Learners explore how to visually identify asteroids in SDSS images. They are able to explain that stars are so far away that they do not appear to move, even over the course of a human lifespan. Students identify the location of most...

Learners explore the difference between stars and planets and take on the role of these objects to simulate the relative motions of Mars and the Earth around the Sun.

Young scholars investigate how engineers navigate satellites in orbit around the Earth and on their way to other planets in the solar system. They study vocabulary words and participate in studying a satellite by learning about times...

Learners work with a partner to plot the trajectory of a spacecraft traveling between Earth and Mars in the 2018 and returning in 2020. They examine the key factors when planning a mission to and from Mars such as travel time, distances...

Learners study how the sun is at the center of the solar system.  In this solar lesson students measure the altitude of the sun and its size.

In this plasmasphere worksheet, learners determine how long the plasmasphere takes to rotate around the Earth using two satellite images taken three hours apart.

Eighth graders describe how the Earth's position causes seasonal changes. In this astronomy lesson, 8th graders explain how solar radiation varies depending on the season. They create a collage or poster on each of the Earth's four seasons.

High schoolers identify how models are powerful tools of exploration and that the sizes of the planets and distances between the planets in the Solar System span a large range. They make a sign for each planet they have created in the...

Learners explore the size of the planets. In this science lesson, students create a scale model of the solar system. Learners determine a scaling factor and calculate the size of their planets. Students create a scale drawing of the...

Tenth graders devise a computational model to explore how the orbit of the Earth might change if its velocity were different. Using accurately recorded data, 10th graders defend a scientific argument.

Students explore space science by utilizing education software. In this moon cycles lesson, students discuss the importance of the moon and the different phases we observe from earth. Students demonstrate the earth's orbit by creating a...

In this astronomy test, students answer 50 true/false and multiple choice questions about the relationships of the earth, moon, and sun. The test also includes questions about the solar system, galaxies, and the universe. An answer key...

Sixth graders conduct and analyze a survey that explores public perceptions about the reasons for seasonal change. They measure the changing length of days, observe shadows and discuss how the Earth's axis of rotation affects the seasons.

Students study satellites and satellite images using Google Earth. In this satellite instructional activity, students discuss satellites and how they work. Students watch a demonstration of how satellites work and learn what they are...

Students explore the orbital characteristics a planetary home needs to support Earth-like life forms. They develop an understanding of critical planetary mass to determine which newly discovered planets might be capable of supporting life.

First graders use their observations to describe daily and seasonal cycles. through a demonstration using a suspended ball and flashlight, they determine the time of day in various locations. Next, 1st graders participate in a...

In this moon phase worksheet, students complete 2 prior knowledge questions, then use the "Phase of the Moon Gizmo" to complete several activities, answering short answer questions when finished.

In this solar storm instructional activity, students are given three equations and they  calculate the magnetic pressure and the particle pressure of a solar storm. They also determine the distance to the magnetopause of the...

Students construct a model of a comet nucleus using dry ice. They add other materials and describe the features. They complete related exercises on an Internet Web site.

In this science worksheet, 1st graders track the tides of the ocean for a number of days and examine the data to determine the meaning of the pattern.

In this space science worksheet, learners identify and name which gases make up the sun and the name of the part of the sun that we can see from Earth. Then they describe a solar eclipse and draw a diagram illustrating what happens...

In this Earth worksheet, students review the characteristics of the Earth including it's rotation and revolution. This worksheet has 9 fill in the blank and 7 short answer questions.

Students investigate a model of the tilt of the Earth in its relationship to the Sun during the different seasons of the year. They study the solstices and equinoxes, while determining how sunlight hits the Earth with different angles in...

Students examine their shadows and why they are different in the summer and winter.  In this seasons lesson students complete an activity to see how the earth's tilt on its axis changes the length of shadows.