Evolution of the Universe

This topic almost always inspires awe among students as they contemplate their place in the universe. By tapping into Stephen Hawking's ideas from the Background Information for Teachers section and choosing carefully from the resources in this section, teachers can encourage students to further develop their concepts of the vastness of the universe.

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Size and Scale http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/sizeandscale/index.html

A lesson plan from DiscoverySchool.com gives teachers a well-conceived and thorough activity on the physics of size and scale. Objectives of the lesson include understanding the relative sizes of bodies in our solar system and why making a scale model of the entire solar system is a problem because the distances in space are so great. The site contains all the information needed to complete the lesson, as well as a printable version and related links. MSP full record

Galaxies Galore, Games and More http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/galaxies-galore/index.html

In this learning module, students use their observational skills to recognize patterns and learn how galaxies are classified as spiral, elliptical, and irregular. They will also become acquainted with the structure of their home galaxy, the Milky Way. All lessons are interactive. Students will be able to view actual photographs as they construct an interactive Milky Way, do a galaxy hunt, and play galaxy matching games. In the trading cards game, they will match pictures to facts to create a mosaic picture of the galaxy M51. MSP full record

Amazing Space Teaching Tools http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/eds/tools/

This collection of teaching tools includes pictures and facts, fast facts, graphic organizers, Q&A sessions, and online explorations on an array of general subjects, such as gravity, galaxies, and the solar system. MSP full record

Rader's Comos4kids! http://www.cosmos4kids.com/

The science education web site offers a wealth of information about the universe, the galaxies, the solar and other systems, stars, and space exploration, all written for young people. MSP full record

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Copyright August 2007 — The Ohio State University. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0424671. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.