Teach the concept of scale models and the size of the solar system through this extensive lesson plan. Students will learn about scale models, estimate which objects to use to create a scale model of Earth and Sun, and figure out how far...

In this science lesson students will work collaboratively to learn and introduce the eight planets, sizes, characteristics, and their order. They will use size comparisons, research a planet, design a poster and create a PowerPoint...

Young scholars are introduced to the fabulous planet on which they live. Even though we spend our entire lives on Earth, we still do not always understand how it fits into the rest of the solar system. Students learn about the Earth's...

A continuation of Beyond the Earth Part I. As part of a unit on the solar system, students will choose a component of the solar system to research. Students may use a variety of resources such as the Internet, books, and reference...

Students will access prior knowledge of the solar system by completing a graphic organizer. After participating in a teacher lecture and whole group discussion, the students will work in collaborative groups to create a...

Learners learn how engineers navigate satellites in orbit around the Earth and on their way to other planets in the solar system. In accompanying activities, they explore how ground-based tracking and onboard measurements are performed....

This lesson will familiarize learners with the phases of the moon. It can be taught in a unit dealing with the solar system. It involves all learning types-kinesthetic, auditory, tactile, and visual.

This activity combines the concept of Earth's rock cycle with the characteristics of other planets in the solar system.

Create a classroom model of the solar system while teaching about relative size of all the planets, and each planet's distance from the sun.

Learn about the rotation of the earth, the movement of the moon, and the position of the sun.

When we look at the night sky, we see stars and the nearby planets of our own solar system. Many of those stars are actually distant galaxies and glowing clouds of dust and gases called nebulae. The universe is an immense space with...

Students explore the outermost planets of our solar system: Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. They also learn about characteristics of Pluto and its interactions with Neptune. Students learn a little about the history of space travel as well...

Students explore heat transfer and energy efficiency using the context of energy efficient houses. They gain a solid understanding of the three types of heat transfer: radiation, convection and conduction, which are explained in detail...

This Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) activity explores the controversy over whether or not there is life on Mars. Part of the Mysteries of Deep Space Program that originally aired in April 1997, the activity includes instructional...

Students acquire a basic understanding of the science and engineering of space travel as well as a brief history of space exploration. They learn about the scientists and engineers who made space travel possible and briefly examine some...

Students use websites and other resource materials to compare and contrast features of Mars and Earth.

This kinesthetic activity will demonstrate concepts like rotation and orbit, clarify movement and direction, and help students understand why earthlings see different things in the sky.

Experiment involves identifying sunspots, temporary phenomena on the Sun's photosphere that appear as spots darker than the surrounding areas.

This kinesthetic activity demonstrates to students that the Earth's tilt is what is responsible for shifting light patterns and the change in seasons.