Curated OER
Astronomy Teamwork
Students work together in groups to complete an astronomy project. In the classroom, they find real objects to represent various objects in the solar system. After going outside, they practice using a distance scale and use their...
Curated OER
Science Quiz-General Knowledge
In this science quiz worksheet, students complete a set of 20 true or false questions covering a variety of general science topics. An answer key is included.
Curated OER
Sea Ice Research
Students study sea ice and its importance in climate and climate change. They discuss sea ice as a presence of a food source for marine animals in the arctic and complete a lab activity. After completing the lab, they watch a video...
NASA
Nasa: The Sun
An introduction to the Sun including its size and distance from the Earth, sunspots, flares and coronal mass ejections.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: All Planet Sizes
This illustration from the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory shows the approximate sizes of the planets relative to each other. Note that the planets are not shown at appropriate distances from the Sun.
PBS
Nova: Make the Earth's Weather
The earth has some unusual properties that make its' weather suitable for life. This activity allows you to change four properties (earth's size, rotation speed, angle of the sun, and ocean size) to see what effects they would have on...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Planets Made Real: Creating Size and Distance Scale of Planets
An activity where students build a scale model of the solar system based on a marble they pick from a bowl. After choosing a marble that represents Earth, students must calculate the size of the other planets and the sun. Site includes...
Other
Buzzle.com: Univer Savvy: Which Is Bigger the Earth or Sun?
Find out what the diameter and volume of the Earth and the Sun are and learn just how much bigger the Sun is. Also explains how the Sun compares to the Moon.
Harvard University
Harvard University: The Solar System
These hands-on activities are a great way for students to gain perspective on the relative sizes and distances of each planet, the relationship between the sun and Earth, and much more.
Fourmilab Switzerland
Earth and Moon Viewer
View a map of the Earth showing the day and night regions at this moment, or from the sun, the noon, the night side, and other points of view in this simulation. Illustrated.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: The Earth and Sky in a 24 Hour Day
An activity where students learn, through modeling and demonstration, about the relative sizes of the Earth and Sun, the distance between them, and how the Earth rotates in a 24-hour period.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Earth, Sun and Moon
[Free Registration/Login Required] In this unit children learn about the shapes and relative sizes of the Earth, Sun and Moon. Using models they learn how the three bodies move relative to each other and how these movements relate to...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Tireless Tides: Extracting Energy From Ocean Tides
Renewable energy is the energy that is extracted from natural sources, such the Sun (solar), earth (geothermal), wind, and water (hydropower). These sources are renewable because they can be replenished by the same natural sources within...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Solar System Scale Model
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...
NASA
Nasa: Great Images in Nasa
Fascinating collection of images from NASA, chosen for their historical or aesthetic significance. Images are searchable by subject, by NASA center, and by keyword, and each is available in three sizes. With links to more information...
NASA
Nasa: Solar System Exploration
This stunning site on the solar system gives a great overview of the planets and our sun. Learn about each object's size, vital statistics, and moons. Then go on for a more in depth look at these objects in the column on the left.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: How Big Are the Planets in Our Solar System?
This activity explores the relative size of the eight planets that circle around the Sun.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Reflections of a Star
This simple lesson allows students to work cooperatively in determining the angular diameter of the Sun.
Curated OER
Harvard University: The Solar System
These hands-on activities are are a great way for students to gain perspective on the relative sizes and distances of each planet, the relationship between the sun and Earth, and much more.
Other
All (Known) Bodies in Our Solar System Larger Than 200 Miles in Diameter
How big is the Earth compared to the Sun? Is Mars bigger than the Moon? Seeing all bodies in the solar system larger than 200 miles in diameter side by side provides an excellent comparison and an interesting perspective.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Lunar Learning
Why does the Moon not always look the same to us? Sometimes it is a big, bright, circle, but, other times, it is only a tiny sliver, if we can see it at all. The different shapes and sizes of the slivers of the Moon are referred to as...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Gravity and Orbits
Move the sun, earth, moon, and space station to see how it affects their gravitational forces and orbital paths. Visualize the sizes and distances between different heavenly bodies, and turn off gravity to see what would happen without it.
Curated OER
Bill Arnett's Ss Montage
These hands-on activities are are a great way for students to gain perspective on the relative sizes and distances of each planet, the relationship between the sun and Earth, and much more.
Curated OER
Harvard University: The Solar System
These hands-on activities are are a great way for students to gain perspective on the relative sizes and distances of each planet, the relationship between the sun and Earth, and much more.