From videos to ready-to implement classroom activities, we’re here to help you get your learners excited about air and space.
Smithsonian Science Starter: Gardening Time With Astronaut Peggy Whitson
Astronaut Peggy Whitson helps out with a gardening activity that you could do at home or in the classroom.
https://youtu.be/HWyv6PWRPvs
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Human spaceflight, Life sciences, Physical science
Teacher
cc-by-nc
Women in Mathematics
Students research female mathematicians and make a model of their work.
https://s.si.edu/3HAHPwS
Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Women
Teacher
cc-by-nc
Smithsonian Science Starter: Become a Gardening Ninja
Through a gardening activity, students will use their knowledge of growth to determine the effect of gravity on plant growth.
https://s.si.edu/BecomeaGardeningNinja
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Human spaceflight, Life sciences, Physical science, Space stations, Women
Teacher
cc-by-nc
Smithsonian Science Starter: Astronaut Demonstration: What Marshmallows Teach Us About Space – ISS Science (Kjell Lindgren)
See what happens when Astronaut Kjell Lindgren puts marshmallows into a vacuum in this lesson of ISS Science.
https://youtu.be/rfR7mMKtyaM
Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Human spaceflight, Physical science, Science
Student
cc-by-nc
Smithsonian Science Starter: Marshmallow Bunnies Are Exploding With Fun!
Use their knowledge of air, through a vacuum activity, to determine what will happen to objects when pressure is increased and decreased.
https://s.si.edu/SSSMarshmallowBunniesExploding
Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Human spaceflight, Physical science
Teacher
cc-by-nc
Smithsonian Science Starter: Find Yourself in Hot Water
Explore how pressure changes impact water.
https://s.si.edu/SSSHotWater
Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 3, Grade 4
Human spaceflight, Physical science, Space stations
Teacher
cc-by-nc
Layers of the Atmosphere
Students will build their own model of the atmosphere to gain understanding of the layers and what can fly in each layer.
https://s.si.edu/LayersoftheAtmosphere
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 5
Physical science, Science
Teacher
cc-by-nc
Smithsonian Science Starter: Balancing Your Way Through Numbers
Students will experiment with various objects to create their own balanced equations.
https://s.si.edu/SSBalancingYourWayThroughNumbers
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Technology and Engineering
Teacher
cc-by-nc
Smithsonian Science Starter: Learn Algebra from an Astronaut (Joe Acaba) using a Balance – ISS Science
Astronaut Joe Acaba helps balance equations with multiple variables using everyday objects.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMqpu2knzvo
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Technology and Engineering
Teacher
cc-by-nc
Smithsonian Science Starter: Pickin’ Up Rice
Students will demonstrate their understanding of friction through the use of various activities.
https://s.si.edu/SSSPickRice
Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Physical science, Technology and Engineering
Teacher
cc-by-nc
Smithsonian Science Starter: Karate and Air Pressure with Astronaut Michael Good – ISS Science
Astronaut Michael Good demonstrates how air pressure can help your karate skills.
https://youtu.be/snuQwcAO-YM
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Human spaceflight, Physical science
Student
cc-by-nc
Smithsonian Science Starter: Graham Cracker Seismology with Drew Feustel
What do graham crackers and plate tectonics have in common? Find out with this hands on demo featuring NASA astronaut Drew Feustel.
https://youtu.be/YboUA6AZVI0
Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6
Exoplanets, Moon (Earth), Science