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

Sixth graders observe light being separated into a color spectrum.  In this electromagnetic lesson students use a diffraction grating to separate light and compare light sources. 

Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this science lesson, students investigate the impact of oil spills as they discuss historical spills. Students use problem solving skills to brainstorm clean-up methods.

New Horizons set forth on a mission to Pluto in 2006. Ten years later, the spacecraft is still on its way. Here, enthusiastic scholars predict what they will be like—likes, dislikes, hobbies, etc.—when New Horizons arrives at its...

In 2006, New Horizons began its mission to fly to Pluto. As it continues its journey, scholars track its progress with the help of an informative website, all the while reinforcing measurement concepts with the construction of a scaled...

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...

To go or to not to go — the question for a mission to Mars. This resource provides details for a possible manned mission to Mars. Details include a launch schedule, what life would be like on the surface, and how the astronauts would...

From turning off lights when leaving a room, to biking or walking to school, there are many simple habits children can develop to help preserve the earth. Help raise environmental awareness in your class with this activity packet that...

There are a ton of great vocabulary words to be found in a word search about the planet Venus. Learners will locate and circle 34 wonderful words related to planetary science and the solar system. Printing instructions are included.

Interested Earth enthusiasts are introduced to ice ages. The 26,000-year cycle is charted and the eras named. Several slides are dedicated to the carbon cycle and how it contributes to the changes. The reasons for the cooling of the...

Cute graphics make this an attractive presentation for upper elementary classrooms, and multiple choice questions make it interactive as well. There is, however, a lack of coherence. For example, slide #4 addresses the air we breathe,...

In this planet science instructional activity, students learn 6 facts about the planet Uranus. Students also read a paragraph containing more information about the planet.

For this planet science worksheet, students learn 7 facts about the planet Mercury. Students also read a short paragraph about the planet.

In this planet science worksheet, students learn 6 facts about the planet Pluto. Students then read a short paragraph about the planet.

Students work in small groups to investigate statistics regarding the solar system and participate in a 'scientific conference'. They explore available information about the extrasolar planet and assess the importance of this...

Students, working in teams, role-play as advertising agents creating ad campaigns for a planet in the solar system. They design commercials for video, Hyperstudio, or Web pages. The activity includes research, all the production stages,...

Students employ poetry as a medium to relay information and express views about significant environmental issues that exist today and to assess their effects on The State of the Planet as we enter the next millennium.

In this fractions in space learning exercise, students solve 4 problems where they find ratios of orbit periods of satellites, they find the ratio of Neptune's and Pluto's periods, they determine the location of the planets after 5...

In this moon's density worksheet, students solve 4 problems about the Moon and a model planet. They find the Moon's density and they find its volume. They make a model of a planet's interior and use its mass and radius to find the...

A mathematical role play using Lake and Island Boards where students plan to move from Jabberwocky to their new planet

Students examine the importance of human rights. They participate in a simulation of starting a new civilization on another planet, create a class "Declaration of Human Rights," and write a journal entry based on class discussion...

In this solar system worksheet, students use an on line source to find the names of the people who discovered the planets, comets, asteroids, black holes and the idea of the big bang theory.

In this galaxies, clusters and planets learning exercise, students solve 5 problems including determining sunspot groups on the sun in a particular day, finding the number of individual galaxies present, determining the number of stars...

Students investigate the solar system and its moons. They conduct research in groups to find information. Also the teacher uses models of the planets in order to teach different facts about the solar system through the use of...