Curated OER
Supernova Chemistry
Using spectroscopes, high school astronomy, physics, or chemistry learners observe emission spectra from several different sources. This stellar NASA-produced lesson plan provides terrific teacher's notes and a student handout. Make sure...
American Museum of Natural History
Journey to the Stars
Fifteen detailed pictures and informative captions delve deep into the exploration of stars—their life cycle and importance in the universe.
Las Cumbres Observatory
Measure the Age of Ancient Cosmic Explosions
Supernova explosions mark the end of a star's life. Guide the class through an investigation that uses data to calculate the age of a supernova remnant. Using provided data and online software, they analyze data to determine the radius...
Las Cumbres Observatory
Measuring the Age of the Universe
Just when is the universe's birthdate? Pupils use previously collected spectra data to find the redshift and radial velocity of supernovas. They then calculate the distance before finally creating a Hubble diagram. Finally, individuals...
Las Cumbres Observatory
Play Bingo with Charles Messier
Let's play an out-of-this-world Bingo game! Using pre-made Bingo cards and an online randomizer, host a game of Bingo to practice identifying the objects of the cosmos. Pupils must match a picture shown to a similar picture on their...
Las Cumbres Observatory
Plotting a Supernova Light curve
Supernovas burn for a short time but can give scientists extensive information about the universe. Learners analyze given data about the change in the light magnitude of a supernova. They look for patterns in the data and use them to...
American Museum of Natural History
What Do You Know About Astronomy
Develop an understanding of the universe. Learners answer 10 multiple choice questions about several topics in astronomy. Questions contain information about the age of the universe, gravitational attraction, galaxies, planets and comets...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Following the Trail of Evidence
One important skill in analyzing scientific evidence is identifying facts versus opinions. Scholars identify pieces of evidence from the film The Day the Mesozoic Died and then discuss this evidence in small groups at the end of each act...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Distribution of Elements in Earth’s Crust
How do scientists know the difference between a meteorite from space and a regular rock from the earth? Scholars read a passage and answer comprehension questions about the creation of the solar system. They extrapolate the main ideas to...
NASA
Supernova Chemistry
By measuring the wavelength, frequency, and intensity of electromagnetic radiation, scientists determine the temperature, density, and composition of far away items. Scholars rotate through ten lab stations using a spectroscope at each...
McGraw Hill
Neutron Stars Interactive
The universe is full of sources of energy. Explore the energy of pulsars with your classes through a simulation. An interactive lesson allows learners to manipulate the angle of rotation of both the earth and the pulsars. A real-time...
It's About Time
Our Community's Place Among the Stars
But isn't the Milky Way a candy bar? Lead a detailed discussion on the complex topic of our solar system and the Milky Way Galaxy as the class explores stellar evolution, structure, and investigates the relationship between luminosity...
Starry Night Education
The Stars
Three astronomy activities in one resource! Here you will find one hands-on activity, one demonstration, both with discussion questions, and one activity worksheet. During these lessons young scientists discuss how stars are different,...
Curated OER
2011 Nobel Prize Winners Announced
This assignment has young scientists read four different news articles about the 2011 Nobel Prize winners. Six questions are posed for children to write the answers. It is a relevant activity for getting middle schoolers to meet the...
Curated OER
Star Facts
Throughout the elementary grades students explore the galaxy. This simple presentation listing the types of stars could be used as a quick review of the information students have learned. It could be augmented with additional information.
American Museum of Natural History
Cosmic Wallpapers
Decorate your screen with a cosmic wallpaper featuring the Orion Nebula, Helix Nebula, or Supernova.
Curated OER
Details from an Exploding Star
In this nebula worksheet, students read about the Crab Nebula and calculate the average speed of the expanding gas. They determine the size of the smallest clumps of gas and they draw the diameter of the solar system to scale.
Curated OER
Chandra Studies and Expanding Supernova Shell
In this supernova worksheet, students read about the expanding supernova shell that was discovered by the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Students solve two problems including finding the scale of the given images and determining the average...
Curated OER
The Life Cycle of a Star
Young scholars investigate the life cycle of a star through research. Once research is complete, students prepare posters and present findings to class. Flash animation is included to help young scholars visualize life cycle of star...
Curated OER
The Big Bang
Fifth graders relate the elements in the human body to those produced during a supernova. In this space science and chemistry instructional activity, 5th graders listen to a lecture and view visuals about the big bang. They relate the...
Curated OER
The Life Cycle of a Star
In this stars worksheet, students read about the different stages in the life cycle of a star. Then students complete 3 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Lifecycle of a Star
In this space science worksheet, students complete each statement with the correct word or phrase that related to the life-cycle of a star. Then they list the correct order of a stars life cycle. Students also define supernova and pulsar.
Curated OER
Earth And Beyond
For this earth and space worksheet, students identify and locate vocabulary terms and names related to earth and space sciences. There are 53 words located in the puzzle.
Curated OER
Black Holes Word Search
In this black holes word search, students locate terms relating to a black hole. A list of ten words is provided. An answer sheet is available.