4. SOLAR SYSTEM, GALAXY, AND UNIVERSE
Elementary Benchmark 1 "Compare and contrast charactisics of the sun, moon and earth."
Benchmark 2 "Describe the motions of the earth and moon around the sun."
- Amazing Space: Web-Based Activities - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1) New
- Amazing Space is primarily a set of web-based activities for students in grades 4-12. Upper elementary students can use the Solar Systems Trading Cards activity to learn more about the planets and solar system. Mission Mastermind is an excellent cross-curricular activity involving reading and sequencing. Teacher tips, lesson plans, and resource links are provided with each activity.
- Astronomy and Space for Kids - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1) New
- This site is organized to find information easily. It's a good resource for teachers and contains some interactive pages for students. Each page is well organized with nice graphics and a larger font that is easier for younger students to read. The information available is best suited to upper elementary and middle school students, but can be used by high school students as well. The Sky Calendar and the Powers of 10 Distance in Space demonstration are noteworthy. A free Online Astronomy Academy offers astronomy learning packets that students can work through online for ages 7-11 and 12-18.
- Energy From the Sun - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1)
- The teacher uses a sun mask or a sun puppet to help students recognize that the sun creates heat and light. After this demonstration, the students are able to role play and create their own sun mask or sun puppet for use in role playing. This site is best used with K-1.
- Explore The Universe: Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1&2) New
- Outstanding - Exploring the Universe is an online exhibition of the National Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institute. By clicking on the Exhibition Highlights Tour, students and teachers can learn how scientists have studied the universe throughout history. By clicking the Student Activity, students in grades 5-9 can participate in a simulation as a research scientist. Students and teachers can also explore an area of the website about the planets that is packed with excellent information and superior graphics with a link from the site. The planetary information is very useful for grades 4 and up. (Outstanding content and graphics).
- Eyes on the Sky, Feet on the Ground - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1) New
- This site is an online book consisting of six chapters of explorations into astronomy as a classroom tool for learning how to theorize, experiment, and analyze data. The activities are fully illustrated and contain detailed, step-by-step instructions as well as suggested discussion topics. This site contains the complete text and graphics of the collection along with related links, a table of contents, an explanation of how to use this book, and email links to the authors. The book seems to be most effective for grades 2-6. The Everyday Classroom Tools link sends teachers to an inquiry-based science curriculum with very detailed lesson plans,background information, assessment ideas, and related resources for grades K-6.
- Liftoff to Space Exploration - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1&2)
- Outstanding - Students will be able to interact with NASA. Activities involving the Solar System, Space Station and Satellites. NASA Kids activities such as space science, rockets and astronauts, puzzles and games, stories, and pioneers. This is a great site!! This site could be used by lower elementary because of the pictures, but the readings are for upper elementary.
- Orbit Simulator - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1&2)
- Is it that difficult to get planets to orbit around the sun? In this interactive simulator, students have the opportunity to change settings (mass, angle, velocity, etc.) of the sun and planet to discover on their own.
- The Nine Planets -Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1)
- Outstanding - This site provides a multimedia tour of the Solar System with text, pictures, sounds, and an occasional movie. Each planet and major moons in our solar system is briefly described and illustrated with pictures from NASA spacecraft. This site is best used with upper elementary.
- StarChild: A learning center for young astronomers - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1&2)
- Outstanding - Star Child is a learning center for young astronomers. Developed by the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center at NASA, it contains various student activities as well as some teacher lesson plans on the Universe and Solar System.
- The Nine Planets - For Kids - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1)
- Comprehensive information site featuring the nine planets of our solar system (related items included). Emphasizes the more basic concepts with a "Kid-friendly" look-and-feel.
- Third From the Sun - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1)
- This site reviews the history of observing earth from space, from the first balloon flight to satellites in space. The orbiting satellite "Landsat" is described in detail. It features a student activity using pictures taken by a "Landsat". This site contains general information and is a student activity.
- The Solar System Simulator - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1&2)
- Students are able to have a simulator create an image of their favorite planet or satellite. Students are able to see what the planet or satellite looks like at any specific time during the day.
- Views of the Solar System - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1&2)
- This is a multimedia adventure for students. They will explore the solar system through photographs, text, graphics, videos, scientific facts and charts, and interactive activities.
- Windows to the Universe - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1&2)
- Outstanding - This site is an informational yet interactive tour through the solar system. A wide variety of information is given about each planet including: interior & surface, atmosphere, magnetosphere, moons & rings, planetary facts, myths and culture, space missions, and an image archive. This site would be great for any grade level because you can choose the level of difficulty. Also includes links to teacher lesson plans, and science links for kids.
