Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Zipping Through Our Solar System and Beyond

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Launch your class on an exploration of the solar system. Learners construct solar system models to scale and get a better understanding of our place in the vast void of space. This is a great way for them to cement their understanding of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Circles

For Teachers 9th - 11th
In this star circles worksheet, students solve six problems given a diagram of a time-exposure photograph of the stars. Students determine the scale of the image, the location of the North Celestial Pole, they identify Polaris and they...
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.
Lesson Plan
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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...
Lesson Plan
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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...
Lesson Plan
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Flight of the Future/Space Flight

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students 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. Students utilize...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Time Line of Astronomy Events and Discoveries

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students work in groups to present a segment of a timeline of events and discoveries in astronomy. In this astronomy lesson plan, students teach their classmates about their section of the timeline.
Lesson Plan
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Galaxies Galore, Games and More

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students practice skills used in scientific investigation while studying the three main types of galaxies. Students identify Earth as part of Milky Way galaxy, the parts of galaxies, and the types of galaxies, as well as classify...
Lesson Plan
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Tracking Satellites Using Latitude and Longitude

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students, viewing an Internet site, plot the path of several satellites using latitude and longitude over the course of an hour. They learn the four basic types of satellites and their purpose.
Lesson Plan
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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.
Lesson Plan
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Space Trader and Economics

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students use handheld computer with the appropriate software to explore economic skills. They purchase and sell items, travel to planets, and earn enough money to purchase a moon by playing a computer based game.
Lesson Plan
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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.
Lesson Plan
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Star Words

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners identify and categorize apostrophes. They create maps of the solar system and write simple sentences using apostrophes that describe each planet's characteristics.
Lesson Plan
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Observing the Outer Planets

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Learners observe the outer planets. For this science lesson, students use a telescope locate the outer planets of the solar system. Learners create a video of their observations.
Lesson Plan
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Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate how water goes from a solid to a liquid then back again.  In this experimental lesson students conduct their own experiment and see how water changes form. 
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Curated OER

Exploring the Sky: Reading Maria's Comet

For Teachers K - 4th
Discover the science behind astronomy. After reading the book Maria's Comet, which is about a young woman who breaks new ground by becoming a female astronomer, young learners practice reading comprehension with...
Lesson Plan
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Heavens Above

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers study the stars and their positions.  In this astronomy lesson students see how scientists can predict the positions of the stars and can tell how they would have appeared in the past. 
Lesson Plan
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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 lesson students complete calculations and use Sattgast Hall as a scale model.
Lesson Plan
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Planet/Constellation Mobile

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students construct three-dimensional solar system mobiles.
Lesson Plan
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Quiz: Astronomy

For Teachers 3rd
In this science worksheet, 3rd graders will focus on various aspects of astronomy. Students will respond to ten questions all pertaining to stars, constellations, planets, and our solar system.
Lesson Plan
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Sky Pictures

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate constellations. In this space science lesson, students view transparencies of constellations and identify the zodiac constellations. Students research the legends connected with the constellations.
Lesson Plan
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Gazing At Cosmic Pinballs

For Teachers K - 1st
Students explore the world of stars. They see that the color of a star tells how hot or cold it is, that stars come in different sizes. and that stars are moving through space. They draw lines connecting start to star.
Lesson Plan
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Earth Science

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars explore the planets and celestial bodies in our solar system. In this outer space lesson, students identify the planets and record journal information about them and other celestial bodies. Young scholars define outer...
Lesson Plan
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Illustrate the Constellations

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore space science by participating in a star identification activity. In this astronomy lesson, students identify different star patterns and discuss the movement of stars across the sky as the seasons change. Students...