What will it take to explore space? Teams of pupils determine the needs of a lunar outpost and research the required systems. The pupils then learn about the past space exploration vehicles. The third and final lesson challenges project...

Modern animation presents an overview of the history of space exploration. Beginning with Sputnik in 1957, the international space race was on. Eventually, space exploration became, not a competition, but rather a collaboration. Also,...

Neptune takes 164.8 Earth years to travel around the sun. In the fifth of 22 lessons, young scientists create a travel guide to a planet in our solar system. They provide tips for others on what to bring, what they see, and their...

Students complete pre reading, writing, post reading activities for the book Space Travel. In this guided reading lesson plan, students complete writing, go over vocabulary, answer short answer questions, have discussions, and more.

Say goodbye to giant rocket ships and hello to micro-spacecraft. Taking a look at the future of space exploration, this video explores the development of tiny, expendable space probes that can investigate the far reaches of space and...

How did the manned space mission program progress? The presentation covers American space exploration from the Apollo missions through the International Space Station. 

Students read a news article about a space mission being launched to the planet Pluto. They study the necessary vocabulary and complete an anticipation guide of questions which they revisit after they read the article.

Take a trip into outer space from the safety of your classroom. A great addition to the digital library of any science teacher, this reference offers a behind-the-scenes look at the research going at the International Space Station.

Looking to take a trip? Why not go to space? Here, scholars take on the role as travel agent to create a guide to their favorite planet including travel tips and sightseeing recommendations. 

Are you ready to take your learners on a time travel exploration? The short video segment uncovers the nuances of time travel and the scientific theories behind this sometimes misunderstood activity. Learners conclude with a discussion...

It keeps going, and going, and going ... how does the Juno space probe have enough power to travel to Jupiter? Junior astronauts use a THNKR "Why with Nye!" video to discover solar-powered science with the one and only Bill Nye. Topics...

The first remote sensors were people in hot air balloons taking photographs of Earth to make maps. Expose middle school learners to space exploration with the use of remote sensing. Groups explore and make observations of a new planet by...

Veteran orbiter, Gerald P. Carr, relates his experience as an astronaut in this worthwhile video. He is never pictured, but creative animations support his personal narration. Include this little treat with your lesson on space...

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.

Send your class to the moon with this nonfiction reading exercise. After reading a persuasive article about sending kids to space through a lottery, learners complete a reading comprehension lesson reflecting the main points in the...

How does the absence of gravity affect the human body? The skeletal system, circulatory system, and the sense of balance are all impacted. With a very casual tone, an astronaut explains the changes to these body systems and also an...

Space science superstars examine two data tables: one detailing manned space missions and one with unmanned missions. Seven tasks compare the two types of space exploration. This fascinating information is a great introduction to any...

Even lands and planets far, far away feel the impact of humans! A video explains how space exploration leads to space litter. The lesson considers different events over time that led to space debris dangerous to satellites and even...

The propellant needed for space explorations runs in the thousands, while paying to get the craft into orbit costs millions! In the second installment of three, two activities explore laws of conservation of energy and momentum. Using...

Being an astronaut takes not only high mental acuity, but also a high level of physical fitness, especially for those who spend a long amount of time away from Earth, such as the astronauts serving on the International Space Station....

Who was the first person in space? What was the name of the first animal in space? These fun and intriguing questions get answered with a presentation covering the beginnings of space travel. There are eight informational slides that...

Middle-school space science explorers review remote sensing and electromagnetic radiation vocabulary terms by unscrambling them. Consider having space scholars write out the definitions for each after unscrambling. If they take time to...

When astronauts get hungry in outer space, they can't just call and have a pizza delivered. In order to gain an appreciation for the challenges associated with space travel, young learners are given the task of selecting, testing, and...

NASA tracks around 20,000 pieces of debris orbiting Earth. The garbage humans leave in space cause problems for space exploration, satellites, and communication. One group of scientists hopes to clean up the junk and make this planet...