Teacher resources & Lesson Ideas

To support your astronomy curriculum, check out the following Websites for science project ideas, lesson plans, and more. Note, while Spaced Out: A Cosmic Scene provides links to these web-based resources that we feel are appropriate, we cannot guarantee that all the content presented in these web resources is scientifically accurate. As an educator it is your responsibility to verify the accuracy of all resources used with your students.

Our Place In The Universe – site provides artist depictions of universe and Milky Way galaxy http://www.efn.org/~jack_v/Universe.html

Shape and Size of the Milky Way

NASA PlanetQuest multimedia -- click on "3D Guide to the Galaxy"
http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/gallery_index.cfm

Multiwavelength Milky Way Web Pages - These pages bring together several data sets to visualize images of our Milky Way galaxy in various wavelength regions. The site's intent is to present and explain how data across the electromagnetic spectrum are used by astronomers to learn about the Milky Way's shape, size, and composition. Home page: http://mwmw.gsfc.nasa.gov/

Multiwavelength Milky Way Education Page http://mwmw.gsfc.nasa.gov/mmw_edu.html

Background Information on Galaxies

"Milky Way" by Mark Morris, World Book Online Reference Center
http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Article?id=ar361720

"Galaxy" by Kenneth Brecher, World Book Online Reference Center
http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Article?id=ar215080

Classification of Galaxies and Galaxies Shapes

Galaxy Classification – info for the 'more enlightened' educator
http://www.astr.ua.edu/keel/galaxies/classify.html

Galaxy Classification – lists and shows images of types of galaxies
http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/G/galaxy_classification.html

"Galaxies"
http://cass.ucsd.edu/public/tutorial/Galaxies.html

Galaxy Types Compared
http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/resources/organizers/galaxy.php

Collection of Images of Galaxies
http://hubblesite.org/gallery/album/galaxy/

Galaxy Zoo
https://galaxyzoo.org/

Hubble Deep Field Academy Lesson Plan
http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/
http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/resources/explorations/hdf/

Our Milky Way Galaxy is only one of about a hundred billion galaxies in the universe. Video tour of Milky Way with script as viewed from Huddle Telescope.
http://hubblesite.org/gallery/tours/tour-hudf/

Long Distance Space Flight
http://aboutfacts.net/Science24.htm

Parallax Background and Lesson

Parallax Model – visual representation and explanation. Suggest showing students this representation.
http://encarta.msn.com/media_461527002_761559095_-1_1/Stellar_Parallax.html

Practical Uses of Math and Science Website – Topic: When a ruler is too short.
http://pumas.gsfc.nasa.gov/examples/index.php?id=96 introduces the history of parallax. The student lesson with depiction of eye view of parallax and stellar view of parallax are found at https://pumas.gsfc.nasa.gov/files/04_28_05_1.pdf

Parallax: How Far Is It?
http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/pass/passv09/PASSv9samples.html
Click on Parallax: How Far Is It? (PDF file)

Distance to Stars – Trigonometry Parallax – site provides a great history and easy to read explanation of how astronomers use trigonometry to measure distances to some of the stars. Provides diagrams and animation for parallax observations from Earth. http://www.astronomynotes.com/starprop/s2.htm

Activity Demonstrating the Distances of Stars
http://www.pbs.org/deepspace/classroom/activity3.html

Drawings and Background Info On Parallax
http://www.phy6.org/stargaze/Sparalax.htm

A Quick Time Movie of Parallax
http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~pogge/Ast162/Movies/parallax.html

Astronomy Resources

Website for detecting planets – http://www.astronomynotes.com/solfluf/s12.htm

GLOBE at Night – http://www.globe.gov/GaN/
Find easy-to-follow instructions for participating in this project at this site, where students can also record their observations of the night sky. Prior to the star-hunting event, students can log on to learn about Orion's role in Greek mythology, star magnitude, and other topics.

International Year of Astronomy 2009 – http://www.globe.gov/GaN/
A list of global projects designed to promote awareness of astronomy and dark skies. Some activities are too advanced for elementary school students.

The GLOBE Program – http://www.globe.gov/r
Abundant resources for integrating related lessons about such topics as atmosphere and climate, clouds, and hydrology.

400 Years of the Telescope – http://www.400years.org/
Information about a new documentary that follows astronomical discoveries starting from Galileo's first peek through the telescope. The site offers a viewing schedule and "Profiles in Astronomy" that may serve as excellent bases for history lessons.

Hands-On Optics – http://www.hands-on-optics.org/home/
Six modules for teaching about optics. Lessons range from studies of lasers to magnification and communicating with light.

The International Dark-Sky Association – viewing the night sky and the importance of darkness for biological growth. Lessons on the solar system and the effects of light pollution on wildlife, as well as science, writing, and art projects for students ages 7-12. http://www.darksky.org/mc/page.do

This site even offers suggestions for a ‘Star Party’ with your students http://www.darksky.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=56428&orgId=idsa

National Optical Astronomy Observatory http://www.noao.edu/ with a link to educational applications http://www.noao.edu/education/
NOAO is engaged in programs to develop the next generation of telescopes, instruments, and software tools necessary to enable exploration and investigation through the observable Universe, from planets orbiting other stars to the most distant galaxies in the Universe.

Sun As a Star: Science Learning Activities for Afterschool - The Sun As a Star activities teach concepts related to the sun with opportunities for the students to investigate each idea. Most of the nine sequential activities can be completed in about one hour.

Here you can download a 37-page teacher resource guide, which suggests 9 activities you can do with your students, many of these activities support information presented in Spaced Out: A Cosmic Scene episodes.