Space Tools Galileo Galilei was born February 15, 1564. He was the first to use a telescope to look at the night sky. Learn about inventions that help us understand the universe better. Supercool Space Tools Supercool Space Tools (PDF) Sign-up to receive Kids.gov e-mail updates

Government Sites

Acid Rain - Message for Adults - This Web site is designed to introduce younger children (grades 1-3) to the subject of acid rain through a variety of fun, interactive activities.

Aeronautics and Space History - Exploring the history, science, and technology of aviation and space flight.

Agricultural Ideas for Science Fair Projects - Here, we've put together a few basic ideas of agricultural science projects you can do. Use these ideas as a jumping-off place for coming up with your own project.

Air Quality Index (AQI) Toolkit for Teachers - Resources to teach students about the connections between air quality, health, weather, and other related science topics, as well as actions students can take to protect their health and reduce air pollution.

Air Quality Resources for Teachers - Lists curriculum resources, activities, materials and websites all about air quality.

Alaska Kids' Corner - History, culture and facts about Alaska.

Botany and Horticulture - This site has an amazing list of resources on botany, horticulture, and plant ecosystems.

BugInfo - This site has all kinds of information on bugs including backyard bugs, household insects, and more.

Cascades Volcano Observatory Educational Outreach - Find resources that will help teach students about volcano terminology, eruption histories and more.

Celebrating Wildflowers - Teacher Resources - This page has fact sheets, activities, and information on the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign.

Children's Butterfly Site - Despite their small size, butterflies and moths are some of the World's most wondrous animals.

Climate Change - What You Can Do At School - Students, educators and school administrators can all play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate Change, Wildlife, and Wildlands Toolkit - This toolkit helps educators in teaching how climate change is affecting our nation’s wildlife and public lands, and how everyone can become "climate stewards."

Climate Kids Educator Resources - NASA - Geared toward students in grades 4 through 6, the multimedia-rich Climate Kids site uses age-appropriate language, games and humorous illustrations and animations to help break down the important issue of climate change.

Conservation Education - (Forest Service) - Conservation education enables people to realize how natural resources and ecosystems affect each other and how resources can be used wisely.

Conservation Education Material for Teachers K-12 - Teach your class the importance of our environment by teaching them about soil, clean water and wetlands. Also find lesson plans on Backyard Conservation.

Discovery Program - The Discovery Program provides education opportunities for science and teaching communities and provides free stuff for teachers, curriculum, and lesson plans.

Drinking Water & Ground Water-Teachers K-3 - Get class activities and example lesson plans on the water cycle and its many stages.

Earth Observatory - Accompany NASA scientists as they explore our world and unravel the mysteries of our climate and environmental change.

Earth Science Enterprise - Teacher Guides - Examples of Teacher's Guides which may be ordered from the ESE Teaching Earth Science web site.

Earthquakes - For Teachers - You can use this database of educational websites related to earthquakes and plate tectonics to find lesson plans, interactive websites, learning activities, images and more.

Earthquakes - Science Fair Project Ideas - Science Fair Projects on earthquake predicting, impacts, seimology, and more.

Educator's Corner - FAA - Includes activities for the classroom, fun experiments and much more.

Endangered Species Kids' Corner - Learn how loss of habitat and ecosystems can lead to a decline in biodiversity, and how the Endangered Species Act helps conserve endangered and threatened species.

Endangered Species Picture Book - Download an entire coloring book free at this Environmental Protection Agency site, or just print out pictures of your favorite threatened animals.

Endangered Wildlife - This page has reference material about endangered species, including fact sheets, images and videos.

Energy Education - Teach and Learn - Here you'll find many creative lesson plans, labs, projects and other activities for grades K-12 on energy-related topics.

Energy Explained - The site explains where gasoline comes from, what determines the price of electricity, how much renewable energy the United States uses, and hundreds of other energy topics.

Energy Kids Teacher Guide - This teacher guide provides energy lessons that use Energy Kids as a resource.

Energy Lesson Plans and Activities - (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy) - On this site you'll find links to more than 350 lesson plans and activities on energy efficiency and renewable energy for grades K-12.

Energy Savers Blog - Energy Education - The Energy Savers Blog provides a place for consumers to learn about and discuss energy efficiency and renewable technologies at home, on the road, and in the workplace.

Energy Star Kids - Be an Energy Star! Find out how you and your classmates can make big changes and help save the world.

Engineering, Industry, and Invention - This site has many resources on topics, such as manufacturing, energy and power, and invention and innovation.