- Explore The Universe: Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1&2) New
- Outstanding - Exploring the Universe is an online exhibition of the National Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institute. By clicking on the Exhibition Highlights Tour, students and teachers can learn how scientists have studied the universe throughout history. By clicking the Student Activity, students in grades 5-9 can participate in a simulation as a research scientist. Students and teachers can also explore an area of the website about the planets that is packed with excellent information and superior graphics with a link from the site. The planetary information is very useful for grades 4 and up. (Outstanding content and graphics).
- Liftoff to Space Exploration - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1&2)
- Outstanding - Students will be able to interact with NASA. Activities involving the Solar System, Space Station and Satellites. NASA Kids activities such as space science, rockets and astronauts, puzzles and games, stories, and pioneers. This is a great site!! This site could be used by lower elementary because of the pictures, but the readings are for upper elementary.
- Orbit Simulator - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1&2)
- Is it that difficult to get planets to orbit around the sun? In this interactive simulator, students have the opportunity to change settings (mass, angle, velocity, etc.) of the sun and planet to discover on their own.
- StarChild: A learning center for young astronomers - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1&2)
- Outstanding - Star Child is a learning center for young astronomers. Developed by the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center at NASA, it contains various student activities as well as some teacher lesson plans on the Universe and Solar System.
- Solar System Simulator - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1&2)
- Students are able to have a simulator create an image of their favorite planet or satellite. Students are able to see what the planet or satellite looks like at any specific time during the day.
- Views of the Solar System - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1&2)
- This is a multimedia adventure for students. They will explore the solar system through photographs, text, graphics, videos, scientific facts and charts, and interactive activities.
- Windows to the Universe - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.1&2)
- Outstanding - This site is an informational yet interactive tour through the solar system. A wide variety of information is given about each planet including: interior & surface, atmosphere, magnetosphere, moons & rings, planetary facts, myths and culture, space missions, and an image archive. This site would be great for any grade level because you can choose the level of difficulty. Also includes links to teacher lesson plans, and science links for kids.
- Zoom Astronomy - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.E.2)
This site gives information on how the earth travels around the sun, as well as, how the moon travels around the earth. It provides interactive puzzles, as well as, quizzes that may be printed out. Plenty of information on the entire solar system.
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Benchmark 1 "Compare the earth to other planets and moons in terms of supporting life."
Benchmark 2 "Describe, compare, and explain the motions of solar system objects."
- Exploring the Planets -Cyber Center - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.MS.1)
- The Cyber Center is a simulated research center at the National Air and Space Museum where you explore the mysteries of the Solar System. Good interactive activity that incorporates writing. Students pick 10 images from the Solar System out of 23 provided. They look for shapes, colors, patterns, etc. and make inferences about the features and planets based upon observations. Part II provides students with the researcher's observations of the images from which to compare. Summary involves charting the data they collected. Lesson plans and enrichment provided. Grades (6-8)
- The Nine Planets Solar System Tour -Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.MS.1)
- Informative program gives students extensive data on each planet in our solar system; also comets, asteroids, etc.
- Planet Quest - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.MS.1) New
- This site covers many topics related to our solar system. Students can compare planets and their moons. Information on composition, history, and weather/atmosphere are offered. Questions on the given information are placed throughout.
- StarChild: A learning center for young astronomers- Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.MS.1)
- Star Child is a learning center for young astronomers. Developed by the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center at NASA, it contains various student activities as well as some teacher lesson plans on the Universe and Solar System
- Your Weight on Other Worlds - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.MS.1)
- This is a good site to meet the objectives of description and measurement of weight using a student interactive activity that asks them to compute their weight if they were on another planet. The site contains good graphics, easy to follow instructions for teacher and student. Once the student enters their real weight it automatically calculates their weight for all of the planets and moons of Jupiter. The site requires Java script.
Benchmark 3 "Describe and explain common observations of the night skies."
- Educator's Guide to Moon Phases - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.MS.2)
- This site is a teacher led activity to demonstrate to students the phases of the moon. Using simple materials, students will simulate the phases of the moon.
- What causes the earth's seasons? - Solar System, Galaxy and Universe (V.4.MS.2&3)
- This describes what exactly causes the earth' seasons and shows you what parts of the earth are experiencing winter while others are experiencing summer. It also has excellent pictures that allow one to visualize the seasons that occur due to intense sunlight or sunlight received on an angle.
- Take A Spin Through the Solar System - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.MS.2)
- Students investigate how 3 planets, Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn and the Sun rotate around their axes. NASA images are available so students can do some real "cyboscience". There are problems for students to solve, examples of problems and strategies on how to solve various problems.
