Jupiter Activities
The lessons below are teacher-favorite lessons focused on Jupiter. 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.
Jupiter Lessons:
Alka-Seltzer Rockets
Topic: Modeling Solar System Objects
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Asteroids, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Comets, Kuiper Belt & Oort Cloud, Earth's Moon
Short Description: Using baking soda and vinegar, propel an object across the floor to introduce the idea of how things move through space.
Analyzing Elemental Abundances
Grade Level: 9-12
Body: Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Asteroids, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Comets, Kuiper Belt & Oort Cloud
Mission: Genesis (Our Solar System)
Short Description: Participants will practice and understand the use of ratios in describing the abundances of isotopes.
DPS Slide Set: Another Impact on Jupiter
Grade Level: 9-12
Body: Jupiter
Short Description: This four-slide powerpoint by the Division of Planetary Science includes basic information for college-level introductory courses.
Europa Geology Jigsaw Puzzle
Topic: Modeling Solar System Objects
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Jupiter, Europa
Mission: Galileo (Jupiter), Voyager 1 (Our Solar System), Voyager 2 (Our Solar System)
Short Description: This activity introduces students to one of the moons of Jupiter (Europa) and how its icy crust has been broken apart.
Flexing Muscles and Moons
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Jupiter, Europa
Short Description: Students measure the effect of gravitational flexing (which keeps Io and Europa's interior warm) by taking the temperature of some flexible rubber balls. They also calculate the force of gravity.
How Much Rock is in an Icy Moon? (Student Page)
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
Short Description: In order to determine the percentages of rock and ice in a number of the satellites (moons) of the outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto), students construct a graph of the amount of rock versus the density of the moon, using a simple equation. They then determine the percentage of rock from the densities of several moons and enter the answers in a table.
How Much Rock is in an Icy Moon? (Teacher Page)
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
Short Description: In order to determine the percentages of rock and ice in a number of the satellites (moons) of the outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto), students construct a graph of the amount of rock versus the density of the moon, using a simple equation. They then determine the percentage of rock from the densities of several moons and enter the answers in a table.
In the Footsteps of Galileo: Observing the Moons of Jupiter
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Jupiter, Europa
Short Description: In this activity, students learn about the scientific method and do a simplified version of Galileo's pioneering observations of Jupiter's moons.
Jupiter's Family Secrets: Weather Stations
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Jupiter
Short Description: In this series of brief station activities, students may examine the turbulent weather that creates Jupiter's distinctive banded appearance.
Mars Pathfinder: Egg Drop and Landing
Topic: Modeling Solar System Objects
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Asteroids, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Comets, Kuiper Belt & Oort Cloud, Earth's Moon, Pluto
Mission: Mars Pathfinder (Mars)
Short Description: Design, build, and test a system for landing on the surface of Mars without breaking the cargo, an egg.
