From videos to ready-to implement classroom activities, we’re here to help you get your learners excited about air and space.
Glide Slope
Students explore slope calculations by calculating glide slope of planes landing on aircraft carriers.
https://s.si.edu/GlideSlope
Grade 7, Grade 8
Aviation, Military aviation
Teacher
cc-by-nc
Lunar Explorer Training: Craters
Crater Formation slides that support the Lunar Explorer Training Unit
https://s.si.edu/LunarExplorerTrainingCraters
Grade 3, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 4, Grade 8, Grade 7
Apollo program, Human spaceflight, Moon (Earth), Science
Student
cc-by-nc
Lunar Explorer Training
The Apollo 15 astronauts were trained in geology and sampling techniques. Complete your own geology training by completing these activities to become a Lunar Explorer.
https://sites.google.com/si.edu/lunar-explorer-training/lunar-explorer-training
Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Apollo program, Human spaceflight, Moon (Earth), Physical science
Parent/Caregiver
cc-by-nc
Smithsonian Science Starter: Music in a Vacuum with Astronaut Scott Tingle
Astronaut Scott Tingle talks to us about sounds in space and then “jammed” with host Marty.
https://youtu.be/d7WtC_DHXCI
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Physical science, Science
Teacher
cc-by-nc
Pythagorean Theorem
Students will use the Pythagorean Theorem to find missing lengths of a triangle, and be able to explain why the Pythagorean Theorem is helpful in real world situations.
https://s.si.edu/PythagoreanTheorem
Grade 8
Rockets
Teacher
cc-by-nc
Lunar Explorer Training: Lunar Landscape
Study geologic formations to learn more about what Al Worden saw as he flew over the Moon. Part of the Lunar Explorer Training Unit
https://s.si.edu/LunarExplorerTrainingLunarLandscape
Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Apollo program, Human spaceflight, Science
Student
cc-by-nc
Hot Air Balloons and Volume
Students will customize a hot air balloon using a non-typical shape and calculate volume
https://s.si.edu/HotAirBalloonsandVolume
Grade 6, Grade 8, Grade 7
Balloons
Teacher
cc-by-nc
Lighter Than Air: Building a Hot Air Balloon Lesson
Students will build a working model of a hot air balloon
https://s.si.edu/BuildingaHotAirBalloon
Grade 6, Grade 8, Grade 7
Balloons
Teacher
cc-by-nc
Composite Material Testing
Students will build and test composite materials to determine if they increase strength without significantly increasing weight.
https://s.si.edu/CompositeMaterialTesting
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Technology and Engineering
Teacher
cc-by-nc
Lunar Explorer Training: Rock Identification
Use the information in this presentation to learn about how to classify rocks and go on a sample lunar mission of your own. These slides support the Lunar Explorer Training Unit
https://s.si.edu/LunarExplorerTrainingRockIdentification
Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Apollo program, Human spaceflight, Moon (Earth), Science
Student
cc-by-nc
The Wright Flyer
Students will use ratio analysis with lift versus to help design the best aircraft possible.
https://s.si.edu/3Y3pEWb
Grade 6
Early flight
Teacher
cc-by-nc
Lunar Explorer Training: Regolith
Regolith slides and activity that explore how regolith is created and its presence on the Earth, the Moon, and Mars. These slides support the Lunar Explorer Training Unit
https://s.si.edu/LunarExplorerTrainingRegolith
Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Apollo program, Human spaceflight, Moon (Earth)