Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Strange New Planet

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders gather data and simulate a Mars spacecraft mission using multi-sensory observations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Unveiling the Secrets of Saturn

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students read and study an article then answer questions on Saturn.  In this investigative instructional activity students identify ways space exploration has helped humanity and then they search the Internet for space pictures and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Got Space?

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore our solar system of planets through research and activities. Using cooperative grouping and interaction, students gain an understanding of how the characteristics of the planets differ from one another.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Third from the Sun

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students examine images from space.  In this third from the Sun lesson, students examine images from, Landsat, the satellite launched by NASA in 1972.   
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Vocabulary of Space

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students build their knowledge and understanding of vocabulary related to space.  In this space lesson, students discuss four categories of words and phrases related to space. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space Science

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study the objects in our solar system.  In this space lesson students identify and describe planets, then classify them as terrestrial or gaseous.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Can an Astronaut on Mars Distinguish Earth from its Moon?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore the possibility of being on Mars and being able to identify the Earth.  In this space lesson students complete a set of calculations to see if this is possible. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Did the First Asteroid Come to be Discovered?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine asteroids including how and when they were discovered.  In this asteroid lesson students view a PowerPoint presentation on asteroids.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Titan and the Other Moons of Saturn

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students identify and describe the moons of Saturn. They sort the moons by their characteristics. They write a paragraph describing the moons to end the lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Fun Facts

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students read facts about the Solar System. In this solar system lesson plan, students read facts on the dimensions, planets, and workings of the solar system. There is a big emphasis on Saturn.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Solar System to Scale

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars calculate the diameter of planets and their relative distances.  In this space science lesson, students discover how small or big the planets are in comparison to each other. Young scholars use cross multiplying...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dangers of Radiation Exposure

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore sources of high-energy radiation and calculate student exposure to ionizing radiation over the past year.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jupiter's Weather Forecast

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students read information about Jupiter and the planet's weather. In this Jupiter weather lesson, students read information about Jupiter's weather. Students study a chart about the weather on Earth and Jupiter. Students read a weather...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mars Curriculum

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners study Mars and other plants in the night sky. In a planetarium setting using Digitarium planetarium system, students identify the Big Dipper and Polaris. They explore the major differences between the planets and the stars. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kepler's 3rd Law

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students 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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kepler And His Laws

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students engage in an overview of the story of Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler, and of Kepler's laws. Each of Kepler's laws be studied separately in more detail in later lessons. They examine Kepler's 3rd law.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Solar System

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students analyze the theories of the formation of the universe and solar system. Students analyze planetary motion and the physical laws that explain that motion: Rotation, Revolution, Apparent diurnal motions of the stars, sun, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Place and Space

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore number values by completing mathematical worksheets in class. In this decimals lesson, students identify the different place values a number has and the use of decimals to represent a fraction of a number. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comet Myths, Facts, and Legends

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Here is an interactive book lesson through which learners explore the facts and stories about comets. The plan is comprehensive, providing background information, standards met, vocabulary, assessment ideas, and more. Though the content...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Calculating Orbital Speeds

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Learners are introduced to the regularities of planetary motion. They create a spreadsheet to calculate the speed of any orbiting body at apogee and perigee. Students then use the spreadsheet to compare the speeds of planets, moons,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Satellite Mobiles

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss satellites and their functions. They design and construct their own satellite out of readily available materials. Students are taught the definition of a satellite. They discuss the two main purposes of satellites:...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Space" Investigations

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders understand the patterns of change observable on Earth as a result of the movement of the different bodies in the solar system. They identify the physical characteristics of the different components of the solar system.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moon Journal

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students review the planets and major moons in the Solar System. In groups, they research and describe the various phases of the moon. They record their observations of the moon phases over a specific period of time and use the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Determining the Altitude of Iridium Flares

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine what iridium flares are and when they occur.  In this iridium flare lesson students complete an activity to see how far overhead Iridium satellites are.