The Stellar Educator
35 Followers
New Jersey, United States
About the store
The Stellar Educator was created by Katie, a passionate educator with over 15 years of experience teaching 8th grade science. Katie understands that with all the demands of testing and other subjects, science often gets pushed to the side. Her mission is to provide teachers with engaging, ready-to-use resources that save time while still delivering high-quality, meaningful instruction.
With a master’s degree in physics education from Rutgers University and years in the classroom, Katie brings her expertise to every resource she creates. Her materials are designed to spark curiosity, build critical thinking skills, and help students truly understand the world around them.
Read moreStore categories
All resources
Filters
Grade
Subject
Resource type
Standard
Audience
Language
Atomic Theory Timeline WebQuest NGSS* Aligned Middle School Science w/ key
**NOW WITH EDITABLE GOOGLE DOC LINK** for easy posting to google classroom. If you’re looking for an engaging and interactive middle school science activity to teach the history of the atomic theory, this Atomic Theory Webquest is perfect for your students! Designed to guide students through an exploration of atomic models and key scientists like Democritus, Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, and Bohr, this web-based research activity makes learning chemistry engaging and accessible. Whether you'
7th - 10th
Chemistry, Physical Science, Science
CCSS, NGSS
RI.K.1
, CCRA.L.4
, MS-PS1-1
Progress Tracker Learning Doodle Handouts (OSE 8.5, Lessons 1-9)
If you’re looking for a meaningful and low-stress way for students to review and reflect during your OpenSciEd unit, these Unit 8.5 Progress Tracker Learning Doodles are the perfect addition to your classroom! Designed for lessons 1–9, these engaging doodle-style handouts help students organize their thinking, summarize key concepts, and visually track their learning throughout the unit. Each page gives students space to recap the lesson, write important notes, sketch visuals, and make connecti
7th - 9th
Biology, General Science
NGSS
MS-LS3-1
Selective Breeding Simulation Activity
ZERO TEACHER PREP REQUIRED. EDITABLE GOOGLE DOC LINK PROVIDED for easy posting to Google Classroom! If you’re looking for an engaging and interactive middle school science activity to teach genetics and selective breeding, this Selective Breeding Fish Tank Simulation is perfect for your students! Designed as a hands-on strategy game, students will breed, buy, and sell fish in order to create the highest-ranked fish tank possible while learning key genetics concepts along the way. Using Punnett
7th - 9th
Biology, General Science
NGSS
MS-LS3-1
Earth in Space Final Unit Project (OSE 8.4) NGSS* Aligned Middle School Science
I'm excited to introduce to you a comprehensive end-of-unit project tailored specifically for middle school students completing their study of Earth and Space Systems, compatible with Open Sci Ed 8.4 curriculum or any similar program. This project has been meticulously designed to offer differentiation in both topic selection and presentation method, ensuring inclusivity and engagement for all learners. Key Features: Compatibility and Editability: This project aligns seamlessly with the Open Sci
6th - 9th
Astronomy, Earth Sciences, Physical Science
NGSS
MS-ESS1-2
, MS-ESS1-3
, MS-ESS2-1
+2
**NGSS-Aligned** Learning Doodle: Introduction to Forces
This Learning Doodle resource is designed to help students understand the basics of forces, collisions, and Newton’s Third Law of Motion. It has been adapted from and created to supplement OpenSciEd Unit 8.1: Contact Forces, making it a perfect companion for your middle school science curriculum. First, students will complete engaging doodle-style notes about forces and collisions. As they doodle, color, and sketch their notes, they’ll learn about the phenomenon of damage vs. no-damage coll
7th - 9th
Physical Science, Physics
NGSS
MS-PS2-1
Interaction of Light Waves Investigation NGSS* Aligned Middle School Science
Looking for a hands-on light waves lab activity that gets middle school students excited about science? This NGSS-aligned lab explores how light interacts with different materials through reflection, absorption, and transmission in three engaging stations. Students will investigate how light behaves when it encounters mirrors, water, foil, and various types of paper—building a strong conceptual understanding of wave interactions and the properties of light.What’s Included?✔️ Three hands-on
6th - 9th
Physical Science, Physics
CCSS, NGSS
RST.6-8.3
, MS-PS4-2
Collision Lab: Introduction to Momentum NGSS* Aligned Middle School Science
Make Momentum Click for Your Students! Engaging, Hands-On, and Aligned to NGSS!Tired of students struggling to grasp momentum? Looking for a NO-PREP, engaging way to teach collisions, conservation of momentum, and problem-solving? This interactive resource brings momentum to life with real-world applications and hands-on investigations that make physics meaningful for middle school students. What’s Inside?✔️ Explore Collisions – Help students visualize and analyze real-world examples of mot
