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Online Conversion - Robert Fogt
Grades
3 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
This site is the ultimate resource for any measurement or conversion need. Calculators are included for Math, Science, Cooking, Time, and much more. Categories are listed in alphabetical...more
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This site is the ultimate resource for any measurement or conversion need. Calculators are included for Math, Science, Cooking, Time, and much more. Categories are listed in alphabetical order from Acceleration to Weight/Mass. Within each category are the different converters/calculators. For example, after choosing volume, choices include acres, barrels (dry, federal, liquid, and wine), cubic units, gallons, quarts teaspoons, yards, and more. Other interesting conversions include your weight on other planets, your age in dog years, and translations to and from Pig Latin. You are sure to find exactly the conversion for any need within this site along with others to use just for fun!
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): conversions (36), measurement (125), temperature (35), time (92)
In the Classroom
Following a lesson on conversions, allow students to access the site to check answers. Mark this site in your favorites and share it on your TeachersFirst public age for quick access. Use as a handy resource on your interactive whiteboard or projector anytime that conversions come up in your classroom. Share this site with students through your class web page or TeachersFirst public page as a resource to use outside of class-- even when cooking with mom or dad!You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Welcome to the Planets - GLS
Grades
2 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Enjoy NASA's images of planets and spacecraft used in space exploration. This site is a great reference site for concise information about planets, and spacecraft. An online glossary...more
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Enjoy NASA's images of planets and spacecraft used in space exploration. This site is a great reference site for concise information about planets, and spacecraft. An online glossary contains space terms, and the origins of names for planets, moons, or spacecraft that are from Greek mythology, Latin, or famous people. Spacecraft information includes the assembly, lift off, and mission information. Spacecraft information comes in an audio format too. A CD is offered for sale from the National Space Science Data Center.
tag(s): earth (185), planets (113), solar system (109), space (215)
In the Classroom
In science, this site easily lends itself to planetary studies. Science classes can compare mass, density, atmospheric components, and surface materials. Math classes can use information provided for many real life math applications comparing distances, revolutions, temperatures, distance from the sun, mass, and diameter. Practice place value and estimation in a universal way. An extra challenge for gifted students can easily lend itself to mean, median, and mode as well as graphing possibilities. Consider Earth day activities to focus on the uniqueness of our planet and the qualities of our planet to maintain life as we know it. Include as a reference on your web site, or as an informational piece to web quests in math or science. Challenge students to create multimedia presentation highlighting one of the planets or spacecrafts. Have students narrate an image using a site such as Thinglink, reviewed here. For quicker projects, create electronic "posters" or word graphics for adopted word using tools such as Piclits, reviewed here,, or WordClouds, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Solar System Scope - solarsystemscope.com
Grades
4 to 12
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View real time celestial positions with this 3D interactive model of space. Move through space and change your orientation as you move through. Double click on a planet to visit ...more
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View real time celestial positions with this 3D interactive model of space. Move through space and change your orientation as you move through. Double click on a planet to visit it. Use the Panoramic and Geocentric views for a different perspective (find these in the tools along the left hand side of the screen.) Use the planets distance calculator to understand the actual distances between them. Move forward and back in time to view movements of planets and other objects.
tag(s): space (215)
In the Classroom
Before discussing planetary movements, give time for students to click on a planet and view movements. For example, click on the Earth and use the little icons beside the Earth and Moon to calculate distance. Click on the play, forward, and back arrows along the bottom to watch the rotation of the Earth and the movement of the Moon around the Earth. Have students make observations and discuss these with the class. Discuss content about the planets using student observations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Explore the Cosmos - The Planetary Society
Grades
6 to 12
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Become part of space exploration via The Planetary Society's activities, the place to go for space enthusiasts. The society's mission is "To inspire the people of Earth to explore...more
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Become part of space exploration via The Planetary Society's activities, the place to go for space enthusiasts. The society's mission is "To inspire the people of Earth to explore other worlds, understand our own, and seek life elsewhere." Although the site is text-heavy, the society offers many ways to engage with the latest space news, images, and experiences related to space and space exploration. The various projects range from working with space images to following blogs and news of various space projects. The content is quite up to date and covers projects rarely reported in mainstream media. Click the dropdown Explore menu at the top to see featured projects and more. Check out the Multimedia drop down tab at the top for a Weekly Planetary Radio Trivia Contest. If Carl Sagan is one of the founders, you know the society is serious!
