This lesson will start with a brief history of robotics and explain how robots are beneficial to science and society. The lesson then will explore how robots have been used in recent space exploration efforts. The engineering design of the two Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, will be used as prime examples. Finally, the maneuverability of their robotic arms and the functionality of their tools will be discussed.

In this activity, students will learn how technology can help scientists solve a problem. One of the challenges scientists face with any spacecraft is attitude control. Students will be introduced to the problem of attitude control in space through an experiment using angular momentum, and experience two different ways scientists address this problem. Students begin by discussing the technology(ies) that powers satellites and enable(s) them to move through space. Students then engage in an angular momentum experiment.åÊEstimated cost of this activity does not include the cost of the bicycle wheel for the angular momentum experiment. This activity is one of several in the Swift: Eyes through Time collection available on the Teachers' Domain website.

This is an online sorting game that compares the lifetime risk of death from an asteroid impact to other threats. For example, are you more likely to be killed by an amusement park ride or an asteroid impact? It is part of the Killer Asteroids Web Site. The site also features a background overview of the differences between asteroids and comets, information on different types of asteroids (rubble piles vs monoliths), a discussion of how at risk Earth really is to an asteroid or comet impact, and background information on light curves.

Few classroom topics generate as much excitement as rockets. The scientific, technological, engineering and mathematical foundations of rocketry provide exciting classroom opportunities for authentic hands-on, minds-on experimentation. The activities and lesson plans contained in this educator guide emphasize hands-on science, prediction, data collection and interpretation, teamwork, and problem solving. The guide also contains background information about the history of rockets and basic rocket science. The rocket activities in this guide support national curriculum standards for science, mathematics and technology.

The guide contains new and updated lessons and activities from the original Rockets Educator Guide published in 2003.

This is a lesson about Saturn's rings. Learners will create a three-dimensional model of Saturn and its rings. The model will show the particle nature and structure of the rings. Students also write about the model in this lesson. With the aid of a graphic organizer, students organize their thoughts, then draft and write a paragraph to explain what they know about the ring system. You will need a 2 and 1/2 inch styrofoam ball and some vermiculite for each student. This is lesson 7 of 10 in the Mission to Saturn Educators Guide, Reading Writing Rings, for grades 1-2.

This is a multi-level, physics-based game that asks players to save Earth by using their spaceship to deflect an incoming asteroid. It is designed to accurately reflect the physics of space and could be used to help confront preconceptions about motion and forces in space. It is part of the Killer Asteroids Web Site. The site also features a background overview of the differences between asteroids and comets, information on different types of asteroids (rubble piles vs monoliths), a discussion of how at risk Earth really is to an asteroid or comet impact, and background information on light curves.

This is an activity about the differences in thermal behavior between similar materials having different physical properties. Learners will measure temperature of two different surfaces; sand and stone; on a sunny day, make a series of temperature measurements, and plot the results. Extensions include experimenting with different materials, using temperature sensors and noncontact infrared thermometers. The activity is analogous with remote sensing of thermal properties in the Saturn system measured by Cassini. (Note: a separate version of this activity was developed in 2008 for PUMAS - Practical Uses of Math and Science).

In this activity, students are introduced to the concept of remote sensing. In the course of this experiment, students will investigate heat conduction on two surfaces and understand the application of these techniques to spacecraft investigations of surfaces in the solar system. Materials required for the outdoor demonstration include a cement step, sand, laboratory thermometers, foam rubber, and a meter stick. An optional indoor experimental set up uses twin desk lamps with equal-wattage tungsten bulbs and an infrared thermometer. A student datasheet accompanies the activity. This resource is from PUMAS - Practical Uses of Math and Science - a collection of brief examples created by scientists and engineers showing how math and science topics taught in K-12 classes have real world applications.

This is a lesson about systems and how they apply to Saturn. Learners will apply the concept of a system to learning about the Saturn system. They work with a ready-made scale diagram of the Saturn system, including the planet, rings, and moons. They then complete a Venn diagram that compares and contrasts the Saturn and Earth‰ÛÒMoon systems in terms of the systems‰Ûª components and interactions. Includes background information, procedure, and extension. This is lesson 1 of 6 in the Saturn Educators Guide.

This is a lesson about the relationship between a planet and it's moon(s). Learners will use the data provided on a set of Saturn Moon Cards to compare Saturn's moons with Earth's Moon, and to explore moon properties and physical relationships within a planet-moon system - for example, the farther the moon is from the center of the planet, the slower its orbital speed, and the longer its orbital period. This is lesson 2 of 6 in the Saturn Educators Guide.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE, EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
The world's energy supplies are in crisis, and it's up to you to save the world! This game will teach you all about different power sources, alternative energy, and how we generate electricity to power our lives.

