Solar System: Planets, Moons, Comets, Meteors
Activities
- Hopping Across the Solar System (Kindergarten through 7th grades)
Students learn about the scale of our Solar System using small object to measure out the relative distances and sizes of the planets. - Solar System on a String (3rd–7th grades)
With the aid of clues found in “The Solar System I’m Rhyme” song, students discover information about the planets in our solar system and create their own “Solar System on a String” mobile. - Planet Sizes (Kindergarten through 8th grades)
Students examine the relative sizes of the planets using fruits and vegetables to represent the different planets, draw the solar system, and review some key facts. Then they examine cutouts of the planets, identify each one, and place them in the correct sequence. - Planet Distances (Kindergarten through 8th grades)
Students consider the most appropriate scale to use for a model of planetary distances. Students then go outside and place the “planets” in their respective orbits. Once all markers are placed, Students walk through the model, stopping at each marker to discuss the planet. - Solar System on a Map (4th–8th grades)
Students apply their understanding of distance and use a map of their area to plot the scaled locations of the planets relative to their home. - Time Lineup: Evolution of Our Solar System (7th–12th grades)
Students ages 12–17 work in groups or as a class to determine the order of events that formed our solar system. This is an excellent activity to begin discussion of events that shaped the solar system and how Earth's geosphere and biosphere have changed — in an interrelated manner — through time. - Exploring Mars: Classroom Activities (6th grade–college)
A collection of activities exploring the geology of Mars, geared for higher grade levels.
Information
- Background on Our Solar System (educator)
Information on the formation and members of our Solar System. For teachers and informal educators, this information would also be appropriate for students grades 7 and up. - Evolution of Our Solar System (5th grade–adult)
Explore the birth of our solar system, and the changes on our Earth over four-and-a-half billion years as it evolved from a small moten mass and became a habitable planet. The information and images will give readers a better perspective of the timeline in our solar system and our planet.
Other Resources
- Solar System Overview (PowerPoint Presentation)
- Formation of Our Solar System (PowerPoint Presentation)
- SkyTellers dvd and resource guide (K–8th grade)
LPI set comes with a dvd containing ten traditional Native American stories, each coupled with a science story. It also comes with a resource guide. - Videos on the Solar System (PK–adult)
Recommended videos on the Solar System, geared for a wide range of ages. - Books on the Solar System (PK–adult)
Recommended books with stories and information on our Solar System for a wide range of ages. - Web sites on our Solar System (PK–adult)
Recommended sites with information, images, and activities on our Solar System for a wide range of ages. - The Solar System in 3-D (high school and educator)
A study of geology, atmospheres, and other structures using stereo imagery of the planets, their satellites, and the Sun. Images can be downloaded and used for free for educational purposes; also available as a slide set, which includes a pair of 3-D glasses. Images are accompanied by detailed information written at a high school to college level. 40 images. - A Spacecraft Tour of the Solar System, third edition (high school and educator)
A view of the principal distinctive features of each planet and its natural satellites. This is the third edition, revised in 2002. Images can be downloaded and used for free for educational purposes; also available as a slide set. Images are accompanied by detailed information written at a high school to college level. 40 images. - Solar System Image Galleries (high school and educator)
A list of all of the image sets available from the Lunar and Planetary Institute; each set contains downloadable images; sets are also available for purchase as slide sets. - Planetary Images Web sites
Links to many different NASA image sites of the planets. - Dr. Walter Kiefer’s Planetary Science Web sites (all ages)
Useful Web sites about NASA and planetary science, and links to selected websites concerned with human space flight, astronomy, and science education.