tag(s): inventors and inventions (71), nasa (30), planets (113), space (215)
In the Classroom
Make this site a link on your class web page during a unit on space or all year round. Gifted students and those with a passion for space will find endless discoveries. Include this site as a research source when assigning projects about space or the planets. If you have more able students in upper elementary or middle school, use this site as a differentiated alternative for them to research at a higher level. Inspire students to read in content areas by sharing space-related "current events" articles from this site. These selections would work well on interactive whiteboards for practice using highlighters to find main idea, context clues, and other comprehension skills. No whiteboard? No problem! Use your projector and eMargin, reviewed here, to highlight and annotate as a class. If you assign portions of the site to the entire class, you may need to assign "reading buddies" for weaker readers and they can use eMargin together. Challenge students to narrate space image galleries (search for the blog entry on the "New Flickr collection of historical NASA photos") or design and explain their own devices for space exploration on Thinglink, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Sixty symbols - The University of Nottingham
Grades
9 to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
Find excellent videos about a variety of physics and astronomy topics with this great site. Choose a symbol and view the video that explains and depicts the meaning of the ...more
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Find excellent videos about a variety of physics and astronomy topics with this great site. Choose a symbol and view the video that explains and depicts the meaning of the symbol. View a variety from total solar eclipse to pressure and vacuums to magnetic susceptibility. Videos are hosted on You Tube. Schools that have this resource blocked will need to ask for it to be unblocked to use in class. Click on planets to view great videos of each of those in our solar system. View information on scientists and the sixty symbols project by clicking on the tabs across the top.
Caution: Be sure to preview the videos before sharing them with your students. Our editors found one that included alcohol in the experiment, all others appeared appropriate.
Caution: Be sure to preview the videos before sharing them with your students. Our editors found one that included alcohol in the experiment, all others appeared appropriate.
In the Classroom
Use on a whiteboard or projector for the entire class to see if You Tube is blocked for student but not for teachers. Assign the viewing of a specific video as a homework assignment. Have students take notes on the topic for further discussion in class or to apply the information to laboratory activities or demonstrations in class. Encourage students to follow these clever videos to develop their own videos for teaching concepts to other students in and out of their school. Challenge students to create a video and share using a site such as SchoolTube (reviewed here).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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8 Wonders of the Solar System, Made Interactive - Scientific American, A division of Nature America, Inc.
Grades
6 to 12
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If you are teaching the solar system, and want a way to spice it up, look no further. This informational interactive on the solar system is as beautiful and colorful ...more
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If you are teaching the solar system, and want a way to spice it up, look no further. This informational interactive on the solar system is as beautiful and colorful as it is factual and detailed. Click on pictures by artist, Ron Miller, to see stunning images of the planets. Read the accompanying information on the right of the screen, and check out the additional links of videos and more pictures that open up right in the interactive. Not every planet is pictured, but there are some very interesting pictures of moons that will not be found in the average textbook. This site brings teaching the solar system out of the elementary level and shoots it into upper level learning. To use this interactive independently, students should be at an eighth grade reading level. However, it could be used with younger students for just the pictures or with whole classroom instruction and teacher reading.