7th - 9th
Physical Science, Physics
CCSS, NGSS
8.EE.A.2
, 8.EE.B.5
, RST.6-8.1
+2
Exit Ticket Talk: One Time Prep Sentence Starters
If you’re looking for a low-prep, high-impact way to get students talking and thinking, these 11 Sentence Starters for Discussion & Reflection are a classroom game-changer! This resource requires a one-time, simple setup, and then you can use it all year long for meaningful class discussions, exit tickets, and student reflection—no extra planning needed. Whether your students struggle to get started or give surface-level responses, these sentence starters help them build confidence, think d
Not Specific
For All Subjects
Forces at a Distance Unit Test (OSE 8.3) NGSS* Aligned Middle School Science
Are you on the lookout for a comprehensive and seamlessly aligned end-of-unit assessment that perfectly dovetails with the OpenSciEd curriculum? Look no further! Our meticulously crafted assessment is the perfect resource for educators seeking a traditional evaluation tool that mirrors the innovative and rigorous OpenSciEd approach. ✨ Key Features: OpenSciEd Curriculum Alignment: Your assurance of quality and relevance. This assessment bundle is intricately designed to align seamlessly with the
7th - 10th
Physical Science, Physics, Science
NGSS
MS-PS2-3
, MS-PS2-5
Genetics (OSE 8.5) Mid Unit Assessment NGSS* Aligned Middle School Science
Are you on the lookout for a comprehensive and seamlessly aligned mid unit assessment that perfectly dovetails with the OpenSciEd curriculum? Look no further! Our meticulously crafted assessment is the perfect resource for educators seeking a traditional evaluation tool that mirrors the innovative and rigorous OpenSciEd approach. (To be administered at Lesson 10 of the curriculum unit) Topics Covered: heavily muscled cattle, Punnett squares, mutations, pedigrees, environmental influences✨ Key Fe
6th - 9th
Biology, General Science, Science
NGSS
MS-LS3-1
Contact Forces Review Game (OSE 8.1) NGSS* Aligned Middle School Science
Introducing the Contact Forces Review Game – the fast-paced, engaging classroom activity that brings the excitement of contact forces to life! This resource is adapted from OpenSciEd 8.1 and aligned with NGSS standards, making it the perfect way to reinforce your students’ understanding of physical science concepts in an interactive, screen-free environment. This game covers crucial topics like collisions, contact forces, and graphing to ensure your students are fully prepared for their ne
6th - 8th
Physical Science, Physics
NGSS
MS-PS2-2
, MS-PS2-1
**NGSS Aligned** Contact Forces WebQuest w/key
Put learning about FORCES into your students' hands with this engaging CONTACT FORCES WebQuest Activity!Just PRINT and GO – no prep required! This hands-on, highly engaging activity helps your middle school students explore the fundamentals of forces in a way that is meaningful and interactive. Perfect for introducing a unit on forces, this WebQuest walks students through what a force is, balanced vs. unbalanced forces, and introduces the scientists who studied forces like Isaac Newton.Throug
7th - 9th
General Science, Physical Science, Physics
NGSS
MS-PS2-2
, MS-PS2-1
Forces at a Distance Review Game (OSE 8.3) NGSS* Aligned Middle School Science
Introducing the Ultimate Science Review Game – an exhilarating and interactive classroom experience designed specifically for teachers who seek an engaging and computer-free approach to reinforce science concepts aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Open Sci Ed Unit 8.3 Forces at a Distance (all about magnets and electromagnetic interactions) Elevate Classroom Excitement: Say goodbye to mundane review sessions and ignite a spark of enthusiasm in your students with our c
7th - 10th
Physical Science, Physics, Science
NGSS
MS-PS2-3
, MS-PS2-5
Genetics Review Game (OSE 8.5) NGSS* Aligned Middle School Science
Introducing the Ultimate Science Review Game – an exhilarating and interactive classroom experience designed specifically for teachers who seek an engaging and computer-free approach to reinforce science concepts aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Open Sci Ed Unit 8.5 Genetics unit. (Covers Lessons 1-9 in OSE curriculum). Should be completed after Lesson 9 of the OSE unit.Elevate Classroom Excitement: Say goodbye to mundane review sessions and ignite a spark of enthus
6th - 9th
Biology, General Science, Science
NGSS
MS-LS3-1
Earth in Space Review Game (OSE 8.4) NGSS* Aligned Middle School Science
Introducing the Ultimate Science Review Game – an exhilarating and interactive classroom experience designed specifically for teachers who seek an engaging and computer-free approach to reinforce science concepts aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Open Sci Ed Unit 8.4 Earth in Space unit. (Covers seasons, phases of the moon, rotation, revolution, patterns in the sky, and eclipses). Should be completed after Lesson 8 of the OSE unit. Elevate Classroom Excitement: Say g
