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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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Super Scientists Bingo
In this science worksheet, learners select twenty-five scientists from the list to fill in their bingo card. Then they match each of the scientists listed to their correct description strip.
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Our Sky: Home of Stars and Planets
Learners discover that astronomy is a branch of science that includes the study of planets, stars, and constellations.
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Constellations
Students explore the major constellations. After reviewing the Earth's basic motions and their significance, students discuss the moon's orbit and revolutions. Using a Digitarium Alpha portable planetarium projector, they observe at...
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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...
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Asteroids
Young scholars examine the different types of asteroids and how they enter the atmosphere. In this space lesson students use mashed potatoes to create an asteroid they can eat.
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Sky Pictures
Students investigate constellations. In this space science lesson plan, students view transparencies of constellations and identify the zodiac constellations. Students research the legends connected with the constellations.
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Shadow Trackers
Learners use online websites to inquire about the cycle of day and night. In this web based instructional activity, students are able to see the movement of the sun and Earth. Learners can look at different parts of the Earth as if they...
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Space Exploration to Find Habitable Planets
Students explore space science by reviewing scientific vocabulary terms. In this planet identification lesson, students identify the nine planets in our solar system and discuss which ones could potentially harbor life at some point....
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Kepler's 3rd Law
Learners derive the velocity in a circular orbit of any radius. They derive the Earth escape velocity and prove Kepler's 3rd law for circular orbits # A simple formula for the orbital period in a circular Earth orbit of given radius.
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How Far Away Is Saturn?
Students work together to create a scale model of the solar system. They write a descriptive paper and a paper comparing and contrasting the Earth to Saturn. They discuss their writings with the class.
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Heating Up: Direct and Indirect Sunlight
Students, by conducting simulations, explore the effects of direct and indirect sunlight on heating of the Earth.
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Facts and Myths about our Solar System
Sixth graders explore popular ideas about the Sun and Moon. In this space science lesson, 6th graders separate commonly accepted details about our solar system into facts and myths. Students research a particular idea and...
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Solstice And Equiniox Curriculum
Students engage in a instructional activity that investigates finding the dates of the solstices and equinoxes. They define the terms related to the concept and conduct research in order to explain the physical occurrences. They also...
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Stars
In this stars learning exercise, students review characteristics of stars and different constellations. This learning exercise has 14 vocabulary words placed in a crossword puzzle.
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Newton's Theory of Universal Gravitation
Students explore how Newton tied together the gravity observed on Earth and the motion of the Moon. They apply an earlier lesson about centripetal forces.
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Solstice and Equinox
Students identify the dates of the solstices and equinoxes and how they relate to the various seasons on Earth. After discussing how the solstice and equinox affect the seasons, students use their bodies to demonstrate the how each...
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Sky Watching
Learners examine telescopes and understand how they have helped us better understand the sky. For this astronomy lesson students complete a worksheet and a lab activity.
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The Calendar
High schoolers engage in an overview of solar and lunar calendars, their history and lore. Also, of the day and the month, and their relations to the rotation period of the Earth and the orbital period of the Moon.
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Red Shift, Blue Shift
Students demonstrate how stellar spectra measures a star's motion relative to Earth along the line of sight.
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Exploring the Planets
Sixth graders explore the planets through an interactive web site. For 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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Astrology: Fact or Fiction?
Students explore the topic of astrology and review the beliefs behind it. They read sample horoscopes. Using a portable digital planetarium, they view the night sky and the zodiac constellations. They examine and discuss the science...
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Quiz: Name the Constellation
In this science worksheet, 3rd graders focus on the stars and constellations. Students respond to nine questions using written clues and visual aids.
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The Solar System
In this solar system worksheet, students complete a word puzzle by determining the terms associated with the 10 statements about the planets.