Space Science


More free activities are available on the Space Science page!

Return to Kits Homepage

Click on any picture to enlarge it. Images will open in a new window.


 

Cultural Connections 4th-5th grade kit contents on a black background.Cultural Connections Northern Lights: 4th-5th Grades

Learn about the northern lights by engaging with traditional Iñupiaq knowledge and scientific inquiry. Listen to stories from elders about the northern lights. Learn Iñupiaq words for science vocabulary. Exploe the Earth's magnetic field, learn about energy transfer, and energize tubes of gases to see how the colors of the northern lights are created.

This kit was developed by the Geophysical Institute (University of Alaska Fairbanks). Learn more at the Cultural Connections website.

What’s in the Kit?

Elementary School Student Guides
Creating the Northern Lights poster
Vocabulary Cards
Spectrum Lenses
Flashlight
Compasses

Magnetic Field Viewers
Magnets
Chalk Pastels
Spectrum Tube Carousel
   Power supply
   Neon gas tube
   Nitrogen gas tube
   Carbon Dioxide gas tube
Northern Lights: The Soccer Trails book
The Northern Lights: Secrets of the Aurora Borealis
book
Binder with Teacher's Manual
USB Drive Kiguguyat: The Northern Lights video and multimedia

Recommended grade levels: 4-5
Key words: Astronomy; Aurora; Cultural Knowledge; Iñupiaq; Magnets; Northern Lights; Space Science; Sun

Cultural Connections 6th-8th grade kit contents on a black background.Cultural Connections Northern Lights: 6th-8th Grades

Learn about the northern lights by engaging with traditional Iñupiaq knowledge and scientific inquiry. Listen to stories from elders about the northern lights. Learn Iñupiaq words for science vocabulary. Build a scale model of the solar system, view sunspots where solar flares are formed, understand magnetic fields that shape the solar winds to form the northern lights, and even become an aurora forecaster!

This kit was developed by the Geophysical Institute (University of Alaska Fairbanks). Learn more at the Cultural Connections website.

What’s in the Kit? 

Middle School Student Guides
Creating the Northern Lights poster
Vocabulary Cards
Sun poster on fabric
Scale Solar System Model: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, & Pluto (dwarf planet)
Sunspot/Solar Viewer cards
Magnetic Field Observation Windows
Bar Magnets
Iron Filings Cases
Iron Filings
Measuring Wheel
Chalk Pastels
The Aurora Watcher's Handbook book
Binder with Teacher's Manual

USB Drive Kiguguyat: The Northern Lights video and multimedia

Recommended grade levels: 6-8
Key words: Astronomy; Aurora; Cultural Knowledge; Iñupiaq; Magnets; Northern Lights; Space Science; Sun

Borrow Kit
Return to Kits Homepage

 


 

Energetic Aurora kit contents on a black background.Energetic Aurora Kit
Introduce students to the northern lights. The kit includes background theory and directions for activities about Earth's magnetic field, electrical currents and magnetism, triangulation, and the basics of light and color. Activities involve using protractors, recording and interpreting observations, using trigonometry, and constructing experimental set-ups.
 

What’s in the Kit?

Make an Astrolabe activity
Magnets and Magnetic Field Observation Boxes
World’s Simplest Motor activity and materials
Spectrum Glasses
Prisms
Binder: Activities and Information
Energetic Aurora CD
PowerPoint presentation, videos and script

Recommended grade levels: 6-12
Key wordsAstronomy; Aurora; Magnetism; Northern Lights; Space Science

Borrow Kit
Return to Kits Homepage

 


 

Hubble Resource kit contents on black background.Hubble Resource Kit

This kit introduces the topics of star formation and interacting galaxies. Using images from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and interactive education tools, students will make observations and formulate scientific questions related to space science. 

What’s in the Kit?  

“Stellar Spire in the Eagle Nebula” lithographs
"Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) & Companion Galaxy” lithographs
Star Formation info sheet
Interacting Galaxies info sheet
Hubble Source video collection DVD & activity
Amazing Space Offline CD-ROM activity

Recommended grade levels: 5-12
Key words: Astronomy; Galaxies; Hubble; Space Science; Stars

Borrow Kit
Return to Kits Homepage

 


 

Sun Discovery kit contents on starry background.Sun Discovery Kit

Introduce students to the Sun with a variety of STEAM activities. Explore a range of topics about the Sun and how it influences life on Earth, including the layers of the Sun, space exploration, solar eclipses, the aurora, seasons, solar energy and climate change, and more. The kit includes hands-on materials, supplies for kinesthetic learning, activities and worksheets, and background information.

What’s in the Kit?  

LEGO building bricks
Scale Solar System Model
Giant Inflatable Solar System and Pump
Play Silks
Eclipse Glasses
Tennis Ball
Chalk Pastels
White Chalk

Magnetic Field Viewer and Magnets
Thermometers
UV Beads and Flashlight
Diffraction Glasses
Celestial Buddy Sun plushie
Mind Melting Facts About The Sun poster
The Sun: NASA Images From Space
book
Raven Returns The Daylight book
Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring The Earth to Life book
Sun! One in a Billion book
Northern Lights Learning Cards
Activity Binder
USB Drive

Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Astronomy; Aurora; Climate; Eclipse; Energy; Heliophysics; Sun; Solar System

Borrow Kit
Return to Kits Homepage