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Lesson Plan
Las Cumbres Observatory

The Cosmic Distance Ladder: Parallax

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Scientists don't have a ruler long enough to measure to the stars, so they rely on math. Scholars learn to calculate the distance from Earth to a star using the parallax method. They use angle measures from different perspectives to...
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Interactive
McGraw Hill

Stellar Parallax Interactive

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
How are scientists able to measure distances between stellar bodies? Turns out it's not very easy! Learners explore the process of trigonometric parallax as the method of determining these distances. They experience the same challenges...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

An application of the Parallax Effect

For Students 9th - 12th
In this parallax effect worksheet, students observe 2 photographs taken of an active area of the sun by 2 STEREO satellites and 1 photograph taken of the same active area of the sun by the SOHO satellite. Students observe the shift in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

When a Ruler is Too Short

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers measure distances using parallax. In this math lesson, students explain how this method helped astronomers with their studies of the solar system. They determine the length of their arm using parallax and compare it with...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Three D Constellations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students address a major misconception in astronomy, the understanding of scale. The lesson is designed to introduce students to both celestial coordinates and to the first rung on the distance determination ladder, parallax.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Parallax to Determine Distances

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Young scholars examine the concept of parallax. They determine a method to calculate the distance of objects from their data, participate in a demonstration, and describe how our eyes use parallax to determine the distance of objects.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Parallax to Determine Distances

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students study parallax and what it is used for.  In this distance lesson plan students complete an activity that allows students to get experience using a parallax.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Distance And Parallax

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students will determine distances to nearby stars using parallax. In this Astronomy lesson plan, students will use a web program, trigonometry, and sketches to determine the distance of stars.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Distances to Stars

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the idea of parallax. In this astronomy lesson, students study the distances of stars. They investigate how parallax can be used to determine these distances.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

How Do Astronomers Measure Distances to Stars?

For Students 8th - 9th
In this astronomy worksheet, students participate in an activity using the parallax effect to measure star distances. They record their information in a data table then complete 5 fill in the blank conclusion questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking Back in Time (Alternative Activity)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars, in groups, devise alternative ways of measuring distances. They view a video and are introduced to the concept of parallax in measuring. They discuss their ideas with the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering Planet X

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the movements of the planet Pluto. Students participate in a hands-on activity to record data similar to the movements of the planet Pluto. Students compare their data to that found on a website.
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PPT
Urbana School District

Light

For Students 11th - Higher Ed
You matter, unless you multiply yourself by the speed of light ... then you energy. Presentation covers the behavior of light as both a wave and a particle, light versus sound, space travel, why objects have colors, depth perception,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Demonstrating the Distances of Stars

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the distance from Earth to stars. They create a model to show the arrangement of constellations. They also identify the importance of the parallax effect.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measure Up!

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine parallax and angular measurements.  In this investigative lesson students calculate distances of objects and map their results.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biography of a Star: Our Sun's Birth, Life, and Death

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how astronomers use parallax to determine the distances of stars in the Sun's neighborhood. They construct a pinhole protractor, and measure angles and calculate distances.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Parallax

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover how astronomers used the diameter of the Earth's orbit around the Sun as a baseline for estimating the distance of some stars, and the meaning of "Parsec" and "light year."
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Three D Constellations

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students are introduced to both celestial coordinates and to the first rung on the distance determination ladder. They convert spherical coordinates to Cartesian coordinates to construct a three dimensional model of a constellation...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

20th-Century Astronomy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine and explain how the distance to nearby stars can be measured by the parallax method, discuss the role of women in the history of American astronomy, form their own opinions of the importance of Harlow Shapley and Edwin...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Undiscovered Planet

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students find a planetary object using star fields.  In this investigative lesson students determine the distance to an object using trigonometric parallax. 
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Lesson Plan
Learning to Give

Asian Folktales

For Teachers 9th - 12th
A great way to learn to understand people and their environment is to study their folktales. Stories from China, Vietnam, India, Iran, Persia, and Palestine offer an opportunity for readers to investigate the cultures of Asia. A list of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gifts of All Sizes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this stewardship instructional activity, students consider human capacity for generosity as they read folktales from different cultures that feature characters giving of themselves.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Time Travel to the Edge of the Universe and Back!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the size of the universe and calculate the time to travel to near and distant destinations.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Stars

For Students 7th - 9th
For this stars worksheet, students determine if 15 statements about stars, constellations, Polaris, light years and the position of the stars are true or false. If they are false, students change the italicized word in the sentence to...

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