Lesson Plan
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NASA

Solar System Scale & Size

For Teachers K - 8th Standards
Use a variety of whole fruits to represent the different planets in the solar system to introduce scale sizes to your math or space science class. They follow suit by creating a non-scaled model of the solar system using specific-colored...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Astronomy

For Students 4th - 5th
In this astronomy worksheet, students read a detailed text about our solar system. Students then answer 15 questions about the information presented.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sensing the Invisible

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study visible light and explain why we want to use infrared radiation to study Mercury.  In this sunlight lesson students construct a device to measure the presence of infrared radiation in sunlight. 
Worksheet
Curated OER

Watch This Space!

For Students 7th - 9th
In this space activity, students, with a partner, answer five questions about the universe and read and discuss ten questions regarding astronomy.
Worksheet
Curated OER

My Shadow is following me

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this outer space instructional activity, students read "My Shadow is following me" and learn about the Solar System and how shadows are created. They then complete the 2 students tasks and answer the 5 questions in the packet. The...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Day and Night

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders view a classroom simulation that demonstrates how the Earth's rotation creates day and night.
Interactive
Curated OER

A Mission-To-Mars Quiz

For Students 6th - 8th
In this space exploration worksheet, students complete a 6 question multiple choice on-line interactive exercise about the exploration of Mars.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Windows to the Universe Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students access the Internet to go on a scavenger hunt to investigate the solar system.  In this space mission lessons students fill out a worksheet  and explain how technology and scientific inquiry have helped us learn about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Finding the Pole Star

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the constellations fo the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia and their use in finding the Pole Star. They realize that other celestial objects--Sun, Moon and planets--share the rotation (and hence rise and set), even though their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Effects on Global Warming

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the greenhouse effect and how it affects our climate.  In this global warming lesson plan students draw the sun and label features and describe the effects of the sun's energy on the world. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Sky Jeopardy

For Teachers 1st
First graders reinforce concepts about sun, moon, day, night and sky by playing the Sky Jeopardy game. In the end, 1st graders get to nibble crackers in order to show the different phases of the moon.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mathematical Dynamics of Celestial Navigation and Astronavigation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the different methods used in celestial Navigation and astronavigation. In this math lesson, students construct a sextant and demonstrate how it works.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Pluto

For Students 3rd - 4th
In this planet science worksheet, students learn 6 facts about the planet Pluto. Students then read a short paragraph about the planet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Does the Distance Between the Earth and Sun Cause the seasons?

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Young scholars reflect upon the concepts of seasons. The concepts are taught using a variety of different teaching approaches. A activities lead to a reflection that will help students to make a cognitive transfer of information form...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Earth, Sun Mood and Stars Unit (Planets too!)

For Teachers 5th
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. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pollution - What is It Doing to Us?

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students recognize some forms of pollution. In this science lesson plan, students recognize and understand some of the devastating effects of the acid rains and other possible factors that are contrary to the pH balance of nature.
Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

What is Astronomy?

For Students 6th - 12th
Go study the universe. Pupils learn seven aspects about astronomy and astronomers. They begin to learn about constellations; distance and motion between objects; gravity; the electromagnetic spectrum; dark matter and energy; and teams of...
Website
American Museum of Natural History

Journey to the Stars

For Students 6th - 12th
Fifteen detailed pictures and informative captions delve deep into the exploration of stars—their life cycle and importance in the universe. 
Activity
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NOAA

The Great, Glowing Orb What You Will Do: Make a Solar Heat Engine

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
How is solar energy able to move wind and water to control the climate? Scholars explore the concept of solar energy in the first of 10 activities in the Discover Your Changing World series. They follow instructions to build homemade...
Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Climate Zones

For Teachers 5th - 11th Standards
The climate at the equator is hotter than the climate at the poles, but why? The lesson goes in depth, explaining how the angles of illumination relate to the heating rate at different latitudes and seasons. Scholars use a strong lamp,...
Activity
Curated OER

Scale Activities

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed Standards
How do you put something as large as the universe in perspective? Use a series of scale experiments. Classmates collaborate around four experiments to examine the scale of the earth-moon system, our solar system, the Milky Way galaxy,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth

For Teachers 1st
First graders define what a planet is and study the planet earth. They examine the effects of the sun on the earth and make a model.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Mercury

For Students 3rd - 4th
In this planet science worksheet, students learn 7 facts about the planet Mercury. Students also read a short paragraph about the planet.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Uranus

For Students 4th - 5th
In this planet science worksheet, students learn 6 facts about the planet Uranus. Students also read a paragraph containing more information about the planet.