Second graders participate in a variety of activities to explore the Solar System in this unit.

Learners compare and contrast the orbits of Earth and Mars, locate the planet Mars, and diagram its retrograde motion.

Young scholars are introduced to both celestial coordinates and to the first rung on the distance determination ladder. They convert spherical coordinates to Cartesian coordinates to construct a three dimensional model of a...

Fourth graders study an article about Saturn.  In this investigative lesson students discuss the article and complete an activity that asks them what question they would pose about Saturn. 

Discover the science behind astronomy. After reading the book Maria's Comet, which is about a young woman who breaks new ground by becoming a female astronomer, young learners practice reading comprehension with...

Students study Mars and other plants in the night sky. In a planetarium setting using Digitarium planetarium system, students identify the Big Dipper and Polaris. They explore the major differences between the planets and the stars. ...

Pupils observe the movement of pendulums, they begin to understand the relationship between gravitational forces and the mass of objects, the changes in speed and direction of objects, and the distance between objects. They understand...

Learners study how the sun is at the center of the solar system.  In this solar lesson students measure the altitude of the sun and its size.

In this biography and autobiography worksheet, students read 2 excerpts that are 1 paragraph in length. Students then respond to 4 short answer questions.

High schoolers download NASA Hubble Space Telescope views of star-forming regions in nebulae and look for evidence of planetary systems forming beyond our own solar system. They hypothesize about mysterious objects in NASA HST images.

Students explore the findings of Galileo and research the moons of Jupiter. They construct simple telescopes, and examine the moons for themselves at a star party. They record their findings in a journal.

Students express what it would be like to launch off into outer space in a space shuttle. They include what it might feel like, look like, sound like, and any thoughts that go through their mind as they dart away from the Earth's...

First graders associate events and objects with day or night. They create a word bank and use is as a reference to create sentences about the sun. They conduct sun-themed experiments and art projects.

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...

First graders discuss why the moon appears to change shape. They use flashlights and balls to simulate the sun's light shining on the moon during its different phases. They read books, paint pictures and write sentences about the moon.

First graders explore why the sun and moon seems to disappear and reappear creating day and night.

Third graders consider outer space. In this introductory solar system lesson, 3rd graders complete a KWL chart and listen to the story The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System, by Joanna Cole & Bruce Degen. They will contribute...

Students explain how Hubble telescope captures images from space. In this space science lesson, students use the internet to view space photos. They debate on an issue raised by the teacher.

Students explore the planetarium. In this space science lesson, students identify the different constellations in the sky. They make their own map of the constellations.

In this Solar System activity, 5th graders demonstrate knowledge of parts of the Solar System. Students unscramble letters to list these parts.

In this writing printable, students can write a short story or report about outer space. The printable includes lined paper bordered by stars, a rocket ship, astronaut, and a planet.

In this space travel writing paper, students color the detailed border of stars, space shuttle, planets and astronauts. Students use the blank lines for creative or report writing.

Learners systematically investigate the time frame for complex life to develop on Earth. They approximate how many other planets there may be harboring Earth-like complex life in our galaxy.

In these space science worksheets, students find the words in the word search puzzle. Students then answer the nine questions about the planets.