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- Gravitation - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.MS.3)
- This web page consists of a virtual globe - Earth as it appears from space. The globe will "reset" itself to the selected position illustrating which portion of the globe is currently receiving direct sunlight and which portions are receiving indirect sunlight. Areas of sunlight and darkness are updated every five minutes to keep up with the actual rotation of the Earth. The animation includes the sun, planets and a comet. Students can see that Mercury and Venus orbit the sun rapidly, Neptune and Pluto orbit the sun slowly with longer paths. Similarities and differences in the elliptical orbits of the planets can be easily observed. Students can also make comparisons with planetary orbits versus the comet orbit based upon the animation at this site.
- The Constellations and Their Stars- Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.MS.3)
- This site defines constellations, lists the constellations, lists the stars, has an interactive star chart and many illustrations. It is easy to use, provides a great deal of information and has several hyperlinks to related topics.
- What causes the earth's seasons? - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.MS.2&3)
- This describes what exactly causes the earth' seasons and shows you what parts of the earth are experiencing winter while others are experiencing summer. It also has excellent pictures that allow one to visualize the seasons that occur due to intense sunlight or sunlight received on an angle.
Benchmark 1 "Compare our sun to other stars."
Benchmark 2 "Describe the position and motion of our solar system in our galaxy and the overall scale, structure and age of universe."
- Bradford Robotic Telescope Observatory - Studentship Opportunities - Solar System, Galaxy and Universe (V.4.HS.1,2,3&4)
- Outstanding - This site is very unique in that it allows the student to use a telescope in England to view planets, moons, stars, galaxies, and much more. This site doesn't allow you to see different types of telescopes though.
- Ology-Our Place in Space - One-on-one With the Sun - Solar System, Galaxy, and Unverse (V.4.HS.1) New
- Compares size of the sun with other stars, make-up of the sun and age. Contains pictures of the sun with sunspots.
- Relative Positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun Over Time - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.1)
- This site contains a set of activities: (1) Here comes the sun (2) Sun tracks (3) Solar output (4) Sun photometer. The students will investigate through hands-on laboratories motions of the Sun and the energy outputs.
- Space - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.1,2,&3)
- Outstanding - This site has an interactive 3-D space travel, in which the students control the space craft and travel throughout the universe. This site also provides information on each of the planets, the sun, and comets. This site also provides lots of information on new scientific discoveries such as worm holes, and multi-dimensional space. There is also a section on the origin of space, and its controversies, and a section devoted to teachers and students. To experience the virtual space tour you must have shockwave 8.5 plug-in installed on your computer, or you can download it from the site.
- Star Trails.com - Solar System, Galaxy and Universe (V.4.HS.1&4)
- Topical information from NASA pertaining to solar flares, international space station, sunspots, and much more. This is a site that gives the top stories relating to NASA research, live sky events, space weather, and opportunities for readers to participate in real NASA science. They can change weekly or daily.
- The Constellations and Their Stars- Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.1,2,3&4)
- This site defines constellations, lists the constellations, lists the stars, has an interactive star chart and many illustrations. It is easy to use, provides a great deal of information and has several hyperlinks to related topics.
- The Virtual Sun - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.1&3)
- Outstanding - This is an excellent site of excellent graphics. It takes students through a journey through the sun. There are MPEG movies of the sun, sunspots, elcipses, and solar flares. There is a help page link on how to view the movies along with free software and other available software to download for both PCs and Mac's.
Benchmark 3 "Explain how stars and planetary systems form and how stars produce energy."
- Bradford Robotic Telescope Observatory - Studentship Opportunities - Solar System, Galaxy and Universe (V.4.HS.1,2,3&4)
- This site is very unique in that it allows the student to use a telescope in England to view planets, moons, stars, galaxies, and much more. This site doesn't allow you to see different types of telescopes though.
- Classifying Galaxies - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.2&3)
- An interactive site which explains how the Hubble Telescope is used to identify various galaxies. This is an interactive site for astronomy.
- Come to My Planet - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.2&4)
- This site contains a lesson plan which involves students creating a brochure and a HyperStudio (or PowerPoint) presentation to sell a vacation package to the planets they are representing. This lesson provides resources, team roles, and evaluation materials. This is a great project because it involves research on the Internet as well as other sources, and the use of technology in creating the project.
- NASA Explores: Negative Feedback Flowcharts - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.2)New
- The NASA Explores website organizes science lessons around articles based on actual NASA events. This lesson was based on a sensor failure during a launch that nearly caused an abort. The lesson is in PDF format and has students practice thinking about and drawing negative feedback loops.