tag(s): earth (185), mars (26), moon (71), planets (113), solar system (109), space (215)
In the Classroom
During a unit on the solar system with eighth or ninth grade students, share this link on your class website. Have students view the site at home and be ready with three questions about what they saw and read it the next day. Start class discussion with these questions. Have students help each other answer one another's questions in large group instruction. Or, have students break out into groups and exchange questions to see if they can answer each others questions. Debrief by addressing popular misconceptions, discussion art as a way of interpreting actual scientific fact, and answer any remaining questions. For younger students, show the images on the interactive whiteboard or projector. Talk about what each picture is and have the students listen to the sound of lightening on Saturn and compare it to lightening on Earth.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Windows to the Universe - National Earth Science Teachers Association
Grades
4 to 12
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Though Windows to the Universe is basically a science site, it has many links that will connect science with language arts, history, and math. Find an abundance of information and ...more
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Though Windows to the Universe is basically a science site, it has many links that will connect science with language arts, history, and math. Find an abundance of information and activities for your classroom. There are numerous science categories, and within each category you can choose "Beginner," "Intermediate," or "Advanced." You can also see the site in Spanish. This site has excellent visuals and numerous topics, and several educational interactives (under "Games"). Don't miss it! The audio has been updated to MP3, however, the Interactives and Videos require Flash or QuickTime, regardless, there is so much more to do and learn at this site that it is worth a visit.
tag(s): climate (81), geology (64), planets (113), pollution (51), solar system (109), sun (70)
In the Classroom
You will want to preview the categories and levels your students are to explore. Investigate categories with your students, using your interactive whiteboard or projector. Then have small groups of students choose a subcategory to further explore. Have your students create an interactive online poster using Marq (formerly Lucidpress), reviewed here to share what they learn.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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GoogleGoogleGoogleGoogle - Google.com
Grades
7 to 12
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Use this search site to compare search results for different search terms or to search multiple items without losing one or more searches. The screen will divide into four separate...more
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Use this search site to compare search results for different search terms or to search multiple items without losing one or more searches. The screen will divide into four separate search screens, so you are able to search items in each "mini screen" rather than opening four tabs. Each search has its own scroll bar though each screen has very limited area as it is a fraction of the total screen size.
tag(s): search engines (50)
In the Classroom
Use in the classroom for a multitude of searches: Compare different ways of searching, such as using queries with or without quotes, to identify the differences in the results, research several scientists, musicians, or artists at once. Use the search results to continue to narrow searches on all and look for possible comparison and/or contrast. For example, use one search square to search an event such as World War II. Use the other squares to choose an item of interest to dig deeper, such as attitudes during the decade, change in economy, major battles in different areas of the world, etc. In Science, search different planets, cell parts or processes, air pollutants, types of cars or fuels, etc. all for comparison. Find unlimited possibilities for better searching. At the start of the year, use this tool to show how different terms yield different results and learn better ways to search. Consider using this resource to help identify different ways to search. This is a good link to provide on your class website for students to use both in and out of the classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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NASA's Planet Quest - NASA, Jet Propulsion Lab, Cal Tech
Grades
7 to 12
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View a time line of findings and explorations into other habitable planets in the universe. View understandings, pictures, quotes, and other materials available from 500 BC to the present....more
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View a time line of findings and explorations into other habitable planets in the universe. View understandings, pictures, quotes, and other materials available from 500 BC to the present. Use the arrows that appear on the screen to scroll backward and forward. Audio and auto play can be turned on and off along the bottom of the screen. Click on the dots below the time line to jump to discoveries, technology, or thought and culture throughout the time line. Click on "Show Key Milestones" to see a bar graph type image showing key points.
In the Classroom
This site is perfect for an interactive whiteboard or projector. Learning support students and weaker readers will benefit from the audio option. Use the information here as a springboard for other discussions, blog posts, or displays about planets possibly like Earth. Identify how technology and science has changed over the years and the natural laws that were understood prior to the discoveries. Have cooperative learning groups explore a specific section of this site and create a multimedia presentation to share with the class. Challenge groups to narrate a photo (legally permissible) using a site such as Slidestory, reviewed here. To find Creative Commons images for student projects (with credit, of course), try Vecteezy, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Asteroid Watch - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Grades
3 to 12
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Learn about asteroids found in space. Read about background, the recent asteroids close to Earth, and where to view them when viewing the night sky. View news, images, and video ...more
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Learn about asteroids found in space. Read about background, the recent asteroids close to Earth, and where to view them when viewing the night sky. View news, images, and video of asteroids. Most of the video clips and other interactive have links for Kids and Education offering more sites to explore and classroom ideas.
