Windows to the Universe Scavenger Hunt

Type of Lesson: Evaluation Worksheet

Time Needed: 30-45 minutes

Standards Addressed

MEGOSE ES5 Describe and explain common observations of the day and night skies.
MEGOSE ES6 Explain how the solar system formed.
MEGOSE ES7 Compare our sun to other stars and star systems.
MEGOSE ES8 Explain common observations of the day and night sky.
MEGOSE ES12 Explain how technology and scientific inquiry have helped us learn about the universe.

Quick Summary of Lesson

This scavenger hunt gets students to explore the Windows to the Universe site. The students will need to access the Space Missions section, the Solar System section and the Sun section.

Materials

an internet connection and computers for your students to use
pen/pencil
the student worksheet (down below under Student Activity Sheet)

Procedure

1. Have students enter the Windows to the Universe site at http://www.windows2universe.org

2. You may want to show students where the Space Missions (on main right panel), Solar System (on main right panel) and Sun (click on Sun picture in the middle of the window image) sections are. Otherwise, let them explore these sections while they research the answers to the quiz.

Student Activity Sheet

Please click here for student activity sheets. All activities on the Windows to the Universe site may be printed and reproduced if being used for educational purposes.

Notes to the Teacher

It may be better to have students work in groups for this exercise. Have each group turn in a finished sheet.

We hope that having these in-class scavenger hunts will help students become familiar with internet research or this site in general so that students can do further research on their own...so don't be concerned if students get side-tracked as long as they can finish the worksheet in time. A good follow-up activity would be the I Don't Know My Solar System...Please Ex-planet! activity. Please feel free to give us your comments should you have any.

Answers for the Scavenger Hunt are: 1) C 2) D 3) C 4) D 5) A 6) B 7) C 8) B 9) A 10) D 11) B 12) C 13) D 14) C 15) A 16) C 17) A 18) D

Need More Information? Try Using Windows to the Universe

Please use these links for further ideas or more information:
Space Missions
Solar System
The Sun
Teacher Resources
Last modified prior to September, 2000 by the Windows Team

The source of this material is Windows to the Universe, at http://windows2universe.org/ from the National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA). The Website was developed in part with the support of UCAR and NCAR, where it resided from 2000 - 2010. © 2010 National Earth Science Teachers Association. Windows to the Universe® is a registered trademark of NESTA. All Rights Reserved. Site policies and disclaimer.