These links provide useful educational resources to help students learn about dark matter:
Dark Matter Classroom Activities: Exploring Dark Matter
This simple classroom activity, which requires only paper plates, a pencil, a scale, and a quarter or metal washer, teaches basic concept about dark matter. The activity, offered by the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota – the site of experiments seeking to directly detect dark matter – is adapted from an exercise prepared by the Sonoma State University Education and Public Outreach Group, which develops curricula for K-12 and college classrooms.
- Download the PDF for this activity.
- View an online overview prepared by Sonoma State University.
- View a related classroom activity.
- View a related math activity – “Probing What You Can’t See: Dark Mathematics.”
Dark Matter Infographic
What is dark matter and how do we search for it? An infographic prepared by the U.K. Science & Technology Facilities Council.
Download image here
Symmetry magazine: The ABCs of Particle Physics
Symmetry magazine’s to-the-letter look at particle physics is fun for all ages. It’s also available in storybook form.
http://www.symmetrymagazine.org/article/the-abcs-of-particle-physics
Annenberg Learner’s Physics for the 21st Century: Dark Matter
This detailed unit providing an introduction and overview on dark matter. Audience: Adult learners, including high school teachers, undergraduates, and the interested public.
https://www.learner.org/courses/physics/unit/text.html?unit=10&secNum=1
CHART— Contemporary Physics Education Project: The Standard Model of Fundamental Particles and Interactions
This chart includes a description of fundamental particles and a section on “Unsolved Mysteries” that includes dark matter.
http://www.cpepphysics.org/images/2014-fund-chart.jpg
The Universe Adventure: Dark Matter
The Universe Adventure, sponsored by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Physics Division, is an educational resource that includes dark matter information. Includes teacher resources.
http://universeadventure.org/final_frontier/dkmttr-whatis.htm
Additional teacher resources:
The Particle Adventure: Unsolved Mysteries—Dark Matter
A discussion on dark matter’s possible particle makeup. Also available as a mobile app.
http://particleadventure.org/dark.html
NASA Education: What Is Dark Matter?
Audience: Ages 9-12
https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/9-12/features/what-is-dark-matter.html
NASA’s Imagine the Universe: The Nature of Dark Matter
Audience: Ages 14+
https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/science/questions/dark_matter1.html
Also: https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/news/03apr03.html
NASA Space Place: Dark Matter
Audience: Elementary school-age kids.
https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/dark-matter/en/
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center: StarChild Guide to Dark Matter
Offers Level 1 and Level 2 discussions of dark matter.
· https://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/universe_level1/darkmatter.html
· https://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/universe_level2/darkmatter.html
VIDEO—PhD TV: Dark Matters
An illustrated video featuring a conversation with Daniel Whiteson and Jonathan Feng about dark matter. Also available on YouTube. Audience: Ages 9+
http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=1430
The Dark Side of the Universe
A set of PowerPoint presentations about dark matter prepared by Pauline Gagnon, CERN physicist and communicator. Audience: Ages 12+
http://ippog.web.cern.ch/resources/2014/dark-side-universe
National Earth Science Teachers Association: Windows to the Universe—Cosmology
Includes a discussion of the unseen things in the universe. Teacher resources are available.
http://www.windows2universe.org/the_universe/Cosmology.html
VIDEO—Fermilab: The Nature of Dark Matter
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory’s Dan Hooper, a theoretical astrophysicist, explores the current status of the dark matter search and some new thoughts on the nature of this mystery.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMWCkcn7TD4
VIDEO—World Science Festival: The Dark Side of the Universe
World Science Festival presents a dark matter discussion by a panel of scientists including researchers who smash together particles, dive into underground mines, and explore the edges of the known universe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LW_2J2qs0Y
VIDEO—Fermilab: Jelly Bean Universe (Dark Matter/Dark Energy)
Fermilab’s Kurt Riesselmann explains how to make a jelly bean universe to help explain the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDfG69K5t6k
Need more help?
- Try the Dark Matter Day Starter Kit.
- Or contact us: darkmatterday@interactions.org.