Deep Impact Mission - Comet on a Stick
Children ages 7-17 build and evaluate a comet model. Styrofoam balls, tape, hairdryers, mylar strips, pens, and wooden skewers make up the initial design - then the children improve upon this model with other materials as they learn more.

Deep Impact Mission - Make a Comet and Eat It!
Children ages 7-15 model the components of a comet by making ice cream. They learn that comets are cold and have debris from the early solar system, and we still are not exactly certain what is in them or how they behave. Older children will be able to discuss their own theories about what we will find out from the Deep Impact mission.

Comet Cones
Young children ages 5-8 model comet components using ice cream and cookies and then have the fun of eating them. Access to a refrigerator is needed. This is a simpler version of the Deep Impact "make and eat a comet" lesson.

Sparkling Comets
Children ages 5-11 can build easily this representation of a comet; adult assistance is recommended for young children. Through the use of Styrofoam balls, glitter, glue, and other materials, children demonstrate the basic parts of a comet.

Deep Impact Coloring Page
This coloring page for children ages 5-11 shows the encounter between the Deep Impact spacecraft and Comet Tempel 1. Older children can access gallery images to explore more about comets.

Enchanted Learning's Comet Coloring and Game Page
The relationship between solar wind and comet tails is illustrated in a coloring page for children ages 8-15. An interactive quiz and puzzle challenge children's knowledge of comets.

Story Time - What do Bugs Hitting a Windshield and Meteors have in Common?
Through a story line about flies hitting car windshields (there are two versions available - one for younger and one for older children), the learner is introduced to meteors, comet dust, and meteor showers. The child reads and/or listens to the story and participates in a discussion. A downloadable worksheet is also available. A rather gross story for adults, but will no doubt captivate young minds!

Scale Model of a Comet
Children ages 9 to 13 will enjoy creating a model comet from small paper plates and loooooong streamers.

Tails of Wonder
Children are challenged in a brief article and interactive game to learn about comets and the Stardust mission. NASA sent the Stardust spacecraft through the tail of a comet to collect comet debris and bring it home for study.