Education Standards
NASA Solar System Exploration website
Discovering Our Solar System
Overview
This lesson is about the solar system and its objects, such as planets, moons, asteroids, and comets, it is revolving around the place where each celestial body resides. It engages students in exploring, researching, modeling, and discussing these objects and their characteristics, as well as the factors that make Earth habitable and the importance of space exploration. The lesson has four main parts: an introduction, where students are hooked by a hidden moon rock and learn about the lesson’s objectives and agenda; an exploration, where students work in groups to research various solar system objects using classroom resources and the NASA Solar System Exploration website, formulating questions about the solar system; an activity, where groups create models to represent Earth under different solar system conditions, based on “what if” questions, and present their findings; and a discussion, where a class discussion follows, focusing on the habitability factors of planets and the importance of space exploration. The lesson ends with students writing and peer-reviewing reflections on what they have learned.
Introduction
(5-10 minutes)
Use the hook activity to spark students’ curiosity and interest in the topic. Show them the hidden moon rock and ask them to guess what it is, where it came from, and how it got to Earth. Then reveal the moon rock and introduce a close-up picture of the moon on the projector. Briefly discuss the moon’s connection to Earth and its role in our solar system.
Review the essential question(s) and learning objective statements with the students.
Explain what they will learn and do in this lesson and why it is important.
Preview the agenda for the lesson, including the exploration, activity, discussion, and assessment components.
Tell students what materials and resources they will need and how they will work in groups or individually.
We are going to learn about the solar system and Earth’s place in the universe.
We will explore the different objects that make up the solar system, such as planets, moons, stars, asteroids, and comets.
We will also investigate how the sun, moon, and planets move and affect each other.
Imagine what Earth might be like if it were in a different part of the solar system or galaxy.
Are you ready to blast off into space?
Exploration
(20 minutes)
Divide the students into small groups and assign each group a different object or category of objects in the solar system, such as the sun, the planets, the moons, the asteroids, the comets, etc.
- Allow each group to use the classroom library, their laptops, and any other research materials around the class room about the solar system.
- You can also use the NASA Solar System Exploration website.
- Ask each group to come up with a list of questions they have about the solar system, focusing on objects, positions, movements, and potential “what if” scenarios.
- Encourage them to be curious and creative.
- Have each group share their questions with the class, allowing for discussion and clarification.
- Record the questions on the chart paper for future reference.
- Write questions that are said more than once on the whiteboard.
We will work in groups to research the solar system and its objects.
Use our books, approved websites, or youtube videos to find information about:
- The sun
- Planets in our solar system
- The moon
- Asteroids
- Comets
- Any other celestial bodies that you find!
Using your research, come up with questions about the solar system, such as
- What are the relative positions and movements of the objects?
- What are their characteristics and features?
- What are some potential “what if” scenarios that could change the solar system or Earth?
Activity
(25 minutes)
Choose one or two of the most engaging “what if” questions generated by the students in the previous section. You can either select them yourself or have the students vote on them.
- Divide the students into groups and challenge them to create a model or representation of what Earth might be like if the conditions were different based on the chosen scenario.
- Provide some criteria and rubrics for evaluating the models, such as accuracy, creativity, clarity, evidence, and feedback.
- Provide students with various materials to use for their models, such as construction paper, crayons, paint, or recycled objects.
- Encourage them to be creative and innovative.
- Have each group present their model and explain their design choices, emphasizing how Earth might be different in the chosen scenario.
- Ask them to provide evidence and reasoning for their claims. Allow other students to ask questions and give feedback.
We will create and present models of what Earth might be like if the conditions in the solar system were different.
Choose one or two of the most interesting “what if” scenarios that you heard.
- Use the materials provided to make your models
- (construction paper, crayons, paint, styrofoam spheres, egg cartons, popsicle sticks, anything else you can find around the classroom)
Explain your design choices and how they reflect the potential consequences of the chosen scenario.
Discussion
(15 minutes)
- Facilitate a class discussion where students share their thoughts and reflections on the “what if” scenarios explored in the previous section.
- Ask them to explain their reasoning and evidence for their claims, and to consider the perspectives and opinions of others.
- Encourage students to analyze the factors that affect habitability on a planet, such as distance from the sun, size, mass, gravity, atmosphere, water, temperature, etc.
- Ask them to compare and contrast Earth with other planets or moons in the solar system, and to speculate on the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe.
- Discuss how the moon rock and the exploration of the solar system contribute to our understanding of Earth’s uniqueness and its place in the vast universe.
- Ask them to reflect on the importance and value of space exploration and scientific inquiry, and to express their curiosity and wonder about the universe.
We will now share our thoughts and reflections on the “what if” scenarios that you explored in the previous section.
We will discuss how the different factors in the solar system affect the habitability of Earth and other planets.
We will also connect the moon rock and the exploration of the solar system to our understanding of Earth’s uniqueness and its place in the vast universe
Assessment
(10 minutes)
Provide students with some paper and pens to write their reflections.
- Give students about 5 minutes to write their reflections, using the questions as a guide. Remind them to use complete sentences, proper grammar, and evidence from the lesson.
Pair students to review each other’s reflections and provide constructive feedback. Ask them to use the following criteria to evaluate the reflections:
- Accuracy: Does the reflection accurately describe the objects, positions, movements, and potential consequences of the solar system?
- Clarity: Is the reflection clear and easy to understand? Does it use appropriate vocabulary and terminology?
- Evidence: Does the reflection provide evidence and reasoning to support the claims and opinions?
- Reflection: Does the reflection show personal interest and curiosity about the topic? Does it connect the learning to real-world situations or future lessons?
Give students about 5 minutes to exchange their reflections and feedback. Encourage them to use positive and respectful language, and to ask questions if they are unsure or confused.
Let's demonstrate our understanding of the solar system and Earth’s place in the universe by writing a short reflection and giving feedback to your desk buddy.
Answer the following questions in your reflection:
- What are the main objects that make up the solar system and what are their characteristics and features?
- How do the sun, moon, and planets move and affect each other in the solar system?
- How might Earth be different if it were in a different part of the solar system or galaxy?
- What did you learn from this lesson that surprised or interested you the most?