FREE Printables and Resources About Nicolaus Copernicus

Published:
April 23, 2020

Sarah Shelton

Contributor:
Sarah Shelton

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Are you studying about famous people in the Renaissance era? Make sure that you don’t miss out on learning about this famous mathematician and astronomer. Nicolaus Copernicus is known as the initiator of the Scientific Revolution and so much can be learned while studying about him.

FREE Printables and Resources About Nicolaus Copernicus overlay on a background of planets.

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Initiator of the Scientific Revolution:

Nicolaus Copernicus proposed that the sun was stationary in the center of the universe and the earth revolved around it. This is known as the heliocentric model or heliocentric theory. This was an unproved theory in the time that he was living. He challenged another famous scientist; Ptolemy’s geocentric model of the universe. At the time, his questioning of the astronomy beliefs of that day as well as his heliocentric idea was pretty controversial. It was also brand new and never heard of.

I love that he was so willing to challenge and question ideas. That really did put him in quite a tough position in the time that the lived in. Copernicus fought hard for what he believed in, even though he didn’t have the ability to prove his theory. It really is a great lesson that can be learned and taught to our children as you are learning about this scientific pioneer. His thoughts and ideas challenged others to prove that what he believed was true. He really did initiate the beginning of the Scientific Revolution!

Biography of Nicolaus Copernicus:

Nicolaus Copernicus was born in Thorn, Poland on February 19, 1473. He was the son of a very wealthy merchant. His father died when he was ten years old. He was raised by his uncle, a bishop in the Catholic church. He studied mathematics and astronomy at the University of Krakow. Then he went on to study law and medicine at the universities of Bologna, Padua, and Ferrara in Italy. Copernicus lived in the home of a mathematics professor while studying at the University of Bologna. This professor is who influenced him to question the astronomy beliefs of the day.

His observations of the heavens were made with the naked eye. 50 years before Galileo discovered and invented the telescope! He did not have the tools needed to prove this theories. These would be proven true later with more discoveries and famous astronomers to follow. He died on May 24, 1543.

Read a full biography of his life and his works at the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Nicolaus Copernicus Biography at Biography.com

Nicolaus Copernicus Biography for kidsKids Brittanica

Are you learning about astronomy in your science studies, or the Renaissance time period in history? If so, you will enjoy learning about this famous scientist. Check out our round up of free printables and resources about Nicolaus Copernicus!

FREE Printables and Resources About Nicolaus Copernicus:

Nicolaus Copernicus Facts for KidsKids Kiddle

Famous Scientist Nicolaus Copernicus and the Heliocentric Solar SystemFamous Scientists 

Copernicus Lesson PlanBrain Pop Educators

Ptolemy vs. Copernicus Lesson PlanLesson Planet

Copernicus Math Picture WorksheetLesson Planet

Copernicus for Kids WorksheetEducation.com

Recommended Resource: Famous People Notebook: Scientists

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Famous People Notebook Scientists workbook cover

The Heliocentric Theory:

The Copernican Revolution: Copernicus and the Heliocentric ModelTeach Astronomy

Heliocentrism Facts and InformationKidz Search

Heliocentric and Geocentric Models WorksheetsLearny Kids

Geocentric and Heliocentric Compare and Contrast WorksheetTPT

Heliocentric Model of the Solar SystemSciencing.com

Planetary Motion: The History of an Idea that Launched the Scientific RevolutionNASA Earth Observatory 

Heliocentric Model: Copernicus and Galileo Lesson Plan StudyPassports Educational

If you are wanting to learn more about the Solar System you will enjoy these other posts and freebies:

The Ultimate List of Solar System Freebies

FREE Sun Terminology Vocabulary Notebook INSTANT DOWNLOAD

FREE Seven Wonders of the Solar System Reading Comprehension Unit Study Subscriber Freebie

Seven Wonders of the Sola System workbook cover with image examples of pages

Hands – on Projects and Activities to go with a Copernicus study:

Build a Heliocentric Model with the Scientific Revolution STEM Challenges from Teach Student Savvy.

Who was Nicolaus Copernicus? – Theory of Heliocentrism with a Heliocentrism Activity for KidsScience Sparks

Copernicus Solar System GameBrain Pop Educators

The Copernican Model: A Sun-Centered Solar SystemRochester EDU

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FREE Printables and Resources About Nicolaus Copernicus