Our Solar System

Take scientists beyond our earthly reach and into the solar system. Pupils create a model of the solar system and discuss strengths and weaknesses of their model. They calculate distances in light years, discuss the nebular theory, and...

Here is a fantastic, educational handout packed with information and facts not only about the planets in our solar system, but also regarding major moons and their surface features, dwarf planets, comets, and asteroids. 

How many planets can you name? Did you get all 13 in our solar system, including the dwarf planets, or were you surprised when you read there are 13 planets? The lesson helps scholars understand the scale of the universe including the...

Scientists have theorized that our solar system formed 4.6 billion years ago. In this pair of activities, learners first hypothesize how our solar system was formed. Using this information, groups then determine how scientists search for...

Thoroughly written, this plan walks you through every detail of having your high school astronomers design scale models of the solar system. Complete instructions on building to scale, lesson plan procedures, and associated worksheets...

Learners build a scaled model of the solar system. In this space science lesson, students arrange them according to their distances from the sun. They analyze each planet's unique features such as density and relative gravity.

This is a complete packet consisting of three lessons about the origin of the solar system, the sun, and the planets. Work in this packet is meant to be self-directed; learners go at their own pace and instructions direct them on how to...

Young scholars calculate the escape velocity of planets in our solar system and use that knowledge to calculate the escape velocity for NGC 2300 group. They then suggest reasons for the escape velocity to be higher than possible given...

Go on a galactic tour like no other! The perfect idea to wrap up a solar-system unit, an interactive video leads the class from the sun to the Kuiper Belt. Pan around the screen as the narrator describes each of the main features in our...

Learners construct a scale model of the solar system in a long hallway or playing field. They discuss the fact that most of the solar system is empty space, and that outer planets are much farther apart than inner planets. They also talk...