Galaxies Station Lab - MS

This modular, student-led activity about galaxies and light years will keep your middle school class engaged and learning throughout this space science lesson. These comprehensive materials will save you a TON of prep time while allowing students to direct their learning.

In this station lab, students will learn to develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system.

The station lab activities are also included in the Galaxies and Light Years 5E Lesson Plan, which includes teaching and virtual learning presentations, note templates, interactive notebook activities, student projects, assessments, engagement activities, and more for your middle school science curriculum.

Texas teachers: This station lab aligns with the 2017 TEKS. It will not be updated for the new 2021 TEKS.

DIFFERENTIATED, MODULAR, STUDENT-LED

Each station lab has eight differentiated activities that help the student create a personalized learning experience, with a ninth challenge station for early finishers. In this student-centered approach, the teacher facilitates student learning rather than directing it.

The nine modular stations include all signage, literature, resources, and task cards for the students to complete independently or in small groups. The Explore It! station may require a few materials that you likely already have in your lab.

Ready for in-class or virtual learning!

Station labs have been created so that students can use them on campus or in a virtual learning environment. The files are compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides.

THE STATIONS

INPUT Stations offer multimodal ways to encounter new concepts about galaxies and light years.

Explore It! – This station is a hands-on demonstration that allows students to connect information through application. In the digital version, students manipulate images and text in PowerPoint or Google Slides. 

Read It! – At this station, students read a short passage about the galaxies and light years and answer questions about the reading and vocabulary terms. Differentiated passages, in Spanish and English, are available for readers needing shorter, easier text.

Research It! – This station uses a website where students will learn more information about the galaxies and light years. Students will perform tasks and answer related questions on their lab sheets.

Watch It! – Students watch a short video at this station and answer questions about galaxies and light years

OUTPUT Stations provide multiple ways for students to show what they have learned about galaxies and light years.

Organize It! – At this station, the students work hands-on with manipulatives. In the digital version, students manipulate images and text in PowerPoint or Google Slides.

Illustrate It! – At this station, the student sketches or draws models about galaxies and light years. This visual learning activity helps the student recall and retain new information.

Write It! – At this station, the students respond to short-answer prompts that allow them to communicate their knowledge using complete sentences.

Assess It! – The students demonstrate their knowledge of galaxies and light years using a series of task cards with questions and a paragraph that uses vocabulary in context.

Bonus Station - Challenge It! – Early finishers and advanced students will love the extension activities in this station. They can expand their learning through crosswords, games, and mini-projects.

This is a finished product; it will be updated with formatting or corrections as needed. Future improvements and new features will be sold as a separate product.