For Educators: Beyond Planet Earth
This exhibition offers a vision of the future of space travel as it boldly examines humanity's next steps in our solar system and beyond. Featuring a re-creation of a lunar habitat, a model of a space elevator rising up from the surface of the Moon, and engaging, immersive simulations, the exhibition celebrates the pioneering accomplishments of both manned and unmanned space missions and considers the critical partnership of robotic spacecraft and astronauts as humanity journeys farther beyond Earth.
Educators Guide and Materials
More Resources for Educators
Use these free online resources to further explore themes presented in the Beyond Planet Earth exhibition.
Article
To Infinity, and Beyond!
What will space travel become, and where will it take us? Take a look back at the astounding progress in space travel in modern times and a preview at the future of space travel.
School and Camp Groups
Field Trip to the Moon
Grades 5-8: Simulated voyage to the Moon in the Hayden Planetarium.
Space Shows
Journey into the vast reaches of space with the Museum's exciting space shows.
Interactive
Are YOU cut out for Mars?
Do you have what it takes to go on a space mission to the Red Planet? Take this quiz to find out!
Activity
Space Travel Guide
Can you convince your friends to spend the next school break on Pluto? Let your imagination run wild, and write an inspiring work of science fiction.
Science Bulletin
Our Moon
The peaceful glow of the moonlight in our sky belies a violent history. Evidence suggests that the Moon formed when a Mars-sized object collided with the young Earth, and detailed computer models show us how such an impact could form our lunar companion in just one month.
Science Bulletins is a production of the National Center for Science
Literacy, Education, and Technology (NCSLET), part of the Department of
Education at the American Museum of Natural History. This visualization
was supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA).
Science Bulletin
Impact! Tracking Near-Earth Asteroids
Collisions between space objects are a vital part of the evolution of our Solar System. Most of Earth's impact craters have been wiped away due to plate tectonics, but evidence of such cosmic catastrophes, such as Arizona's 50,000-year-old meteor crater, do remain. When is Earth due for another major blast? Meet the professional and amateur astronomers who may be the first to know: first at LINEAR, a near-earth asteroid detection facility in New Mexico, and then at the Smithsonian's Minor Planet Center, where orbits of near-earth objects are tracked for possible hits and misses.
Science Bulletins is a production of the National Center for Science
Literacy, Education, and Technology (NCSLET), part of the Department of
Education at the American Museum of Natural History. This visualization
was supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA).
Activity
An Interview with Mars
Join forces with Stella Stardust to create a red-hot interview of the red planet. As Mars, you can proudly tell the world about being home to the largest volcano in the solar system.
