Earth Activities
The lessons below are teacher-favorite lessons focused on Earth. For more search options or to search by other science target, missions and other criteria, visit our Fast Lesson Finder. You can also search by curriculum standards on our popular Curriculum Standards Quilts.
Earth Lessons:
The SETI Academy Planet Project: Volume 1 -- Evolution of a Planetary System (PowerPoint)
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Earth
Short Description: In this soon-to-be three-volume set, fifth and sixth grade students are invited to become members of the "SETI Academy." As academy members, they explore Earth's history for clues to the possible existence of life beyond our solar system. Designed for science classes, these volumes can be used individually or in series to create a comprehensive, thematic, scientific exploration for students.
Volume 1: After exploring the evolution of our solar system, students apply that information to simulate the possible evolution of a planetary system beyond our own.
The SETI Academy Planet Project: Volume 1 -- Evolution of a Planetary System (Standards)
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Earth
Short Description: In this soon-to-be three-volume set, fifth and sixth grade students are invited to become members of the "SETI Academy." As academy members, they explore Earth's history for clues to the possible existence of life beyond our solar system. Designed for science classes, these volumes can be used individually or in series to create a comprehensive, thematic, scientific exploration for students.
Volume 1: After exploring the evolution of our solar system, students apply that information to simulate the possible evolution of a planetary system beyond our own.
The SETI Academy Planet Project: Volume 2 -- How Might Life Evolve on Other Worlds?: History of Life (PowerPoint)
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Earth
Short Description: In this soon-to-be three-volume set, fifth and sixth grade students are invited to become members of the "SETI Academy." As academy members, they explore Earth's history for clues to the possible existence of life beyond our solar system. Designed for science classes, these volumes can be used individually or in series to create a comprehensive, thematic, scientific exploration for students.
Volume 2: Through a variety of science activities, students explore the evolution of life on Earth and search for clues to the possible evolution of life on an unknown planet beyond our solar system. Synthesizing what they learn, they then learn to create life forms that could exist on that distant planet.
The SETI Academy Planet Project: Volume 2 -- How Might Life Evolve on Other Worlds?: Life Story of Earth (PowerPoint)
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Earth
Short Description: In this soon-to-be three-volume set, fifth and sixth grade students are invited to become members of the "SETI Academy." As academy members, they explore Earth's history for clues to the possible existence of life beyond our solar system. Designed for science classes, these volumes can be used individually or in series to create a comprehensive, thematic, scientific exploration for students.
Volume 2: Through a variety of science activities, students explore the evolution of life on Earth and search for clues to the possible evolution of life on an unknown planet beyond our solar system. Synthesizing what they learn, they then learn to create life forms that could exist on that distant planet.
Through the Eyes of Scientists Grades 4-6: Volcanoes - They're Everywhere!
Topic: Landforms
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Earth's Moon
Mission: Cassini (Saturn), Galileo (Jupiter)
Short Description: Learn about volcanoes on Earth and in the solar system through the eyes of Scientist Dr. Rosaly Lopes.This lesson is part of the Through the Eyes of Scientists formal education product, and includes materials for students in grades 4-6.
Through the Eyes of Scientists, Grades 4-6: Volcanoes - Theyr'e Everywhere!
Topic: Landforms
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Our Solar System, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter
Mission: Cassini (Saturn), Galileo (Jupiter)
Short Description: Learn about volcanoes on Earth and in the solar system through the eyes of Scientist Dr. Rosaly Lopes.This lesson is part of the Through the Eyes of Scientists formal education product, and includes materials for students in grades 4-6.
Through the Eyes of Scientists: Around and Around - Everything is Moving
Grade Level: K-4
Body: Our Solar System, Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Asteroids, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Comets, Kuiper Belt & Oort Cloud, Earth's Moon
Mission: Voyager 1 (Our Solar System), Voyager 2 (Our Solar System)
Short Description: Learning about the ever-moving objects in our solar system through the eyes of Scientist-Adventurer, Dr. Edward Stone. This lesson is part of the Through the Eyes of Scientists formal education product.
Through the Eyes of Scientists: Landforms and Canyons
Topic: Landforms
Grade Level: K-4, 5-8
Body: Our Solar System, Earth, Mars
Mission: Spirit/Opportunity (Mars), Curiosity / MSL (Mars)
Short Description: Use images like a scientist to investigate one of Earth's seven natural wonders, the spectacular Grand Canyon in Arizona, and the grandest canyon of all, Valles Marineris, on Mars. Students will meet an inspirational NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory geologist, Dr. Robert Anderson.
This lesson is part of the Through the Eyes of Scientists formal education product and is geared toward students in grades 4-6..
Through the Eyes of Scientists: Moons - Many, Many Moons!
Grade Level: K-4
Body: Our Solar System, Earth, Mars, Asteroids, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Kuiper Belt & Oort Cloud, Earth's Moon
Mission: Cassini (Saturn), Galileo (Jupiter), GRAIL (Earth's Moon), Lunar Recon Orbiter (Earth's Moon)
Short Description: Learning about moons of the solar system through the eyes of Scientist-Moon Master, Dr. Bonnie Buratti.This lesson is part of the Through the Eyes of Scientists formal education product.
Through the Eyes of Scientists: Space Can Be a Chilly Place - Ice Is Nice!
Grade Level: K-4
Body: Our Solar System, Mercury, Earth, Mars, Asteroids, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Comets, Kuiper Belt & Oort Cloud, Earth's Moon
Mission: Cassini (Saturn)
Short Description: Learning about ice in the solar system through the eyes of Scientist-Arctic Space Explorer, Mr. Ben Holt. This lesson is part of the Through the Eyes of Scientists formal education product.
