This activity engages students in the new definitions of ?planet,? ?dwarf planet,? and ?asteroid? through the use of direct vocabulary instruction. The publicity generated by the International Astronomical Union?s definition of Pluto as a dwarf planetAU in 2006 created a teachable moment for schools around the world to consider the definitions of these concepts of ?planet,? ?dwarf planet,? and ?asteroid? ... Full description.

This fictitious story centers on a celestial family of asteroids and their adventures in the "skyborhood." Students will learn about smaller bodies of our solar system and the Dawn mission by identifying some aspects of the story that are true, some that might be true, and some that are false. Educators can choose from three versions, including storyteller, learning notations, or illustrators. The ... Full description.

The lithograph contains a Hubble Space Telescope image that shows M82, an edge-on galaxy, undergoing a frenzy of star formation. The text explains the possible causes of the galaxy?s unusual appearance and star-birth activity. The accompanying classroom activity is a curriculum support tool designed for use as an introductory inquiry activity. It can be incorporated into a unit that has a scientific ... Full description.

This informational brochure was specifically designed as a fun follow-up take-home activity for teen and adult audiences in informal education venues where they have experienced related space science programming. It allows them to encounter ideas of size and scale in the universe at their own pace. Full description.

In this episode of Space Place Live, we meet Linda Herrell, a space mission architect, and learn that not all architects design buildings. Viewers find out how a love of French and Spanish led her to a love of computers and space technology ?and what artsy hobby she picked to use her special design skills. Space Place Live introduces kids to the human, down-to-earth side of real scientists and engineers ... Full description.

This curriculum includes ten missions and three exploration extensions that provide activities for up to a semester and focus largely on the space exploration theme. It is designed to engage students in hands-on inquiry based learning. It addresses science and technology standards, and specifically focuses on math content and process standards. Although other models will work, the curriculum is geared ... Full description.

This section resource features information about solar alignments with ancient structures that mark the equinoxes and/or solstices. One of the key goals is to show how human beings use technology (past, present, and future) to understand the Sun and the Universe beyond. The product features current and future NASA missions, providing a unique opportunity to involve Sun-Earth Connection scientists, ... Full description.

This three-paneled wall-sheet describes Einstein?s theory of space-time. The first section focuses on two key questions that Einstein posed about Newton?s theory of universal gravitation. The second section describes the basics of Einstein's theory. The third section describes the major tests attempted to verify it in the 20th century. The front sides are collages; the backs sides are reproducible ... Full description.

This educator?s guide includes activities in space science. Full description.

This product features a full range of activities for the grades 3-12 so that teachers may see how the single topic of magnetism can evolve in sophistication as the student matures. Teachers are invited to use the activities as-is, or to modify them as needed to suit their particular objectives. Full description.