Make your own galaxy

What is a spiral galaxy? How are its components arranged? Do stars collide? Do galaxies collide? Help your students explore these concepts with this hands-on galaxy activity.

Grade level: Grade 8-12

National Science Education Standards
Grades 9-12 Earth and Space Science: Origin and evolution of the Universe

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills: Science Grade 8
8.13 The student knows characteristics of the universe.
(A)  describe characteristics of the universe such as stars and galaxies;
(B)  explain the use of light years to describe distances in the universe;

Astronomy
Ast 4 The student knows scientific information about the universe.
(B) describe characteristics of galaxies.

Construction activity (1.8MB PDF)
Background reading
Student answer sheet
Teacher lesson and answer key
SEDS Galaxies Information