Third graders read books and participate in class discussions about the motion of the stars and planets and moons in relation to the Earth. In small groups, 3rd graders act out these movements to music.

Pupils use a dichotomous key to distinguish between different types of clouds

Students observe a piece of artwork by Rafael Ferrer that surrounds an archway. They discuss the sculpture and design an archway for the classroom door.

Learners investigate rocks. For this earth science lesson, students collect rocks from the schoolyard and describe each of the rocks. Learners measure and weigh each rock and record the results. Students create a rock guide for the...

In this stellar magnitude scale worksheet, students use a scale showing the magnitude of objects in the sky to answer 5 questions about the brightness of the moon, the planets and stars.

Students explore astronomy through the Starry Night Constellation Adventure software. They print star charts and identify constellations. They sketch the Big Dipper and describe the Milky Way. They list the five most visible planets and...

Middle schoolers engage in a lesson which shows them that celestial navigation is the art and science of finding one's geographic position by means of astronomical observations, particularly by measuring altitudes of celestial objects -...

Students will construct models to demonstrate their understanding of shadows. Many questions and suggestions for variants on the activities are presented to allow you to tailor this lesson to your particular needs. It is best to make the...

Students investigate the sky.  In this weather and clouds instructional activity, students observe the sky and write journal entries using their five senses to describe what they see.  Students observe, identify, and write...

Young scholars explore the night sky and its solar system. Using a Digitarium planetarium system, students observe four constellations. They discover the phases of the moon and eclipses. Young scholars recognize the difference between...

For this planet Eris worksheet, students read about the discovery of this dwarf planet and its characteristics. Students answer 3 questions about the planets, the classification of planets and the definition of planets. Students define 7...

In this travel time of light worksheet, students read about the NASA satellites and space probes that transmit radio signals at the speed of light across huge distances. Students solve 3 problems about data transmission from space to...

Students identify the different biogeochemical cycles on Earth. In this biology instructional activity, students observe microbes under a microscope. They compare and contrast respiration and photosynthesis.

Fourth graders investigate conditions causing saturation and measure the dew point of the atmosphere performing simple experiments.

Students apply estimation strategies and proportional reasoning to determine a scale comparing the planetary bodies to Earth. They convert measurements of time and distance using scientific notation. Both the metric and customary units...

In this stars rise in the east worksheet, students use geometry to show how the Earth rotates from west to east and why celestial bodies appear to rise in the east and set in the west. Students draw a figure and label given points in...

Fourth graders use candy to make a comet. In this lesson, 4th graders examine the role comets have played throughout history, students watch NASA videos about comets and complete the lesson by making an edible model of a comet. This...

Students observe an on-line activity to review the basics of electrical circuitry, then research answers to related questions on-line.In this lesson on changing components in a series circuit, students discover how different components...

Students describe and compare common properties of various classroom materials. In this science/matter lesson, students observe common classroom items and the materials they are made of to complete a list of common properties.

Students examine telescopes and understand how they have helped us better understand the sky.  In this astronomy lesson students complete a worksheet and a lab activity.

In this astronomy learning exercise, students use a chart with planetary data comparing the inner planets to each other. Students will use the period of rotation, period of revolution, and distance from the sun for these inner planets to...

First graders measure how a shadow changes over the course of a day. They write about what they would do if they lost their shadow, and make silhouettes of themselves. Students make up a shadow dance and read stories about shadows.

Students, working in groups, research planets in terms of the size, temperature, number of moons, and potential for life. They use packets and worksheets as guides for their research. Students may role-play as aliens visiting their...

The purpose of this unit is for young scholars to make the rich set of connections between astronomy and the rest of science and technology, language arts, cultural studies (social studies), math, art, and music.