Mississippi Science E.6.8.3

Science6th GradeEarth and Space Science

The Standard

E.6.8: Students will demonstrate an understanding of Earth’s place in the universe and the interactions of the solar system (sun, planets, their moons, comets, and asteroids) using evidence from multiple scientific resources to explain how these objects are held in orbit around the Sun because of its gravitational pull.

Evaluate modern techniques used to explore our solar system’s position in the universe.

2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Earth and the Universe

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students use star measurements and radio maps of gas to work out where the solar system sits in the Milky Way. They compare what each method shows and what it misses.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students mark the Sun in the Orion Arm, away from the Milky Way’s center, and identify the Milky Way as one galaxy among many. They explain that Gaia measures star distances but dust blocks its view. They explain that radio telescopes detect gas through dust, not every star.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think the solar system is at the center of the Milky Way. Some assume scientists have photographed our whole galaxy from outside it, or that a bright star must be nearby.
How to Assess It: Give students a labeled Milky Way diagram. Ask them to mark the Sun and answer: “Which helps map gas behind dust, Gaia or a radio telescope? Why?”

Lesson moves

Give pairs a printed Milky Way diagram and two tracing-paper overlays showing Gaia star measurements and radio gas detections; have them mark the Sun.
Ask: “Why can’t a photograph taken from Earth show the whole Milky Way from outside?” Have students name one limit of an Earth-based view.
Play “Pick the Tool” with three cards: star distance, gas behind dust, distant galaxy; students match them to Gaia, a radio telescope, or Hubble.
Show a phone map’s “you are here” dot; students list the measurements scientists need to place the Sun on a Milky Way map.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to E.6.8.3, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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