In the Classroom
The video clips are great for an interactive whiteboard or projector. Use them as a jumping off point for a new topic, to review material, or for class discussion. Many students have questions about asteroids. Learn along with students about the different asteroids that can be found in the night sky. Compare and contrast asteroids with the many other bodies that occur in space. Be sure to visit the Educators link (found from most of the video clips) to find other ideas to use with your class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Universcale - Nikon
Grades
2 to 12
1 Favorites
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Want to make more connections between the smallest things in the world and the largest? Universcale has an opportunity to view vast differences in size using a slider and images ...more
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Want to make more connections between the smallest things in the world and the largest? Universcale has an opportunity to view vast differences in size using a slider and images from the largest of things (planets, etc.) to the smallest (portions of atoms). Additional information is provided with the images. Choose "Full Screen Mode" or "Normal Screen Mode." Grasp the physical differences and presence of various objects in the living world around us.
In the Classroom
Have individuals or groups work to identify object size and make connections not only about size, but other physical properties. Use creative writing for students to express what they feel as they are moving through the size differences. What a great way to teach proportion on math class! Identify the sizes to determine increases or decreases, proportion, scientific notations, etc. Identify how the understanding of a specific item has changed throughout history. To show what they have learned from this site, challenge students to create an online graphic (comparing two items) to share using Lucidpress, reviewed here. Even elementary teachers can use this "viewer" to help students understand science concepts of size. Try it on an interactive whiteboard and have students operate the controls.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Science Fair Projects World - Solar System 3D Simulator - Science Fair Projects World
Grades
2 to 12
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Use this free application to create accurate 3D models of the solar system. Show the planets and orbits as well as the sun and the moon. View detailed information of ...more
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Use this free application to create accurate 3D models of the solar system. Show the planets and orbits as well as the sun and the moon. View detailed information of the physical and chemical make-up of the planets, the energy of the sun, and details of solar eclipse. View all images in great color. Change orbit views or tilt and rotate orbits to other angles. Speed up or slow down the movement of the solar system. Application download is for Windows PC only and appears NOT to work with Vista.
tag(s): planets (113), solar system (109)
In the Classroom
Users will need the skills of downloading and finding and managing applications. The software is easy to use and has a wonderful interface for finding great information about the planets. The only safety concern is whether your school's policy allows you to install this free software. If not, try approaching an administrator or department head to show them the descriptions and request installation at least on you teacher computer for sharing on projector and/or whiteboard.Use this free model to understand the physics of the universe or learn astronomy. Use as a science fair project, to ask questions or find answers, and to create material for presentation online or in class. Share the model on your interactive whiteboard or projector.
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StarDate Online - McDonald Observatory
Grades
K to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Use this comprehensive site to learn about the planets of the solar system as well as other objects. Use the "Stargazing" tab to view "Constellation Guide," "Moon Phases," "Eclipeses,"...more
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Use this comprehensive site to learn about the planets of the solar system as well as other objects. Use the "Stargazing" tab to view "Constellation Guide," "Moon Phases," "Eclipeses," and more. Under the "Classroom" tab find resources such as "Lesson Plans," and "Classroom Activities," There are lessons from K-12. In the "Astro Guide" section, you will find a wealth of information and pictures about the Sun, inner planets, outer planets, and minor bodies. View past and future planned space missions. Links to keywords allow for a greater understanding of the material. Activities in the "Resources" section are listed along the side with appropriate ages. Ask Merlin provides questions and their answers. A tab to the "Gift Shop" is available, so students should be cautioned. Some of the classroom activities require Adobe Reader.
