From videos to ready-to implement classroom activities, we’re here to help you get your learners excited about air and space.

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Lesson Plan Document

Engineering Mars Spacecraft

This lesson presents characteristics of spacecraft models on mars to see how well they meet design requirements and then presents a design challenge for students.

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Grade Level
Grade 6, Grade 7 and Grade 8
Topics
Commercial spaceflight, Human spaceflight, Science and Spacecraft
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Teacher
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cc-by-nc
Activity/Lab Document

Landing a Rover on Mars Explore on Your Own

In this Explore on Your Own activity, students will watch a short video about landing spacecraft on Mars and then answer some questions.

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Grade Level
Grade 6, Grade 7 and Grade 8
Topics
Commercial spaceflight, Human spaceflight, Physical science, Science and Spacecraft
Leader
Student and Teacher
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cc-by-nc
Activity/Lab Document

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

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Grade Level
Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7 and Grade 8
Topics
Apollo program, Human spaceflight and Moon (Earth)
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Student, Teacher and Parent/Caregiver
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cc-by-nc
Lesson Plan Document

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.

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Grade Level
Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7 and Grade 8
Topics
Human spaceflight and Physical science
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Teacher
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cc-by-nc
Activity/Lab Video

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.

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Grade Level
Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7 and Grade 8
Topics
Human spaceflight, Physical science and Science
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Student and Teacher
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cc-by-nc
Teaching/Learning Strategy Video

Teacher Tips: Guided Observation

Photos and objects provide amazing opportunities for close looking and student questions. Look closely at a photo of three Mars rovers to learn more about exploring space.

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Grade Level
Grades 15-16, Grades 13-14, Grade 12, Grade 11, Grade 10, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 7, Grade 6, Grade 5, Grade 4, Grade 3, Grade 2, Grade 1 and Grade K
Topics
Robotics
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Teacher
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cc-by-nc
Activity/Lab Video

STEM in 30: Mars

In this episode of STEM in 30, we investigate the plans to send humans to Mars and the ongoing research into water and the possibility of life on the Red Planet

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Grade Level
Grade 8, Grade 7 and Grade 6
Topics
Solar System and Spaceflight
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Student
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cc-by-nc
Lesson Plan Document

Smithsonian Science Starter: An Egg–cellent Return to Earth

Investigate why and how spacecraft must dissipate energy when landing back on Earth, or on Mars, or anywhere else for that matter.

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Grade Level
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12 and Grade 4
Topics
Physical science, Science and Spacecraft
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Teacher
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cc-by-nc
Assessment Interactive

Weathering and Erosion Virtual Breakout Room

Have your students crack different codes in this virtual breakout room to learn how NASA detects changes in landscapes on Earth, Mars, and beyond!

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Grade Level
Grade 6, Grade 7 and Grade 8
Topics
Physical science and Spaceflight
Leader
Student and Teacher
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cc-by-nc
Lesson Video

Looking Closely: Landers and Rovers on Mars

Join in as we look closely at landers and rovers built by engineers to help us better understand Mars!

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Grade Level
Grade PK, Grade K, Grade 1 and Grade 2
Topics
Technology and Engineering
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Parent/Caregiver
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cc-by-nc
Lesson Plan Document

Mission to Mars Content Guide

Humans have been on a mission to learn more about the red planet. Use this content guide to learn more about the challenges facing robotic explorers of Mars.

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Grade Level
Grade 4, Grade 12, Grade 11, Grade 10, Grade 9, Grade 8, Grade 7, Grade 6 and Grade 5
Topics
Life sciences, Spacecraft, Uncrewed spaceflight, Technology and Engineering, Robotics and Rockets
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Teacher
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cc-by-nc