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Comets: Very Eccentric Characters
Grade Level: 5-8
Short Description: Astronomical distances, even within our own solar system, are very difficult to imagine. In this activity, students create a visual and kinesthetic model of the solar system on a scale that may begin to inspire an awed comprehension of how big space is--and how small Earth is. In addition, students will learn some basic geometry, demonstrating the difference between a circular planetary orbit and an elongated elliptical cometary orbit.
Comparing Comets (Educator Guide)
Grade Level: 5-8, 9-12
Body: Comets
Mission: Deep Impact (Comets)
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
Comparing Comets (Student Activity Sheet)
Grade Level: 5-8, 9-12
Body: Comets
Mission: Deep Impact (Comets)
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
Conflicting Theories for the Origin of the Moon
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Earth's Moon
Short Description: There are different views on the origin of the Moon. Investigation results can be interpreted in different ways which are sometimes conflicting. Critical thinking and matching evidence with theories are skills that are highly valued in science. (You will need copies of the "Four theories for the Origin of the Moon and Fourteen Pieces of Evidence" for this activity. Click here to access this material.
Conflicting Theories for the Origin of the Moon (Supplementary Material)
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Earth's Moon
Short Description: There are different views on the origin of the Moon. Investigation results can be interpreted in different ways which are sometimes conflicting. Critical thinking and matching evidence with theories are skills that are highly valued in science.
Cooking Up a Comet
Topic: Modeling Solar System Objects
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Comets
Mission: Stardust (Comets)
Short Description: Students will learn the basic components of a comet and demonstrate how the comet's head and tail form by observing a comet model -- this activity is a classroom demonstration.
Cooling with Sunshades
Topic: Light and Spectra
Grade Level: 9-12
Body: Mercury
Mission: MESSENGER (Mercury)
Short Description: Participants understand the MESSENGER spacecraft's cooling system through modeling a simple device to measure the effectiveness of different shielding materials against sunlight.
Cosmic Chemistry: An Elemental Question
Grade Level: 9-12
Body: Sun
Mission: Genesis (Our Solar System)
Short Description: Participants practice and understand the use of ratios in describing the abundances of isotopes.
Module Overview
Teacher Guide
Student Activity
Additional Resources are available on the Genesis Education website.
Cosmic Chemistry: Planetary Diversity
Grade Level: 5-8, 9-12
Body: Our Solar System
Mission: Genesis (Our Solar System)
Short Description: The goal of this module is to acquaint students with the planets of the solar system and some current models for their origin and evolution. Students will make decisions concerning possible patterns or groupings of the physical and chemical compositions of internal structures and atmospheres of planets. Through classroom activities, they will be encouraged to examine some contemporary models proposed to explain the origin and evolution of the planets.
Counting Sunspots
Topic: Modeling Solar System Objects
Grade Level: K-4
Body: Sun
Short Description: Students discover the pattern created when plotting the number of sunspots over a long period of time.
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