Why does Earth experience summer, fall, winter, and spring? Using an informative demonstration, learners see how the angle of the sun on Earth and the rotation of Earth determine the seasons. Scholars work in pairs to learn that the...

Ever wonder why Pluto isn't considered a planet? Or how large the Earth is compared to the other inner planets? Explore the universe with a series of projects that simulate different aspects of our solar system. The activities require...

How is solar energy able to move wind and water to control the climate? Scholars explore the concept of solar energy in the first of 10 activities in the Discover Your Changing World series. They follow instructions to build homemade...

How quickly does light travel long distances? A short video simulates light going from the earth to the moon at two different paces. Scholars relate the distance to the rate to understand which simulation is correct.

People don't all get the same amount of sun at the same time of the year. Collaborative groups explore how the motion of Earth contributes to the idea in an inquiry-based STEM instructional activity. Learners first investigate how the...

Researchers think they have evidence of a new planet deep in our solar system that is the size of Neptune and orbits the sun far beyond Pluto. The orbit simulator shows the orbits of our well-known planets, as well as Pluto and the comet...

In this moon phases worksheet, students learn about the different phases that the moon goes through. They then use the information the learned to answer the 9 questions in the packet. The answers are on the last page.

Students participate in a demonstration and complete an online activity that illustrates the earth orbits the sun once a year, and that the moon takes approximately 28 days to orbit the earth.

Students identify the main components of the solar system. In this earth science lesson, students order the planets according to their distances from the Sun. They differentiate planets from dwarf planets.

Learners explore the possibility of being on Mars and being able to identify the Earth.  In this space lesson plan students complete a set of calculations to see if this is possible. 

In this moon worksheet, students draw the different moon phases and name them. Students review why the moon has phases. This worksheet has 6 fill in the blank and 4 short answer questions.

Students make a flip book. In this moon activity, students review the moon phases and how they occur. Students make a flip book to show the moon's motion around the Earth.

Students explore the earth's rotation and phases of the moon. In this planets lesson plan, students rotate and revolve around a light representing the sun. Students use movement and props to simulate what causes the phases of the moon as...

Students understand that the moon appears differently throughout the month. In this phases of the moon lesson, students observe and record the phases of the moon.

First graders identify the sun as a source of heat and light. They identify features of houses that help keep use sheltered and comfortable throughout daily and seasonal cycles. Students are told that summer is the best season to...

For this Earth worksheet, students review how the revolution, rotation, and tilt of the Earth effects the Earth. This worksheet has 4 matching and 3 short answer questions.

Students develop a timeline of all the major events involved in the formation of the Earth and the emergence of humans. In groups, they focus on a specific topic by watching a PBS program and taking notes. After the video, they list...

Students research about how lunar cycles affect living organisms. In this biology lesson, students prepare an oral presentation of their research results and analyses. They explore the forces that affect tides.

In this layer of the earth worksheet, students label and color each layer of the earth. Then students are asked to describe each layer below.

A website all about planetary mysteries—it's a one-stop-shop for all things, stars, planets, and space travel. Scholars read an astronomy overview to discover the page's big ideas, then choose from the plethora of resources, including...

In this basic astronomy activity, students respond to 20 true or false questions pertaining to the Earth, the Sun, and Earth's moon.

Students simulate how the Moon causes ocean tides. In this earth science lesson plan, students calculate gravitational acceleration using a mathematical formula. They compare the force of attraction between the Earth, Moon and Sun system.

Young scholars take a mission to the moon. In this space science lesson, students visit selected websites to discover information about Earth's moon and the solar system. Young scholars may take virtual missions to the moon and...

Students read "The Moon Seems to Change" and conduct an experiment with oranges to demonstrate the phases of the moon. They write about the experiment and describe each phase of the moon.