NASA
Packing for a L-o-o-o-ng Trip to Mars
Pack just enough to fit. Crews determine what personal items to take with them on a trip to Mars. Each team must decide what to take with them on a two-and-a-half year trip to Mars and whether their items will fit within the allotted...
Curated OER
Exploring the Far Side of the Moon
Help your classes better understand how our nearest celestial neighbor affects our world.
K12 Reader
Planets
Readers are asked to identify the main ideas and supporting ideas in a passage about the eight planets in our solar system.
Simply Worksheets
Solar System - Identifying Planets
In this space science worksheet, students read the five descriptions of various planets and match the description with the picture of the planet.
Q Continuum
Planets
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what constellation you were seeing or whether that bright object was a star or a planet? Are you searching for the best tilt-to-view constellation and planet app that money can't buy?...
Urbana School District
Physics Intro, Kinematics, Graphing
Some consider physics the branch of science concerned with using long and complicated formulas to describe how a ball rolls. This presentation, while long, is not complicated, yet it covers rolling, falling, and more. It compares vectors...
K5 Learning
Miss Mitchell's Comet
Maria Mitchell discovered a comet, became the first female astronomer in the United States, and even has a crater on the moon named after her! Learn more about her passion for the stars with an informative reading passage, followed by...
Curated OER
Nebular Theory-Origin of the Solar System
In this Nebular Theory activity, students are given diagrams of the stages that occurred in the formation of the solar system. They order the diagrams based on the occurrences of each event and answer twelve questions about the Nebular...
Curated OER
Angular Size and Similar Triangles
In this angular size and similar triangles activity, students use the properties of similar triangles and the ratios of sides to solve for unknowns in given diagrams.
Curated OER
Phases of the Moon
Sixth graders observe the changes in the moon's appearance over a two week period of time from their homes. They record and illustrate their observations and also complete daytime moon viewings as a class.
Curated OER
How Distant Is The Moon?
Students discover how Aristarchus, a Greek astronomer around 230 BC, used a simple observation of the eclipse of the Moon, plus clever reasoning, to deduce the distance of the Moon. They practice the same calculation technique.
Curated OER
Moon Watch
Third graders read books about the moon and discuss its perceived changes as it moves across the sky. They observe the moon over the course of a month and chart their observations. They discuss their observations and conduct further...
Curated OER
Artificial Satellites and Space Probes
In this satellites activity, students match the list of facts given with the artificial satellite or space probe that it describes. This activity has 12 matching questions.
Curated OER
Calculating the Moon's Width
Sixth graders measure the width of the Moon. In this Moon measurement lesson, 6th graders observe the Moon and complete a formula to calculate the width of the Moon.
Curated OER
Mensa For Kids: The Moon
First graders explore space science by completing an arts and crafts activity. In this moon lesson, 1st graders explore the geography of the moon and discuss the importance it has for people living on Earth. Students create a replica...
Curated OER
Take a Spin Through the Solar System
Second graders participate in a variety of activities to explore the Solar System in this unit.
Curated OER
Day and Night
Students discuss why day and night occur after visualizing a teacher-led demonstration.
Curated OER
Making a Crater
Students examine the characteristics of craters. In this crater lesson plan, students discover how meteors form craters on planets and moons as they make their own craters and respond to observational questions regarding...
Curated OER
Shadow Trackers
Students use online websites to inquire about the cycle of day and night. In this web based lesson, students are able to see the movement of the sun and Earth. Students can look at different parts of the Earth as if they were on the Sun...
Curated OER
Water and Ice: Part 1
Students observe the state changes in water. In this matter lesson, students observe, measure, and describe water as it changes state. Students explore how water can change from a solid to a liquid then back again. They journal their...
Curated OER
The Earth, Sun Mood and Stars Unit (Planets too!)
Fifth graders prepare five activities to do then show their energy saving skills. In this investigative lesson students create five projects then participate in an energy saving demonstration.
Curated OER
Our Solar System
Young scholars explore the solar system on the internet and video programs. They investigate the names of each planet and their places in the solar system. They chose their favorite planet and design an advertisement to sell a...
Curated OER
In Outer Space
Students use the internet to gather information on the solar system. They identify the discoverer and unique characteristics of each planet. They compare and contrast each planet based on size, mass, and distance from the sun. They...
Curated OER
Charting the Moon
Sixth graders observe changes in the moon's appearance over a month and keep records of their observations. They write a plan for recording what they see, and a paragraph reflecting on what they have learned over the course of the month.