Study of the solar system inspires the imagination and further investigation.
The study of our solar system --- its eight main planets, dwarf planets, comets, asteroids and moons --- continues to fascinate and inspire ongoing exploration. A variety of freely available, interdisciplinary and inquiry-based solar system science projects and other learning resources are available for elementary, middle and high school students.
Gravity Gauge
When you change direction or speed, the effect of gravitational forces --- "G-forces" --- changes as well. Astronauts experience these changes in G-forces upon takeoff, in orbit, and when re-entering the atmosphere. Students can build a gravity gauge to test and apply this concept, using simple, readily available and mostly free materials: a wax paper cardboard tube, three 1/2-oz. fishing sinkers, two rubber bands, cardboard, masking tape, scissors and a marking pen.
Cutting a 3/4-inch by 8-inch rectangular window out of the tube, students use rubber bands and fishing sinkers to mark the 1-G, 2-G and 3-G positions on the tube; the negative 1-G, 2-G and 3-G positions; and the 0-G position. To test the various G-forces, students hold their gauges upright and in front and perform activities such as jumping up and down, riding up and down in an elevator or taking a roller-coaster ride (see References).
Follow the Falling Meteorite
Developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the "Follow the Falling Meteorite" lesson is part of a larger, freely available interdisciplinary curriculum that explores the mysteries of meteorites. This lesson combines a study of meteorites and geometry, and teachers can modify it for upper-elementary through high-school-age students. Students learn and apply the basic geometric principle of triangulation to "hunt" and locate meteorites. This lesson covers the basics of triangulation and an activity that uses noisemakers to apply this concept. The second part of this lesson has students tracking a meteor's path using triangulation.
Mission to Mars
The Mission to Mars lesson plan --- appropriate for grades six through eight --- is part of Discovery Education's lesson plan library. After reviewing background videos and research, students form smaller planning committees/teams that cover a variety of topics and projects: designing a Mars exploration rover; debating the pros and cons of having a consortium of nations working toward a manned flight to Mars; the composition of the crew, and the ethics of spending for space exploration.
Introduction to Geological Processes: Team Presentations
After a review of the geological processes that affect the solar system's terrestrial planets and the Earth's Moon, students form teams to research and develop presentations. Based on charts and information available from the Hawaii Space Grant Consortium, these presentations creatively demonstrate --- perhaps through narrative, artwork and the projection of relevant Internet pages or prepared slides --- the geological processes of weathering, erosion, volcanism, impact cratering, gradation and tectonics.
Tags: apply this, apply this concept, available interdisciplinary, Falling Meteorite, fishing sinkers, Follow Falling, Follow Falling Meteorite
