From videos to ready-to implement classroom activities, we’re here to help you get your learners excited about air and space.
STEM in 30: Lighter; Stronger; Better: Composites
Explore composites in this fast-paced webcast to learn what they are; how they are made and how they are used in the aerospace industry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqr6_hE7yh4
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Aircraft, Technology and Engineering
Student
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STEM in 30: Kites to Flight–Inventing with the Wright Brothers
An introduction to the Wright brothers, the process of innovation and the concepts of flight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kay09sH1UoA&t=4s
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Physical science, Technology and Engineering, Early flight, Aircraft, Records and Firsts
Student
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STEM in 30: Vacuum Packed Space Food: It’s What’s For Dinner
Students learn about the history of space food, how food is prepared and packaged for space, and the changes in nutrition over time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_20t_mVvDI
Grade 6, Grade 8, Grade 7
Human spaceflight
Student
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What’s New in Aerospace: The Deep Space Network
Chief scientist for the Deep Space Network (DSN), and the director of the James Webb Space Telescope, discuss how the DSN communicates with NASA’s deep space telescopes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-cU2JWPqmQ&feature=youtu.be
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Telescopes
Student
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Smithsonian Science Starter: Spot the Station
Students will investigate the geometry of the International Space Station’s (ISS) orbit and its motion relative to the Earth.
https://s.si.edu/SSSSpotStation
Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9
Commercial spaceflight, Human spaceflight, Navigation, Satellites, Spacecraft, Spaceflight
Teacher
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Smithsonian Science Starter: How to Spot the Space Station from Your Backyard – ISS Science (Randy Bresnik)
In this episode of ISS Science you’ll learn how you can spot the ISS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqn8zT1VipA
Grade 4, Grade 6, Grade 5, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9
Commercial spaceflight, Human spaceflight, Navigation, Physical science, Satellites, Space stations, Spaceflight
Teacher
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Smithsonian Science Starter: Can Astronauts Phone Home? Learn How They Communicate in Space – ISS Science
Astronaut Randy Bresnik explains the main ways astronauts communicate with people on Earth. Also learn about how satellites work in a hands-on classroom activity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WiJiIz7Zog
Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Commercial spaceflight, Space stations, Technology and Engineering, Satellites
Student
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Smithsonian Science Starter: Using Waves to Communicate
This lesson will investigate the difference between longitudinal waves and transverse waves, and how they are able to transmit energy from one location to another.
https://s.si.edu/SSSUsingWavesCommunicate
Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Commercial spaceflight, Physical science, Science, Spacecraft, Technology and Engineering, Spaceflight
Teacher
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STEM in 30: Time and Navigation
In this episode of STEM in 30, we take a look at the challenges of navigating at sea, in the sky, and even in space.
https://youtu.be/geUwZ1gmrH4
Grade 6, Grade 8, Grade 7
Navigation
Student
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Smithsonian Science Starter: ISS Crew Readies for Unique View of the Solar Eclipse – ISS Science
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0WJFIVQOv4&t=14s
Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9
Space stations, Sun, Moon (Earth)
Teacher
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Teacher Tips: Encouraging Girls and Women In STEM (Part 2)
What does the first female astronomer at an observatory do when there are no women’s restrooms? Hear the story of Dr. Vera Rubin, a trailblazer in astronomy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUyVcGBwfm8
Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12, Grades 13-14, Grades 15-16
Society and Culture, People, Women
Teacher
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Smithsonian Science Starter: Modeling a Solar 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.
https://s.si.edu/SSSModelingSolarEclipse
Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9
Astronomy, Moon (Earth), Science, Sun