Discovery Kits
Adler Discovery Kits are sure to be a hit in your classroom! Each kit is full of learning resources for you and your students to explore and comes with a corresponding curriculum guide. Kits may be checked out for four weeks at a time. The kits are available by reservation only.
Elementary Kits
Alien Exposé Discovery Kit
Audience: Grades 5-8
Description: Are we alone in the Universe? Build on your students' natural curiosity of life beyond Earth with the Alien Exposé Discovery Kit. This kit provides books, video, and materials to use with our Alien Exposé curriculum guide. Explore what constitutes life, where life can be found on earth, and where it might be found throughout the Universe. Preview the curriculum guide.
Capturing Light in our Community
Audience: Grades 5-8
Description: Examine the many different kinds of light with the Capturing Light in our Community Discovery Kit. This kit provides the materials needed to explore the electromagnetic spectrum and light. Explore how the Sun affects our community.
GEMS® Space Science Sequence Kits
Looking for a way to include basic space science in your curriculum? The GEMS® Space Science Sequence for grade 3-5 was created by NASA, educators, and astronomers to meet your needs! More information about the sequence can be found by visiting http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/gems/CurriculumSequences.htm. Each kit includes guides and materials for two units that can be covered in 2-4 weeks.
GEMS Space Science Sequence 3-5 A
"How Big and How Far" and "Earth's Shape and Gravity"
Audience: Grades 3-5
Description: "How Big and How Far?" explores the scale and distances of objects within Earth’s atmosphere and in space. In the second unit, "Earth’s Shape and Gravity", students develop basic ideas about gravity through experiments. Students use what they’ve learned to analyze images from Apollo 11.
GEMS Space Science Sequence 3-5 B
"How Does the Earth Move?" and "Moon Phases and Eclipses"
Audience: Grades 3-5
Description: In "How Does the Earth Move?", students investigate the cause of night and day as well as the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. In the second unit, students explore shadows and cycles to develop an understanding of "Moon Phases and Eclipses."
Gravity and Black Holes Discovery Kit
Audience: Grades 5-8
Description: "Examine the ultimate limits of gravity and Energy in the Universe" with the Gravity and Black Holes Discovery Kit. This kit provides materials for students to explore gravity and related physics concepts, such as mass and force, within the context of Earth, space, and black holes. Preview the curriculum guide.
Rock-n-Sol Discovery Kit
Audience: Grades 5-8
Description: Explore energy and its many forms with the Rock-n-Sol Discovery Kit. This kit provides materials for students to explore light and our sun to discover how energy is used.
Solar Energy
Audience: Grades 4-7
Description: This kit begins with students exploring different types of energy followed by a deeper exploration of light energy. Using what they have learned, student will then develop a solar oven and make design changes to maximize its usability. As a culminating project, students will use science and technology knowledge along with their creative talents to design and build a solar car model.
Sun-Earth Connection Discovery Kit
Audience: Grades K-4 and 5-8
Description: Begin this amazing journey from the Sun to the Earth with the Sun-Earth Connection Discovery Kit. This kit provides books, posters, CD-ROMS, video, and other materials to use with our Sun-Earth Connection curriculum guide. Explore how the Sun affects our daily lives by investigating topics such as night and day, energy, and the reasons for the seasons. Preview the curriculum guide (Grades K-4), (Grades 5-8).
Middle School Kits
LROC (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera) Discovery Kit
Audience: Grades 6-8
Description: This kit uses current NASA mission science to provide students with an introduction to the Moon as well as a chance to explore key missions in lunar exploration from the past, present, and future. The core curriculum is three weeks of lessons and includes many opportunities to extend or narrow the experience.
Alien Exposé Discovery Kit
Audience: Grades 5-8
Description: Are we alone in the Universe? Build on your students' natural curiosity of life beyond Earth with the Alien Exposé Discovery Kit. This kit provides books, video, and materials to use with our Alien Exposé curriculum guide. Explore what constitutes life, where life can be found on earth, and where it might be found throughout the Universe. Preview the curriculum guide.
