Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Vocabulary of Space

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students build their knowledge and understanding of vocabulary related to space.  In this space lesson, students discuss four categories of words and phrases related to space. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geometry in the Constellations: The ER-2

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students discuss reasons to record the location of stars. They view a picture of the night sky, and discuss constellations. Students complete a worksheet of the various shapes they see in the constellations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planetary Research (Grades 9-12)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to planetary research and familiarize them with the planets and their features. They see that each planet has unique features. Planets have some common features and that images can be used to study the planets and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wondering About Saturn: A Short History

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students read an article about the history of Saturn. They complete reading comprehension tests. They examine what has been discovered on the planet.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Who Am I? Famous Scientists

For Students 4th - 6th
In this scientists worksheet, students read a brief synopsis of a scientist, then try to identify the person, 12 total. Worksheet contains links to additional activities.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Air and Space Museum: Exploring the Planets: Early Discovery

For Students 9th - 10th
This section of the exhibition gives the history of the discovery and study of space starting with the Greeks and Romans through to the early 1900's.
Website
Space Telescope Science Institute

Hubble Site: Telescope History

For Students 9th - 10th
The Hubble Space Telescope site takes a look back through time at the history and discoveries of telescopes.
Website
Space Telescope Science Institute

Hubble Site: A Decade of Discovery

For Students 9th - 10th
Take a look back at a decade of discovery concerning the Hubble from the HubbleSite. Site contains links to a portfolio of pictures, a quicktime video as well as the vault of discovery.
Website
Other

National Optical Astronomy Observatory Homepage

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Optical Astronomy Observatory runs most of the big professional optical telescopes in the United States and this is their homepage. It includes information about the many facilities they run, some of the recent science...
Handout
PBS

Pbs: People and Discoveries: Edwin Hubble

For Students 9th - 10th
Part of the PBS website, an article documenting the life and work of Edwin Hubble.
Website
PBS

Pbs Nova: A Conversation With Neil De Grasse Tyson

For Students 9th - 10th
Nova offers an enlightening conversation with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Topics include origins of the universe, multidisciplinary approaches to science, exciting recent discoveries, his position as director of the Hayden...
Handout
Other

Cometography.com: C/1995 01 (Hale Bopp)

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a detailed overview of the comet C/1995 01 (Hale-Bopp), the great comet of 1997. Content includes discovery, and observational and orbit information, as well as several images.
Article
Seeker

Seeker: Galaxies Undergo Dramatic Metamorphosis

For Students 9th - 10th
Article reports on the changes galaxies have experienced that can be observed with the Hubble telescope.
Article
BBC

Bbc Newsround: New Galaxy Is 'Most Distant' Discovered Yet

For Students 3rd - 8th
Article reports on the discovery by the Hubble telescope of the most distant galaxy known at this point.
Website
California Institute of Technology

Stories From Space: Supercool Space Tools

For Students 3rd - 8th
A great story highlighting the history of space discovery and the tools then and now. Learn about the tools and technology that help us in our quest to go beyond our planet and our solar system.
Article
Society for Science and the Public

Science News for Students: So Many 'Earths'

For Students 3rd - 8th
Article reports on the recent discovery that many suns in the universe host "Earth-like" planets. Includes a vocabularly list.
Website
PBS

Nova: Doomsday Asteroid Hale Bopp & Hyakutake

For Students 9th - 10th
NOVA provides a report on comet Hale-Bopp and comet Hyakutake. Content includes discovery and observational information.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Alien Planets

For Teachers 6th - 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction piece discusses the discovery of previously unknown planets in the solar system. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies...
Website
Space Telescope Science Institute

Hubble Site: Edwin Hubble

For Students 9th - 10th
At this site from HubbleSite provides information on how Edwin Hubble (1889?1953 CE) made some of the most important discoveries in modern astronomy. Learn about them as well as the invention of the Hubble Space Telescope. Open 'Who was...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs: Rough Science Island Observatory

For Teachers 9th - 10th
PBS site asks users to imagine that they are stranded on a tropical island. Provides experiments for users to calculate time at night and to identify what is in the night sky.
Website
NASA

Nasa: Welcome to the Planets Hubble

For Students 9th - 10th
On this site, you will find information and images pertaining to the primary mirror, launch, and deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope. The information is presented in text and audio format.
Handout
Science4Fun

Science4 Fun: Galileo Galilei

For Students K - 1st
Brief biographical sketch of Galileo Galilei, famous scientist and astronomer whose discoveries include the Tower of Pisa Experiment and the Galilean Telescope.
Handout
Science4Fun

Science4 Fun: Isaac Newton

For Students K - 1st
Brief biographical sketch of Isaac Newton, famous scientist whose discoveries include the law of gravitation, three laws of motion, reflective telescope, and calculus.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Biography for Kids: Galileo Galilei

For Students 9th - 10th
Students can investigate Galileo Galilei's biography on this site. Learn more about the scientist who improved the telescope and made many discoveries and experiments.