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Picture an Astronomer
Students create a drawing of what an astronomer looks like. They explore their own assumptions of those who work in the sciences.
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Popcorn Neutrino Lab
Students parcticipate in a modeling activity that simulates the cyclical role of experimental and theoretical science. Initially, students measure the mass of popcorn. They also record predictions of the mass of the kernels after they...
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Sky Watching
Students examine telescopes and understand how they have helped us better understand the sky. In this astronomy lesson students complete a worksheet and a lab activity.
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Exploring the Planets
Sixth graders explore the planets through an interactive web site. In this astronomy based lesson, 6th graders compare planets, explore comets, and discover planet facts through a variety of activities provided by the Smithsonian Museum.
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Stellar Observations
Ninth graders study the uses of spectroscopy and the operation of the Hubble space telescope. In this astronomy instructional activity students complete a lab activity that includes graphing star color and temperature.
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Space Exploration to Find Habitable Planets
Learners explore space science by reviewing scientific vocabulary terms. For this planet identification lesson, students identify the nine planets in our solar system and discuss which ones could potentially harbor life at some point....
Space Awareness
The Intertropical Convergence Zone
Young scientists know it is hotter along the equator, but why is it also rainier? Through the process of completing two experiments and a worksheet, scholars discover the answer is the intertropical convergence zone. First, they...
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Mystery Constellations
Fourth graders predict constellations each month. In this astronomy lesson, 4th graders are presented with two constellations every month, and guess what they are as clues are given.
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Our Universe: Always Moving, Always Changing
Students explore the main concepts of astronomy through the eleven lessons of this unit. The past, present, and future methods of studying the science are examined in this unit.
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Follow The Falling Meteorite
Middle schoolers investigate the supposed traveling path of a meteorite. They use sound in order to triangulate the path. The results of the experiment are written on a map to display the path of the meteorite. The culminating activity...
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Football Physics "Having A Ball With Projectile Motion"
Students examine the concept of projectile motion and identify the 3 components of projectile motion. They explore how physics applies to punting a football through punting activities and internet research.
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Science
Third graders study light and shadow, participate in mirror activities, and build a periscope.
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Collecting Electromagnetic Radiation
Students using different experiments and activities explore electromagnetic radiation and the effect on the Earth.
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Stellar Navigation Curriculum
Students investigate the concept of star mapping and how it is used in space navigation. They conduct various activities to see the effect of mapping. Also the teacher uses models and demonstrations in order to communicate the main...
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Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
Learners examine the relationship between temperature and brightness. In this astronomy lesson students will correlate the evolution of stars to the HR diagram plotted.
Space Awareness
How Light Pollution Affects the Stars: Magnitude Readers
Did you know light can decrease visibility? Light pollution absolutely makes it more difficult to see stars. Scholars build a simple magnitude reader to determine the magnitude of stars. They use these data to estimate the impact of...
American Museum of Natural History
Field Trip Mars
Fly around the Martian surface. Pupils view a presentation on the planet Mars featuring a flyover that shows different views of the surface where rovers have landed and explored on different missions. As individuals watch the images, the...
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CHARTING A COURSE
Students model how a gyroscope works with string, an old phonograph record and crayon.
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PROBLEMS/SOLUTIONS
Students choose an interesting problem related to space travel and then design a plan to solve the problem. They present their solution to the class.
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LIFE IN SPACE Human Body: An Un-Earthly Home
Students examine an effect of zero gravity on the human body using a baby food jar, balloons and a jar with a large mouth.
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Please Ex-Planet
Seventh graders create a model of an earth centered solar system and a model of the sun centered solar system. As a class, they discuss why the earlier astronomers believed their model and why it changed when evidence arose that this...
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Star Gazing
Third graders investigate what an astronomer is and what he studies in the solar system.
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The Universe
Fifth graders identify and discuss responsibilities of careers related to the study of the universe, such as an astronomer or an astronaut. They compare what the world looks like now to what it might look like in the year 3000.
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Mars: Off the Charts--Until You Put It There
Learners explore the night sky and make illustrations which are shared in class the next day. Distinctions are made between the stars and the planets and views of the constellations for the season are made available. The work of early...