Science Education Standards:

Content Standard D: Earth and Space Science:

Grades 5-6: Earth in the Solar System

• The Earth is the third planet from the sun in a system that includes the Moon, the sun, seven other planets and their moons, and smaller objects, such as asteroids and comets. The sun, an average star, is the central and largest body in the solar system.

Grades 9-12: The Origin and Evolution of the Earth System

• The sun, the Earth, and the rest of the solar system formed from a nebular cloud of dust and gas 4.6 billion years ago. The early Earth was very different from the planet we live on today.

Short Description: This exercise allows students to compare and contrast the nucleus of two comets and listen to audio files of NASA scientists and middle-school students conducting the activity.

Scientists Audio Track

Student Audio Track 1

Student Audio Track 2