Environment and Conservation Movement (1850-1920) - Chronicles the movement to conserve and protect America's natural heritage, through books, pamphlets, government documents, manuscripts, prints, photographs, and motion picture footage.

Environmental Education - (Environmental Protection Agency) - This site helps increase public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues or problems. In doing so, it provides the public with the necessary skills to make informed decisions and take responsible action.

Environmental Studies - Smithsonian Institution - This site has a variety of resources on such topics as climate change, marine ecosystems, conservation. land habitats and more.

EPA Teaching Center - Get lesson plans and free materials for you to use in the classroom along with ideas on how to get your students involved in the community.

Estuaries.Gov - Educators Page - Access the modules and activities listed by state or by topic. Also includes virtual field trips, games and quizzes.

Exploring Estuaries - Teacher's Page - Take a field trip of our nation’s estuaries over the Internet at home or in your classroom.

FEMA For the Little Ones - Learn what causes disasters, play games, read stories, and become a Disaster Action Kid.

FERC's Kids Corner-For Educators - Find helpful links to resources that help explain the complex world of energy regulation.

Fermilab for Educators - Get field trips, study units, and workshop ideas along with web-based classroom projects on this informative site.

Fermilab For Students - Fermilab is home to the world's most powerful accelerator, the Tevatron. Learn how scientists use Fermilab's resources to explore the most basic particles and forces of nature.

Flight (Aeronautics) - Federal Resources for Educational Excellence - Find resources about aviation, wind tunnels, the Wright brothers and more.

Forces of Change - For Educators - These lesson plans assist you and your students in increasing your knowledge and understanding about scientific inquiry and the forces interacting on our planet.

Geologic Time - Learn about the age of the Earth and how scientists express these very old ages using relative and radiometric time scales.

Geology and Mineral Sciences - This site has a list of resources on topics such as general geology, minerals, lunar geology, and vocanology.

Geology of the United States - Geology is the study of the Earth. An understanding of Earth processes is essential to sustain the Nation's supplies of water, energy, and mineral resources; and to enhance and preserve the quality of the environment.

GLOBE Teacher's Guide - Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) is a worldwide network of students, teachers, and scientists working together to study and understand the global environment.

Greenversations - Environmental Protection Agency's Blog - This blog is written by EPA employees (and occasional guests) about the things they bring to their jobs every day.

Ideas for Integrating Women of NASA into your Curriculum - Suggestions for creative ways to integrate the Women of NASA interactive project into your teaching and learning.

Invention at Play - Explore the playful side of invention and learn about today’s inventors along with historic ones.

Inventions and Inventors Resource - For Teachers - Lemelson Center educators have developed resources for teachers, parents, and students who want to explore the exciting world of invention.

Journey To The Stars - DVD and Lesson Plan - Kids love to make things explode in science class. How about an entire star? Thanks to NASA, supernovas will soon be going off in classrooms around the country - no safety glasses required.

JPL Education - Jet Propulsion Laboratory - Provides you with accurate, interesting activities so that you can help us inspire the next generation of explorers.

Kennedy Space Center - Youth/Education Programs - The KSC Visitor Complex offers programs for many grade and interest levels, including Camp Kennedy Space Center, Overnight Adventures, Field Trips, Girl Scout and Boy Scout Days and Salute to Homeschooler Days.

Learn NPS - Learn how to be a Junior Ranger!

Life Cycle of a Mineral Deposit - This teacher's guide defines what a mineral deposit is and how a mineral deposit is identified and measured, how minerals and mineral resources are processed; and how we use mineral resources in our every day lives.

Looking Down an Oil Well - Ever wonder what oil looks like underground, down deep, hundreds or thousands of feet below the surface, buried under millions of tons of rock and dirt? Learn about how oil is pulled out of the earth.

Minerals in Our Environment (poster) - Poster showing how we use minerals in our everyday life.

Minerals Management Service-Materials for Educators - Check out this list of great materials such as posters, teacher's companion, classroom plans, and activities that you can get from the Minerals Management Service.

Missouri - Educators - There is an abundance of opportunities for Missouri educators to make the conservation education connection. You can find the MDC staff person, resource, workshop or facility that will help your group achieve its learning goals.

Modern Inventors Documentation Program (MIND) - Search invention, technology, and science-related collections in archives, libraries, historical societies, and museums in the United States and Canada.

Monarch Butterfly - Teacher Resources - Find out about The Monarch Butterfly Manual, developed for grades Pre-K through 12 and offers activities that promote conservation of the Monarch Butterfly.

NASA's Interactive Features - Download images, podcasts, and video clips as well access interactive online features.

