Exploring the Universe: Objects in Motion

TYPE: Short Activities
AUDIENCE: Ages 4 - Adult
TOPIC: Earth and Space Science
In this activity, learners use "orbiting" clay balls to make simple, functioning models of interacting objects in space.
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DESCRIPTION

"Exploring the Universe: Objects in Motion" encourages participants to explore the complex but predictable ways objects in the universe interact with each other. Stars, planets, moons, and other objects in space orbit around each other because of gravity, and NASA scientists can use what we already know about the laws of physics to make new discoveries and predictions. Participants in this activity use "orbiting" clay balls to make simple, functioning models of interacting objects in space.

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  • Photo of the various materials used in Objects in Motion
  • Photo of a learner spinning two clay objects on a suspended stick
  • Artist depiction of the Moon revolving around the Earth
  • Photo of the various materials used in Objects in Motion
  • Photo of a learner spinning two clay objects on a suspended stick
  • Artist depiction of the Moon revolving around the Earth

DESCRIPTION

"Exploring the Universe: Objects in Motion" encourages participants to explore the complex but predictable ways objects in the universe interact with each other. Stars, planets, moons, and other objects in space orbit around each other because of gravity, and NASA scientists can use what we already know about the laws of physics to make new discoveries and predictions. Participants in this activity use "orbiting" clay balls to make simple, functioning models of interacting objects in space.

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TRAINING VIDEOS

OBJECTIVES

LEARNING GOALS

  • • Objects in the universe interact in complex but predictable ways.

    • Stars, planets, moons, and other objects in space orbit around each other because of gravity.

    • NASA scientists use what we know about the laws of physics to make new predictions and discoveries.

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TYPE:
Educational Resources
AUDIENCE:
Ages 4 - Adult
LANGUAGES:
English Spanish
ADDITIONAL TOPICS: Earth and Space Science Geology Astronomy Earth, Moon and Sun Solar System Physical Sciences Motion and Forces
KIT: Explore Science: Earth & space logo Browse kit
KEYWORDS:

Credits

YEAR CREATED
2018
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.