tag(s): moon (71), planets (113), solar system (109), space (215)
In the Classroom
Use the activities in the Classroom resource section to provide background material for understanding Astronomy. Many activities may already be known to the teacher, but these are thoroughly explained. Students could even teach the concepts to their classmates and use these activities as a demonstration.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Mars Today - Spaceref Interactive
Grades
6 to 12
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The Mars Rover is providing information continually. Use this site to keep track of recent findings, developments, and understandings from the Mars Rover. This site appears as a series...more
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The Mars Rover is providing information continually. Use this site to keep track of recent findings, developments, and understandings from the Mars Rover. This site appears as a series of news articles listed in reverse chronological order along with their abstracts. Click on each newsworthy item to learn more information. Additional links are provided in each article. A Spaceref directory can be found that links to additional Mars related topics on the Spacref.com website. There are some advertisements at this website.
tag(s): mars (26), planets (113), solar system (109)
In the Classroom
Students can use this site to challenge previous information or myths with new findings. Have students create a timeline showing the launch, travel, landing, and findings from the Mars rover mission.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Nine Planets - William A. Arnett
Grades
4 to 12
1 Favorites
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Here's a planet-by-planet introduction to the solar system which features stunning photographs and supporting content. If you are thinking that there are eight planets and not nine,...more
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Here's a planet-by-planet introduction to the solar system which features stunning photographs and supporting content. If you are thinking that there are eight planets and not nine, you are right, and the website points out that fact. This continually-updated site has much of the latest research on all planets, moons, and other bodies in our solar system. This site goes beyond the pictures that are courtesy of NASA as well as the information learned from countless missions. The site also provides insight into how to view planets with binoculars and other materials as well as information on mythology and history. View the movies provided and listen to the recorded sounds. Gain a renewed appreciation of the solar system using this informative site. This site does include some advertising. But it is not distracting from the great content.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): moon (71), planets (113), solar system (109)
In the Classroom
Want to find updated information about the objects in the solar system? Have your students use this site. Divide your students into groups and have them report on a particular object in the solar system. Have them present a report on one of the 8 planets, as though teaching their peers. Have students create a multimedia presentation using PowerPoint Online, reviewed here. This version of PowerPoint allows you to narrate a picture. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted to be reproduced), and then narrate the photo as if it is a news report. To find Creative Commons images for student projects (with credit, of course), try Pikwizard, reviewed here. Consider making a class wiki about the solar system and including drawings or photos your students might create from their observations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Earth & Space Science Resources - Kids Astronomy - kidsknowitnetwork
Grades
2 to 10
1 Favorites
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This site provides answers to many questions about the solar system, including information about planets, constellations, deep space, space exploration, and the universe. Click on any...more
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This site provides answers to many questions about the solar system, including information about planets, constellations, deep space, space exploration, and the universe. Click on any category to begin an in-depth explanation that goes several levels deeper. The site also includes an astronomy dictionary and links to news about space related topics.
tag(s): earth (185), planets (113), solar system (109), space (215)
In the Classroom
This site contains in-depth portions on planets and space exploration. Refer students to this when natural events like eclipses and comets are occurring. Use this site as the starting point for individual or group projects or as a major resource for your astronomy unit. Use your interactive whiteboard or projector to create an anticipatory set for a new lesson. Once this site is introduced, set up a science learning station for students to explore assigned areas of the site on individual computers.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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AstroViewer - Dirk Matussek
Grades
3 to 12
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AstroViewer is an interactive night sky map that allows you to pinpoint constellations and planets. The online interactive sky map is free. You can also download the trial version of...more
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AstroViewer is an interactive night sky map that allows you to pinpoint constellations and planets. The online interactive sky map is free. You can also download the trial version of the sky map for free or purchase the license key to unlock a full download. The free online sky map uses controls for time of night, month, or year, or position on the globe to easily find objects in the night sky. A 3-dimensional view of the night sky provides details even for beginners of Astronomy to find stars, constellations, and planets. View constellations see from other parts of the globe. Forecast constellations that will be seen months from now or those from past months. The frequently asked questions answer the most common questions when using sky maps or looking at celestial objects. Download a PDF manual for using AstroViewer. Other functions available include a mini-night sky button or night sky view that can be added to your existing class website. The site requires Java.
