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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stellar Evolution and the Fate of Earth

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders identify the different stages in the life cycle of a star. In this astronomy lesson, 8th graders read H-R diagrams and analyze data. The describe how the Sun's evolution will affect Earth in the future.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

See the Stars

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore the nighttime sky. In this space science instructional activity, students read the book Maria's Comet and and investigate the sky using their naked eyes. Students compare the view of their naked eyes to the view of a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flight of the Future/Space Flight

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Young scholars explore space science by viewing videos on YouTube. In this moon landing lesson, students view clips of Neil Armstrong taking his first step on the moon and discuss the space race between the U.S. and Russia. Young...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sky Quest

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students identify constellations in the evening sky. In this Sky Quest lesson, students create their own star patterns using a star map worksheet. Students explain how different celestial bodies in space are viewed through a telescope.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Outer Space Creature

For Teachers K - 4th
Students read poems by Shel Silverstein about planets and outer space. As a class, they compare and contrast his descriptions to actual facts which have been discovered through explorations. They write a description of an outer space...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Party- Closing Lesson

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study the stars and galaxies.  In this universe lesson students complete their unit by participating in an evening bonfire to share what they learned. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Frames

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study constellations. In this space science lesson, 4th graders discover what makes stars, how bright stars are, and why constellations were created. Students make their own constellation using Saran Wrap and a frame.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Zodiac Constellations

For Students 4th - 5th
In this space science instructional activity, students learn to identify the 12 constellations of the Zodiac. Students read the information and look at the detailed drawings of each constellation and when it is visible in the night sky.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build a Space Shuttle

For Teachers K
Students explore the concept of space. In this space lesson, students pretend to be aerospace engineers. Students build space ships out of cardboard tubes. Students discuss what aerospace engineers do. Students model their space ships...
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Lesson Plan
Journey Through the Universe

Our Solar System

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Take your class on a journey through our solar system. Learners explore each planet, from Mercury to Pluto, and discuss various features that differentiate one from another. They complete activities related to the topics and discuss the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Finding Extra-Solar Planets

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students plot and analyze NASA data to determine the period of an invisible planet orbiting a wobbling star. They explore the motion of a two-body system around a center of mass to better explain how extra-solar planets are discovered.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Watch This Space!

For Students 7th - 9th
In this space instructional activity, students, with a partner, answer five questions about the universe and read and discuss ten questions regarding astronomy.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Physics of Space Flight

For Students 9th - 12th
In this space flight activity, high schoolers will review physics terms relating to space which includes measuring the distance of space objects, how rockets work, and electromagnetic waves. This activity has 10 terms in a crossword...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Space Exploration- Voyagers 1 and 2

For Students 4th - Higher Ed
Everyone loves to learn about outer space. This space exploration passage has 10 questions relating to Voyager 1 and 2. There are both comprehension and vocabulary questions. The activity could be used with upper elementary or ESL students.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Words

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify and categorize apostrophes. They create maps of the solar system and write simple sentences using apostrophes that describe each planet's characteristics.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Eight Planets

For Students 3rd
In this planets worksheet, 3rd graders use clues from a son "Eight Planets" write planet names under clues and visit a web link to complete a planet game. Link to song not given. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observing the Outer Planets

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students observe the outer planets. In this science lesson, students use a telescope locate the outer planets of the solar system. Students create a video of their observations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Starquest

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the history and cultural interpretation of a celestial body or constellation. They create technology based presentations of the information.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Working With Scientific Notation

For Students 8th - 10th
In this scientific notation worksheet, students read about the discovery of new planets. They use scientific notation to identify the number of miles from one planet to the next. Students determine how long it would take to travel, when...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interplanetary Distance and Travel Time

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students are introduced to the challenges involved in understanding the space travel distances and the time involved to do so through the use of an interactive fable. The modeling and comparisons deal with specific distances at different...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Taking the Measure of the Universe

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Four fabulous activities immerse amateur astronomers into measuring objects that we cannot handle. The experiences are applied to NASA's Space Interferometry Mission, which will take measurements of planets around stars other than our...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Astronomical Distances and Space Travel

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students estimate the size of the solar system and the distance to the nearest star.  In this space activity students complete calculations and use Sattgast Hall as a scale model.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planet/Constellation Mobile

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students construct three-dimensional solar system mobiles.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gross Motor Development

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders participate in a game reflecting the solar system, stars, and rockets. They simulate how space invaders move and hit stars and rockets. They discuss how scientists study the stars and planets.