Children love to sing! Constellation Song is easy to sing, and scientifically accurate!
In this activity, students construct three-dimensional models from terrain information provided by two-dimensional topographic maps. This will allow them to visualize how changes in elevation over a certain distance can be represented on a flat piece of paper that can be folded up and tucked away. Each group is responsible for constructing a model of Mount St. Helens 'before' and 'after', a depression, a stream, and a hill. Discussion questions related to the different representations are also included.
This is a set of three, one-page problems about how astronomers use coordinate systems. Learners will plot a constellation on a coordinate plane and/or plot the route of Mars Science Lab (MSL aka Curiosity) on the surface of Mars. Options are presented so that students may learn about the MSL mission through a NASA press release or about the coordinate plane by viewing a NASA eClips video [7 min.]. This activity is part of the Space Math multi-media modules that integrate NASA press releases, NASA archival video, and mathematics problems targeted at specific math standards commonly encountered in middle school.
Correcting the time difference calculation by taking into account that there is no year 0. Created by Sal Khan.
Students compress the age of the universe to a 12 month calendar to understand how old the universe is, and get a sense of the cosmic time scale.
This AstroBulletin article takes an in-depth look at the newest technology and instruments used to study the Cosmic Microwave Background. The site includes text and a seven minute video. There are links to three essays: "What Is the Cosmic Microwave Background?", "Antarctica: A Hotbed of Cold-Weather Research" and "DASI Does It."
Cosmic Background Radiation. Created by Sal Khan.
Cosmic Background Radiation 2 - Redshift of the Cosmic Background Radiation. Created by Sal Khan.
This OER explores the debates over the solar system in the seventeenth century, focusing on the relationship between models and data during this time period. It contains both an activity as well as resources for further exploration. It is a product of the OU Academy of the Lynx, developed in conjunction with the Galileo's World Exhibition at the University of Oklahoma.
An introduction to the Cosmological Time Scale 1. Created by Sal Khan.
An introduction to the Cosmological Time Scale 2. Created by Sal Khan.
This 10-minute video lesson looks at the beginnings of life on Earth. Life and photosynthesis start to thrive in the Archean Eon. [Cosmology and Astronomy playlist: Lesson 39 of 85]
This 10-minute video lesson looks at the formation of the Earth which is a the byproduct of a local supernova. [Cosmology and Astronomy playlist: Lesson 38 of 85]
This 11-minute video lesson looks at Potassium-Argon (K-Ar) dating and it can be used to date very old volcanic rock and the things that might be buried in between. [Cosmology and Astronomy playlist: Lesson 79 of 85]
Students learn about local and planetary physical geography / geology, toponymy, planetary landing site selection and cartography. The students learn a complex process of landscape evaluation and city planning, based on the interpretation of photomaps or digital terrain models.
Crash Course is one of the best ways to educate yourself, your classmates, and your family on YouTube!
At Crash Course, we believe that high quality educational videos should be available to everyone for free. The Crash Course team has produced more than 15 courses to date, and these videos accompany high school and college level classes ranging from the humanities to the sciences. Crash Course transforms the traditional textbook model by presenting information in a fast-paced format, enhancing the learning experience.
With hundreds of millions of views on our YouTube channel, Crash Course has a worldwide audience in and out of classrooms. While the show is an immensely helpful tool for students and teachers, it also has a large viewership of casual learners who seek out online educational content independently. It has changed attitudes towards education by creating a community of learners who are looking for more than just help passing a test. We hope Crash Course is useful to you, and thanks for watching!
In this activity we want families to start thinking about the Moon as a real place. There is no right answer to the challenge, although some answers are better than others. The activity helps families to think about the environment on the Moon so they can determine what they would need for survival on the lunar surface. Families pick items from a list provided, those they want to keep to help survive a crash landing on the Moon. Teamwork is essential in this activity since different members of the family may know different things about either the Moon or science. By pooling their knowledge, families are more likely to come up with the best answers.
In this activity, students learn about astronomical phenomena we can see in the universe and create their own music inspired by astronomical images. By performing original musical improvisations, students enhance their knowledge of what astronomical phenomena are represented in images and experiment with creative ways of representing these using music. This activity engages students in first hand exploration of music and astronomy connections.
In this activity, students familiarise themselves with asteroids. They discuss and build their own model asteroids. They learn how asteroids are formed in the Solar System. At the end of the activity, each student has their own model asteroid made from clay.
Children make craters by dropping balls into a tub of flour.