Beyond the Solar System: Expanding the Universe in the Classroom
Audience: Grades 8-12
Description: Help your students deepen their understanding of the structure and evolution of the universe and the nature of science. The resources in this kit along with the accompanying DVD will encourage exploration of a topic that is often difficult to teach.
Capturing Light in our Community
Audience: Grades 5-8
Description: Examine the many different kinds of light with the Capturing Light in our Community Discovery Kit. This kit provides the materials needed to explore the electromagnetic spectrum and light. Explore how the Sun affects our community.
GEMS® Space Science Sequence Kits
Looking for a way to include basic space science in your curriculum? The GEMS® Space Science Sequence for grade 6-8 was created by NASA, educators, and astronomers to meet your needs! More information about the sequence can be found by visiting the Lawrence Hall of Science website. Each kit includes guides and materials for two units that can be covered in 2-4 weeks.
GEMS Space Science Sequence 6-8 A
"How Does the Sun Affect the Earth?" and "Why Are There Seasons?"
Audience: Grades 6-8
Description: This kit includes units that help students answer the questions "How Does the Sun Affect the Earth?" and "Why Are There Seasons?" Students will explore the electromagnetic energies and solar particles produced by the Sun and the real reasons we experience seasons.
GEMS Space Science Sequence 6-8 B
"The Solar System" and "Beyond the Solar System"
Audience: Grades 6-8
Description: In the units "The Solar System" and "Beyond the Solar System" students will investigate the variety of objects in space. Modeling activities help students understand more about these objects and the vast distances between them.
Gravity and Black Holes Discovery Kit
Audience: Grades 5-8
Description: "Examine the ultimate limits of gravity and Energy in the Universe" with the Gravity and Black Holes Discovery kit. This kit provides materials for students to explore gravity and related physics concepts, such as mass and force, within the context of Earth, space, and black holes. Preview the curriculum guide.
Rock-n-Sol Discovery Kit
Audience: Grades 5-8
Description: Explore energy and its many forms with the Rock-n-Sol Discovery Kit. This kit provides materials for students to explore light and our sun to discover how energy is used.
Solar Energy
Audience: Grades 4-7
Description: This kit begins with students exploring different types of energy followed by a deeper exploration of light energy. Using what they have learned, student will then develop a solar oven and make design changes to maximize its usability. As a culminating project, students will use science and technology knowledge along with their creative talents to design and build a solar car model.
Sun-Earth Connection Discovery Kit
Audience: Grades 5-8
Description: Begin this amazing journey from the Sun to the Earth with the Sun-Earth Connection Discovery Kit. This kit provides books, posters, CD-ROMs, video and other materials to use with our Sun-Earth Connection curriculum guide. Explore how the Sun affects our daily lives by investigating topics such as night and day, energy, and the reasons for the seasons. Preview the curriculum guide (Grades K-4), (Grades 5-8).
High School Kits
Beyond the Solar System: Expanding the Universe in the Classroom
Audience: Grades 8-12
Description: Help your students deepen their understanding of the structure and evolution of the universe and the nature of science. The resources in this kit along with the accompanying DVD will encourage exploration of a topic that is often difficult to teach.
Gravity and Black Holes Discovery Kit
Audience: Grades 9-12
Description: "Examine the ultimate limits of gravity and Energy in the Universe" with the Gravity and Black Holes Discovery kit. This kit provides materials for students to explore gravity and related physics concepts, such as mass and force, within the context of Earth, space, and black holes. Preview the curriculum guide.
To Use a Discovery Kit:
To Borrow a Discovery Kit:
At least one week in advance, print a reservation form (PDF), fill it out completely, and mail, fax, or email it to:
Adler ACCESS/Discovery Kits
1300 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 322 0302
Fax: (312) 322 9181
learn@adlerplanetarium.org
After receiving confirmation of your reservation, schedule a pick up time with an Adler educator.
To Return a Discovery Kit:
- Inventory the kit to ensure all items are returned.
- Please take a few minutes to complete the evaluation form inside. Your feedback is extremely important to us.
- Return the kit and your evaluation to the Adler during normal operating hours. Please see Plan a Visit page for hours.
Note: There is a $10 fee for each day the kit is overdue. Please see Discovery Kit Guidelines (PDF) for more information.
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