Website
American Geosciences Institute

American Geosciences Institute: Astronomy

For Students 3rd - 8th
Eight hands-on lessons module in which students explore the characteristics of planet Earth, its moons, the sun, the solar system, planets, and the difference between science fact and science fiction.
Website
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: A Guide to Astronomy Resources

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: A Brief History of Astronomy

For Students 9th - 10th
In this interactive module students will explore what different ancient cultures believe was an explanation of the stars and planets. They will look at how the work of Nicolas Copernicus revolutionize the world of astronomy and learn how...
Handout
Nine Planets

The Nine Planets: The Moon

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the mythology, structure, observational history, gravitational force, and orbit of Earth's Moon.
Article
American Institute of Biological Sciences

Action Bioscience: Looking for Life on Mars and Beyond

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn some of the characteristics of Mars. These characteristics lead some people to believe that life forms may be found on the fourth planet from the Sun.
Lesson Plan
NASA

Nasa: Mars and Earth: Science Learning Activities for Afterschool

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
This set of activities teaches students about the big picture of science using Mars as an example: how to collect data, use evidence, and look at models.
Handout
Other

University of Leicester: The Solar System

For Students 9th - 10th
Resource explores the solar system, with an in depth discussion of each of the planets and their properties.
Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History: Ology: Astronomy: In Pictures: Beyond Planet Earth

For Students 3rd - 5th
What would it be like to travel across the solar system and explore space? Take a look at some of the places that humans might go to someday, and the questions that scientists are asking.
Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: Hands on Astronomy: Observing Stars and Planets

For Students 9th - 10th
A university-level course in basic observational procedures in astronomy. Covers how to use a telescope, and includes lecture notes.
Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: What Do You Know? Astronomy

For Students 3rd - 8th
Take this ten-question self-scoring quiz to test your knowledge of astronomy facts: age of the universe, why stars and planets are spheres, where other life might exist in the outer space, the Milky Way, and more.
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

National Air and Space Museum: Exploring the Planets: Ancient Times & the Greeks

For Students 9th - 10th
In ancient times only five planets were known: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Learn about Greek astronomer Ptolemy's theory for the solar system that was to survive for fourteen centuries.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Alien Planets

For Teachers 6th - 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction piece discusses the discovery of previously unknown planets in the solar system. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies...
Website
Enchanted Learning

Enchanted Learning: Zoom Astronomy

For Students 3rd - 5th
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!
Website
Other

The Astronomy Cafe

For Students 9th - 10th
NASA scientist Sten Odenwald calls this his "web site for the astronomically disadvantaged." Do you have lots of questions about space that you can't seem to get answers to? Would you like to learn about a career in astronomy, Big Bang...
Activity
University of California

At Home Astronomy: Hands on Science Experiments for the Entire Family

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of ten hands-on science experiments for the entire family that will help you understand concepts in astronomy. Make an astrolabe, find the size of the sun and moon, build a lunar settlement, find out about meteoroids, shadow...
Lesson Plan
NASA

Nasa: Kepler: A Search for Habitable Planets: Transit Tracks

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Classroom lesson for teaching astronomy uses PowerPoint presentations and illustrations of Kepler's light curves used to discover planets.
Graphic
NASA

Nasa: Astronomy Picture of the Day:

For Students Pre-K - 1st
A different image is featured each day along with descriptive narrative. NASA offers different and sometimes unexpected views of our Earth and the universe.
Graphic
Other

Geo 154 Astronomy : Retrograde Motion

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed explanation of retrograde motion with three different explanations and movies to accompany them. Additional links are available for more research.
Handout
Ducksters

Ducksters: Astronomy for Kids: Space Exploration Timeline

For Students 1st - 9th
Kids learn about the timeline of the history of space exploration including early astronomy, astronauts, spacecraft, planets, and the Moon.
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Astronomy Planets

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
[Free Registration/Login Required] The student will be able to compare and contrast the similarities and differences of the planets. The student will be able to name three facts about inner planets and three facts about outer planets.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Where Did All the Stars Go?

For Students 3rd - 5th
If you live in a big city or urban area it is hard to see many stars at night. In most urban areas only the most brilliant stars, planets and the moon can be seen. This is because of something called light pollution which is the...
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Learning Lab: The Universe, an Introduction

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Start with the questions all students ask: How big is the universe, how far away are the planets and stars, how did they form and when, how do they move and why? Build on their natural curiosity. The Smithsonian, in cooperation with...
Handout
Enchanted Learning

Enchanted Learning: All About Space: Mercury

For Students 3rd - 8th
The planet Mercury is profiled with information about its size, mass, atmosphere, length of day, and the like. Features include interactive activities and learning exercises.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Space Science: Astronomy for Kids

For Students 1st - 9th
Kids learn about astronomy, the study of outer space including the stars, planets, comets, black holes, and the Solar System. History and astronomers in this astronomy for teachers and kids section.