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  • Solar System Exploration

    Journal Article | May 2022

  • Solar System Scale

    Book Chapter | March 2011

    Sizes and distances in the solar system are difficult to visualize. In this activity, students calculate scaled distances and planetary diameters to planets in our solar system. They then make a model in a large open…

  • The Formation of the Solar System

    Book Chapter | March 2011

    Over the last four centuries, people have developed many theories to explain the origin and evolution of the solar system. Today, the theory most commonly held by scientists is known as the solar nebula theory. In this…

  • What’s Inside Our Solar System?

    Book Chapter | March 2012

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about the solar system. The probe is designed to find out if students can distinguish between objects in the solar system and objects outside of the…

  • Using Reflective Thinking to Learn About Relative Distances of Solar System Objects

    Journal Article | September 2022

  • Touching the Solar System: A Project-Based Learning Astronomy Program for Students With Visual Impairments

    Journal Article | August 2022

  • The Dimensions of the Solar System

    Journal Article | June 2007

    A few new wrinkles have been added to the popular activity of building a scale model of the solar system. Students can learn about maps and scaling using easily accessible online resources that include satellite images…

  • Sizing Up the Solar System

    Journal Article | August 2011

    Students learn about the importance of scale in scientific models. This article describes one approach teachers can use to elicit students' misconceptions about the distance between planets in our solar system.

  • The Virtual Solar System Project

    Journal Article | January 2001

    In the course, Virtual Solar System, students construct models of the solar system in an inquiry framework to learn fundamental astronomical concepts. This paper describes the course, the underlying principles for its…

  • Embodying Earth's Place in the Solar System

    Journal Article | November 2015

    Upper elementary students investigate seasonal constellations using software and model them with their bodies.

  • Scope on the Skies: A Model Solar System

    Journal Article | December 2015

    This column focuses on astronomy throughout the year. This month’s issue discusses planets and their orbital positions.

  • Tried and True: Solar System in the Hallway

    Journal Article | March 2009

    After studying phenomena related to the positions and motions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon, many students are familiar with the positional ordering of the planets, but their knowledge of the distances involved is vague.…

  • Scope on the Skies: Solar system update

    Journal Article | March 2006

    Our knowledge of the solar system and of orbital dynamics has undergone some changes as telescope technology improved. This month's Scope on the skies discusses the newest developments within the solar system and…

  • Seeing the Solar System Through Two Perspectives

    Journal Article | November 2015

    Primary students explore Earth and space science by modeling and observing patterns.

  • Seeing the Solar System Through Two Perspectives

    Journal Article | December 2015

    Upper elementary students explore Earth and space science by modeling and observing patterns.

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