Activity
Curated OER

Scale Activities

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed Standards
How do you put something as large as the universe in perspective? Use a series of scale experiments. Classmates collaborate around four experiments to examine the scale of the earth-moon system, our solar system, the Milky Way galaxy,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Big Are Earth, Sun, and Moon?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders draw what they believe is in space on a dry erase board. In groups, they are given a beaker half filled with water and they add a teaspoon of oil, observing the different layers that form. To end the lesson, they identify...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Universal Proportions: Earth and Moon

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create scale models of Earth, the Moon, and the distances within the universe. Working in groups, they construct their models of Earth and the Moon on a scale of 50:1 and calculate how far apart to place their models. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Big Bang Theory

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students will use scientific reasoning to formulate ideas about the formation of the universe using the Big Bang Theory. The use of critical thinking skills is part of the activity and the foundation of the scientific method will serve...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Solar Cycle

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students research the solar cycle. In this Science lesson plan, students use the internet to investigate the solar cycle. Students produce a spreadsheet and graph from the information collected.
Activity
Illustrative Mathematics

Solar Eclipse

For Teachers 9th - 11th Standards
Learners take on the role of astronomers, calculating conditions necessary for a total solar eclipse. Concepts of similar triangles and properties of circles come together as pupils create ratios and use real measurements in determining...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The North (Wall) Star

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students engage in a lesson which shows them that celestial navigation is the art and science of finding one's geographic position by means of astronomical observations, particularly by measuring altitudes of celestial objects - sun,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gravity - The Glue of the Universe

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Students explore physics by conducting a class experiment. In this gravitational force instructional activity, students define several scientific terms associated with force. Students utilize a styrofoam cup and marbles to simulate a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Solar System to Scale

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers 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. Middle schoolers use cross multiplying...