Math and science come together in this cross-curricular astronomy lesson plan on planetary motion. Starting off with a hands-on activity that engages the class in exploring the geometry of circles and ellipses, this lesson...

Here is a fantastic, educational handout packed with information and facts not only about the planets in our solar system, but also regarding major moons and their surface features, dwarf planets, comets, and asteroids. 

Travel through space as you learn about the galaxy, solar system, planets, and much more. An extensive resource for studying astronomy in upper-elementary and middle school classrooms.

Space scientists use water displacement to determine the mass of a cubic centimeter mini meteorite, and then use it as a small-scale representative of an asteroid. They figure out the orbital velocity of an asteroid. Then they use a...

Students view a teacher demonstration of comet composition. In this comet science lesson, students watch as the teacher combines sand, ammonia, cola, and dry ice to simulate the composition of a comet. They answer discussion questions...

Fourth graders use candy to make a comet. In this lesson, 4th graders examine the role comets have played throughout history, students watch NASA videos about comets and complete the lesson by making an edible model of a comet. This...

For this asteroid and comet worksheet, students read about the formula used to determine the brightness of asteroid. They apply this formula to solve 2 problems about asteroids and their brightness.

Students create glitter-covered comet models. Then they make large outdoor chalk drawings of the solar system and place their comets at the location of the Kuiper belt. They carry their comets around an orbit of the sun, shaking various...

Students gain an introduction to comets by viewing many examples on websites imbedded in this plan. They discover the origin of comets, what effect they have on Earth and they construct an example of a comet in class.

Students study orbits and ellipses and see the differences between orbits and comets.  In this investigative lesson students do an activity that shows them what objects are more like comets and fill out a worksheet. 

Students investigate the composition of a comet.  For this comet lesson, students create a thinking web and explain their knowledge of what makes a comet.

In this science worksheet, students locate and identify various vocabulary terms related to space science. There are 21 words located in the puzzle.  

Students investigate the concept of a comet. They construct a model of a comet. The design is done using the same thoughts of an engineer. Students work together to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the comet models. If the model...

Students create paper comet models. They discuss facts about comets and build a model to determine the way the sun affects a comet. They create a comet and label the head and tail portions. They discuss their comet model and share it...

Learners fill in a diagram of a comet. They listen to a short lecture, view flash animation descriptions of comets and meteors and then use the presented information to complete a worksheet.

In this space science worksheet, students learn 3 facts about comets and then read a short informational passage about comets.

Students create models of comets. They develop a comet model in a team and exchange samples with other teams. They use their senses to demonstrate the filters on a spectrometer and record their data. They discuss the contents of their...

Explains the differences between asteroids and comets. Presents a chart showing a size comparison between some known asteroids and comets.

NASA-sponsored coverage and research on a range of topics related to space exploration -- flying weather stations, comets, first steps on the Moon, and other space-related topics -- are presented in age-appropriate activities, lesson...

An introduction to comets, including information on their composition, origin, and importance.

This site contains information about Brahe's contributions to astronomy, and also discusses his planetary model.

Instructions for making a simulated comet nucleus from simple materials.