Solar System Exploration: Education: Fast Lesson Finder


	Solar Science - Study of the Sun The sun, our closest star, has been a constant in all of human history. It contains most of the matter of our solar system; it is the source of the energy that sustains us. Investigating the energies of the electromagnetic spectrum and understanding the effects of the sun on the Earth and other objects in the solar system prepares us to explore other stars and their solar systems. Every science class can incorporate these activities into the curricula including physics and chemistry.

Activity Title:

Cleanroom Interactive Field Trip

General Description:

Participants take a simulated online journey to discover how Genesis scientists analyze solar samples in a 10 cleanroom. They learn about the working conditions that are necessary to ensure that the results are accurate.

Content Standard:

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives: Develop Understanding of Environmental Quality

General Topic:

Modeling

Source:

Genesis Education

Body:

Uranus

Grade Level:

5-8

Mission:

Genesis

Activity Title:

Cooling with Sunshades

General Description:

Participants understand the MESSENGER spacecraft's cooling system through modeling a simple device to measure the effectiveness of different shielding materials against sunlight.

Content Standard:

Physical Science: Conservation of Energy and the Increase in Disorder

General Topic:

Light

Source:

MESSENGER

Body:

Mercury

Grade Level:

9-12

Mission:

MESSENGER

Background:

Missions to Mercury

Activity Title:

Cosmic Chemistry: An Elemental Question

General Description:

Participants practice and understand the use of ratios in describing the abundances of isotopes.
Module Overview Teacher Guide Student Activity

Additional Resources are available on the Genesis Education website.

Content Standard:

Physical Science: Structure and Properties of Matter

General Topic:

Math Ratios

Source:

Genesis Mission Education

Body:

Sun

Grade Level:

9-12

Mission:

Genesis

Background:

Solar System Missions

Activity Title:

Here Comes the Heat

General Description:

Participants use spectroscopy to measure heat. Participants will develop a better understanding of the various units used by scientist to characterize electromagnetic radiation.
Teacher Guide Student Text Student Activity
Student Data Sheet Student Handout

Content Standard:

Physical Science: Interactions of Matter and Energy

General Topic:

Light/Energy

Source:

Genesis

Body:

Uranus

Grade Level:

9-12

Mission:

Genesis

Background:

Solar System Missions

View Teacher's Notes

Activity Title:

Hole-In-One

General Description:

Participants experiment with a parabola and simulate the collection of ions onto the target of the concentrator to model the Genesis Solar Wind Concentrator.

Content Standard:

Science and Technology: Understanding About Science and Technology

General Topic:

Modeling

Source:

Genesis Kids

Body:

Pluto

Grade Level:

K-4

Mission:

Genesis

Background:

Solar System Missions

Activity Title:

Interactive Periodic Table

General Description:

Participants model the process that Mendeleev used to build the periodic table.

Content Standard:

Physical Science: Structure and Properties of Matter

General Topic:

Modeling

Source:

Genesis Education

Body:

Venus

Grade Level:

5-8

Mission:

Genesis

Activity Title:

Modeling Solar Wind Collection

General Description:

Participants model how different materials collect different solar wind particles.
Teacher Guide
Student Activity

Content Standard:

Science and Technology: Understanding About Science and Technology

General Topic:

Modeling

Source:

Genesis Mission Education

Body:

Earth

Grade Level:

K-4

Mission:

Genesis

Background:

Solar System Missions

Activity Title:

Photons in the Radioactive Zone

General Description:

Participants model how photons leave the Sun.
Teacher Guide Student Activity Student Text

Content Standard:

Physical Science: Transfer of Energy

General Topic:

Light/Energy

Source:

Genesis

Body:

Sun

Grade Level:

5-8

Mission:

Genesis

Background:

Missions to the Sun
Solar System Missions

Activity Title:

Sensing the Invisible

General Description:

Participants experiment with infrared sensing and discover that there is a radiation other than visible light arriving from the sun.

Content Standard:

Physical Science: Transfer of Energy

General Topic:

Light/Energy

Source:

MESSENGER

Body:

Mercury

Grade Level:

5-8

Mission:

MESSENGER

Background:

Missions to Mercury

Activity Title:

Snow Goggles

General Description:

Participants will build snow goggles similar to those used by the Inuit peoples. By studying ancient solutions to the problem of excessive sunlight on human vision, we can better understand the process of designing the solar panels on the MESSENGER spacecraft.

Content Standard:

Physical Science: Transfer of Energy

General Topic:

Light/Energy

Source:

MESSENGER

Body:

Mercury

Grade Level:

5-8

Mission:

MESSENGER

Background:

Missions to Mercury

Activity Title:

Solar System Beads

General Description:

Participants construct a distance model of the Solar System using string and beads. They convert AU's to centimeters.

Content Standard:

Earth and Space Science: Understand the Origin and Evolution of the Earth System

General Topic:

Modeling

Source:

Mars Activities
(Activity 20)

Body:

Mercury

Grade Level:

5-8

Activity Title:

The Invisible Fire

General Description:

Participants examine the properties involving extreme heat.
Student Activity
Student Text

Content Standard:

Physical Science: Conservation of Energy and the Increase of Disorder

General Topic:

Light/Energy

Source:

Genesis

Body:

Sun

Grade Level:

9-12

Mission:

Genesis

Background:

Genesis Mission Profile