Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Up?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students compare and contrast the various heavenly bodies found in the sky at night. They identify the moon and stars in the sky as well as how the stars form pictures called constellations. Students also experiment with reflection and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Glowing Glimpses of Our Universe

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students will complete hands-on space activities. In this space science lesson, students will create a glow-in-the-dark model of the solar system, visit a planetarium, make star pictures, and paint constellations. Activities are meant to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Astrology: Fact Or Fiction?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sky Quest

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students identify constellations in the evening sky. In this Sky Quest lesson, students create their own star patterns using a star map worksheet. Students explain how different celestial bodies in space are viewed through a telescope.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Watch This Space!

For Students 7th - 9th
In this space worksheet, students, with a partner, answer five questions about the universe and read and discuss ten questions regarding astronomy.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Anza and Font in Search of Latitude

For Teachers 7th
This is an integrated activity that incorporates Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics. In Social Studies, 7th graders complete an online interview and complete an online worksheet about latitude of sites on the Anza trail. In Science...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Do We Know?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the history of astronomy and how the study of constellations has evolved since the dawn of ancient civilization. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The teacher uses demonstrations to model how the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observations From the Past

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore direct and indirect evidence. In this astronomy lesson, 9th graders investigate the contribution of early astronomers to their field. They create a model of the solar system.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Quiz: Name the Constellation

For Teachers 3rd
In this science worksheet, 3rd graders focus on the stars and constellations. Students respond to nine questions using written clues and visual aids.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets Curriculum

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners investigate the planets in our solar system. They conduct research using a variety of resources in order for students to make cognitive connections with the demonstrations made by the teacher. Learners discover how to recognize...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heavens Above

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the stars and their positions.  In this astronomy lesson students see how scientists can predict the positions of the stars and can tell how they would have appeared in the past. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Following in Galileo's Footsteps

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore the findings of Galileo and research the moons of Jupiter. They construct simple telescopes, and examine the moons for themselves at a star party. They record their findings in a journal.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Puzzling Planets

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students examine the concept of a solar system. In this research based lesson, students compare a star and a planet. They explain the requirements for life in a biosphere.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sky Pictures

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate constellations. In this space science lesson, students view transparencies of constellations and identify the zodiac constellations. Students research the legends connected with the constellations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stellar Observations

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders study the uses of spectroscopy and the operation of the Hubble space telescope.  In this astronomy lesson students complete a lab activity that includes graphing star color and temperature.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Bead Distance Activity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers create a scaled solar system model using colorful beads. In this space science activity, students convert AU units into metric measurements. They arrange the planets according to their distances from the sun.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets Curriculum

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students complete an in-depth study of the known planets in the solar system. As a class, students identify the planets that are known in the universe, in the night sky. They explain the differences between planets and stars and the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Astrology: Fact or Fiction?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Solar Cycle

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students research the solar cycle. In this Science lesson, students use the internet to investigate the solar cycle. Students produce a spreadsheet and graph from the information collected.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pulsar Stars And Black Holes

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explore the discovery of pulsar stars, and the characteristics of pulsar stars. Theories and ideas behind black holes are discussed. The issues of women's historical role in science are also touched on.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mars: Off the Charts--Until You Put It There

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the night sky and make illustrations which are shared in class the next day. Distinctions are made between the stars and the planets and views of the constellations for the season are made available. The work of early...
PPT
Mr. E. Science

Our Solar System

For Students 7th - 8th Standards
The presentation starts with the scientists who made discoveries about our solar system: Ptolemy, Copernicus, Galileo, Brahe, Kepler, and Newton. It also covers the planets, inner, outer, and Pluto, satellites, and an in-depth discussion...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constellation Creations

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders puncture holes in black paper to represent stars in constellations. They glue white paper behind the black to show the stars. They create several constellations and keep them to use as study guides.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A DISAPPEARING ACT Astronomy: Do Stars Always Shine?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners observe why stars are not visible during the day with a classroom demonstration using an index card punched with holes.