Alabama Learning Exchange
The History of Space Exploration
Young scholars research and identify important events in the history of space exploration. They work in groups of three to four in order to research an important astronaut and record their finding on a poster board and present to the class.
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Investigating the Earth-Moon-Sun System
Eighth graders research Native American legends involving the sun, moon, and stars and compare them to the origin of present day knowledge. They create a written report and make an oral presentation of their findings to the class.
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Working in Space
Students design and build one of three engineering problems dealing with living and working in space.
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Lunar Language
Students use a Lunar Language Graphic Organizer to draw and describe the phases of the moon. They explain patterns of changes in the appearance of the moon as it orbits Earth.
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Mercury, Venus, and Earth
Young scholars learn information about the planets Mercury, Venus, and Earth by playing a trivia game.
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Edible Model of the Sun
Students identify the different features of the Sun. In this space science activity, students create a model of its surface using cookies and candies. They compare and contrast their model to the real Sun.
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People of the Cassini Team
Students discuss the job qualifications of a team member for a space mission. In this space science lesson, students select a mentor from the Cassini team members and explain the reason for their selection. They assess the importance of...
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Planet Picking
Students arrange the planets according to their distances from the sun. In this astronomy lesson, students list interesting properties about each planet. They identify an unknown planet photo.
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Mars Rover Races
Students simulate driving a rover in Mars. In this space science lesson, students navigate an obstacle while blindfolded and guided by verbal commands only. They assess the challenges encountered by astronauts in operating a rover.
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Rover Races
Students simulate driving a rover on the surface of Mars. In this space science lesson, students identify the challenges experienced by astronauts in operating a vehicle. They recommend some changes to make their 'rover' better.
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The Great Hubble
Students explain how Hubble telescope captures images from space. In this space science instructional activity, students use the internet to view space photos. They debate on an issue raised by the teacher.
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Tools of Modern Astronomy
Students differentiate refracting and reflecting telescopes. In this earth science activity, students explain how they are closely connected to satellites. They complete the concept map at the end of the activity.
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Planetarium- Identifying Constellations
Learners explore the planetarium. In this space science lesson, students identify the different constellations in the sky. They make their own map of the constellations.
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Lives of Stars
Young scholars explain in their own words how stars are formed. In this space science lesson, students summarize the life cycle of stars. They draw diagrams and label the step of the cycle they represent.
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Astronomical Scales
Students describe the different units of measurement. In this space science lesson, students calculate astronomical distances using a scale. They explain the significance of using scientific notation in expressing very small or very...
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The Future of the Milky Way
High schoolers brainstorm ideas about the future of our galaxy. In this space science instructional activity, students research the three main events happening in the Milky Way. They write a report about their findings.
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Black Holes: The Ultimate Abyss
Pupils compare and contrast the characteristics of the three different types of black holes. In this space science instructional activity, students research black hole's lifetime, location and evidence of existence. They present their...
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The Solar System
Students research the characteristics of planets in our solar system. In this space science activity, students create a solar system model with each planet arranged according to their distance from the sun. They solve problems using the...
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Milky Way Galaxy
Students simulate stars in the Milky Way Galaxy using newspaper prints. In this space science lesson, students compare the number of 'stars' on their page to familiar things. They calculate how many pages they need to have the same...
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Lesson Plan on Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion
Students construct a solar system model. In this space science activity, students calculate the eccentricity of a planet's orbit. They calculate the period of a planet's revolution using Kepler's formula.
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Measuring the Diameter of Our Star
Learners conduct an experiment to measure the diameter of the sun. For this astronomy lesson, students construct a simple equipment to collect scientific data. They calculate the sun's diameter using a given formula.
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Out of This World
Learners take a mission to Mars. In this space science lesson, students listen a lecture about space travel to Mars and the planet itself. Learners then create timelines of exploration and write poetry about their ideal planet.
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Constellations
Third graders investigate space by researching their zodiac signs. In this space science instructional activity, 3rd graders discuss the different zodiac symbols, their star representation and where the stars are located in the sky....
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Moon Observations
Students study the science of the moon. In this moon observations lesson, students study vocabulary associated with the moon, study a lunar calendar, and a phases of the moon's orbit around the Earth.