Meteorite Resources for Middle School

Of all of the topics I teach in my 7th and 8th grade science classes, my favorite has to be space. I think it’s the kids’ favorite too. They love learning about the cosmos and are especially fascinated with meteorites.  In today’s blog post, let’s talk about a universe of engaging materials, interactive lessons, and lesson plans about meteorites that will leave your students starry-eyed and excited to learn more about the wonders of our cosmic neighborhood.

For starters, I like to engage students with this one day independent activity that gives them a little peak into the ways that meteors impact the earth. In the Meteor Crater Virtual Tour, students use guided clues to learn about the geology and history of Meteor Crater. Take your students on a field trip without leaving your classroom!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Scientific Literacy Activity on Killer Asteroids  is another independent activity students can complete to learn about asteroids and asteroid impacts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This interactive Google Slide Show explores what killed the dinosaurs and helps students understand the difference between comets, asteroids, meteoroids, meteors, and meteorites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once students have a good foundation of knowledge about meteors and impacts, they’ll love this hands on activity. Test various projectiles to determine the effect of mass, diameter, and height (velocity) on the size of the crater that is produced. Using a controlled experiment, students will then attempt to create simple and complex craters using what they’ve learned.

 

 

 

 

This comets workbook is a great resource for students to dig a little deeper into the topic. There are 17 pages of close reading, worksheets, and a hands on activity (making a model of a comet).

 

 

 

 

 

 

For students that are especially interested in meteorites, the book The Story of Meteorites is a great resource. It explains the difference between meteors, meteoroids and meteorites and explores the different types of meteorites. It’s a great resource for beginning collectors or just curious kids.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more advanced students, this hands on lab activity can be used to differentiate meteorites from meteor-wrongs. Physical properties that distinguish earth rocks from meteorites are the presence of a fusion crust, regmaglypts, iron oxide, and density. Chemically, meteorites contain nickel while earth rocks rarely do. In this hands on activity, students will be guided to examine each of the chemical and physical properties to draw conclusions about the origin of each rock sample.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And there you have it, fellow cosmic educators!  Your journey into the captivating world of asteroids, meteorites, and comets is just beginning. By incorporating these engaging resources into your 7th and 8th-grade science classes, you’re not only making science fun but also nurturing a love for space exploration in your students. So, what’s the next step? Dive into the Meteor Crater Virtual Tour for a virtual field trip that brings the wonders of Meteor Crater right into your classroom. Watch your students light up with excitement as they unravel the mysteries of impact craters and the geology behind them. Don’t stop there! Take your students on a thrilling exploration of killer asteroids through the Scientific Literacy Activity. This independent task will empower them with knowledge about asteroids and their potential impact on Earth. But wait, there’s more! The interactive Google Slide Show is your ticket to unraveling the mysteries of what led to the demise of the dinosaurs. Help your students distinguish between comets, asteroids, meteoroids, meteors, and meteorites in an engaging and visually stimulating way.

Ready to get hands-on? The projectile experiment is the perfect activity to reinforce their understanding of the impact of mass, diameter, and velocity on crater size. Watch as your students become scientists, conducting controlled experiments and creating craters of all shapes and sizes. For those eager learners who want to delve deeper, the Comets Workbook is a treasure trove of close reading, worksheets, and hands-on activities, allowing students to explore the topic at their own pace.

Last but not least, cater to the meteorite enthusiasts with “The Story of Meteorites.” This book is a fantastic resource for budding collectors or any curious minds keen on understanding the differences between meteors, meteoroids, and meteorites.

Happy exploring, amazing science teachers!