Lesson Plan
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Stellar Lunar Curriculum

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners engage in a lesson that covers the concept of different phases of the moon. They name the cycles of the phases of the moon while using flashlights to simulate the light of the sun. They research information about several...
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On Jupiter

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers tour Jupiter. In this scenario based activity, students examine the size of Jupiter and make models of the other planets in the solar system to show how large Jupiter is compared to the other planets.
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How Big Is That Star?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Aspiring astronomers study stars. They compare stars and explain the relationship between radius, mass, and diameter. By creating a star simulation, they discover how a binary star system's orbit can cause changes in the observed...
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Brief Encounters: Building Bridges

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students engage in a roleplaying game n order to experience what it is like to encounter people of a different culture. In this lesson plan on building cultural connections, students will participate in a cultural simulation which will...
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N is for Natural State

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
For any pupils who live in the state of Arkansas, this would be a fabulous educational experience to help them get to know their state better. Through the use of activities in literature, art, mathematics, science, social studies, and...
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Rocket Me into Space

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study the concept of thrust and how it propels rockets into space. They discover why airplanes cannot travel into space while considering the engineering techniques use in designing rockets. They look at how space...
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The Great Hubble

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explain how Hubble telescope captures images from space. For this space science lesson, students use the internet to view space photos. They debate on an issue raised by the teacher.
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Nasa's Return To Flight: Testing In

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Learners explain basic components of the space shuttle stack and the chemical fuel makeup and storage used on the external tank of space shuttle. They discuss findings of Columbia mission accident. and the safety improvements that have...
Lesson Plan
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Applying For The Mission

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Pupils participate in a live simulation of traveling through space as part of a large science unit. They are encouraged to go into the community and ask for participation from parents and relatives. Students reflect upon their own...
Lesson Plan
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The Future of the Milky Way

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers brainstorm ideas about the future of our galaxy. In this space science lesson, students research the three main events happening in the Milky Way. They write a report about their findings.
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Black Holes: The Ultimate Abyss

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students compare and contrast the characteristics of the three different types of black holes. In this space science lesson, students research black hole's lifetime, location and evidence of existence. They present their findings to class.
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Finding the Spot

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders use circles to "home in" on particular spots, showing the ability of scientists to locate unseen objects in space. This activity shows how scientists know certain objects exist in space due to the forces exerted by...
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Human Factors

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students design a space settlement for colonizing a planet in our solar system. In small groups, they play a space colony game and read an article about human needs in space to prepare for the design stage. They discuss their design...
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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:...
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Cape Canaveral: Launchpad to the Stars

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students identify the geographic and climatic characteristics of Florida that made it the best location for the space program. They describe how the space program affected the economy and growth of the eastern coast of Florida.
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Air: You Can't See It, But It's There!

For Teachers 1st
First graders investigate that air occupies space by performing experiments that show this principle. Students are provided with a lunch bag. Students open the lunch bag and look inside. Students determine if there is anything in their...
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Cargo Activity Practice

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students examine the cargo load that is needed during the simulation of a space rescue mission. They brainstorm in order to think of possible things needed onboard in storage. Then students create an inventory list that includes water...
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Discover the Planets

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders research the planets. In this science instructional activity, 3rd graders create PowerPoint presentations over a planet. Students present their findings.
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Voyage: A Journey through our Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students build the Voyage scale model of the Solar System on a playground and "travel" to each planet. They recognize that the Sun and planets are tiny worlds in a vast space, giving them a new perspective on the Solar System, and...
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There's More to Light than Meets the Eye

For Teachers K - 4th
Students explore the concept that not all light is visible to the human eye. Although UV light is not visible, it can still be harmful, causing sunburns or skin cancer. They use special beads to detect UV light around the school....
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Digestive System

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners analyze how the digestive system works by taking the food we eat and breaking it down for our bodies to use for various reasons. They list the major components of the digestive system and draw a diagram. They explain how...
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Matter: Solids Liquids and Gases

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Young scholars participate in a science experiment to understand that matter takes up space.  In this matter lesson, students experiment with solids, liquids and gases to recognize that matter is everywhere. Young scholars make...
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How Do We Explore Strange Environments?

For Teachers K - 4th
Students identify and label the different parts of a robot, rover, or a spacecraft. They discuss and record all of the features their robot will need to accomplish its mission and be able to explain why they chose these features to...
Lesson Plan
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The Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF)

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students design an experiment for NASA's STEREO/IMPACT mission to measure the interplanetary magnetic field. This lesson includes 3 excellent hands-on and critical thinking activities in which students explore magnetism in the solar wind.