Young Space Explorers Hands-on Activities DRAFT These activities have not been finalized.

YSE Home Library Programs Ask Dr. Cathy! Online Activities Space Displays YSE Team Members NASA IDEAS Contact us!

Make a sunspot flip book Print out these pages, cut them out, and put them together to make a flip book. Shows how sunspots appear to move across the Sun, because the Sun rotates. Sunspot Flip Book Making craters on the Moon A group activity, using a small swimming pool, flour, chocolate powder, and some rocks or small balls. A real crowd pleaser! Demonstrates how the Moon came to be pitted with craters. Moon Craters Recipe for a tiny comet Mix up your very own comet, using safe materials. Hurry before it melts! A variation of the recipe can be eaten. Demonstrates that comets may look strange and wonderful, but are made of familiar materials. Making scale models of the Earth and Mars Use commercially available, safe modelling compound to create your own tiny Earth and Mars, to correct scale. The kids love this one! Demonstrates how much smaller Mars really is compared to the Earth. Bouncing and bending light Use everyday objects to bounce (reflect), bend (refract), and break (diffract) light. Shows how light is used in our everyday lives and by astronomers to explore the universe. Bouncing Light Bending Light Breaking Light Make Your Own Rainbow