Third Grade, Astronomy Projects, Lessons, Activities (22 results)

"Earth's Orbit" © 2015 NASA/JPL-CalTech In this interactive lesson, students will use kinesthetic techniques to model Earth's orbit around the Sun for a year. Read more

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