Students learn about humankind’s search for life in outer space and how it connects to robotics and engineering. NASA is interested in sending exploratory missions to one of Jupiter’s moons, Europa, which requires a lot of preparatory research and development on Earth before it can happen. One robot currently being engineered as a proof of concept for a possible trip to explore Europa is the Icefin, which is an innovative robot that can explore under ice and in water, which are the believed conditions on Europa. This lesson provides students with intriguing information about far off (distance and time!) space missions and field robotics, and also sets up two associated robotics and arts integration activities to follow. The lesson can be used individually to provide new information to students, or as a precursor to the associated activities. A PowerPoint® presentation and worksheet are provided.

In a simulation of potential future space missions to Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, student teams are challenged to direct a robot placed in an enclosed maze to search for and find the most “alien life.” The robot is equipped with a camera to send a live feed of its surroundings in the maze. Students control the robot from outside the maze by looking at the live feed on a smartphone and using the robot’s remote control, making a map as they go. The student teams compete as if they are space agencies creating their own exploratory systems to meet the challenge’s criteria and constraints and prove “in the field” that they have the best plan to win the mission contract and get the job. This activity simulates the real-world research of scientists and engineers developing a robot with the capabilities to explore under the ice-covered surface of Europa.

Students learn how and why engineers design satellites to benefit life on Earth, as well as explore motion, rockets and rocket motion. Through six lessons and 10 associated hands-on activities, students discover that the motion of all objects everything from the flight of a rocket to the movement of a canoe is governed by Newton's three laws of motion. This unit introduces students to the challenges of getting into space for the purpose of exploration. The ideas of thrust, weight and control are explored, helping students to fully understand what goes into the design of rockets and the value of understanding these scientific concepts. After learning how and why the experts make specific engineering choices, students also learn about the iterative engineering design process as they design and construct their own model rockets. Then students explore triangulation, a concept that is fundamental to the navigation of satellites and global positioning systems designed by engineers; by investigating these technologies, they learn how people can determine their positions and the locations of others.

Students explore orbit transfers and, specifically, Hohmann transfers. They investigate the orbits of Earth and Mars by using cardboard and string. Students learn about the planets' orbits around the sun, and about a transfer orbit from one planet to the other. After the activity, students will know exactly what is meant by a delta-v maneuver!

SciShow produces informational science videos for students of any age. They do have the look and feel that would likely appeal to younger students.

These videos are hosted by Jessi and her robot rat “Squeaks” and answer questions that inquiring young minds really want to know.

A variety of topics are covered in videos including: science on the playground, getting to know your emotions, simple machines, experiments, animal information, brainteasers and more.

Utilize blogging to engage and assist students with their Earth and Space Science Unit.  Students will work on individual computers and collaborate by sharing and commenting on blog posts.

Open Educational Resources (OER) for K-12 Science including - lessons, videos, simulations, professional learning and on-demand teacher support.

*more is being developed so keep checking for new materials*
*CHECK GRADES OTHER THAN WHAT YOU TEACH TO FIND ADDITIONAL SK LESSON TOPICS*

"We’ve made our curriculum free for all educators because high quality instructional materials and professional learning can bridge the opportunity gap for all students. The units underwent a rigorous 18-month development process with teacher and student voices across the country informing the selection of the phenomena and each unit’s storyline. Using our curriculum, teachers have seen their students strengthen their ability to solve problems, become more curious about the world around them, and be excited to discover the wonders of science in their classrooms."

Check out these 19 categories of great science podcasts that you can listen to with kids. Many of the categories have a number of podcasts within. Topics include oceans, dinosaurs, light, sound, space, senses, animals , plants and much, much more!

Did you know that there’s a listening app with ONLY content for kids?! It’s called Kids Listen, and it features a playlist curated especially for educational shows! Check it out at https://app.kidslisten.org, or as an Apple or Google Play app. What a great way to let your kids discover what they love.

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 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.

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 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 site offers space exploration information and activities for kids from the European Space Agency. Be sure to check out all of the tabs at the top!

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.

Students are given the following engineering challenge: "The invasion has taken place and we need to find a new home. To ensure your survival beyond Earth's occupation you must design a shelter that can be built on another planet." Then students research the characteristics of a planet of their choosing. They design shelter that enables them to survive on a new planet, and explain it in words to the rest of the class. This is a great activity to add to a unit on the solar system.

This lesson for English Language Learners (ELLs) discusses a trend that is becoming more popular with each passing year, space tourism. In this lesson, learners will practice reading, listening, speaking and writing. All activities are automatically graded with feedback provided to the learner upon submission.

In this lesson, students are introduced to the historical motivation for space exploration. They learn about the International Space Station as an example of recent space travel innovation and are introduced to new and futuristic ideas that space engineers are currently working on to propel space research far into the future!

Included in this resource:
- Space activities and fun experiments to do in the classroom, with youth groups and at home.
- Curriculum-based learning activities on the Moon for Canadian youth and educators.
- Toolkits for educators and youth.
- Indigenous Moon stories and lunar cycle, resources for and about First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
- Digital games, e-book, quizzes, puzzle, podcasts, cutout, 3D printing models.
- Posters, infographics, paper game, models, colouring sheets to download and print.
- Resources for teachers, youth leaders, science centres, museums, community groups and parents.
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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.