Curated OER
Temperature and the Tomato
You will need a photovoltaic system and monitor at your school in order to obtain all of the data required to thoroughly implement this instructional activity. Your class monitors daily temperature and insolation amounts over a two week...
PHET
AM Radio Ionosphere Station
Tune in! Young scientists use an AM radio at home to monitor solar output. The long-term project would be ideal in a flipped classroom or as an out-of-class project.
Curated OER
Voyage to the Planets
Students examine the planets in the solar system. For this planetatry lesson students complete a project using a WebQuest program.
Curated OER
Finding Out About the Stars and Planets
Students complete a web-based activity to study the planets and solar system. Students complete a number of activities including a slide show that depict the true facts about planets.
Curated OER
The Starry Night Time and Day Time
Second graders complete a unit of lessons on the solar system. They complete various art projects inspired by Van Gogh's 'Starry Night,' create a moon phases book, create a moon phase wind chime, develop a timeline of space exploration,...
Curated OER
Sun
Students 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.
Curated OER
Astronomy
Students complete a unit of lessons on our solar system, its stars, and astronomers. They record information in a space journal, design constellations, define key vocabulary, observe the phases of the moon, and create a group planet...
Curated OER
Earth
Young scholars study the earth in relation to the solar system. For this planetary lesson students complete several investigations into the measurement of the earth and its magnetic field.
Curated OER
Tracking down Good Information on the Web
Fifth graders brainstorm on whiteboard Web authorship and what they think they need to know about information on a website in order to judge its content. They research the solar system websites and present them to the class with their...
Curated OER
Beyond The Earth Part I
Students explore the solar system. In this space science instructional activity, 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
Planets for Sale
Student develop their technology skills. In this solar system lesson, 3rd graders create a movie featuring planets that they research. Students use flip video cameras to film commercials to market their planets.
Curated OER
3D Textured Globe
The earth, our home planet, and the star of Earth Day celebrations everywhere! Celebrate Earth Day or examine Earth's place in the solar system, with a fun and easy craft, perfect for children nine and up. Paper mache ornaments, paint,...
Curated OER
Jeopardy 8th Grade (Science)
There are so many topics touched upon in this Jeopardy-style science game, that it is difficult to classify! The categories include electricity, matter, ecology, earth and space, and scientific investigation. This would best be used at...
Curated OER
Parts of a Solar Panel-Part II
Students discover how a mini-solar panel is constructed by behaving like detectives. Students examine an actual solar panel, measure the solar panel's voltage and use drawings to describe what they observe before completing questions...
University of Colorado
Are All Asteroids' Surfaces the Same Age?
There are more than 600,000 asteroids in our solar system. Pupils analyze images of two asteroids in order to determine if they are the same age. They count craters for each asteroid and compare numbers.
Curated OER
Solar Cycle
Students explore the solar cycle through a series of experiments. In this space science lesson, students construct and evaluate solar cycle graphs. They explain how this phenomenon affects the Earth.
Curated OER
Up in the Sky
First graders associate events and objects with day or night. They create a word bank and use is as a reference to create sentences about the sun. They conduct sun-themed experiments and art projects.
Curated OER
Please Ex-Planet!
What is most useful about this lesson plan is the "Student Explanet Worksheet," a set of instructions for collaborative groups to use to collect information about an assigned planet. After students have researched and organized their...
Curated OER
To Gol Solar or Not to Go Solar!
Students evaluate the feasibility of installing a photovoltaic system on the roof of a new school being planned for their community. They research the topoc and then each student assumes the role of a specialist having a specific point...
Curated OER
Scale from the Solar System to a Monster Bee
Sixth graders are introduced to the concept of scale. As a class, they create a model of the solar system taking into account the scale between the planets and the Sun. To end the lesson, they examine "Dina the Monster Bee" and discover...
Curated OER
Sunlight Necklaces
Third graders review the placement and role of the sun in the solar system. Using beads, they create a necklace which they can use to identify the amount of sunlight is being illuminated. In groups, they record observations on the...
Star Date
Build Your Own Galaxy
Don't just look at pictures of the Milky Way galaxy, build it with this hands-on activity in which scientists recreate the galaxy we live in.
Curated OER
Planets or Not, Here We Come!
Students, working in groups, research planets in terms of the size, temperature, number of moons, and potential for life. They use packets and worksheets as guides for their research. Students may role-play as aliens visiting their...
Curated OER
Inner Planets
Students create a booklet about the inner planets after researching the characteristics of each planet. Students research the following items for each planet: moons, size, rotation, orbit, atmosphere, an interesting fact. Their final...