Exploring the Universe: Ice Orbs

TYPE: Short Activities
AUDIENCE: Ages 4 - Adult
TOPIC: Earth and Space Science
In this activity, learners investigate a sphere of ice and objects hidden inside as a model for icy worlds in our solar system.
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DESCRIPTION

"Exploring the Universe: Ice Orbs" is a hands-on activity in which visitors investigate a frozen sphere, trying to learn about objects hidden inside. Participants learn that planetary scientists at NASA are investigating "icy worlds" in the outer solar system, looking for evidence of liquid water and possible signs of life beneath the icy surface.

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  • two learners and a facilitator examine three ice orbs
  • Two learners and a facilitator closely examine a large yellow sphere of ice
  • Group drips water onto a large sphere of ice
  • Learners examine a large sphere of ice with a magnifying glass and paperclip
  • Two learners drip colored water onto a large sphere of ice
  • Learner drips green colored water on an ice orb
  • two learners and a facilitator examine three ice orbs
  • Two learners and a facilitator closely examine a large yellow sphere of ice
  • Group drips water onto a large sphere of ice
  • Learners examine a large sphere of ice with a magnifying glass and paperclip
  • Two learners drip colored water onto a large sphere of ice
  • Learner drips green colored water on an ice orb

DESCRIPTION

"Exploring the Universe: Ice Orbs" is a hands-on activity in which visitors investigate a frozen sphere, trying to learn about objects hidden inside. Participants learn that planetary scientists at NASA are investigating "icy worlds" in the outer solar system, looking for evidence of liquid water and possible signs of life beneath the icy surface.

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TRAINING VIDEOS

OBJECTIVES

BIG IDEA

Scientists believe that worlds with liquid water are the most likely places to discover extraterrestrial life. These "ocean worlds," however, may often be covered in a thick layer of ice, presenting a challenge to studying what lies beneath.

LEARNING GOALS

  • Ocean worlds may be the most likely places to discover life beyond Earth.

  • Scientists think that ocean worlds have ice-cold frozen exteriors, and warmer, liquid interiors.

  • Some astrobiologists are studying ocean worlds for evidence and signs of life.

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TYPE:
Educational Resources
AUDIENCE:
Ages 4 - Adult
LANGUAGES:
English Spanish
ADDITIONAL TOPICS: Earth and Space Science Water and Oceans Geology Astronomy Solar System
KIT: Explore Science: Earth & space logo Browse kit
KEYWORDS:

Credits

YEAR CREATED
2017
PROJECT
OWNING INSTITUTION

The Science Museum of Minnesota

FUNDING

This material is based upon work supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AC67A. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

PERMISSIONS

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 3.0 United States (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US).
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DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

NISE Network products are developed through an iterative collaborative process that includes scientific review, peer review, and visitor evaluation in accordance with an inclusive audiences approach. Products are designed to be easily edited and adapted for different audiences under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike license. To learn more, visit our Development Process page.