Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors
Activities
- Comet Encounters (4th–9th grades)
Explore the parts of a comet, how comets move in our solar system, and how comets leave behind trails of dust that create the meteor showers we see on Earth. - A Tale of Trails (4th–9th grades)
Students create an “Earth” box containing desert, forest, tundra, ocean, mountains—along with Earth’s atmosphere. They simulate Earth’s encounter with a comet trail and the resulting meteor shower. The Students discover that most meteoroids burn up in Earth’s atmosphere and that only a small percentage land on Earth as meteorites.. - Make a Comet (3rd–8th grades)
Students create their own model of a comet using a variety of art supplies, to demonstrate the different properties of a comet. - Dry Ice Comet (3rd –8th grades)
Students are introduced to the structure of comets and the interactions between comets and our Sun, using dry ice and other items. - Space Rocks! A Meteorite Board Game (4th–9th grades)
Students play a meteorite game to reinforce understanding of the origin of meteors, meteoroids, and meteorites, as well as their characteristics and importance, while tackling some common misconceptions.
Information
- Background on Comets (educator)
Written for teachers and informal educators, this information would also be appropriate for students grades 7 and up. - Background on Meteors (educator)
Information on meteors, meteoroids, meteorites, and meteor showers, written for educators but also appropriate for students grades 7 and up.
Other Resources
- SkyTellers dvd and resource guide (K–8th grade)
LPI set comes with a dvd containing ten traditional Native American stories, each coupled with a science story. It also comes with a resource guide. - Comet Audio-Visual Resources (PK – adult)
Recommended videos for a wide range of ages on comets, meteors, and asteroids. - Other Comet Activities (PK – adult)
Recommended activities from a variety of Web sites. - Comet Resources (PK – adult)
Recommended videos, books, and Web sites on comets, asteroids, and meteors, for a broad range of ages. - Meteor Audio-Visual Resources (PK – adult)
Recommended videos for a wide range of ages on meteors, comets, and meteorites. - Books on Meteors (PK – adult)
Recommended books with stories, information, and activities for a broad range of ages. - Web sites on Meteors (PK – adult)
Recommended Web sites with information and data on meteors, meteorites and meteor showers for a wide range of ages. - Dr. Walter Kiefer’s Planetary Science Web sites (all ages)
Useful Web sites about NASA and planetary science, and links to selected websites concerned with human space flight, astronomy, and science education.
