Lesson Plan
NASA

Dark Matter NASA Conference

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Young scholars calculate the escape velocity of planets in our solar system and use that knowledge to calculate the escape velocity for NGC 2300 group. They then suggest reasons for the escape velocity to be higher than possible given...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

People and Space

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students explore space travel.  In this space science lesson, students define "dehydration" and explain why dehydrated foods are necessary for space survival.  Students prepare and eat a meal that includes a variety of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ethics of Exploration

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine space exploration and its domination by governments as well as the fact that some private businesses want to explore space too. They investigate the ethical questions surrounding a space exploration through research and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elements of Physics: Motion, Force and Gravity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research about different human space explorations conducted by NASA. In this physical science lesson, students discuss why space exploration is important. They write a paper about their thoughts on continuing NASA's space...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Extraterrestrials

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars discuss the possibility of intelligent life in space. In this space science lesson, students decipher a radio message electronically transmitted in space. They create their own extraterrestrial welcome greeting.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Planetary Life

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research about the search for life in Mars. In this space science lesson, students develop a creative visual display of their findings. They present their project in class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocket Science

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students conduct an experiment. In this physical science instructional activity, students learn about Isaac Newton's theory that for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction. Students show this theory by looking at how a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pets and their Homes

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Students explore the space needed for an animal to live in. In this pets lesson, students view pictures of animals and decide which one needs more space or less space to live. Students discuss animals environments and why certain spaces...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

NASA Robots

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore the world of robotics. For this robotics lesson, students discover what a robot is and work with partners to find out how hard it is to accurately guide robots through simple tasks.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living On The Moon

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students evaluate what life would be like living on the moon or another planet in our solar system.  For this science lesson, students create a colony that they would use to live in on the moon using Legos. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eyes in the Sky

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine the use of satellites. In this research lesson, students discuss the history of satellites and how we use the information today. They will conduct interviews with older adults who have lived in the changing times...
Lesson Plan
Tech Museum of Innovation

Balloon Astronaut

For Teachers 2nd - 8th Standards
Design protection from high-speed particles. The STEM lesson plan highlights why astronauts need protection from space debris. Pupils use the design process to design, build, and test a spacesuit that will protect a balloon from a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Canada's Role in Astronomy and Space Science

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders, in groups, research a Canadian astronaut, developing a profile of their astronaut for presentation in a learning center. They visit the other groups' centers to explore more astronauts.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modeling the Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students build a scaled model of the solar system. In this space science lesson, students arrange them according to their distances from the sun. They analyze each planet's unique features such as density and relative gravity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reading and Writing about the Solar System

For Teachers K - 2nd
A superb interdisciplinary approach highlights this instructional activity which incorporates space science knowledge and narrative skills. After reading The Magic School Bus, two excellent poems, and watching a video, all about our...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tour of the Solar System

For Teachers 6th
Learners engage in science, math, and language activities as they do research on the components of the solar system. The class begins with some anticipatory activities and discussions before it is divided into small groups to conduct...
Lesson Plan
Teach Engineering

Alloy the Way to Mars

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Future engineers test different alloys to determine the specific strength of each one. Based on the results, they make a recommendation to NASA on which alloy to use on engines for spacecraft.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Taking Outer Space to Cyber Space

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Use the Internet, write an expository text, and have students share their knowledge of the planets in our solar system. They compose an expository writing piece and publish it to a web page.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT SPACE

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders set up a scale model of the solar system using the same scale for distance and diameter. They calculate scale distances and sizes for modeling the solar system and relate actual distances to difficulties in discovering and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Black Holes

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore what black holes are and how gravity is associated with them.  In this space lesson students are given enough information to imagine a journey to a black hole. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make a Spaceship

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students create a spaceship, satellite, or space station. In this space lesson, students consider design elements for buildings and objects in space. Students use K'Nex, Legos, or other household materials for their creation. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cosmic Mobiles: Recycled Art

For Teachers K - 2nd
If you have a little left over tinsel and aluminum foil, your class can create these fun moon and star mobiles. Poster board or recycled cardboard become your moon and stars; the tinsel gives them sparkle. This would be a great...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space Science: Journey Through the Solar System

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the Solar System and examine the characteristics of al the planets. Through research and discussion, they create catalogs of the Solar System's components. Next, students use their findings to create Powerpoint...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Magic School Bus Lost in Space

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students learn along with Ms. Frizzle's class. In this Magic School Bus lesson plan, students explore outer space as they visit the Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Mars in order to learn about our solar system.