ABOUT THE SCIENCE
So far, most of the world’s energy comes from non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels, oil and natural gas, but alternatives that can be replenished are constantly being developed and harnessed. These alternative energies use renewable resources like sunlight, wind, rain, tides and heat from the Earth to produce energy.
Developing alternative energy sources is critical for sustaining the world’s energy consumption in the future. Wind, tidal, geothermal and hydropower are used to run turbines converting mechanical energy into electrical energy through a generator.
Wind is the bulk air movement created by the variable heating of the Earth’s surface by the Sun. A wind turbine has three very large blades that are shaped like airplane wings to capture the mechanical energy from the movement of the air and convert it into a rotational force. A generator then takes the rotational force and transforms it into electrical energy.
Tidal turbines function under the same principles as a wind turbine, but instead of capturing air movement, it captures water currents. Water currents are produced by a number of factors that include tides, variable temperature, winds across the ocean’s surface, and the Earth’s rotational movement.
Geothermal energy uses energy in the Earth’s crust to heat water and produce steam that then drives a turbine. With the current consumption of energy the non-renewable resources like coal, oil and natural gas will eventually be depleted and alternative energy is needed in order to take their place and ensure lights can still turn on and houses are still heated.
Hydroelectric generators convert the kinetic energy of moving water into electrical energy.
Solar energy uses the Sun and material capable of absorbing light to create electricity from light in solar cells (photovoltaic cells), which can be connected in a series to create solar panels. The energy harnessed is then converted directly to electricity

This is an activity about size and scale. Learners will create and walk through a distance scale model of the size of the Solar System. This activity requires a straight line distance of approximately 295 meters (300 yards).

This is an activity about sunspots and solar flares. Learners will work collaboratively to create abstracts detailing their knowledge of sunspots and solar flares and then present their work to the entire audience. A background understanding of our Sun and its features is needed prior to starting this activity. This is activity 4 in Exploring Magnetism in Solar Flares.

Science North is thrilled to provide resources for students as well as professional learning to support Science and Technology being delivered to students at a distance.

These resources include independent, flexible and interactive STEM concepts that will inspire students and build their skills and core competencies.

Look for:
~ DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
These downloadable resources contain a lesson plan and curriculum-linked handouts for students who do not have internet access.
~ PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Pre-recorded videos will provide teachers with the framework needed to complete an inquiry-based project with their students.
~ CLASSROOM VIDEOS
Pre-recorded classroom videos will be available Monday through Friday, with each day covering a different grade level in English and French. The videos can be sent to students to provide them with key concepts and activities.
~ PRINTABLE HANDOUTS
Worksheets will accompany classroom videos for students to print at home.

Every week Science North will provide Grade 1 teachers with a pre-recorded video and printable resource.

Teachers will be able to share these YouTube videos and resources with students every week.

Included are classroom videos, student handouts, and offline lesson plans.

These videos and handouts can be sent to students to provide them with key concepts and activities that link to the curriculum.

The offline lesson plans provide a detailed explanation of the concepts and the procedure. This can be used to help teach the lesson. These will also be made available to students without internet access.

Every week Science North will provide Grade 2 teachers with a pre-recorded video and printable resource.

Teachers will be able to share these YouTube videos and resources with students every week.

Included are classroom videos, student handouts, and offline lesson plans.

These videos and handouts can be sent to students to provide them with key concepts and activities that link to the curriculum.

Every week Science North will provide Grade 3 teachers with a pre-recorded video and printable resource.

Teachers will be able to share these YouTube videos and resources with students every week.

Included are classroom videos, student handouts, and offline lesson plans.

These videos and handouts can be sent to students to provide them with key concepts and activities that link to the curriculum.

Every week Science North will provide Grade 4 teachers with a pre-recorded video and printable resource.

Teachers will be able to share these YouTube videos and resources with students weekly.

Included are classroom videos, student handouts, and offline lesson plans.

These videos and handouts can be sent to students to provide them with key concepts and activities that link to the curriculum.

Every week Science North will provide Grade 5 teachers with a pre-recorded video and printable resource.

Teachers will be able to share these YouTube videos and resources with students weekly.

Included are classroom videos, student handouts, and offline lesson plans.

These videos and handouts can be sent to students to provide them with key concepts and activities that link to the curriculum.

Every week Science North will provide Grade 7 teachers with a pre-recorded video and printable resource.

Teachers will be able to share these YouTube videos and resources with students weekly.

Included are classroom videos, student handouts, and offline lesson plans.

These videos and handouts can be sent to students to provide them with key concepts and activities that link to the curriculum.