Students explore their interest in meteorites. They review the story of the Noblesville meteorite in 1991 and brainstorm how they would feel, what they want to know and what they would do next if they were the boys who discovered the...

Seventh graders create a model of an earth centered solar system and a model of the sun centered solar system. As a class, they discuss why the earlier astronomers believed their model and why it changed when evidence arose that this...

Ninth graders compare and contrast how different models can be used to represent scientific understandings. They evaluate the use of data when considering scientific claims. Students debate a variety of socio-scientific issues and the...

Sixth graders explore the solar system. Using the Internet, 6th graders gather information about planets in our solar system. Students participate in an activity to determine where they should build the first city in space. They create a...

Fourth graders write a research report on a selected planet in the solar system. They conduct Internet research, save a graphic from the Internet onto a disk, bookmark websites, and present their report.

Students increase their ability to recognize the planets and their surface features. In this exploratory activity students focus on details by studying uncaptioned images.

Students visit a site which provides images to be analyzed. Notes are taken and planets are named based on observed features and observations. Using peer review, they try to determine the identity of the planets. They are free to browse...

Learners share their observations of the Sun, then analyze images collected by NASA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory. They create exhibitions for presentations.

Learners trace the beginning of the heliocentric theory of the solar system--the idea that the solar system revolves around the Sun--to an observation by the Greek astronomer Aristarchus, which convinced him that the Sun was much bigger...

Fourth graders learn about the Solar System while they use mean, median and mode to explore the characteristics of the planets. Students web publish expository writing.

Tenth graders devise a computational model to explore how the orbit of the Earth might change if its velocity were different. Using accurately recorded data, 10th graders defend a scientific argument.

Pupils, through small group discussion, identify and share a rationale for shapes and patterns in the construction of a mobile that represents the solar system that makes them think of the creation of our solar system.

Learn some of the characteristics of Mars. These characteristics lead some people to believe that life forms may be found on the fourth planet from the Sun.

This article answers some of the most common questions about Mars: Why is it red? Is there water on Mars? What else have scientists discovered from spacecraft that have landed there? Also, visitors can follow links to learn more about...

This is a useful resource for facts and images pertaining to the planet Mercury.

Individual or classroom activity helps students understand the solar system because they can visualize it. Extension resources are included.

A collection of high-resolution images of space. Images "showcase the discoveries and excitement of planetary exploration, with a focus on the origin and evolution of the Solar System and the search for life".

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...

Planet Earth is part of a vast space neighborhood called the solar system. Our solar system is an amazing place. It's even more amazing that many other solar systems have been discovered. This article examines the solar system.

Prepared by NASA, this site provides a detailed look at the planet Neptune. The menu tabs are divided into overview, moons, rings, photo gallery, and facts and figures. Just click to access specific information on any of these topics.

This activity is designed to assess the comprehension of concepts related to the planets and other astronomical bodies in the Solar System.

This thorough look at our solar system has numerous links to a variety of topics that are updated periodically.

A cool fact sheet about Pluto including a place for students to enter their weight on Earth to convert it to what it would be on Pluto.

[Free Registration/Login Required] This informational text passage shares facts about planets in the solar system. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies and establishes...