows
Learners measure shadows at different times of the day to determine when a shadow casts its longest and shortest shadows.
Curated OER
Reasons for the Seasons
Students discover how the Earth's axis of rotation affects the angle of sunlight and the length of day. They take a survey and give the survey out to family members and friends. They tally their findings and then determine the correct...
Curated OER
Sundials: Observing and Using Shadows
Students build sundials and observe changes in shadows over the course of one or more days. They identify patterns in the shadows and discuss how shadows may be used to tell time.
Curated OER
Constellations
Students explore the major constellations. After reviewing the Earth's basic motions and their significance, students discuss the moon's orbit and revolutions. Using a Digitarium Alpha portable planetarium projector, they observe at...
Curated OER
The Earth's Rotation
Students see a model of a globe to watch the Earth rotate. For this Earth lesson, students rotate the globe and shine a flashlight to see where the sun shines and how it rises and sets. They create a diagram and explain day and night in...
Curated OER
Astrology: Fact Or Fiction?
Students investigate the concept of astrology and how it evolved from history. They use the Zodiac in order to find the location of constellations in the night sky. The differences between astrology and astronomy are compared and any...
Curated OER
Astrology: Fact or Fiction?
Students explore the topic of astrology and review the beliefs behind it. They read sample horoscopes. Using a portable digital planetarium, they view the night sky and the zodiac constellations. They examine and discuss the science...
Curated OER
Fourth of July Crossword Puzzle
In this Fourth of July crossword activity worksheet, students use the 10 clues and word bank to identify the words needed to complete the crossword puzzle.
Curated OER
Six Insect Legs
Learners observe and discuss the sun's position in the sky. They explore the number six, read various number books, and create the number six page for a counting book.