This Bundle Includes the Following:
- Galaxy Types Classification Activity (with Google option)
- Astronomy Claims & Evidence Stations (with Google option)
- Draw Our Solar System TO SCALE Poster Project
- Graphing Gravity Activity (with Google option)
- Weight on Different Planets Activity (with Google option)
- Group Activity: Graphing Sunspots and the Solar Cycle
- Health Risks in Space Reading & Activity (with Google option)
- NASA Scientist Biography & Worksheet (with Google option)
Astronomy Activities Descriptions:
1. Galaxy Types Sorting Activity: In this activity, students will:
- Read about different types of galaxies.
- Answer several text-dependent analysis questions.
- Practice classifying pictures of 10 real galaxies.
2. Astronomy Claims & Evidence: This is a station activity with 18 data station cards included. Each station includes a data table, a graph, or an infographic about objects in the solar system and a brief reading passage. Students will answer a question at each station by analyzing this information. AWESOME astronomy activity for practicing DATA ANALYSIS and MAKING CLAIMS FROM EVIDENCE!
3. Draw Our Solar System TO SCALE: Students create a (really long!) poster of our solar system. In this activity, students will follow these steps:
- Tape several pieces of copy paper together to create a long poster.
- Follow specific, given measurements to create planets that are the correct diameter and distance apart.
- Color the planets according to the provided information.
- Label all space objects.
4. Graphing Gravity Activity: This gravity activity has students investigate the particles of Saturn’s rings to determine the relationship between mass and gravity, and distance and gravity. There are several parts:
- Part 1: Introduction
- Part 2: Provides a data table of ring particles’ masses and gravitational forces. Students analyze the data table for trends and then graph the data on a provided graph.
- Part 3: Provides a data table of ring particles’ distances from Saturn and gravitational force. Analyze the data for trends and then graph the data on a provided graph.
- Part 4: Several analysis questions, including a claims/evidence/reasoning table, all of which focus on the relationship between mass and gravity, and distance and gravity.
5. Weight on Different Planets Activity: Give middle school students a better understanding of their relative weight on different planets as they have fun finding out how heavy or how light they would be elsewhere in the solar system!
6. Group Activity: Graphing Sunspots and the Solar Cycle: Students learn about and graph solar activity by year to discover the 11-year solar cycle. In this activity, students will:
- READ an introduction to sunspots and solar flares.
- ANSWER “check for understanding” questions.
- GRAPH sunspot data to reveal the 11-year solar activity cycle.
7. Health Risks in Space Reading & Activity: In this activity, students will:
- READ the engaging article “Health Risks” about the various effects of space on the body.
- Define KEY TERMS from the text.
- Summarize the effects of space on the body on a GRAPHIC ORGANIZER.
- ANSWER 10 text-dependent analysis questions.
8. NASA Scientist Biography & Worksheet: Students get to know Valerie Thomas, NASA scientist! Includes a biography article and reading comprehension questions.
Teacher Notes:
- Answer keys included.
- Please note: these astronomy activities are not editable.
- Standards: NGSS MS-ESS1-1, MS-ESS1-2, and MS-ESS1-3.
- Find lots more space resources in the ASTRONOMY section of the shop!
- You can also shop our TPT store!
Related Standards:
- NGSS MS-ESS1-1: Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses, and seasons.
- NGSS MS-ESS1-2: Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system.
- NGSS MS-ESS1-3: Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.
