Extraplanetary Objects Teacher Resources

A website looks at how we know so much about Mars—telescopes, robots, and spacecraft—and the search for martian life. Following the informational text are three questions that quiz pupils about possible life on Mars. 

Students identify and name the eight planets and the five dwarf planets in our solar system. In this space science instructional activity, students view a slideshow of the planets and label them on an included Solar System chart.

Young scholars examine why the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. In this sun lesson, students explore the sunset and shadows. Young scholars prove that the sun's position changes during the day. Students investigate what causes...

Fourth graders study the Moon phases. The lesson includes hands-on activities as well as web-based activities. They use models of the Moon and a lamp to study each of the phases of the Moon, and test their knowlege of the Moon on a web...

Students analyze a designated galaxy with a partner or in a small group.

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

Students recognize that the eight phases of the moon repeat. In this lunar cycle lesson, students experiment to understand the phases of the moon. Students make observations and complete a "the Moon I See" worksheet.  Students...

First graders listen to the book, The M&M's Brand Counting Book, discuss the one-to-one correspondence and count the candies in the story. They focus on the number five, and listen to the story Sun Up, Sun Down, discussing the...

Students discover scientific facts about the Moon and how some American Indian Tribes used the moon to measure time. They accomplish this by listening to stories and poetry, writing stories, communicating with an astronaut,...

First graders read and explore the folktale, The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind. In this folktale lesson, 1st graders read the tale and describe the sun. There are several interdisciplinary extensions included: students illustrate...

Students are introduced to the celestial sphere, describing its apparent rotation and the special role of the pole star.

Learners are introduced to both celestial coordinates and to the first rung on the distance determination ladder. They convert spherical coordinates to Cartesian coordinates to construct a three dimensional model of a constellation...

Students work together to develop a model of Saturn and its rings. They identify what types of materials make up the rings and how they revolve around Saturn. They write a short paragraph describing the rings.

Students explore the concept that free-fall eliminates the local effects of gravity. They discuss what an Earth-orbiting spacecraft experience is like as well as the terminology of weightlessness. Their lab experiment commences.

Students investigate gravity.  In this weightless lesson students complete a lab activity about how a free fall might effect how one perceives gravity.

Students create a business card after researching their location in space and determining their Galactic Address.

In this interactive reading comprehension worksheet, students read two short entries about UFOS. They match the text with the pictures that go with the story and write the letter in the box at the end of each. They enter their...

In this universe quiz worksheet, students complete a set of 10 multiple choice questions that cover a variety of concepts about the universe: constellations, black holes, the solar system, etc.

Middle schoolers study the stars and their positions.  In this astronomy instructional activity students see how scientists can predict the positions of the stars and can tell how they would have appeared in the past. 

Learners become familiar with repeating patterns in nature, namely the phases of the moon.

Students create a model of the solar system out of candy. They write a book about their travels through the Solar System, beginning at age ten and reaching Pluto at age seventy.

Students are introduced to the history and origins of many common symbols used in celebrations. They explore symbols in group centers, identify a symbol that has special meaning to them and design a symbol to represent the classroom.

Students are guided through an online series of readings and questions to explore the Leonid Meteor Showers and related topics. Modifications are provided for teaching this lesson to k-4, 5-8, and 9-12 students.

Students practice rote counting to 20. After a lecture about the planets and the moons that surround them, they identify the number of moons surrounding various planets. Students compare and contrast the quantity of moons surrounding...