Search Results
Showing results 1 to 20 of 36
Effects of Solar Radiation on Land and Sea
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore the different heating properties of soil and water.

Using a Simple Astrolabe
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners use an astrolabe to measure the altitude of objects. Learners will first practice taking measurements by measuring the altitude of trees and buildings.

Measure the Sun's Size
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners make their own pinhole viewer in order to measure the size of the sun.

The Shadow Knows I
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will measure the length of their shadow from the Sun and compare it three to four months later.

Space Stations: Measure Up!
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners work in pairs to measure each other's ankles with lengths of string.

Balloon Impacts
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners measure the diameter of their water balloons, model an impact, measure the diameter of the “crater” area, and determine the ratio of impactor to crater.

Experiencing Parallax With Your Thumb
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners investigate parallax, a method used to measure distances to stars and planets in the solar system.
Light on Other Planets
Source Institutions
In this math-based activity, learners model the intensity of light at various distances from a light source, and understand how astronomers measure the amount of sunlight that hits our planet and othe

Equatorial Sundial
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners make an equatorial sundial, which is simple to construct and teaches fundamental astronomical concepts. Learners use the provided template and a straw to build the sundial.

Space Stations: Sponge Spool Spine
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners simulate what happens to a human spine in space by making Sponge Spool Spines (alternating sponge pieces and spools threaded on a pipe cleaner).

Weight in Space
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners are challenged to calculate their own weight on various planets using a scale and calculator. Older learners may be challenged to do so without using calculators.

The Size and Distance of the Planets
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners investigate the concepts of relative size and distance by creating a basic model of the solar system.

Radar Mapping: What's in the Box?
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners mimic remote sensing. Learners use a stick to measure the distance to a "planet surface" they cannot see, and create their own map of the landscape.

Big Sun, Small Moon
Source Institutions
Learners will explore the concept of angular distance, and investigate why the moon appears to be the same size as the sun during a solar eclipse, despite the sun being much larger.

Exploring the Solar System: Moonquakes
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners sort different natural phenomena into categories (they occur on Earth, on the Moon, or on both), and then model how energy moves during a quake using spring toys.

Finding the Size of the Sun and Moon
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build a simple pinhole viewer. They use this apparatus to project images from a variety of light sources, including a candle, the Sun, and the Moon.

Jump to Jupiter
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners help create and then navigate an outdoor course of the traditional "planets" (including dwarf planet Pluto), which are represented by small common objects.

Jiggly Jupiter
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build edible models of Jupiter and Earth to compare their sizes and illustrate the planets' internal layers.

Our Solar System to Scale
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners plan and create a 24-foot long, two-dimensional model of our solar system, and compare and contrast the differences between planets and the sun.

The Pull of the Planets
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners model the gravitational fields of planets on a flexible surface.