Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: What Is the Universe Made Of?

For Students 9th - 10th
The atoms around you have existed for billions of years- and most originated in the flaming, gaseous core of a star. Dennis Wildfogel tells the captivating tale of these atoms' long journeys from the Big Bang to the molecules they form...
Graphic
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Infographic: Chemical Abundances: The Universe

For Students 9th - 10th
An infograph showing you what chemicals are found in our universe.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Life's Big Questions: How Did the Universe Begin?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Investigate the Big Bang Theory of the origin of the universe by researching the light spectrum and the actions of light waves. Create models that illustrate red shift in a moving star and the expansion of the universe.
Handout
NASA

Nasa: Image Science Center: Ask the Space Scientist

For Students 9th - 10th
A NASA scientist, Dr. Sten Odenwald, answers many students' questions. Topics include planets, galaxies, black holes, the origin of the universe, and common misconceptions about space.
Lesson Plan
University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Color of Stars

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers observe colors in the flame of a burning candle to explore connections between matter, light, color, and temperature, the basic concepts of matter and energy.
Website
Other

An Atlas of the Universe

For Students 9th - 10th
What does the universe look like? This website offers visitors a collection of images that serve as an "atlas" of our universe. See multiple charts showing the Earth's distance from the Sun and other stars, find helpful terms in a...
Website
NASA

Nasa: Imagine the Universe: Welcome to the World of Multiwavelength Astronomy!

For Students 9th - 10th
This Imagine the Universe site provides an introduction into the multiwavelength universe and astronomy. Site provides graphics, links to a quiz, facts on this topic as well as teacher resources.
Handout
NASA

Nasa: Imagine the Universe: Pulsars

For Students 9th - 10th
Resource explores what a pulsar is, as well as what is currently known about this phenomenon. Content includes a focus on x-ray observations of pulsars, and gamma-ray pulsars.
Website
NASA

Nasa: Imagine the Universe: The Sun

For Students 3rd - 8th
Site discusses the regions of the Sun's atmosphere such as the Photosphere, Chromosphere, and Corona. Provides sources for educators as well as additional links for students.
Website
NASA

Nasa: Imagine the Universe: Gamma Rays From Supernovae and Supernova Remnants

For Students 9th - 10th
Astronomers use gamma decay to study the lives of the stars.
Website
NASA

Nasa: Imagine the Universe: "Burst Behind the Sun"

For Students 9th - 10th
Site provides the article, "Burst Behind the Sun Reveals Magnetic Charm of Distant Explosion," that details on a gamma-ray burst that occurred on December 6, 2002. Provides graphics and links to learn more about gamma-ray bursts.
Handout
NASA

Nasa: Imagine the Universe: Welcome to the World of X Ray Astronomy

For Students 9th - 10th
Site recounts how X-rays were discovered as well as who discovered them. Offers graphics, links to facts on this topic, a quiz, and teacher resources.
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Beyond the Milky Way

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
When we look at the night sky, we see stars and the nearby planets of our own solar system. Many of those stars are actually distant galaxies and glowing clouds of dust and gases called nebulae. The universe is an immense space with...
Unit Plan
CPALMS

Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: What's the Matter in the Galaxy?

For Students 4th - 5th
A tutorial that looks at the components within a galaxy such as gas, dust, stars and objects that orbit stars. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
Activity
University of California

African Studies Center: The Marcus Garvey & Unia Papers Project

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses Marcus Garvey, Garveyism, and the founding of the Universal Negro Improvement Association. Details how one man made such a huge difference to an entire race.
Interactive
NASA

Nasa: Star Child: Elementary Astronomy Unit

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Learn everything you can about outer space with this interactive astronomy unit. 2 levels of difficulty with modules on the solar system, the universe, other "space stuff" and a glossary of terms. Links for parents and other great website.
Article
Other

Moongadget: A Far Cry From the Official Site Starwars Origins: James Campbell

For Students 9th - 10th
This site explains the idea of archtypes and "the Hero's Journey" prevalent in myths and many adventure stories. James Campbell wrote The Hero With a Thousand Faces, using the hero journey pattern of departure, initiation, return. Lucas...
Website
NASA

Nasa: Imagine the Universe: X Ray Binary Stars

For Students 9th - 10th
Site provides a brief introduction to binary stars. Additional resources for students and teachers on this topic are offered as well as related topics.
Unit Plan
Cosmos 4 kids

Cosmos4 Kids: Stars

For Students 9th - 10th
A great site to find general information on stars and their place in the universe. Click on the topics on the right margin for additional information about stars.
Website
Cornell University

Cornell University: Astronomy: Frequently Asked Questions

For Students 9th - 10th
Definintions for pulsars, millisecond pulsars, the evolution of pulsars, neutron stars and "Black Widows." Features related links.
eBook
University of Michigan

American Verse Project: Flame and Shadow, by Sara Teasdale

For Students 9th - 10th
Maintained by the University of Michigan's Humanities Text Initiative, this website offers the entire text of three of Teasdale's collection, "Flame and Shadow," is available through a series of links.
Website
National Science Foundation

National Science Foundation: Astronomy and Space: Research Overview

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore some of our most fundamental questions about space exploration with this research overview collected by scientists at the National Science Foundation. Additionally, experience deep space first-hand with telescope interactives.
Website
University of Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin: The Constellations and Their Stars

For Students 9th - 10th
An excellent site dedicated to the constellations and information about the objects which make them up. Contains a great deal of information about various stars, galaxies and other objects, as well as details on how best to observe them.
Website
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Stars and Constellations: White Dwarf Supernovae

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the formation of the white dwarf and the role this star plays in the formation of a white dwarf supernovae.