Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Colonizing the Stars

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students compare and contrast the size, composition and surface features of the nine planets of our solar system with the possible sizes and compositions of extra -solar planets.
Activity
American Museum of Natural History

Create a Compass

For Students 6th - 12th
Historically, humans have used many methods of finding due north. Using a hands-on activity, learners create their own compasses. They then test their compasses in their neighborhood or to assist with stargazing.
Activity
Mrs. Sol's Class

Solar System Project

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Finish or launch your unit on the solar system with a jigsaw project covering major celestial concepts such as the Milky Way Galaxy, asteroids, meteors, comets, Earth's moon, and, of course, all the planets. Learners start by...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Space Search

For Students 4th - 6th
For this space worksheet, students identify and locate vocabulary terms and names related to space. There are 26 words located in the puzzle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mathematics at the Frontier of Astronomy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the different types of measurements used in astronomy. In this space science lesson plan, students explain the relationship between planets' orbits and distance from the sun using Kepler's Laws. They discuss how math...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solstice And Equiniox Curriculum

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers engage in a lesson that investigates finding the dates of the solstices and equinoxes. They define the terms related to the concept and conduct research in order to explain the physical occurrences. They also relate to how...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Astronomy

For Students 9th - 12th
In this astronomy worksheet, students complete a word search puzzle by finding 53 astronomy terms such as planets, lunar eclipse, and galaxy.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reach For The Stars: A Health Careers Constellation

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine health related careers.  In this career lesson students create a presentation of health related careers and present it to the class. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sky Stories Curriculum

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate the stories told by ancient cultures about the constellations. They listen to stories told by the Greeks and Romans. The classroom should have posters of constellations for the lesson plan and the teacher performs...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Celestial Sphere

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to the celestial sphere, describing its apparent rotation and the special role of the pole star.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mother Earth - Father Sky

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders research and write about Cyrus Dillan. They explain one of Dillan's sculptures. Students locate six constellations and two planets. They research and write about the daily life of the Pawnee.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Defined

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders complete activities to study the sources of energy and forms. In this energy lesson, 4th graders discuss the origin of energy and define it. Students participate in several experiments to further study energy including a...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Viewing Earth and Sky

For Students 7th - 12th
In this earth and sky worksheet, students review terms associated with map reading. Students also review topographic maps and how contour lines represent elevation. This worksheet has 5 matching, 5 true or false, 5 fill in the blank, and...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Space Vocabulary Quiz

For Students 4th - 5th
In this space vocabulary worksheet, learners draw lines to match 14 vocabulary words pertaining to space with their definitions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meteor Showers!

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students read a story called Orionid Meteors to Shower Earth and answer vocabulary and comprehension questions about it. For this meteor shower lesson plan, students respond to literature by answering questions, view Sky Maps online, and...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Black Holes IV

For Students 11th - Higher Ed
In this black holes worksheet, students read about black holes and solve 3 problems where they calculate the Schwarschild radius of one, the number of grams/second a quasar luminosity implies for another and the number of suns per year a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Take a Spin Through the Solar System

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders participate in a variety of activities to explore the Solar System in this unit.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Sky Jeopardy

For Teachers 1st
First graders reinforce concepts about sun, moon, day, night and sky by playing the Sky Jeopardy game. In the end, 1st graders get to nibble crackers in order to show the different phases of the moon.
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Wanderers: Planets of Our Solar System

For Students 5th - 6th
In this planets worksheet, students read a detailed 3 page text about the planets in our solar system. Students then complete 21 true/false and multiple choice questions about planets.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observing Mars in the Night Sky

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare and contrast the orbits of Earth and Mars, locate the planet Mars, and diagram its retrograde motion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observing the Sky

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore astronomy. For this astronomy lesson, students discuss the history of the movement of celestial bodies and then communicate with other students regarding the movements that they observe in the sky nightly. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Designed to Scale

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders study ratios, scale and distances according to a three dimensional model.  In this exploratory lesson students create their own constellation and prepare an oral presentation that describes their model. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's Rotation

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore the Earth and its rotation. Volunteers model the sun-Earth system to demonstrate that the Earth rotates around the sun. In groups, students simulate "traveling" around the sun and discuss when it is night and day.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Structure of the Galaxy

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students infer the galaxy shape.  In this structure of the galaxy lesson plan students observe the distribution of objects in the sky and answer questions.