By making and testing simple balloon rockets, students acquire a basic understanding …
By making and testing simple balloon rockets, students acquire a basic understanding of Newton's third law of motion as it applies to rockets. Using balloons, string, straws and tape, they see how rockets are propelled by expelling gases, and test their rockets in horizontal and incline conditions. They also learn about the many types of engineers who design rockets and spacecraft.
Students will be instructed to make an observation of a flower (tulip) …
Students will be instructed to make an observation of a flower (tulip) given the one stipulation that they will only be allowed to detect the parts of the plant that are green. Through observation and discussion, students will be led to understand that only seeing parts of the flower leads to an incomplete and even inaccurate understanding of its structure.
Students will construct their own knowledge of the Sun emitting light above and below the visible spectrum by using UV beads to detect ultraviolet radiation coming from the Sun, and, in a second experiment, will record the temperature readings of thermometers placed in the visible and infrared region of a spectrum produced using a prism. An optional M&M Filter Activity is included in the lesson to demonstrate how filter work.
Students are introduced to the engineering challenges involved with interplanetary space travel. …
Students are introduced to the engineering challenges involved with interplanetary space travel. In particular, they learn about the gravity assist or "slingshot" maneuver often used by engineers to send spacecraft to the outer planets. Using magnets and ball bearings to simulate a planetary flyby, students investigate what factors influence the deflection angle of a gravity assist maneuver.
Working as if they were engineers, students design and construct model solar …
Working as if they were engineers, students design and construct model solar sails made of aluminum foil to move cardboard tube satellites through “space” on a string. Working in teams, they follow the engineering design thinking steps—empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test, redesign—to design and test small-scale solar sails for satellites and space probes. During the process, learn about Newton’s laws of motion and the transfer of energy from wave energy to mechanical energy. A student activity worksheet is provided.
Solar System explores the world around Earth, particularly the planets and the …
Solar System explores the world around Earth, particularly the planets and the asteroid belt. Students will discover interesting facts about each planet, including their orbit and rotation times and the elements from which they are made. They will also learn the order of the planets and be able to compare and contrast them.
An introduction to our solar system the planets, our Sun and Moon. …
An introduction to our solar system the planets, our Sun and Moon. To begin, students learn about the history and engineering of space travel. They make simple rockets to acquire a basic understanding Newton's third law of motion. They explore energy transfer concepts and use renewable solar energy for cooking. They see how engineers design tools, equipment and spacecraft to go where it is too far and too dangerous for humans. They explore the Earth's water cycle, and gravity as applied to orbiting bodies. They learn the steps of the design process as they create their own models of planetary rovers made of edible parts. Students conduct experiments to examine soil for signs of life, and explore orbit transfers. While studying about the International Space Station, they investigate the realities of living in space. Activities explore low gravity on human muscles, eating in microgravity, and satellite tracking. Finally, students learn about the context of our solar system the universe as they learn about the Hubble Space Telescope, celestial navigation and spectroscopy.
This unit begins by introducing students to the historical motivation for space …
This unit begins by introducing students to the historical motivation for space exploration. They learn about the International Space Station, including current and futuristic ideas that engineers are designing to propel space research. Then they learn about the physical properties of the Moon, and think about what types of products engineers would need to design in order for humans to live on the Moon. Lastly, students learn some descriptive facts about asteroids, such as their sizes and how that relates to the potential danger of an asteroid colliding with the Earth.
This collection of activities is based on a weekly series of space …
This collection of activities is based on a weekly series of space science mathematics problems distributed during the 2012-2013 school year. They were intended for students looking for additional challenges in the math and physical science curriculum in grades 5 through 12. The problems were created to be authentic glimpses of modern science and engineering issues, often involving actual research data. The problems were designed to be one-pagers with a Teacher‰Ûªs Guide and Answer Key as a second page.
Each student will choose a topic to be the “teacher” for regarding …
Each student will choose a topic to be the “teacher” for regarding Space Science. Some topics are more difficult than others, so choosing topics should be guided. They will be in charge of teaching the class about their topic, including providing handouts to assist with learning and an assessment with a rubric to check understanding.
To understand the challenges of satellite construction, student teams design and create …
To understand the challenges of satellite construction, student teams design and create model spacecraft to protect vital components from the harsh conditions found on Mercury and Venus. They use slices of butter in plastic eggs to represent the internal data collection components of the spacecraft. To discover the strengths and weaknesses of their designs, they test their unique thermal protection systems in a planet simulation test box that provides higher temperature and pressure conditions.
This hands-on project is an impactful way to show students how truly …
This hands-on project is an impactful way to show students how truly immense our solar system is! You get to decide if you want your model to show scale planet sizes or the scale distances between planets. You can combine a planet-size model of one scale with a distance model of another scale. But if you want size and distance to be the same scale, you’ll need to spread your model across at least half a mile! Specific directions on how to calculate size/distance scales are included.
This site offers a series of programs that culminates with a celebration …
This site offers a series of programs that culminates with a celebration of the spring equinox. Join this journey of exploration and discovery in preparation for a total solar eclipse.
Tomatosphere™ offers an excellent opportunity to have your students think and act …
Tomatosphere™ offers an excellent opportunity to have your students think and act like scientists as they practice their inquiry skills and develop understandings of the nature of science and the concept of a fair test.
In the spring, participating classrooms receive two packages of tomato seeds. One package contains seeds sent into space or treated in space-simulated conditions. The other contains untreated "control" seeds. Students plant the seeds and conduct experiments to explore the effects of the space environment on the germination of tomatoes. Through Tomatosphere™, students learn how to conduct a scientific experiment and compare the number of seeds that germinate for the two groups of seeds.
While completing the Tomatosphere™ program, students investigate how to supply space exploration missions with life-support requirements—food, water, oxygen and a way to consume the carbon dioxide exhaled by astronauts—while also discussing the many issues and research involved in space exploration.
Teachers can expand on the basic Tomatosphere™ Seed Investigation by connecting it to studies of plants, space, nutrition, math or the environment, depending on grade and curriculum.
Students learn about the phases of the moon by acting them out. …
Students learn about the phases of the moon by acting them out. In 30 minutes, they will act out one complete, 30-day, moon cycle.
*Materials required: -pencil or wooden skewer (one per student) -white styrofoam ball, 5 centimetres or larger (one per student) -light source, such as a lamp (shade removed) with a bright, clear, incandescent bulb (100 watts or higher)
The students will be able to identify and understand the positions of …
The students will be able to identify and understand the positions of the planets relative to Earth and Sun, then calculate distances and the time needed for radio signals to travel these distances by completing this activity.
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