7th - 9th
Astronomy, Earth Sciences, Science
NGSS
MS-ESS1-1
Gravity Simulation Investigation Activity **NGSS ALIGNED**
NO PREP REQUIRED! Just make copies or post the student sheet digitally — and you’re ready to go! If you’re looking for an engaging, hands-on middle school science activity to help students truly understand how mass and distance affect gravitational force, this Gravity Simulation Activity is perfect for your classroom! Designed to guide students through collecting and analyzing their own data, this simulation helps them make real-world connections while exploring key science concepts such as
7th - 9th
Astronomy, Physical Science, Physics
NGSS
MS-PS2-4
Collaborative Science Notes Tracker
Collaborative Science Notes TrackerA Living, Student-Centered Learning Tool for Phenomenon-Based Classrooms About This ResourceThe Collaborative Science Unit Tracker is an editable Google Document designed for use across all science units, regardless of curriculum. It supports phenomenon-based, student-centered instruction by providing a digital space for students to collaboratively track and build their understanding over time. It helps students organize ideas, questions, evidence, and
5th - 12th
Basic Principles, Other (Science)
Atoms, Molecules, Elements and Compounds **NGSS Aligned Hands On Activity
Atomic Model Building Activity: Perfect for Hands-On Science Learning!Engage your students with this interactive, hands-on activity designed to help them develop models that describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures! Aligned with NGSS Standard MS-PS1-1, this activity encourages students to explore and model molecules at a molecular level, distinguishing between atoms, molecules, elements, and compounds. Key Features:Aligned with MS-PS1-1: Helps students unders
7th - 10th
Chemistry, Physical Science
CCSS, NGSS
RST.6-8.2
, MS-PS1-1
**NGSS-Aligned** Learning Doodle: SOUND
This Learning Doodle resource is designed to help students understand the basics of sound, sound sources, sound receivers, energy transfer, compression waves. It has been adapted from and created to supplement OpenSciEd Unit 8.2: Sound, making it a perfect companion for your middle school science curriculum. First, students will complete engaging doodle-style notes about sound and energy transfer through a medium. As they doodle, color, and sketch their notes, they’ll learn about the phenom
7th - 9th
General Science, Physical Science, Physics
NGSS
MS-PS4-1
NGSS* Aligned Middle School Science Review Games and Assessments GROWING BUNDLE
This NGSS* aligned for Middle School Science Review Games and Assessments has ALL of my summative assessments and review games that have been adapted from OpenSciEd 8.1, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5 (8th grade science curriculum) This is a GROWING BUNDLE. You will receive updates as new units are added. February 2025: It offers review games and summative assessments that are aligned with NGSS covering topics on : Contact Forces, Sound, Forces at a Distance, Earth/Space and Genetics. *Note: This is not a stan
7th - 9th
Physical Science, Physics
NGSS
MS-PS2-4
, MS-PS2-3
, MS-LS3-1
+2
Showing 1-20 of 32 results
About the store
Experience
The Stellar Educator was created by Katie, a passionate educator with over 15 years of experience teaching 8th grade science. Katie understands that with all the demands of testing and other subjects, science often gets pushed to the side. Her mission is to provide teachers with engaging, ready-to-use resources that save time while still delivering high-quality, meaningful instruction.
With a master’s degree in physics education from Rutgers University and years in the classroom, Katie brings her expertise to every resource she creates. Her materials are designed to spark curiosity, build critical thinking skills, and help students truly understand the world around them.
Teaching style
My teaching style is all about creating hands-on, engaging lessons that spark curiosity and help students truly understand the world around them. I believe science should be meaningful, not just memorized, so my resources focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-world connections. I design ready-to-use materials that are both beautiful and effective, making your job easier while inspiring your students to love science.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Recognized for innovative lesson design and student engagement, I’ve helped hundreds of teachers bring science to life in their classrooms.
My own education history
🎓Masters Degree in Physics Education
Additional biographical information
My goal is to be a nurturing educator who encourages personal growth of content, skills, motivation, and enthusiasm in an Elementary and/or Middle School Science classroom.
TPT is the largest marketplace for PreK-12 resources, powered by a community of educators.
IXL family of brands