National Institute of Environmental Health Science Parents and Teachers Page - Teach kids how the environment affects your health. Get ideas for science projects, tackle some brainteasers, and more.

National Marine Sanctuary Program - For Teachers - The National Marine Sanctuary Program aims to provide teachers with resources and training to support ocean literacy in America's classrooms. You will find curriculum, lesson plans, and activities that will excite your students about science and technology.

National Ocean Service - This site is gives educators the scientific research, technology, and activities conducted by NOS in the areas of oceans, coasts, and charting and navigation.

National Zoo - Visit the online exhibits, or take a tour and learn about the plants, animals and people of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.

National Zoo - Educatior Resources - Habitat educational program with curriculum guides and activities that incorporate actual research conducted by Zoo scientists.

NOAA Careers Student Opportunities - NOAA's Office of Education hosts a Student Educational Opportunities website with information about scholarships, internships, fellowships, funding levels and more

NOAA Education Resources - Find lessons, activities and videos on the ocean, climate, weather, marine life and freshwater.

NOAA Research - For Teachers - These teaching materials will prepare you to help your students investigate the topics in the on-line science lessons.

North American Mammals - Resources for Teachers - This lesson plan uses interactive mapping technology to bring Biodiversity field data to the classroom.

Nuclear Energy - Teacher's Resources - Instructional units on radiation, the uses of radiation, nuclear reactors/energy generation, radioactive waste, and transportation of radioactive materials.

Nuclear Energy Learning Resources for Schools - DOE's Argonne National Laboratory lists resources to learn about nuclear energy topics.

Nuclear Energy Teachers Lounge - Find classroom activities for elementary, middle and high school, fact sheets and more information on nuclear energy.

Ocean Explorer - Education Page - This site provides an innovative way for students to learn about the oceans by offering near real-time access to a series of multidisciplinary ocean explorations. It also provides compelling imagery, video, and topical essays related to the ocean.

Ocean Portal - Educators’ Corner - Ocean Portal Educators’ Corner provides you with teacher-tested ocean science materials, activities, lessons and educational resources to bring the ocean to life for your students in 52 languages..

Oceans and Coasts - NOAA Education - (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) - Find lesson plans and guides about the ocean, such as tsunamis, estuaries, fisheries and more.

Planet Protectors Club - Planet Protectors create less waste in the first place! This site has games, activities and reading materials to help save our planet from too much waste.

Promise of Place - Place-based education (PBE) immerses students in local heritage, cultures and natural resources; using these as a foundation for the study of language arts, mathematics, social studies, science and other subjects across the curriculum.

Protecting the Planet - Explores the temperate forest, home of the giant panda and black bear, through online activities.

Research Information System - Smithsonian Institution - With over 1,700,000 records, SIRIS covers a wide variety of resources on topical subjects from history & culture, to science & technology.

Robotics Alliance Project - NASA - The Robotics Alliance Project provides a clearinghouse of robotics-related educational materials, including links to find lessons, materials, and robotics education discussion forums.

Schoolyard Geology: How to Use the Site - Introduces teachers to the geologic features on their own schoolyard.

Sci Jinks - Help for Teachers - Get ideas for weather science projects, learn more about the scientific method and classroom activities.

Science - FREE - Find animations, lessons, and other resources for studying topics in earth sciences, life sciences, physical sciences, space sciences, and applied sciences.

Science and Technology - These pages show the role of science at EPA and give access to scientific information that may be useful in understanding and protecting our environment.

Science Education Pages - NOAA - (National Data Buoy Center) - Find out answers to interesting questions like: Does water temperature differ between near-shore and offshore sites? What is air pressure? What are sea breezes?

Science Education Resources - Learning tools and publications, all about science and health.

Science Projects in Agriculture - When your teacher asks you to come up with a science project for class or as part of a science fair, think agriculture and check out these projects.

Science Resources for Primary Grades - U.S. Geological Survey - Use these resources in your classroom for demonstration activities preparation or as resources for teacher education and curriculum development.

ScienceEducation.gov - The content of ScienceEducation.gov is stratified by grade level and includes lesson plans, curricula, classroom activities, homework help and professional development information.

Sewage In Your Face - In this virtual science classroom, this Sewage in Your Face gives kids the laugh-out-loud opportunity to be a plumber and take a treatment plant tour - all while learning about the importance of a clean and healthy environment.

Smithsonian - For Educators - Includes lesson plans, a research library, and educational services; also search to find resources aligned to state standards.

Smithsonian Education - For Teachers - Use this search to find Smithsonian educational resources that are aligned to national, common core, or state standards.

