This collection of learning activities allows students to explore phenology, phenological changes over time, and how these changes fit into the larger context of climate change. Students explore patterns of solar radiation and seasons as well as phenological cycles and ecological affects of these patterns.

This activity engages learners to investigate the impact of Earth's tilt and the angle of solar insolation as the reason for seasons by doing a series of hands-on activities that include scale models. Students plot the path of the Sun's apparent movement across the sky on two days separated by three months of time.

Students explore orbit transfers and, specifically, Hohmann transfers. They investigate the orbits of Earth and Mars by using cardboard and string. Students learn about the planets' orbits around the sun, and about a transfer orbit from one planet to the other. After the activity, students will know exactly what is meant by a delta-v maneuver!

No matter where you live, there are things to observe in the night sky. In this episode learn how you can become a night sky observer.

STEM in 30 celebrates the 2017 Great American Eclipse live from Liberty, Missouri, in the path of totality, and at the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory at the Museum in Washington, DC.

Join NASA Astronaut, and geologist Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger as she teaches you about plate tectonics using graham crackers and icing.

What do graham crackers and plate tectonics have in common? Find out with this hands on demo featuring NASA astronaut Drew Feustel.

In this episode of ISS Science you'll learn how you can spot the ISS.

Astronaut Randy Bresnik will have a unique view as he watches from space. In this episode of ISS Science, find out how the ISS crew will watch and learn how to build your own eclipse.

This lesson investigates the alignment of the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun during a solar eclipse and model that alignment with classroom materials.

Students will compare and contrast the different tectonic boundaries and use models to show tectonic boundaries

Students will investigate the geometry of the International Space Station's (ISS) orbit and its motion relative to the Earth.

An introduction to our solar system the planets, our Sun and Moon. To begin, students learn about the history and engineering of space travel. They make simple rockets to acquire a basic understanding Newton's third law of motion. They explore energy transfer concepts and use renewable solar energy for cooking. They see how engineers design tools, equipment and spacecraft to go where it is too far and too dangerous for humans. They explore the Earth's water cycle, and gravity as applied to orbiting bodies. They learn the steps of the design process as they create their own models of planetary rovers made of edible parts. Students conduct experiments to examine soil for signs of life, and explore orbit transfers. While studying about the International Space Station, they investigate the realities of living in space. Activities explore low gravity on human muscles, eating in microgravity, and satellite tracking. Finally, students learn about the context of our solar system the universe as they learn about the Hubble Space Telescope, celestial navigation and spectroscopy.

This is a 30 minute lesson where students will be able to:
1. Describe the size, composition, and motion of meteors and comets.
2. Discuss the similarities and differences in comets and meteors.
3. Explain:
a. what happens to meteors as they fall through the atmosphere
b. why comet debris is observed as a meteor shower from the Earth
c. how the planet's gravitational forces affect a comet's orbit.
d. why we see a comet's tail.
e. why a comet disintegrates when it gets close to the sun.

Here is a way that you can create a 3D model to wrap your head around moon phases.

Students will be working with the problem “How do we know water is safe to drink?” under the theme of “How does access to clean water and sanitation affect a culture?” Students participate in labs related to the hydrologic cycle and water quality. Students design and build a local watershed to model the movement of water across land. Students also research and explore print, video, and audio resources for news and information about local / global water pollution / impact by and on humans.Students share what they have researched with each other, then create an artifact (infographic, video, slideshow, animation, comic strip, etc) intended to educate peers and younger students about water quality and its importance. Ideally, finished products would be shared with others in an authentic setting.Standards:Ohio Science Standards (Grade 7)CCSS English Language Arts (Grade 7)

The Apollo 11 mission to the moon in 1969 introduced The Lunar Laser Ranging Interplanetary Experiment led by Hildreth (Hal) Walker Jr. This ongoing experiment measures Earth's distance from the Moon

During this live chat we discussed the solstice and answered your questions about the Sun.

Jeffrey Kluger, author of "Apollo 8: The Thrilling Story of the First Mission to the Moon" and "Time" magazine editor talks about the significance of Apollo 8