tag(s): planets (113), solar system (109), stars (68)
In the Classroom
Use an interactive whiteboard or projection screen to share this interactive "sky map" with your class. Identify the changes in constellation location through the months of the year. Track motions of planets across the sky as well as the differences between Southern and Northern Hemispheres. Use these in a presentation about the mythology or significance behind constellation names. Or turn down the lights and use the "night sky" as a writing prompt during a poetry unit.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Animated Virtual Planetarium - Paul Stoddard
Grades
5 to 12
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This website shows how the solar system rotates as time passes. Click "Visible" Solar System to start the simulation. Use the date and time controls to manipulate "time." You can ...more
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This website shows how the solar system rotates as time passes. Click "Visible" Solar System to start the simulation. Use the date and time controls to manipulate "time." You can also see the skies from the ground, view the sun in relation to the earth and other planets, and more. Students will marvel at the comet simulation and the comet and eclipse predictors. The website also features information on each separate planet and alternate historical views of the solar system, including the Copernican and the Jovian. The site requires JAVA. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..
In the Classroom
Use your interactive whiteboard (or projector) to show students how the night sky changes as the hours pass. Since the print is small, have students use the whteboard pens to cirle things or point out special features of the "sky." There is a Notes for Teachers link that provides descriptions of each activity and some ideas to incorporate the activities into your class.Use this website when teaching ESL/ELL students about space and the solar system since this website is highly visual and contains few words.
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Celebrating NASA's 50th Anniversary - NASA
Grades
4 to 12
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Celebrate NASA's 50th anniversary with 50 historic images. Browse through the presentation to find spectacular pictures of planets, astronauts on the moon, and much more. Download images...more
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Celebrate NASA's 50th anniversary with 50 historic images. Browse through the presentation to find spectacular pictures of planets, astronauts on the moon, and much more. Download images in full size, original quality, or other options. Each image includes a short description of the content. Select the link to the original 50th-anniversary site for additional but limited content, including a postcard gallery and the original 2008 Folklife Festival webpage.
tag(s): gravity (41), moon (71), nasa (30), solar system (109), space (215), STEM (265)
In the Classroom
Share this site with students as you learn about and research space exploration, rocket science, or famous explorers. Because the date of NASA's 50th anniversary took place in 2008, include this information and images to give students a perspective of space exploration in the early 21st century. Download images and add to Google Jamboard, reviewed here for students to share their scientific developments since 2008. For example, share images taken with the Hubble Telescope found on this site with those taken by the James Webb Telescope in later years. Find many images of both telescopes at Amazing Space, reviewed here. Enhance students' understanding by sharing NASA videos on YouTube, Google Jamboard, reviewed here and adding questions and comments to the videos using EdPuzzle, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Earth: Our World In Motion - National Museum of Natural History
Grades
3 to 8
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This highly interactive website (created by the National Museum of Natural History) teaches students about the Earth. Topics include, "If Rocks Could Talk," "Plates on the Move," "Making...more
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This highly interactive website (created by the National Museum of Natural History) teaches students about the Earth. Topics include, "If Rocks Could Talk," "Plates on the Move," "Making Rocks," "Mysterious Planets," and more! There is also a link, "Stuff To Do" which provides activities to do away from the computer. Some of the interactive links require Flash, but there is a whole lot more to do and learn that doesn't.
tag(s): atmosphere (23), earth (185), rocks (36)
In the Classroom
Introduce the site and the "Big Idea" on a projector or interactive whiteboard, then assign students to choose one of the activities to complete. Share results with the class on an interactive whiteboard or projector as groups complete the activity. Include this link on your teacher web page for enrichment and at-home exploration. Students could also be assigned the "non-computer" activities for homework.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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