Solar System Exploration: Education: Fast Lesson Finder


	Planetary Perspectives - Solar System, Scales and Motion The solar system is vast and every object in it is moving. The movements and location of those objects form patterns. Understanding the positions of planets and planetary objects in their orbits about the Sun can assist us in perceiving the vastness of space. Space exploration becomes easier with this knowledge. These activities fit well in math, physics, Earth science, and astronomy.

Activity Title:

Analyzing Elemental Abundances

General Description:

Participants will practice and understand the use of ratios in describing the abundances of isotopes.

Content Standard:

Earth and Space Science

General Topic:

Earth and Space Science

Source:

Genesis Mission

Body:

Solar System

Grade Level:

9-12

Mission:

Genesis

Activity Title:

Braille Solar System

General Description:

Participants experience the trip from the sun to Pluto through their fingertips using plastic Braille solar system mats. Originally designed for vision-impaired learners, this activity is popular and meaningful with all audiences.

Content Standard:

Earth and Space Science: Structure of the Earth System

General Topic:

Modeling

Source:

NASA CORE

Body:

Asteroids

Grade Level:

5-8

Background:

Solar System Exploration Missions

Activity Title:

Earth, Moon, Mars Balloons

General Description:

Participants model planetary sizes and distances between Earth, Moon and Mars.

Content Standard:

Earth and Space Science: Objects in the Sky

General Topic:

Modeling

Source:

NASA Mars Exploration Program

Body:

Earth

Grade Level:

K-4, 5-8

Mission:

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

Background:

Missions to Mars

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Activity Title:

Looking Inside Planets (Modeling Planet Interiors)

General Description:

Participants model the interior structures of the planets using a data sheet as a resource.

Content Standard:

Earth and Space Science: Understand the Origin and Evolution of the Earth System

General Topic:

Modeling

Source:

Modeling the Solar System

Body:

Solar System

Grade Level:

5-8

Activity Title:

Modeling the Solar System with Food

General Description:

Participants compare the relative sizes of the planets using familiar fruits and vegetables.

Content Standard:

Earth and Space Science: Understand the Evolution and Origin of the Earth System

General Topic:

Modeling

Source:

Modeling the Solar System

Body:

Kuiper Belt

Grade Level:

5-8

Activity Title:

Mud Splat Craters

General Description:

Observe crater formation in mud to introduce the idea of fluidized craters as seen on the surface of Mars.

Content Standard:

Earth and Space Science: Structure of the Earth System

General Topic:

Planetary Surfaces

Source:

Mars Activity Book: K-12 Classroom Activities

Body:

Solar System

Grade Level:

5-8

Activity Title:

Planetary Billiards

General Description:

Participants illustrate how the force of gravity is used to modify the trajectory of a spacecraft.

Content Standard:

Physical Science: Motions and Forces

General Topic:

Motion, Force and Gravity

Source:

Cassini-Huygens

Body:

Sun

Grade Level:

9-12

Mission:

Cassini

Background:

Missions to Saturn

Activity Title:

Scattering: Seeing the Microscopic Among the Giants

General Description:

Participants observe that reflection from light comes from the objects around us. Participants will demonstrate how light waves pass through a medium to determine the size of particles using a laser beam and milk.

Content Standard:

Understanding the Nature of Scientific Inquiry

General Topic:

Light/Energy

Source:

Cassini-Huygens

Body:

Saturn

Grade Level:

K-4, 5-8

Mission:

Cassini

Background:

Missions to Saturn

Activity Title:

Voyage of Discovery

General Description:

Participants determine each planet size and walk through a scale model of the solar system over 600 meters.

Content Standard:

Position and Motion of Objects

General Topic:

Modeling

Source:

Stardust

Body:

Sun

Grade Level:

K-4

Mission:

Deep Impact-EPOXI

Background:

Missions to Comets