Spark students' interest in outer space with this collection of great astronomy sites
Lesson Plans
Phases of the MoonYoung children may have the idea that the moon actually changes shape. This lesson explains that this apparent change is a result of the moon’s revolution around the earth. (Grade 3 Mathematics and Science) An artistic view of outer spaceThis is an art lesson easily integrated by art specialists or classroom teachers into any thematic unit that involves space, the solar system, or science fiction and is adaptable for students in grades 2 through 6. It incorporates the use of art materials such as oil pastels and compasses and the design concepts of shape and balance in a composition as well as providing the students with a fun and creative way to explore areas of geometry and science. This lesson is especially useful for classroom teachers who are aware of how art, when integrated into the classroom curriculum, can help students with different learning styles explore a variety of subjects in a way that will help them maximize the learning experience.(Grades 3 and 6 Visual Arts Education, Mathematics, and Science) Sky WatchingIn this Science NetLinks lesson, students will make their own night-sky observations, diagram and describe what they see, and will then look at pictures taken by telescopes. They will compare the two ways of observing to confirm what telescopes can reveal about the night sky. They will also learn about Galileo and contemplate how the telescope helped him make his discoveries 400 years ago. (Grade 6 Science) Looking into SpaceIn this Science NetLinks lesson, students will learn how telescopes work, build a model of their own, and consider how real telescopes can be used to ask-and help answer-questions about the universe. This activity is based on instructions and information from the Exploratorium website.(Grade 6 Science)A unit on astronomy inevitably and rightfully begins with a look at the history of astronomy. This activity provides students with an opportunity to learn the basic facts of the history of astronomy by using the internet. (Grades 9-12 Science) The problem with parallaxStudents will increase their understanding of astronomical measurements by using parallax to measure distances on their school campus. They will also gain an appreciation of the difficulties with such measurements by statistically analyzing the class’ results. (Grades 9-12 Science)
Websites
Starchild - The Moon, Earth’s SatelliteRead or listen to learn about craters and landforms on the Moon. Virtual Reality Moon PhasesPut in any date and see what phase the moon was on that day. Try the day you were born! The Nine/Eight Planets: A Multimedia Tour of the Solar SystemEver make a wish on the first star you see at night and wonder about the history, mythology, and current scientific knowledge of the planets and moons in our solar system? Here is a great place to find out! Consult the glossary for help with technical terms; find out how to locate the items described on this site; and get the scoop on which is the biggest and the brightest in the evening sky. Solar System Exploration: PlanetsImages, facts and more from NASA… this site is jam-packed with all kinds of great information and activities relating to planets and space exploration. Windows to the UniverseA user-friendly, colorful, and exciting learning system on the Earth and Space sciences funded by NASA, this site includes news articles at different reading levels, images, movies, animation, and data sets that explore the Earth and Space sciences and the historical and cultural ties between science, exploration, and the human experience.Jet Propulsion Education GatewayA place where educators can find hands-on activities in the area of space exploration. Image Education CenterFind out how solar storms affect the Earth, learn about auroras, and explore the Earth magnetic field and its radiation belts.
Field Trip Destinations
Morehead PlanetariumLocated on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Morehead Planetarium is a fascinating place to visit to learn more about astronomy. It“transports visitors to distant galaxies and takes them deep into the cells of every living organism.”” Ingram PlanetariumThe Ingram Planetarium offers planetary and astronomy programs and hands-on exhibits for all ages. Elizabeth City State University PlanetariumThe planetarium offers a variety of educational programs for students with star shows, laser shows, and a wide range of videos and laser disc presentations. Horizons UnlimitedAt the Margaret C. Woodson planetarium students can follow the daily positions of the stars and planets in the North Carolina sky. They will learn about space travel, the solar system, and deep sky objects. Multimedia shows highlight the wonders of the universe. More astronomy field trip ideas
Spark students' interest in outer space with this collection of great astronomy sites
Lesson Plans
Phases of the MoonYoung children may have the idea that the moon actually changes shape. This lesson explains that this apparent change is a result of the moon’s revolution around the earth. (Grade 3 Mathematics and Science)An artistic view of outer spaceThis is an art lesson easily integrated by art specialists or classroom teachers into any thematic unit that involves space, the solar system, or science fiction and is adaptable for students in grades 2 through 6. It incorporates the use of art materials such as oil pastels and compasses and the design concepts of shape and balance in a composition as well as providing the students with a fun and creative way to explore areas of geometry and science. This lesson is especially useful for classroom teachers who are aware of how art, when integrated into the classroom curriculum, can help students with different learning styles explore a variety of subjects in a way that will help them maximize the learning experience.(Grades 3 and 6 Visual Arts Education, Mathematics, and Science)
Sky WatchingIn this Science NetLinks lesson, students will make their own night-sky observations, diagram and describe what they see, and will then look at pictures taken by telescopes. They will compare the two ways of observing to confirm what telescopes can reveal about the night sky. They will also learn about Galileo and contemplate how the telescope helped him make his discoveries 400 years ago. (Grade 6 Science)
Looking into SpaceIn this Science NetLinks lesson, students will learn how telescopes work, build a model of their own, and consider how real telescopes can be used to ask-and help answer-questions about the universe. This activity is based on instructions and information from the Exploratorium website.(Grade 6 Science)A unit on astronomy inevitably and rightfully begins with a look at the history of astronomy. This activity provides students with an opportunity to learn the basic facts of the history of astronomy by using the internet. (Grades 9-12 Science)
The problem with parallaxStudents will increase their understanding of astronomical measurements by using parallax to measure distances on their school campus. They will also gain an appreciation of the difficulties with such measurements by statistically analyzing the class’ results. (Grades 9-12 Science)
Websites
Starchild - The Moon, Earth’s SatelliteRead or listen to learn about craters and landforms on the Moon.Virtual Reality Moon PhasesPut in any date and see what phase the moon was on that day. Try the day you were born!
The Nine/Eight Planets: A Multimedia Tour of the Solar SystemEver make a wish on the first star you see at night and wonder about the history, mythology, and current scientific knowledge of the planets and moons in our solar system? Here is a great place to find out! Consult the glossary for help with technical terms; find out how to locate the items described on this site; and get the scoop on which is the biggest and the brightest in the evening sky.
Solar System Exploration: PlanetsImages, facts and more from NASA… this site is jam-packed with all kinds of great information and activities relating to planets and space exploration.
Windows to the UniverseA user-friendly, colorful, and exciting learning system on the Earth and Space sciences funded by NASA, this site includes news articles at different reading levels, images, movies, animation, and data sets that explore the Earth and Space sciences and the historical and cultural ties between science, exploration, and the human experience.Jet Propulsion Education GatewayA place where educators can find hands-on activities in the area of space exploration.
Image Education CenterFind out how solar storms affect the Earth, learn about auroras, and explore the Earth magnetic field and its radiation belts.
Field Trip Destinations
Morehead PlanetariumLocated on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Morehead Planetarium is a fascinating place to visit to learn more about astronomy. It“transports visitors to distant galaxies and takes them deep into the cells of every living organism.””Ingram PlanetariumThe Ingram Planetarium offers planetary and astronomy programs and hands-on exhibits for all ages.
Elizabeth City State University PlanetariumThe planetarium offers a variety of educational programs for students with star shows, laser shows, and a wide range of videos and laser disc presentations.
Horizons UnlimitedAt the Margaret C. Woodson planetarium students can follow the daily positions of the stars and planets in the North Carolina sky. They will learn about space travel, the solar system, and deep sky objects. Multimedia shows highlight the wonders of the universe.
More astronomy field trip ideas