Solar Decathlon - Information for Teachers - Future solar decathletes are in your classroom today - and you can help get them excited about science and solar energy. This page offers information about science project lesson plans and student activities.

Solar System Exploration Education Page - Learn more about scientists, the solar system, contests and events happening just for you.

Space Place - Teacher's Corner - Read blogs from scientists and engineers, get printable images of Earth and space, get math and space classroom activites (Adobe Reader required).

Speakers Bureau - NASA - The bureau is composed of engineers, scientists, and other professionals who speak to audiences and schools around the country.

StarChild - Teachers' Center - The information and activities found in StarChild can be used to engage, excite, and educate students in your classrooms. In this section, you will find lesson plans which show you some of the ways you can use StarChild in your teaching - whether via the Web, on CD, or with pencil and paper!

Student's Guide to Climate Change - Learn about the importance of greenhouse gases and how they trap energy from the sun in the atmosphere and warm the earth.

Teacher Resources - Department of Interior - Life science, Earth science, and Ecology reqources for teachers.

Teachers' Desk - USDA - You'll find a variety of teacher-ready activities to accompany the stories and other features in the Sci4Kids web site. From a coloring page for the younger set, to a monster of a word find for the older kids, the content encompasses a range of student levels.

Technology and Industry - Library of Congress - Explore these collections of papers, sound, and film about historical technological and industial events in America.

The National 4 H USA.org - (Department of Agriculture) - 4-H is fun with friends, learning and doing cool things. 4-H is social activities, trips, and fairs. 4-H is leadership opportunities and helping others.

The Water Cycle - This site features a wonderful diagram in 52 languages of the natural water cycle and an in- depth discussion of each of the 15 topics on the diagram.

Train Like an Astronaut - Involve your students in structured, hands- on science activities that relate physical Earth-based needs to the requirements of exploring space. Also assist students in gaining additional understanding of the science behind nutrition and physical fitness.

Training and Workshops - NOAA Education - (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) - Learn how you can use the mathematics, science, and technology associated with exploring the oceans in their classrooms to help increase understanding of the ocean world.

Tsunami Curriculum (Grades K-12) - These publications contain earthquake and tsunami educational curriculums and include background reading, class and student activities, and a teacher's guide explaining the lesson's goals and objectives.

Tsunami Resources for Teachers - List of links to various activites, kits and books about this natural disaster.

USGS and Science Education - This website provides links to selected online resources to support education and research about natural resources, natural hazards, geospatial data, and issues that affect our quality of life..

Wastes Education Resources - For Teachers - From classroom activities, to starting a school electronics recycling program, these materials will help you and your students learn what we can do to reduce and better manage waste in the world around us.

Water Sense - Educational Materials - A Day in the Life of a Drop is a set of activities designed to help students in grades 3-5 understand the connections between the source of the water they use and the ways their water use habits affect the environment and human health.

Woodsy Owl - Meet and watch Woodsy the Owl care for nature-even in the city and go on Woodsy’s World Scavenger Hunt!

Year of the Ocean - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides information on marine life, threatened and endangered species, facts about the world’s oceans fish, and protecting coral reefs.

Yellowstone National Park - For Teachers - Gives details on a variety of Yellowstone National Park programs.

Yellowstone National Park Just for Kids - Take a field trip online and when you’re done check out the Yellowstone Animal Alphabet Book.

Zoology - Encyclopedia Smithsonian - This site has an awesome collection of zoology resources on birds, mammals, bugs, marine animals, and habitats.

Other Resources

Amazing Space - Teachers and Developers - Materials for educators and learners of all ages are accurate, classroom-friendly, visually appealing, and carefully crafted to adhere to accepted educational standards.

Amusement Park Physics - Design your own roller coaster, and along the way they will learn a thing or two about the laws of gravity, pendulums, and kinetic energy. Along with explanatory essays, this resource contains interactive graphics and a glossary of terms.

Animal Diversity Web - Resources for K-12 Instructors - Animal Diversity Web (ADW) is an online database of animal natural history, distribution, classification, and conservation biology at the University of Michigan.

Classroom Activities and Lesson Plans - New England Aquarium - Suggestions for instruction and activities for your students.

Digital Library for Earth System Education - An easy-to-search site with electronic materials for both teachers and learners, such as lesson plans, maps, images, online courses and more in the area of Earth Science.

Education (Teachers) Page - National Geographic - Find multimedia activities aligned with national standards, educational projects, and more.

