Elementary School, Astronomy Projects, Lessons, Activities (Page 3)

Counting Sunspots on an Image of the Sun

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Make a pinhole projector (see Measuring the Diameter of the Sun and the Moon). Use the pinhole to project an image of the Sun onto a wall or a piece of paper. Do you notice any dark spots on the projected image? Trace the projected image and count the dark spots. Use your pinhole projector to make images of the Sun at the same time of day for several consecutive days. How does the pattern of spots change? Can you use your data to figure out how fast the Sun rotates? Sunspot activity rises… Read more

Light Pollution and the Stars

STEM Activity

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Can you count the stars in the night sky? People who live in rural areas can see many more stars than those who live in cities. We're all looking up at the same sky— why can some people see more stars than others? Try this activity to find out! Read more

Pocket Solar System

Lesson Plan Grade: 3rd-8th

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Kinesthetic Astronomy: Earth's Rotation

Lesson Plan Grade: 3rd-8th

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"Blue Marble" © 2002 NASA Earth Observatory Many of the misconceptions about our solar system are rooted in the fact that it is large and hard to comprehend. This kinesthetic activity will demonstrate concepts like rotation and orbit, clarify movement and direction, and help students understand why earthlings see different things in the sky. Read more

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Longer Days, Shorter Nights

Lesson Plan Grade: 3rd-8th

"Diagram of the Earth's seasons as seen from the south" © 2006 Tau'olunga This kinesthetic activity demonstrates to students that the Earth's tilt is what is responsible for shifting light patterns and the change in seasons. Read more

Stargazing for Satellites

STEM Activity

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Throughout history, people have always been captivated by celestial objects like stars, planets, and the Moon. Now, man-made satellites have entered the picture. Did you know you can see many satellites with the naked eye? Try this activity and find out for yourself! You will even learn how to classify them! Read more

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Birthday Stars

Lesson Plan Grade: 3rd-8th

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"Star" © 2014 Tom Hall Constellations have been used for centuries for navigation and time keeping. In this interactive lesson, students will learn the difference between their sun sign and their birthday stars. Read more

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Moon Phases

Lesson Plan Grade: 3rd-8th

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"Full Moon 2010" © Gregory H. Revera You'll be surprised at how many misconceptions you can debunk by modeling the phases of the moon with a light and a styrofoam ball! Read more

Kinesthetic Astronomy: The Meaning of a Year

Lesson Plan Grade: 3rd-8th

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Slingshot to the Outer Planets

Lesson Plan Grade: 3rd-5th

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Students are introduced to the engineering challenges involved with interplanetary space travel. In particular, they learn about the gravity assist or "slingshot" maneuver often used by engineers to send spacecraft to the outer planets. Using magnets and ball bearings to simulate a planetary flyby, students investigate what factors influence the deflection angle of a gravity assist maneuver. Read more

NGSS Performance Expectations:

3-PS2-2. Make observations and/or measurements of an object's motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future motion. (Grade 3)
4-PS3-1. Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object. (Grade 4)

Elementary School, Astronomy Projects, Lessons, Activities (30 results)

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