On A Collision Course: The Moon
Madelyn Wenham
Impact craters are found on nearly all solid surface planets and satellites. Although this exercise simulates the impact process, it must be noted that the physical variables do not scale in a simple way to ...

Using Density to Predict Planetary Differentiation
Ashley Lagas
This is an inquiry based lesson designed for middle school students. This lesson serves as an informal assessment of students' understanding of density and also serves as an introduction to Planetary formation and Planetary differentiation.

Fractals: Measuring a Coastline
Andy Katz
In 1967, Benoit Mandelbrot developed his concept of fractals by observing the jagged coastline of Great Britain and asking: "How do we measure such a thing?" In this lesson students will explore fractals ...

Modeling the Earth-Moon Orbital System
Mike Hansen, Linden School, Malden, MA mhansen@malden.mec.edu
Through constructing a physical model, students will come to understand that bodies in orbit and the objects they orbit actually both revolve around their common center of mass (barycenter).

The Moon on the Map
Meeyoung Choi
[image right border] In this activity students will observe the landscapes of the moon from different sides, make their own hypothesis, and research about the moon's unique geological properties. Students will ...

Spacecraft Design for Interplanetary Travel
John Walsh
Students will design and build a reusable spacecraft for interplanetary travel.

Terrestrials or Aliens from Space: Comparing Igneous Rocks and Meteorites
Joanne Zema
Meteorites and igneous rocks compared Origins of the earth ???

Reaching for a Star... (and finding its diameter!)
Jan Davagian
The use of metric units and measuring skills are reviewed. Extreme distances are measured using a pinhole camera to set up ratios of similar triangles.

VISCOSITY and FALL SPEED
Mary Clark
This set of short lessons is intended to use viscosity as a concept to set up understanding of the convective motion of various fluids. The lessons will more broadly deal with important science inquiry skills such as forming and revising meaningful ideas, making inferences, gathering data, and sharing information with others. Key words: viscosity middle school convection inquiry experiment hypothesis data conclusion variables distance speed time

Using an ipad to study constellations
Jennifer Belcher
For use with Middle and High School students in Astronomy. An activity plan that can be used for the entire school year where students can study constellations, stars, planets, zodiac, and galaxy locations. Light ...

Investigating Meteorites: Bridging Earth Science to Space Science
Katye Couch
This activity is designed to have students apply previous knowledge about Earth Science to investigate iron-nickel meteorites. Students should have previous knowledge of crystal size/cooling rate correlation in Earth rocks and previous knowledge of Earth's composition. Students will investigate meteorites (real or photographed with scale) using a series of guided questions. They will practice using observation and inference skills as well as data collection skills. Key words- activity, measurement, guided inquiry, astronomy, meteorites, hands-on, investigative, lab, crystal size, cooling rate, differentiation, planetary composition, planetary formation, observation, inference, correlation, space, geology, earth science, solar system, solar system formation

Using an i-pad to study constellations
Jennifer Belcher
For use with Middle and High School students in Astronomy. An activity plan that can be used for the entire school year where students can study constellations, stars, planets, zodiac, and galaxy locations. Light ...

How to Get From Here to There
Nancy Wile
Students develop a theory of plate tectonics looking at how different density liquids have different convection patterns. Students will record observations in their journal.

The Solar Fountain of Youth
Lana Davis
year, orbit, revolution, terrestrial planet, outer plan, axis