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Space telescopes can offer us better, clearer views of the universe (and of our own planet) than Earth-based telescopes can, but getting these large, delicate pieces of equipment into orbit is tricky.

In this pencil and paper activity, learners work in pairs and simulate how astronomical spacecraft and computers create images of objects in space.

In this activity, learners discover the relationship between temperature and pressure in the lower atmospheres of Jupiter and Earth.

In this activity, learners discover that the Moon, like Earth, is made up of layers of different materials. Learners work in teams to make models of the interiors of the Moon and Earth.

In this Engineering Design Challenge activity, learners will use balloons to investigate how a multi-stage rocket, like that used in the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) mission, can propel a sat

In this activity, learners test how cornstarch and glitter in water move when disturbed. Learners compare their observations with videos of Jupiter's and Earth's storm movements.

In this tabletop board game, players will represent a team of scientists and engineers sending a spacecraft on a mission to space.

In "Exploring the Solar System: Stomp Rockets," participants learn about how some rockets carry science tools—not scientists—into space, and how a special kind of rocket called "sounding rockets" can

In this activity, learners carry out a scientific investigation of dust in their classroom. Learners produce an analysis on graph paper of the dust they collect over the course of a few days.

This fun and simple hands-on astronomy activity lets learners experiment with marbles and weights to discover some basics about gravity and black holes.

Make impact craters with marbles (or rocks or washers) in a container of flour. Find out what you can learn about your "comets" by the craters they make.

In this activity, learners create volcanoes like those they have examined on Earth and Mars through images taken by spacecraft.

In this activity, learners work in pairs to measure each other's ankles with lengths of string.

Learners use simple materials to construct a model the Big Dipper. Learners hang the model from a doorway or ceiling and look up at it to see the constellation as seen from Earth.

"Exploring the Solar System: Craters" is an active, hands-on activity that demonstrates how craters form, and what they can teach us about the history and composition of planets and moons.

In this activity, learners use a toaster to generate wind and compare the appliance's heat source to Jupiter's own hot interior. Learners discover that convection drives wind on Jupiter and on Earth.

In this activity, teams of learners study magnetic fields at four separate stations: examining magnetic fields generated by everyday items, mapping out a magnetic field using a compass, creating model

In this activity, participants will learn about how gigantic clouds of gas and dust in space, called nebulas, are formed. They'll create their own colorful model nebula using paint and a spinner.

In this activity, learners design a scientific exploration mission to a planet or moon of their choice.

This fun and simple hands-on astronomy activity lets learners imagine what would happen if our Sun were replaced with a black hole.