- Ology - Our Place in Space - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.2)New
- Shows different views of the Milky Way Galaxy and the Solar System's position in it. Discusses the Big Bang and the age of the Universe.
- Solar System Simulator - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.2)
- This site allows the participant to dial up almost any simulation pertaining to the planets and heavenly bodies.
- Space - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.1,2,&3)
- Outstanding - This site has an interactive 3-D space travel, in which the students control the space craft and travel throughout the universe. This site also provides information on each of the planets, the sun, and comets. This site also provides lots of information on new scientific discoveries such as worm holes, and multi-dimensional space. There is also a section on the origin of space, and its controversies, and a section devoted to teachers and students. To experience the virtual space tour you must have shockwave 8.5 plug-in installed on your computer, or you can download it from the site.
- Take A Spin Through the Solar System - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.2)
- Students investigate how 3 planets, Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn and the Sun rotate around their axes. NASA images are available so students can do some real "cyboscience". There are problems for students to solve, examples of problems and strategies on how to solve various problems.
- The Constellations and Their Stars- Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.1,2,3&4)
- This site defines constellations, lists the constellations, lists the stars, has an interactive star chart and many illustrations. It is easy to use, provides a great deal of information and has several hyperlinks to related topics.
- The Nine Planets Solar System Tour -Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.2)
- Outstanding - Informative program gives students extensive data on each planet in our solar system; also comets, asteroids, etc. The site gives a lot of hyperlinks to explain the history of the discovery of the planets, definitions of words used, as well as many other links.
Benchmark 4 "Explain how technology and scientific inquiry have helped us learn about the universe."
- Bradford Robotic Telescope Observatory - Studentship Opportunities - Solar System, Galaxy and Universe (V.4.HS.1,2,3&4)
- This site is very unique in that it allows the student to use a telescope in England to view planets, moons, stars, galaxies, and much more. This site doesn't allow you to see different types of telescopes though.
- Classifying Galaxies - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.2&3)
- An interactive site which explains how the Hubble Telescope is used to identify various galaxies. This is an interactive site for astronomy.
- Space - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.1,2,&3)
- Outstanding - This site has an interactive 3-D space travel, in which the students control the space craft and travel throughout the universe. This site also provides information on each of the planets, the sun, and comets. This site also provides lots of information on new scientific discoveries such as worm holes, and multi-dimensional space. There is also a section on the origin of space, and its controversies, and a section devoted to teachers and students. To experience the virtual space tour you must have shockwave 8.5 plug-in installed on your computer, or you can download it from the site.
- The Constellations and Their Stars- Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.1,2,3&4)
- This site defines constellations, lists the constellations, lists the stars, has an interactive star chart and many illustrations. It is easy to use, provides a great deal of information and has several hyperlinks to related topics.
- The Virtual Sun - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.1&3)
- Outstanding - This is an excellent site of excellent graphics. It takes students through a journey through the sun. There are MPEG movies of the sun, sunspots, elcipses, and solar flares. There is a help page link on how to view the movies along with free software and other available software to download for both PCs and Mac's.
- Bradford Robotic Telescope Observatory - Studentship Opportunities - Solar System, Galaxy and Universe (V.4.HS.1,2,3&4)
- This site is very unique in that it allows the student to use a telescope in England to view planets, moons, stars, galaxies, and much more. This site doesn't allow you to see different types of telescopes though.
- Come to My Planet - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.2&4)
- This site contains a lesson plan which involves students creating a brochure and a HyperStudio (or PowerPoint) presentation to sell a vacation package to the planets they are representing. This lesson provides resources, team roles, and evaluation materials. This is a great project because it involves research on the Internet as well as other sources, and the use of technology in creating the project.
- Exploring the Universe - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.4) New
- Exploring the Universe is an online exhibition of the National Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institute. By clicking on the Exhibition Highlights Tour, students and teachers can learn how scientists have studied the universe throughout history. This is especially good information for high school students. By clicking the Student Activity, students in grades 5-9 can participate in a simulation as a research scientist. Students and teachers can also explore an area of the website about the planets that is packed with excellent information and superior graphics with a link from the site. The planetary information is very useful for grades 4-12. (Outstanding content and graphics).
- Star Trails.com - Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.1&4)
- Topical information from NASA pertaining to solar flares, international space station, sunspots, and much more.
- The Constellations and Their Stars- Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe (V.4.HS.1,2,3&4)
- This site defines constellations, lists the constellations, lists the stars, has an interactive star chart and many illustrations. It is easy to use, provides a great deal of information and has several hyperlinks to related topics.