Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Farming in Space

For Students 5th - 6th
A learning module that begins with the poem "Farming in Space" by Amy Hansen, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free...
Article
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Astronauts in Hard Hats: Challenges of Working in Space

For Students 9th - 10th
This media-rich series of interviews from the NOVA: "Stationed in the Stars" Web site explores the unique challenges faced by astronauts doing construction work in outer space.
Article
A&E Television

History.com: Challenger Explosion: How Groupthink and Other Causes Led to the Tragedy

For Students 9th - 10th
Seven lives were lost as communications failed in the face of public pressure to proceed with the launch despite dangerously cold conditions. January 28, 1986, The sun had been up for less than an hour and air temperatures were a few...
Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Astronaut Gene Cernan Speaks About Working in Space

For Students 9th - 10th
In this audio resource from NOVA: "To the Moon," astronaut Gene Cernan recounts his harrowing experience during America's first attempt to do work in outer space.
Interactive
Other

Hong Kong Space Museum

For Students 9th - 10th
Besides an introduction to exhibitions and events at the museum, the site provides a guide to stargazing, an astronomy FAQ, space news, virtual tours (see site map) and research resources (including Chinese-English star and constellation...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Scientific American: Journey to Mars: Out of Thin Air

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Discuss facts about Mars and investigate scientists' efforts to create fuel from materials found in space. Perform a simplified method of aqueous electrolysis to split water into its two chemical elements using electric current from a...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Shackleton's Antarctic Odyssey: Let the North Star Tell You Where

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Through this lesson, students will understand how to determine latitude and locate specific stars in the night sky. They will also have a chance to build and use an astrolabe.
Website
Other

Celestia

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a free space simulation that lets you explore the universe in three dimensions. There is a forum for teachers and lesson plans that help enhance student use of the simulation. A program must be downloaded in order to...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Demonstrating the Distances of Stars

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Investigate the use of the parallax effect for determining distance in space, and explore the arrangement and relative distance of stars in the galaxy. Create a sample star field and transform it into a three-dimensional model.
Article
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Stationed in the Stars

For Students 9th - 10th
Examine the factors that impact an astronaut's freefall in space. Differentiate between zero gravity, weightlessness and freefall.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Space Science: Astronomy for Kids

For Students 1st - 9th
Kids learn about astronomy, the study of outer space including the stars, planets, comets, black holes, and the Solar System. History and astronomers in this astronomy for teachers and kids section.
Website
The National Gallery (UK)

National Gallery, London: Ite: Learning Ideas and Outcomes: Subject Focus

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
This extensive lesson plan uses the painting 'A View of Het Steen in the Early Morning' as a starting point to learning in science. Students will use the work by Reubens to learn about a variety of animals and their habitats.
Lesson Plan
University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Properties of Dust

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars carry out a scientific investigation of dust in their classroom, then extend their experience to properties of dust in space.
Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Sagan on Time Travel

For Students 9th - 10th
Astronomer Carl Sagan discusses the possibility of time travel in this audio-enhanced interview from the NOVAWeb site.