No Prep Plans: People Who Shaped America – Arizona: Clyde Tombaugh

No Prep Plans: People Who Shaped America – Arizona: Clyde Tombaugh
Research + Group Project (Documentary Storyboard) Grades 4-8

Inspire your students with the remarkable story of Clyde Tombaugh, the self-taught astronomer who discovered Pluto while working at Arizona's Lowell Observatory. Through engaging research, critical thinking, and a collaborative documentary project, students will investigate how curiosity, perseverance, and careful observation led to one of the greatest discoveries in modern astronomy before planning and creating a Documentary Storyboard that brings Tombaugh's story to life.

This ready-to-use lesson requires minimal teacher preparation while developing research, writing, collaboration, and presentation skills through an engaging project-based learning experience.

What's Included
- Teacher Directions with options for 1–3 class periods (45–60 minutes each)
- Student Research & Organization Worksheet
- Documentary Storyboard Planning Worksheet
- Reflection & Personal Connections Worksheet
- Group Documentary Storyboard Project
- Online Resources Page featuring free, student-friendly research websites
- Full-color and black-and-white versions for easy printing

Students Will Learn About
- Clyde Tombaugh's childhood and interest in astronomy
- Building homemade telescopes and teaching himself astronomy
- His work at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona
- The search for the mysterious "Planet X"
- The discovery of Pluto in 1930
- Why Pluto was later reclassified as a dwarf planet
- The importance of curiosity, patience, observation, and perseverance in scientific discovery
- Clyde Tombaugh's lasting contributions to astronomy and space exploration

Perfect For
- Grades 4–8
- U.S. History
- Arizona History
- Astronomy & Space Science
- STEM Enrichment
- Social Studies Research Projects
- Science Research Projects
- Cooperative Learning
- Early Finishers
- Substitute Plans
- Project-Based Learning

Part of a Complete Series
This lesson is part of the People Who Shaped America – Arizona series, featuring influential individuals who helped shape the history, science, politics, culture, arts, and identity of the Grand Canyon State.

Why Teachers Love It
- No-prep, print-and-go lesson
- Combines historical research with science and storytelling
- Encourages collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking
- Helps students understand how scientific discoveries are made
- Includes structured reflection and self-assessment activities
- Flexible for one, two, or three class periods
- Printable in both full-color and black-and-white formats
- Engaging, age-appropriate design for Grades 4–8