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.
NASA
Exploring Exoplanets with Kepler
Calculate the movement and properties of planets like professional astronomers! Scholars use Kepler's third law to find Mercury and Venus's distance from the sun. Using changes in brightness of distant stars and Kepler's third law,...
Windows to the Universe
All About Magnetism
Enjoy magnets and space science with a fun worksheet. With a word search, a coloring page of Jupiter, and a connect-the-dots activity, kids are sure to learn about magnetism and astronomy.
Curated OER
Timeline of Technology
Students choose an aspect of Astronomy to research. In this lesson on technology, students make a timeline of notable events in the development of astronomy and aerospace technology.
Curated OER
The Expanding Universe
Students explore the expanding universe. In this science lesson plan, students use balloons to model the expansion of the universe. Students take measurements of the balloon expansion and answer questions directed to develop...
Curated OER
Properties of Dust
Students examine the dust in their classroom and relate it to the dust in space. In this investigative lesson students collect dust and graph their findings.
Curated OER
Glowing Glimpses of Our Universe
Students will complete hands-on space activities. In this space science lesson, students will create a glow-in-the-dark model of the solar system, visit a planetarium, make star pictures, and paint constellations. Activities are meant to...
Curated OER
Star Search
Seventh graders explore stars. In this star lesson plan, 7th graders apply generalities about space objects to constellations and explore the differences between radio waves and light waves by answering essential questions in their...
Curated OER
Working on the Moon
Learners take a mission to the moon. In this space science lesson, students visit selected websites to discover information about Earth's moon and the solar system. Learners may take virtual missions to the moon and share...
Curated OER
Chandra X-Ray Observatory
Students tour Chandra's top galactic X-ray images. In this Chandra X-Ray Observatory lesson, students play games and complete puzzles based on the Chandra Mission and X-Ray Astronomy. Students listen to pod casts, question an...
Curated OER
Beyond The Earth Part I
Students explore the solar system. In this space science lesson plan, students take notes on the solar system provided by their instructors. Students then collaborate to design a computer-generated drawing of the solar system.
Curated OER
Reach for the Stars
Students consider the significance of space exploration. In this space science lesson plan, students visit selected websites to discover information about astronomy, lunar missions, and space travel. Students...
Curated OER
Journey To The Solar System
Third graders engage in a lesson to find different facts and connect them to the concept of the solar system. They conduct research using the technology integration of the internet. Using the information the students create a classroom...
Curated OER
Stellar Observations
Ninth graders study the uses of spectroscopy and the operation of the Hubble space telescope. In this astronomy lesson students complete a lab activity that includes graphing star color and temperature.
Curated OER
Earth Science
Learners explore the planets and celestial bodies in our solar system. In this outer space lesson, students identify the planets and record journal information about them and other celestial bodies. Learners define outer space words.
Curated OER
Sky Quest
Learners identify constellations in the evening sky. In this Sky Quest lesson, students create their own star patterns using a star map worksheet. Learners explain how different celestial bodies in space are viewed through a telescope.
Curated OER
Solar System Bead Distance Activity
Students create a scaled solar system model using colorful beads. In this space science lesson, students convert AU units into metric measurements. They arrange the planets according to their distances from the sun.
Curated OER
Distance Makes a Difference
Learners create a clay model of the Sun and Earth. In this space science lesson, students explain how distance affects the appearance of objects. They write a poem or riddle about the Sun in their journal.
Curated OER
Track the Meteor Storm Online!: Leonid Meteor Showers, Astronomy
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 plan to k-4, 5-8, and 9-12 students.
Curated OER
Planet Picking
Students arrange the planets according to their distances from the sun. In this astronomy lesson plan, students list interesting properties about each planet. They identify an unknown planet photo.
Curated OER
Stars and Slopes
More of a math lesson than physics or space science, high schoolers take a set of data and plot it on a log-log coordinate system. The write-up for day two was never completed, but day one, "Stars and Slopes," is complex and cohesive....
Curated OER
Voyage: A Journey Through Our Solar System
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...
Space Awareness
How To Travel On Earth Without Getting Lost
Have you ever wanted to travel the world? Take a virtual trip with a geography lesson that uses longitude and latitude, the position of the sun, an astronomy app, and a classroom globe.
Curated OER
The Drake Equation
Students use the Drake Equation to calculate the probability of sustaining life on various planets. Through the use of the equation, they determine whether intelligent and advanced civilizations can be developed on planets other than...