Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are collectively known as the terrestrial planets. Although part of the same group, each planet has its own set of characteristics. Scholars explore the characteristics that make the planets unique and...

Aspiring astronomers assess the inner planets using this handout. They read about the characteristics of each, noting that all four of them have rocky surfaces. Rotation and revolution are introduced, including Venus' retrograde...

Mars, Earth, and Venus contain atmospheres that generate weather. Young scientists explore the temperature of inner planets. They create a model simulating the greenhouse effect before researching and answering guided questions to...

Should Pluto be considered a planet or a dwarf planet? Scholars research planets in our solar system to understand their similarities and differences. It also includes memory activities related to the order of the planets. 

Has the solar system always been like it is today? A lesson presentation begins with a discussion of the formation of our solar system. It continues with a compare and contrast of the inner and outer planets. 

Your class will use a set scale to convert diameters of planets to the model size, the diagram given to expand on the number of planets drawn as concentric circles, and examine the scale that would be needed to fit the larger planets on...

Students view cut-away images of the planets' interiors, comparing and contrasting them with the Earth's in written form. Students also classify each planet as "terrestrial" or "Jovian". The Planet Interiors applet on the CSA website...

Students examine how craters are a common feature of terrestrial planetary surfaces and produce a model of one.

What would be the best place to live on Mars? A fascinating look at the geographical of Mars is sure to intrigue the future astronomers in your middle or high school class. A short video introduces learners to the different...

Students use a map to indicate the locations of the different biomes in the world. In this terrestrial biomes lesson, students discuss the plants and animals adapted to live in each biome. 

How many planets can you name? Did you get all 13 in our solar system, including the dwarf planets, or were you surprised when you read there are 13 planets? The lesson helps scholars understand the scale of the universe including the...

Take your class on a journey through our solar system. Learners explore each planet, from Mercury to Pluto, and discuss various features that differentiate one from another. They complete activities related to the topics and discuss the...

There is a specific zone, or distance from a star, that a planet must be in order to have water in a liquid form. The activity demonstrates how flux density depends on its distance from the source. A photovoltaic cell gets power to drive...

In this mathematics instructional activity, students determine the amount of time it would take to get to the moon and each planet in the solar system at a speed of 40,000 kilometers per hour. Then they use that information to determine...

Your fingernails grow at approximately the same rate Earth's continents move. The video discusses Earth as a planet, its layers, our magnetic field, the atmosphere, and the human impact on Earth. It provides interesting facts that...

Students construct a sketch of the planets in our solar system using concentric circles and angles. In this solar system lesson plan, students plot the position of each planet on concentric circles using graph paper. The sun is included...

Which planet in our solar system has no moons, is very small, and has days equal to 58 days on earth? Mercury! Find these and other fun facts about all eight planets and the sun to print out for your classroom. There is a satellite image...

In this solar system worksheet, students respond to 1 short answer question after reviewing memory strategies for remembering the planets.

Most research about life on Mars actually happens on Earth. An installment of the SciShow Space series introduces young scientists to the process of learning about one planet by studying our own. They observe photos of the similar...

Pupils role-play and communicate that objects in space have describable properties, locations, and movements. Students identify and communicate effectively that Earth is the third planet from the Sun in the solar system, eight other...

Learners compare and contrast the Earth's interior with 2 other planets by looking at images on the computer. In this planet interiors lesson plan, students write a paper about their findings.

Fifth graders build models of the solar system. In this solar system lesson, 5th graders create a model of the solar system including all the planets, the Sun and our moon. The students are challenged to create the model to scale.

Students explore the infrared radiation and the part of the spectrum that is not always visible.  In this electromagnetic lesson students complete a lab activity on the different wavelengths.

Students study distance of planets in the solar system.  In this solar system instructional activity students complete an activity that helps them to determine the distances of planets.