Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Illustrate the Constellations

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students research ancient Greek heroes immortalized in constellations. They choose three constellations in either the summer or winter sky to illustrate and reinforce their understanding of the northern constellations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Timekeeping by the Sun

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students measure shadows to learn about the Sun-Earth relationship. In this astronomy lesson, students create a shadow stick of a Pokemon character and record measurements of its shadow in a data chart. Follow-up discussions guide...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Follow the Falling Meteorite

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use triangulation method to locate meteorite landing site on the map. In this earth science lesson, students participate in a meteorite treasure hunt set up by the teacher. They explain how this method is used by scientists to...
Printables
Curated OER

Space Stationary

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
In this writing printable, students can write a short story or report about outer space. The printable includes lined paper bordered by stars, a rocket ship, astronaut, and a planet.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Space Travel Writing Paper

For Students 2nd - 3rd
In this space travel writing paper, students color the detailed border of stars, space shuttle, planets and astronauts. Students use the blank lines for creative or report writing.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy: The Universal Currency

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Science stars examine the concept of energy by thinking about everyday situations. The lesson plan is incohesive. It lists goals for the student, but doesn't address all of them in the content. The best use of this resource would simply...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Child Astronomy

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students gain understanding of the relationship of Earth within the Solar System. They increase knowlegde of the planets, sun, moon, meteoroids, asteroids and comets.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Different Kind of Rock Star: Part 2

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students examine our society's fascination with Mars.  In this journalism lesson students read an article that outlines the various ways Mars has captured our imagination and are given topics for discussion and a chart to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Quest

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students engage in a lesson plan of using maps in order to find constellations in the night sky. They also conduct research using three constellations. The research is used to create a project to inform others. The teacher also leads the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Star Party

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore the parts and function of a telescope.  In this investigative lesson plan students gain an understanding of a telescope and identify planets and constellations. 
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Modeling the Big Bang Theory

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young astronomers learn about the Big Bang Theory and redshift through a hands-on activity in the last installment of a three-part series. Participants draw dots on balloons and then inflate them to model how galaxies moved farther apart...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Constellations, a WebQuest Activity

For Teachers 4th - 6th
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...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Who Am I? / The Solar System

For Students 6th - 8th
In this science worksheet, students answer the trivia questions that focus upon various planets of our solar system. They also define what a star is.
Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

What Do You Know About the Universe?

For Students 6th - 12th
The universe is full of a mystic matter people cannot see. Pupils respond to 10 questions about the stuff in the universe. Most of the questions involve the big bang theory and dark matter. Learners find out how astronomers have found...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meteors

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students identify the different types of meteorite using an interactive website. In this earth science lesson plan, students simulate how meteors crash on a surface. They relate meteor size to crater size.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Celestial Sphere and Circumpolar Motion

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Learners investigate the celestial sphere and circumpolar motion. In this science lesson, students view an applet, The Celestial Sphere and Circumpolar Motion. Learners discuss the Earth's rotation and stellar movement.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Universe

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners describe what scientists mean by an "expanding universe" in their own words. They explain how scientists comprehend the universie is expanding. Students comprehend the vast scale of the universe. They comprehend how theory...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Place In Space

For Teachers 4th - 8th
The purpose of this unit is for students to make the rich set of connections between astronomy and the rest of science and technology, language arts, cultural studies (social studies), math, art, and music.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's Just a Phase

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders are introduced to the correct terminology for the phases of the moon and arrange picture cards in the correct order. They use flashlights and Styrofoam balls to illustrate the phases of the moon. They write science journal...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mystery Constellations

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders predict constellations each month. In this astronomy lesson, 4th graders are presented with two constellations every month, and guess what they are as clues are given.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

X-ray Spectroscopy and the Chemistry of Supernova Remnants

For Teachers 9th - 12th
This link takes you to a comprehensive unit that delves into emission spectra and supernovas. There are four parts: How and where elements are created, electromagnetic radiation, spectroscopy, and the newest technology for studying our...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sending Messages to Space

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers interpret a message sent to space using a radio telescope and draw inferences from the interpreted message. Working with a partner, they interpret data that scientists believe is a message from aliens. They work on...
Lesson Plan
NASA

Biology Training Module

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Are you a koalafied biologist? The lesson begins with research about human survival and our ecosystem. Then, an online training module simulates the effects of changes to the plants and animals in an ecosystem. Finally, scholars research...
Website
American Museum of Natural History

Being an Astronomer: Neil deGrasse Tyson

For Students 6th - 12th
An interview delves deep into the life of famous astronomer Neil deGrasse Tyson.