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Topic:
Modeling Solar System Objects
Grade Level: 5-8, 9-12
Body:
Meteors & Meteorites
Mission:
Science Education Standards:
Earth and Space Science
- 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.
Short Description: Meteorites are pieces of asteroids that have fallen to Earth; they hold clues to the formation of our solar system. This set of activities investigates meteorite features, characteristics, their connection to asteroids, and the keys they hold to the formation of the planets. These activities are primarily hands-on modeling activities.
Source: Exploring Meteorite Mysteries Homepage (NASA ARES)
Teachers and scientists designed this book to engage students in inquiry science and to extend science with interdisciplinary connections. The study of meteorites provides a unifying theme that links most every aspect of Earth and Planetary Science with Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The effects of meteorite impacts have serious implications for social science.
The activities in this book are designed for upper elementary to high school level children.
The lessons gives a broad introduction to many aspects of meteorite science. It tells the story of solar system history from the formation of the planets to catastrophic impacts on Earth. It helps the students learn how scientists use studies of these rocks from space to decipher that history.
Cover & Title Page
Acknowledgements & Table Of Contents
- Teacher Guide
- Meteorites, Clues to Solar System History
- Meteorites ABC's Fact Sheet
- Solar System ABC's Fact Sheet
Mysterious Meteorites
Lesson 1: Noblesville Fall
Where Do They Come From?
Lesson 2: Follow the Falling Meteorite
Lesson 3: Searching for Meteorites
Lesson 4: The Meteorite-Asteroid Connection
Lesson 5: Looking at Asteroids
Lesson 6: Impact Craters - Holes in the Ground!
Lesson 7: Crater Hunters
What Are They?
Lesson 8: Edible Rocks
Lesson 9: Meteorite Sleuths!
How Did They Form?
Lesson 10: Building Blocks of Planets
Lesson 11: Changes Inside Planets
Lesson 12: Building Blocks of Life
Lesson 13: Solving a Mystery
Lithos for Lesson 13
What Effect Do They Have?
Lesson 14: Direct Hit at the K-T Boundary
Lesson 15: Historical Meteorite Falls
Lesson 16: Near Miss
How Can I Use Them?
Lesson 17: Asteroid Resources
Is There A Career For Me?
Lesson 18: Antarctic Meteorite Teams
What Can We Believe?
Lesson 19: The Daily Shooting Star
Glossary
Education Resources
