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Appropriateness Score: 9/10
These videos are highly appropriate for K-12 students. This lesson is aligned with Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Learning Standards: https://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/scitech/2016-04/STE-Standards.pdf:
- Grade 6: Earth and Space Sciences, 6.MS-ESS1-5(MA). Use graphical displays to illustrate that Earth and its solar system are one of many in the Milky Way galaxy, which is one of billions of galaxies in the universe.
- Grade 8: Earth and Space Sciences, 8.MS-ESS1-2. Explain the role of gravity in ocean tides, the orbital motions of planets, their moons, and asteroids in the solar system.
The solar system consists of the sun and everything that orbits or travels around the sun. This includes the eight planets and their moons, dwarf planets, and countless asteroids, comets, and other small, icy objects. However, even with all these things, most of the solar system is empty space.
The solar system itself is only a small part of a huge system of stars and other objects called the Milky Way galaxy. The solar system orbits around the center of the galaxy about once every 225 million years. The Milky Way galaxy is just one of the billions of galaxies that in turn make up the universe.
Exploring Our Solar System
The Solar System — our home in space
Solar System 101 | National Geographic
The Planet Song for Kids
