Solar System Exploration: Education: Fast Lesson Finder


	Mighty Meteorites Meteorites are rocks from space that bring fascinating stories of the early solar system. Most come from the asteroid belt, but some come from other planets. Exploring these rocks helps us understand the origin of Earth and our place in the solar system. Meteorites are an interesting way to study Earth science, geology and astronomy.

Activity Title:

Asteroid Resources (Edible Asteroid Mining)

General Description:

Participants map and core an edible asteroid. This is part of a sequence that explores the potential resources available to space travelers.

Content Standard:

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

General Topic:

Sample Collection & Examination

Source:

Exploring Meteorite Mysteries

Body:

Asteroids

Grade Level:

5-8

Mission:

Dawn

Background:

Missions to Asteroids

Activity Title:

Building Blocks of Planets (Accretion)

General Description:

In a demonstration, participants see an illustration of planetary accretion.

Content Standard:

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

General Topic:

Modeling

Source:

Exploring Meteorite Mysteries

Body:

Sun

Grade Level:

5-8

Background:

Solar System Exploration Missions

Activity Title:

Changes Inside Planets (Differentiation and Breakup)

General Description:

Participants model the differentiation process where light and heavy materials are separated within a planetary body using gelatin. Then, participants model the break-up of a differentiated body using frozen hard-boiled eggs.

Content Standard:

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

General Topic:

Modeling

Source:

Exploring Meteorite Mysteries

Body:

Moon

Grade Level:

5-8

Activity Title:

Edible Rocks

General Description:

Participants observe and describe physical characteristics of an edible sample in preparation for describing rock or meteorite samples.

Content Standard:

Earth and Space Science: Structure of the Earth System

General Topic:

Modeling

Source:

Exploring Meteorite Mysteries

Body:

Asteroids

Grade Level:

5-8

Mission:

Hayabusa

Activity Title:

Follow the Falling Meteorite

General Description:

Participants demonstrate and experience the way remote objects or sites can be accurately located by triangulation.

Content Standard:

Physical Science: Understand the Interaction of Matter and Energy

General Topic:

Triangulation

Source:

Exploring Meteorite Mysteries

Body:

Venus

Grade Level:

K-4, 5-8

Activity Title:

Noblesville Fall

General Description:

Participants brainstorm what they might want to know about meteorites using the story of the Noblesville Fall in 1991.

Content Standard:

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives: Understand Natural Hazards

General Topic:

Scientific Method

Source:

Exploring Meteorite Mysteries

Body:

Neptune

Grade Level:

5-8

Activity Title:

Searching for Meteorites

General Description:

Participants model the distribution of materials after meteorite impacts with the help of water balloons filled with flour and pebbles.

Content Standard:

Earth and Space Science: Properties of Earth Materials

General Topic:

Sample Collection & Examination

Source:

Exploring Meteorite Mysteries

Body:

Asteroids

Grade Level:

K-4, 5-8

Mission:

Hayabusa

Background:

Missions to Asteroids

View Teacher's Notes

Activity Title:

When the Sky is Falling

General Description:

Participants model meteorite impacts as they explore the catering process and understand the relationship between projectile, the energy it delivers, and the landform it creates.

Content Standard:

Understands Essential Ideas About the Composition and Structure of the Universe and Earth's Place in it

General Topic:

Landforms

Source:

Cassini-Huygens

Body:

Asteroids

Grade Level:

5-8, 9-12

Mission:

Dawn

Background:

Missions to Asteroids