Curated OER
Constellations
In this constellations instructional activity, students write their name as a constellation using an x and y-axis graph. This instructional activity has 1 graph to create.
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A Star Party
Students explore the parts and function of a telescope. In this investigative lesson students gain an understanding of a telescope and identify planets and constellations.
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Sky Pictures
Students investigate constellations. In this space science instructional activity, students view transparencies of constellations and identify the zodiac constellations. Students research the legends connected with the constellations.
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Exploring the Constellations, a WebQuest Activity
Students explore space science by participating in a class WebQuest. In this constellation identification instructional activity, students view star charts based on the four seasons and identify the changes our sky goes through in the...
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Astrology: Fact Or Fiction?
High schoolers investigate the concept of astrology and how it evolved from history. They use the Zodiac in order to find the location of constellations in the night sky. The differences between astrology and astronomy are compared and...
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How Do We Know?
Students investigate the history of astronomy and how the study of constellations has evolved since the dawn of ancient civilization. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The teacher uses demonstrations to model how the...
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How Do We Know...?
Students identify and explain how various inventions and astronomers have improved our appreciation of the universe. Students identify at least two constellations in the sky and discuss how they were used in ancient times to tell time...
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Constellation Companions
Learners identify constellations and the characteristics of the stars that compose them. For this space science lesson, students view depictions of Ursa Major and Ursa Minor in the book Astronomical Micelleny. Learners create their own...
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Multicultural Sun, Moon, and Star Activities
Young scholars research the multicultural stories and artistic representations of the Sun, Moon, and stars. In this multicultural space lesson plan, students discuss the symbols and stories for the sun in various cultures. Young scholars...
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Using a Starfinder
In this starfinder worksheet, 5th graders construct a starfinder in order to determine which stars are in the night sky on a given date and time. Students use their starfinder to answer 9 questions about the stars and constellations,...
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Big Dipper Story Wheel
Students research a Canadian Indian Tale. In this constellation lesson, students hear the story "Never-Ending Bear Hunt" which describes the constellations from the Native American perspective. They create their own constellation wheel...
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Exploring the Night Sky: Summer
Students explain how moon phases occur. They describe and explain at least two common misconceptions that people have about the moon. Students explain what a star is. They explain 3 ways that the night sky has been used throughout history.
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Sky Observation Project
In this sky observation activity, students make observations of the night sky and use their planisphere and star charts to help identify what they observe. They make observations and record what they see for 10-15 minutes. They draw a...
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How Hot and How Big?
Students explore star color and size. In this space science lesson, students conduct various inquiry activities to explore how the color of a star affects the amount of heat produced. They also investigate how the color of stars affects...
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Stellar Temperature, Size and Power
In this stellar temperature of stars instructional activity, students use a given formula that relates the stellar light output with the surface area and temperature of a star to solve 3 problems. Students find luminosities of different...
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Star Maps and iPads: Explore The World Above
Use these helpful stargazing tips and tools to enjoy the night sky this summer.
American Museum of Natural History
What is Astronomy?
Go study the universe. Pupils learn seven aspects about astronomy and astronomers. They begin to learn about constellations; distance and motion between objects; gravity; the electromagnetic spectrum; dark matter and energy; and teams of...
Space Awareness
Navigation in the Ancient Mediterranean and Beyond
Ancient texts, like Homer's Odyssey, mentions navigating ships by observing constellations. Pupils learn about the link between history and astronomy as they relate to navigation in the Bronze Age. Scholars complete two hands-on...
American Museum of Natural History
A Kid's Guide to Stargazing
Get kids interested in stargazing with a step-by-step guide. The guide begins with the do's and don'ts, what the defines a star, and introduces a journal. The page is linked to see stars if light pollution keeps stars away in your area.
Curated OER
Let the North Star Tell You Where You Are
Students participate in activities in which they find the Big Dipper and locate the North Star in the night sky, examine the relationship between the angle to Polaris and latitude, and determine latitude by using an astrolabe.
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And a Star to Steer Her By: A Field Trip Guide for the Planetarium Show
In this field trip study guide for the planetarium show lesson, students construct a model of the Earth and describe the relative positions of the continents using latitude and longitude. Students construct a star chart to find...
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Introduction to the Planisphere
In this planisphere learning exercise, middle schoolers use a planisphere to locate stars and constellations for particular times and dates. Students use the planisphere to answer specific questions about stars and constellations that...
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The Earth, Sun, Moon, And Stars
Fifth graders explore the solar system. In this solar system unit, 5th graders investigate numerous projects while rotating through learning centers. Students write about space and construct a space shuttle model. Students practice map...
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Galaxy Mapping
Students research the constellations and discuss their findings. Then they construct their own maps of the galaxy using paper, black paint, aluminum foil, etc. They make a 3-D map of their chosen constellation.