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

Make a Sun Clock: Tell Time with the Sun
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Before there were clocks, people used shadows to tell time. In this outdoor activity, learners will discover how to tell time using only a compass, a pencil, a handy printout, and a sunny day.

Stargazing
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In this nighttime, outdoor activity, learners keep a record of what they see in the sky by drawing constellations, the Moon, and making note of the weather and conditions each day.

Changing Shadows
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In this sunny day, outdoor activity, learners observe changes in shadows over time. The activity also helps to develop a sense of the Earth's motion.

Light is Made of Colors
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Learners observe different light sources, outdoors and indoors, using prism glasses (diffraction glasses) and color filters.

Supernovae in the Lives of Stars
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Many people think the different stages in the life of a star are actually different types of stars, rather than just stages in the life of a single star.

Telescope Treasure Hunt
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This hands-on astronomy activity lets learners hunt for different objects in the night sky that contribute to stellar and planetary formation, using a Treasure List.

Observing the Moon
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Use this Moon Map Guide to help learners identify features on the Moon, while looking through a telescope.

Where Are the Distant Worlds? Star Maps
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This fun hands-on astronomy activity lets learners use star maps (included) to find constellations and to identify stars with extrasolar planets (Northern Hemisphere only, naked eye).

Solar Water Heater
Learners work in teams to design and build solar water heating devices that mimic those used in residences to capture energy in the form of solar radiation and convert it to thermal energy.

Finding the Size of the Sun and Moon
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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.

Moon Watch Flip Book!
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In this activity, learners observe the moon each night for a month and draw their observations in a Moon Watch Log.

Experiencing Parallax With Your Thumb
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In this activity, learners investigate parallax, a method used to measure distances to stars and planets in the solar system.

Portable Sundial
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Learners construct one or more of the following kinds of sundials: a shadow plot, a horizontal sundial, and a diptych sundial.

Telescopes as Time Machines
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This fun, nighttime hands-on astronomy activity lets learners explore how long it takes for light from different objects in the universe to reach Earth.

Build a Solar System
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In this activity, learners make a scale model of the Solar System and learn the real definition of "space." Learners use the online calculator to create an appropriate scale to use as a basis for thei

Cook Food Using the Sun
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Learners build a solar oven from a cardboard pizza box, aluminum foil and plastic. Learners can use their oven to cook S'mores or other food in the sun.

Why Does the Moon Have Phases?
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In this activity, learners use a simple 3D model to discover why the Moon has phases.

Solar Cell Simulation
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In this activity, learners model the flow of energy from the sun as it enters a photovoltaic cell, moves along a wire and powers a load.

Reflective Solar Cooker
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In this activity, learners use the Sun's energy to cook marshmallows. Learners construct the solar oven out of simple everyday materials.