Curated OER
Constellations
Students examine present constellation patterns by reading The Glow-In-The-Dark Planetarium Book by Annie Ingle. They copy a few of the constellations and then create their own, using sticky stars and black paper.
Curated OER
Stars
For this space science worksheet, students use the clues to assist them in solving the crossword puzzle on the stars. They identify various constellations and how each rotates.
Curated OER
Magic Tree House: Midnight on the Moon
Take your class to the moon with Midnight on the Moon! Then provide them with this short packet to develop vocabulary and practice reading comprehension. The first page has readers match vocabulary terms to their correct...
Curated OER
Exploring the Sky: Reading Maria's Comet
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...
Curated OER
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Students identify patterns in the stars. In this constellation activity, students simulate constellations using black canisters and patterns. Students discuss the points on the constellations and how to draw imaginary lines to see the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Galileo: Revealing the Universe
To gain an understanding of the significance of Galileo Galilei's revolutionary ideas, class members watch the short video "Stargazing Before Galileo," and conduct a close reading of Galileo's Sidereal Messsenger. They then...
Curated OER
Plan a Mission to Recently Discovered Planet
Students plan a mission to a recently discovered planet. In this science instructional activity, students research spacecraft design, distances in space, long-term missions in space, and life-sustaining planets. Students work in groups...
Curated OER
Sky Pictures
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.
Curated OER
Glow in the Dark Stars and Planets
Students view a "night sky" made from glow in the dark stars. They discuss stars, planets, the sun, and constellations.
Curated OER
How To Build a Planet From The Inside Out!
High schoolers read about the Spitzer Space Telescope and the technology used to learn about planet composition. They calculate the radius of a planet, the size of a planet, the average density of a planet and the likely core composition...
California Academy of Science
Kinesthetic Astronomy: Birthday Stars
Space explorers take a virtual trip around the sun right within your classroom! They stand in a circle facing away from the "sun" (a lamp) in the center of the room. As they move according to your instructions, they view different...
California Academy of Science
Kinesthetic Astronomy: Earth's Rotation
After completing the activity, "Kinesthetic Astronomy: The Meaning of a Year," zoom in on Earth's rotation using the same simulation setup and this outline. Each class member dons a map of the Western Hemisphere and plays the part of...
Curated OER
Exploring the Constellations, a WebQuest Activity
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...
Curated OER
Constellation Companions
Learners identify constellations and the characteristics of the stars that compose them. In this space science instructional activity, students view depictions of Ursa Major and Ursa Minor in the book Astronomical Micelleny. Learners...
Curated OER
Observing The Sky
In this space science worksheet, students find the words that are related to the observations made of constellations and other related puzzles.
Curated OER
Starquest
Students study the history and cultural interpretation of a celestial body or constellation. They create technology based presentations of the information.
Curated OER
Gazing At Cosmic Pinballs
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.
Curated OER
Dot to Dot: Patterns in the Night Sky
Sixth graders are introduced to several major constellations and locate them in the night sky. They graph the constellations on grid paper and work in groups to research common myths and stories associated with specific constellations.
Curated OER
Exploring a Galaxy
In this galaxy worksheet, students use the Internet or other resources to answer 13 questions about the galaxy NGC-1232. They are given a photograph of the galaxy to help determine the width and diameter of certain regions of...
Curated OER
Galaxy Mapping
Students research the constellations and discuss their findings. Then they construct their own maps of the galaxy using paper, black paint, aluminum foil, etc. They make a 3-D map of their chosen constellation.
Curated OER
Exploring Power-Law Functions Using WISE Data!
In this power-law functions worksheet, students solve 3 problems using data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Experiment in the constellation Carina. Students use a photograph to determine the number of stars as bright as the brightest...
Curated OER
An Explorative Journey Through the Solar System
Students explore space science by creating a planetary model in class. In this solar system lesson plan, students identify the many planets and moons that make up the solar system and decide on one entity in which to research. Students...
Curated OER
Constellations
Third graders investigate space by researching their zodiac signs.  In this space science lesson, 3rd graders discuss the different zodiac symbols, their star representation and where the stars are located in the sky.  Students...