Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mathematics at the Frontier of Astronomy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the different types of measurements used in astronomy. For this space science lesson, students explain the relationship between planets' orbits and distance from the sun using Kepler's Laws. They discuss how math aides...
Lesson Plan
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The Milky Way and Beyond

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students consider the scale of the Milky Way Galaxy. In this Milky Way lesson, students hypothesize the length of time necessary to cross the Milky Way.
Worksheet
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Distances Between Stars

For Students 8th - 11th
In this distance between stars worksheet, learners use the 3-dimensional distance formula and Cartesian coordinates to find the distances of 10 given stars from the sun. They also determine which constellation each star belongs to and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Night Sky: Summer

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners explain how moon phases occur. They describe and explain at least two common misconceptions that people have about the moon. Students explain what a star is. They explain 3 ways that the night sky has been used throughout history.
Worksheet
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The Volume of a Hypersphere

For Students 10th - 12th
For this volume of a hypersphere worksheet, students solve 4 problems where they find the volume formula and calculate the volume given the dimensions of the hypersphere.
Interactive
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Star Clusters Up Close

For Students 9th - 12th
In this star clusters worksheet, students use the library and Internet to complete information about the Pleiades star cluster. They use a given photograph to answer questions about the number of stars in the cluster, the distance...
Lesson Plan
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How Old Are the Stars?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine the age of a star cluster by observing, measuring, and plotting astronomical data. They examine the Jewe lbox cluster, located within the southern constellation Crux and determine its age.
Worksheet
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Hubble Sees a Distant Planet

For Students 7th - 9th
In this Hubble telescope worksheet, students solve 4 problems about the image of the distant planet the Hubble telescope discovered. Students determine the distance the planet was from its star in 2006, they determine the planet's...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Communicating Data

For Students 6th - 7th
In this data worksheet, students match information with the best type of graph to display it. Students also make a chart and graph to display information in a given paragraph.
Worksheet
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How Hot is that Planet?

For Students 9th - 12th
In this planet activity, learners read about finding the temperature of a planet using the distance to its star, its reflectivity and the luminosity of the star. Students use a given equation to determine the surface...
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...
Worksheet
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The Wanderers: Planets of Our Solar System

For Students 5th - 6th
In this planets worksheet, students read a detailed 3 page text about the planets in our solar system. Students then complete 21 true/false and multiple choice questions about planets.
Lesson Plan
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Our Changing View of the Solar System

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students identify and name the eight planets and the five dwarf planets in our solar system. In this space science instructional activity, students view a slideshow of the planets and label them on an included Solar System chart.
Unit Plan
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Astronomy

For Teachers 3rd
Students complete a unit of lessons on our solar system, its stars, and astronomers. They record information in a space journal, design constellations, define key vocabulary, observe the phases of the moon, and create a group planet...
Lesson Plan
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Astronomy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students brainstorm about what they know about the solar system. They study a planetary fact sheet and create a Venn Diagram with the information. They work in groups to examine the names of the planets and information regarding each of...
Lesson Plan
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Take a Spin Through the Solar System

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders participate in a variety of activities to explore the Solar System in this unit.
Lesson Plan
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"Space" Investigations

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders understand the patterns of change observable on Earth as a result of the movement of the different bodies in the solar system. They identify the physical characteristics of the different components of the solar system.
Worksheet
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Knowledge Quiz: The Universe

For Students 6th - 8th
In this universe quiz worksheet, students complete a set of 10 multiple choice questions that cover a variety of concepts about the universe: constellations, black holes, the solar system, etc.
Lesson Plan
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Retrograde Motion of Mars

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the motion of Mars. In this space science lesson, students use transparencies to trace the path of Mars through constellations. Students discuss the characteristics of the planet.
Lesson Plan
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The Night Sky

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders develop questions they have about the solar system. After being read a book, they view and discuss different constellations in the sky. In groups, they are given a piece of butcher paper and glow in the dark crayons in...
Lesson Plan
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Glowing Glimpses of Our Universe

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students will complete hands-on space activities. In this space science lesson, students will create a glow-in-the-dark model of the solar system, visit a planetarium, make star pictures, and paint constellations. Activities are meant to...
Lesson Plan
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The Next Logical Step in Astronomy

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students research future astronomy endeavors and how the exploration with contribute to astronomy and humanity. In this astronomy lesson plan, students research, present, and debate the topics as a class.
Worksheet
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Scavenger Hunt: Who am I?

For Students 6th - 8th
In this space science worksheet, students use the sites listed on the Solar System and Planets page of the Kid Zone to locate the names of the people credited with each discovery. They identify and name 26 different scientists who made...
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.