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Solar-Go-Round School Worksheets

Teacher information: 

This exhibit is designed to show both scale of the solar system and an in-depth view of the components of the solar system. The room starts with an exhibit on the sun and as you travel towards the back of the room you encounter every planet in the system. While you travel through the planets you run into interactive displays that highlight facets of rocky planets, gas giants and planetary physics. There are also exhibits on Asteroids, comets, as well as information on exploring the solar system with telescopes and robotic spacecraft.

The attached curriculum is designed to facilitate two levels of engagement. There is a complete set of open-ended and challenging questions as well as a multiple choice and more directed set of questions for groups that have less time in the exhibit.

The field trip curriculum divides your students so that each group focuses on a different aspect of the exhibit. (Note: this is optional and is used to keep the exhibit from feeling overcrowded, by evenly spreading the students throughout the exhibit). There is also a scavenger hunt that will require students to visit every section of the exhibit, yet keep them focused on academic goals.

A list of exhibits and their corresponding state standards is included.

The worksheet and activity files below are in PDF format.  You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open them.  Acrobat Reader can be downloaded for free by clicking here.