Curated OER
Kepler's Second Law
High schoolers explore orbital velocities and how they vary along each orbit, according to Kepler's Second Law.
Curated OER
Solar Matters II
Students research solar energy. In this solar energy activity, students construct a KWL chart and research solar energy through various websites and related readings. Students complete a science journal page as an assessment.
Curated OER
Specializing in Space
In this literature book review activity, students read a nonfiction book about space or space exploration before choosing a topic to explore further. They choose from 7 activities such as designing a model, writing a letter, write about...
Curated OER
Asteroids
In this worksheet on asteroids, students look at a picture asteroids and read accompanying facts, along with a brief paragraph.
Curated OER
Exploring Space-Science Puzzlers, Twisters & Teasers
In this space learning exercise, students complete 12 different science puzzles, word scrambles, and brain teasers about vocabulary terms from their chapter.
Curated OER
Explorit's Astronomy 2. Quiz
In this astronomy worksheet, students complete a five question multiple choice on-line interactive quiz about astronomy. Prior knowledge is assumed.
Curated OER
Reading: Journals from Space by Astronaut Sunita Williams
In this reading comprehension and verb tenses practice worksheet, students read a passage and respond to 10 true or false questions.
Curated OER
Electricity and Circuits
In this electricity and circuits worksheet, students read a 2 page article, answer 5 questions with multiple choice answers and read 10 statements and determine if they are true or false.
Curated OER
Reading Satellite Images
Students analyze satellite images. In this astronomy lesson, students examine 3 satellite images in order to understand how satellite images are taken and what they can teach scientists.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Scaled Images of the Solar System
Use the following lithographs to envision the scale of our solar system. View different models of planets at different scales, an infographic about the relative sizes of the planets and distance from the sun, and images of the largest...
Smithsonian Institution
National Air and Space Museum: Exploring the Planets: Tools of Exploration
Part of the National Air and Space Museum's online exhibition about Exploring Planets, this describes and gives visuals of telescopes, probes and fly-by aircrafts, orbiters, and landers as current methods for earth and airborne...
Other
Sandburg Center for Sky Awareness: What Are the Shapes of the Planets' Orbits?
In this lesson plan investigation students learn about the shapes of the planetary orbits by experimenting with ellipses of different proportions.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: All Planet Sizes
This illustration from the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory shows the approximate sizes of the planets relative to each other. Note that the planets are not shown at appropriate distances from the Sun.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Planet Orbits in the Solar System
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Looks at the size and shape of planet orbits.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Planets of the Solar System
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Examines the eight planets of our solar system and their orbits and rotation.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Planets of the Solar System
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Examines the eight planets of our solar system, their orbits, and rotation.
PBS
Pbs: Find the Planets
Find out how astronomers locate new planets by observing the traits of the stars they orbit. Get some tips at locating stars with the help of star maps.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Practice Problems: Finding Mass of a Planet
Students must determine mass of a planet based on the orbital motion of a satellite around the planet.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Solar System Fact Sheet
Use this handy chart to help acquaint yourself with major facts about the solar system. This chart is broken down by planet and displays data such as the size of the planet, distance from the sun, rotation period, orbital period,...
Nine Planets
The Nine Planets: The Moon
Explore the mythology, structure, observational history, gravitational force, and orbit of Earth's Moon.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Orbits of Planets and Satellites
Students explore orbits of planets and satellites. Some topics examined in the activities are planetary motion, angular momentum of orbits, and Kepler's laws. The resource consists of video clips, lecture notes, practice problems, and...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Sun and Planets
Observe the sun and the rotation of the planets in this moving image from NASA. Observe the axial tilts and directional rotation of planets and how they differ for each planet. Be sure to read the background information on how planets...
Nine Planets
The Eight Planets: Just for Kids
Here is a clear, simple picture of the solar system. Click on the names of the planets to learn more about each. Clicking on underlined terms takes you to more and more detailed scientific information.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: What Sizes Are the Planets and How Do They Move Around the Sun?
An outdoor activity where learners simulate how planets orbit around the sun using different sizes of balloons.