Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Hall Model

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Not novel, but fun, this lesson gets your space science learners to model the size of the planets and the solar system along your school's hallway. Scaled measurements as well as actual distances are provided for both planet diameters...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Delta, Delta, Where is the Delta?

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore several images of Earth from space. They identify parts of deltas. They observe, label, and measure delta images, taken from space. They consider how deltas form and why they differ in shape.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Specializing in Space

For Teachers 4th - 7th
In this literature book review activity, young scholars 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Structure of the Earth

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine the layers of the Earth and the changes that take place on a daily basis. They look at the layers of a boiled egg to relate them to the layers of the Earth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Probing Below the Surface of Mars

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students simulate the search for water in Mars using simple apparatus. In this space science lesson, students explain how soil temperature affects the cooling of probes. They graph the data collected from the simulation.
Worksheet
Curated OER

An Exploration on the Moon

For Students 5th - 8th
In this Google Earth worksheet, students search the site and answer short answer questions about the moon. Students answer 18 questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Searching for Meteorites

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed
Students examine meteorites and attempt to recover meteorite fragments.  In this space lesson students complete a demonstration on the impact of a meteorite using water balloons and make experimental predictions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Astronomy and Me: Moons Over New Haven

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders study the features of different moons orbiting the planets. In this astronomy lesson, 3rd graders explore the different phases of the moon using an interactive online website. They compare and contrast the features of the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Seeing Solar Storms in STEREO-I

For Students 8th - 10th
In this geometric calculations of solar storms worksheet, students use a diagram indicating the location of 2 STEREO satellites, the earth and the sun to calculate the distance between a Coronal Mass Ejection and the Earth. They use...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We Are Not Alone!!!

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the area of astronomy. They explore Earth's neighboring planets. Students research a planet's characteristics. They develop a scale model of the solar system and a narrative about the planets.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Tooning into the Cosmos

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons that feature space science. Students respond to 3 talking point questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Could the Solar System have Ten Planets?

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students react to statements about the solar system, then read a news article about a recently discovered object that could be another planet. In this space science and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the lesson with a...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Measuring The Diameter of a Star

For Students 9th - 12th
In this space science learning exercise, students find the correct measurements using the tools provided in this lab experiment. The second page is used to record data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sun Activity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this space science worksheet, students find the answers to the questions concerning the topic of the sun and they label the diagram for the sun.
Activity
NASA

Freshwater Availability Classroom Activity

For Teachers 2nd - 6th Standards
This science assignment produced by NASA teaches inquiring minds the distribution of Earth's water. Learners will appreciate and understand the importance of fresh water and how weather and climate affects everything.
Lesson Plan
Journey Through the Universe

Our Solar System

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Take your class on a journey through our solar system. Learners explore each planet, from Mercury to Pluto, and discuss various features that differentiate one from another. They complete activities related to the topics and discuss the...
Activity
1
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NOAA

I Didn’t Do It…Did I?: Make Your Own Greenhouse Effect

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
How do greenhouse gases affect the climate on Earth?  Pupils explore the concept by first building their own apparatuses to model the greenhouse effect. Then, they record data to measure temperature change and determine...
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...
Website
American Museum of Natural History

What is the Greenhouse Effect?

For Students 6th - 12th
Without the greenhouse effect, Earth would not be inhabitable. A thorough online resource describes the greenhouse effect and how it occurs. The source highlights the different types of gases that work together to absorb the sun's...
App
Lawrence Hall of Science

DIY Sun Science

For Students K - 8th
Get an up-close-and personal look at the sun from the safety of your classroom with this fun science application. Offering numerous activities, images, and videos, the resource supports children of all ages as they learn about the sun.
Lesson Plan
EduGAINs

Go H2O! Investigating Residential Water Systems

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Before your learners excuse themselves to get a drink at the water fountain, prompt them to think about where that water comes from. A middle school science lesson encourages groups to research their community's source of drinking water,...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Spitzer Sees a New Ring Around Saturn

For Students 9th - 11th
In this Saturn's rings worksheet, students read about the Spitzer telescope that detected a new ring around Saturn. Students solve 6 problems including determining the formula for the area of a circle, finding the volume of the new ring...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating the Earth-Moon-Sun System

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders research Native American legends involving the sun, moon, and stars and compare them to the origin of present day knowledge. They create a written report and make an oral presentation of their findings to the class.
Lesson Plan
NASA

Cleaning Water

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
From their sweat to the water vapor in their breath, astronauts recycle every possible drop of water while in space. After watching a short video describing the different ways materials are recycled and reused in space...