Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Here's a nifty tool that calculates the measurements you'll need for an exact scale model of the solar system. Just enter the size of the Sun and the page calculates everything else. Because of the vast size differences involved, it may be difficult to create a model in a small space, but just comparing the numbers can be instructive.

tag(s): planets (113), solar system (110), sun (71)

NASA offers an easy-to-use collection of images of the planets, their moons, and other comets, asteroids, and similar objects that pass by from time to time. Many of the images are indexed by the mission which obtained them, but the thumbnails will help you find what you're looking for. Great image resource for a solar system unit.

tag(s): moon (73), planets (113), solar system (110)

NASA's student-participation satellite project has enlisted students to help polish mirrors for a series of satellites students can actually spot from space. The site includes information on how to spot a satellite, how to participate in a mirror polishing assignment, and the objectives of the starshine spacecraft. Try it for a hands-on space study.

tag(s): nasa (30), stars (71)

This is a collection of science and math lessons and web resources ranging from how the Internet works to nanoscience, engineering, biology, and principles of physics and chemistry. The content is predictably detailed, "real science" based on topics and phenomena that will interest students. These are the best of the best lessons and resources with applicability to lots of settings.

tag(s): antarctica (30), arctic (40), biomes (110), chemicals (39), computers (109), cultures (180), earth (184), engineering (129), environment (252), fractions (160), geometric shapes (134), numbers (120), origami (14), planets (113), robotics (24), space (222), symmetry (26)

The Russian Mir space station is how history, but this site from the PBS NOVA series provides a nice overview of the first permanent space station and how it fell victim to the changes in Russia's economy and politics. Great images and interviews, too.

tag(s): space (222)

This is NASA's virtual reality tour of the space station. Visit the different sections of the space station beginning with the Russian section (Zarya and Zvezda) and proceeding through each section. Your students will master the quirky controls more quickly than you do, and it's a great exploration.

tag(s): space (222)

NASA's real-time data site lets you see where and when you can spot the space station with the naked eye. Find "View From the ISS" and click "more photos" under that to explore more images taken from the space station. You will need to click on the icon for the image to see a larger version with an explanation.

tag(s): space (222)

This is a nicely indexed, searchable collection of NASA photos whose topics range from aeronautics to space, the planets, and beyond. Most are copyright-free, since they were created for government use. While some image sizes are quite large, this could be a wonderful resource for creating web projects, student use, or other space and astronomy applications.

tag(s): air (101), images (263), solar system (110), space (222)

This site is the home page for the Hubble space telescope. In addition to a collection of fabulous photographs, the site offers descriptions of the Hubble's various missions (see the menu at the bottom of the page) and videos of images collected. The information it has collected since an in-flight repair several years ago restored its "eyesight." Well worth a visit, especially for the images.

tag(s): telescopes (11)

This site uses Galileo's Villa as the starting point for a lengthy description of the famous astronomer's life, times, and scientific obsevations and achievements. The site is by no means new, and it consists mostly of text. That said, the articles will retain the attention of an interested student.

tag(s): galileo (6)

This web site shows and tells all about auroras, seen both from the earth and from space. A self-guided tour explains how and why they occur and includes sound clips from a NASA scientist. The pictures are excellent, text is well-written, and links to other aurora information are included. You can also post your own ideas here. Sound files are accessed with RealAudio, available in the TeachersFirst toolbox.

tag(s): space (222)

Neil Fetter, The Exploratorium - This well-designed site explains four different kinds of space telescopes, including the Hubble, then outlines hands-on activities to reinforce key concepts. Photos of the activities help explain what to do. This site is a set of lessons in itself.

tag(s): space (222), telescopes (11)

Created by the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center which is located within the Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics (LHEA) at NASA/GSFC. This is an incredible site. It gives easy to read tables of previously taught background necessary for the students to successfully complete the experiments, necessary materials (for both teacher and students), copy ready data tables, and lesson plans. There is also a list of featured programs (with and without curriculum).

tag(s): gravity (43), space (222), stars (71)

This collection from the Science Education Gateway at U.C. Berkeley includes lessons for elementary and middle school students that use the web to introduce concepts such as measuring the temperature of the sun and tracking the orbits of satellites. As a group, they introduce serious science in an approachable manner. Students will need Internet access to use most of the lessons.

tag(s): space (222)

Here's a chance for your space students to build their own satellite, learn about different types of satellites, their orbits, and how they operate. Developed by M.I.T. with help from Lockheed Martin, the site includes a number of interactive Java applets that kids can use to test out their own skills. A Java-capable browser is a must.

tag(s): space (222)

This is NASA's "home page" for school-related information. There's almost too much here, and figuring out where to go next can be a problem. It's a good starting point, though, especially when used in conjunction with the other NASA resources on this page.

tag(s): space (222)

This is NASA's starting point for kids interested in NASA activities. Introduced in June, 1999, it offers dozens of NASA web resources groups into logical categories. Given the hundreds of pages that NASA has on the web, this page should make it easier for students to find information they can use.

tag(s): space (222)

CNN offers a virtual reality tour of the International Space Station. It's a great way to explore the station's various components and construction. You'll need a computer with a 166 MHz processor or better, and the Cosmo player plug-in for your browser. Depending on the speed of your modem connection, the demo could take 3-5 minutes to load. It's worth the wait.

tag(s): space (222)

Find information about the Mars Rover, Past Missions, and Photos of the Exploration of Mars.

tag(s): mars (26), planets (113), space (222)

Find everything you need to know about the most recent mission to Mars and NASA's plans for future missions.

tag(s): mars (26), space (222)