Objectives:
National Math and Science Standards:
Science
Standards
Science as Inquiry
Understandings about scientific inquiry (5-12)
Physical Science
Properties and changes of properties in matter (5-8)
Earth And Space Science
Earth in the Solar System (5-8)
Origin and evolution of the earth system (9-12)
Science and Technology
Understandings about science and technology (5-12)
Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
Natural hazards (5-8)
Risks and benefits (5-8)
Natural and human-induced hazards (9-12)
Math Standards
Measurement
understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems, and
processes of measurement (K-12)
Representations
use representations to model and interpret physical, social, and mathematical
phenomena (K-12)
NASA Presenter:
Advanced Preparation:
Download the PowerPoint presentation.
Download the
Stardust PowerPoint presentation
Preview background information on asteroids and develop questions for
the presenters.
Grades
K-4:
The
Space Place
Grades
6-8:
The
Asteroid Belt
Asteroids
Pluto
Kuiper
Belt Objects
NASA
News: Scientists Say Ancient Asteroids, Comets May Have Caused Mars Rain
Grades
9-12:
Asteroid and Comet Impact Hazards
Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking
Asteroid Radar Research
Asteroids
and Comets
Solar
System Exploration: Bodies: Asteroids
Astronomers
Catch Images of Giant Metal Dog Bone Asteroid
Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous Mission
Gamma-Rays
from an Asteroid
Planetary Defense Workshop
MUSES-C
Homepage
MUSES-C
Mission Overview
Workshop
on Scientific Requirements for Mitigation of Hazardous Comets and Asteroids
Near-Earth Object Program
STARDUST -
NASA's Comet Sample Return Mission
For
additional information, see the related videoconference information on:
Comets: Visitors from the Unknown!
Pre-Conference Activities
K-4: Make Asteroid Potatoes or Tasty Asteroids
5-8: Gold in Them Hills
9-12:Near Collision
Asteroids present a beautiful, ancient, and potentially Earth damaging element of our Solar System. Many formed during the beginnings of our Solar System 4.5 billion years ago, and all of them have very different, and sometimes eccentric, egg-shaped orbits. Occasionally, these orbits do cross the orbit of the Earth, and at times they have entered the atmosphere and either landed or burned up. Larger asteroids may have created large features on the Earth, such as craters and water basins.
Current and future NASA missions to study asteroids are discussed, and Internet resources are demonstrated. The presentation can be geared to specific grade levels.
Post-Conference Activities
K-4: Asteroid Naming
5-8: Blast That Asteroid
9-12:Asteroid Orbits
Advanced Notice Recommended:
4 weeks
Frequency of Presentation:
As needed
Availability of Presenter:
Varies