EekoWorld - Parents and Teachers - The EekoWorld Teacher Guide is designed to help teachers utilize the multimedia resources and lesson plans of EekoWorld in your classroom provides children with a wide array of information and invites them to explore many different environmental perspectives.

Gateway to 21st Center Skills - The Gateway contains a variety of educational resource types from activities and lesson plans to online projects to assessment items to make your lesson planning easier.

Geology.com - Teaching Earth Science Classroom Activities and Lesson Plans - This site has a list of teacher resources that include lesson plans, activities, projects, educational links, and much more.

Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) - Learn about GRACE, twin satellites launched in March 2002, are making detailed measurements of Earth's gravity field which will lead to discoveries about gravity and Earth's natural systems.

Green School Buildings - Get the facts and learn how you can make the case to build green schools.

Hatching Chicks in the Classroom - Embryology - Watch as students hatch chicks in the classroom. These students take the responsibilities of caring for the fertilized eggs and then the chicks after they have hatched.

Infographics as a Creative Assessment - Provides you with links, ideas, tips, and much more for supporting the use of infographics as an assessment option in the classroom.

Interactive Frog Dissection - The purpose of this lab activity is to help you learn the anatomy of a frog and give you a better understanding of the anatomy of vertebrate animals in general, including humans.

Jefferson Lab - Teacher Resources - The site features hands-on activities, worksheets, puzzles and games focuses on increasing the number of teachers with a substantial background in math and science.

Kentucky Bug Connection - Entomology resources for parents and educators of Middle-High School students.

Kind News Online - Teacher Zone - Find teacher lesson plans, learn tips for instilling a humane ethic in children, and see what our youngest citizens are doing to help their furry, feathered, and finned friends!

Lawrence Hall of Science - Education Resources - This center for teacher education, research and curriculum development for pre-Ksite features scientific investigations and mathematical problems that build critical thinking skills; interactive curricula on key topics; activities that enable all educators to successfully bring activity-based, inquiry-driven learning to students.

Moments of Discovery - Nuclear Fission and Optical Pulsars - Moments of Discovery tells the story of two scientific discoveries in the scientists' own words. (You can read the text or hear their actual voices.)

Natural Inquirer - Lesson Plans - This journal was created so that Forest Service scientists can share their scientific research regarding nature, trees, wildlife, insects, outdoor activies and water with middle school students.

PBS Point of View - Environment - Use these companion lesson plans to present the stories and concepts from P.O.V.'s Borders: Environment to your middle school or high school class.

PBS Teachers - Science and Technology - Teachers can search the PBS resources by grade level and topic.

pH Factor - Teacher's Guide - The pH Factor is designed as a resource to help elementary and middle school teachers introduce acids and bases to their students.

San Diego Zoo - Education - The San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park have put together some of the resources you can use in your classroom, at your school site, and for research about animals.

Science and Technology Resources - Internet Public Library - These resources offer ideas for incorporating science and technology into both the classroom and the home and give lots of good reference sources for topics in both fields.

Science - The Learning Network - Explore science in depth or search by subject; also view slideshows.

Science Buddies - Teacher Resources - As part of its effort to help strengthen science education, Science Buddies provides a number of teacher resources that will help you plan and schedule science fair assignments.

Sea World - Just for Teachers - Classroom activities, teachers guides, and shamu TV.

Shedd Aquarium - Education - You and your students will explore the world of water, making discoveries where science, technology, engineering and math meet.

Smokey Bear - Teacher's Resources - Teacher's guide, activity book, and poster on how to prevent forest fires.

Space Camps - Space Center Houston offers exciting educational Day Camps for children of various ages that are out of this world! Campers will learn in a fun and unique environment where they can explore the wonders of space through hands on activities and one-of-a kind space exhibits.

Teach K-12 Engineering - Find a variety of tools to boost your students’ math and science skills and enliven the classroom with engineering projects.

Tennessee - TVAKids For Teachers - Get curriculum materials available for all grade levels to help students understand energy, electricity production, and the development of renewable energy sources.

The Body Explained - This video production answers a number of common questions about how the body works. Covers topics such as why our ears pop, why we sneeze, and what causes hiccups.

Time For Kids - Teachers - Time For Kids is a weekly classroom news magazine packed with stories about world and national events, scientific discoveries, sports and much more.

Universcale - Visitors are able to view all entities, from the microworld to the universe, by setting them up against a scale and comparing using the Universcale.

Virtual Astronaut - Educator Resources - Contains information about the space and life science topics within Virtual Astronaut.

Whyfiles - For Teachers - Explore the science, math and technology behind the news of the day, and to present those topics in a clear, accessible and accurate manner

Page Revised - 12/20/2011