Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Space Travel Guide
Looking to take a trip? Why not go to space? Here, scholars take on the role as travel agent to create a guide to their favorite planet including travel tips and sightseeing recommendations.
Curated OER
Astronomy
Students examine a medieval manuscript on astronomy and create their own books based on modern discoveries in astronomy. For this astronomy lesson, students compare astronomy knowledge in the middle ages to today and research modern...
Curated OER
A Whaling Voyage
Students plot the track of a whaling voyage and relate it to ocean currents. They need to explain and use latitude and longitude to plot ship positions on the globe.
Curated OER
Land Use and Lawmaking in California
Students investigate the laws of using land. In this California Government lesson, students examine the many uses of land in California and find an environmental issue they care about. Students write a letter to a politician based on...
Curated OER
Dig It Up
Students participate in an archaeological excavation to determine how archeologists make inferences about various cultures. They reconstruct the site using layers of drawings. They discuss the kinds of information they learned.
Curated OER
Building Up, Breaking Down
Students investigate how rocks are modified into construction materials. In this building up and breaking down lesson plan, students explore what happens to building materials over time and how people modify natural materials. Students...
Curated OER
How To Make a Mummy
Students explore the process of mummification through a British website. They read about why the process began and how it is done. They can follow along in the process in how to make a mummy as well.
Curated OER
Beautiful Butterfly Tiles
Third graders create a butterfly drawing that includes the elements of art and principles of design. They create artwork that can be made into ceramic tiles to be installed around the classroom doorways in our new addition.
Curated OER
Harriman and Plant Identification
Young scholars observe and record botanical details from the plant specimens. They identify plants using sorting key and field guide and classify specimens for preservation and display purposes.
Curated OER
18th Century Microscope
Young scholars examine a microscope from the 18th century. In this microscope activity, students investigate how it works, what it was used for and how the tool has evolved through the years. Young scholars also build knowledge on how...
Curated OER
Inventions Change the World: The Enigma Machine
Third graders explore WWII by analyzing technological advances. In this invention lesson, 3rd graders discuss the use of the Enigma machine which decoded private German messages that communicated with U-boats. Students utilize a timeline...
Curated OER
Hunting Invertebrate Fossils in the Classroom
Students acquire a general knowledge of fossils and paleontology, the study of evidence of life in the past and identify the major invertebrate groups (phyla) commonly found in the fossil record.
Curated OER
Digging into the Past
Students discover how fossils are found and how they help scientists reconstruct the past. They examine how they shed light on what kinds of animals and plants lived over the years, when they lived, and under what environmental conditions.
Curated OER
Native American Three Sisters Gardens
Students investigate companion planting. In this communtiy gardening instructional activity students explore the tradition of the Native American Three Sisters gardening approach. Students act as botanists, anthropologists, folklorists,...
Curated OER
Identifying Fossils
Students create model fossils. In this fossils lesson, students view pictures of fossils and compare and contrast these fossils. Students read about fossils and create a database chart with the facts they learn. Students construct...
Curated OER
What Teeth Tell Us
Students view pictures of a variety of animals. They examine the animals' teeth and discuss the differences in them. They experiment with staple removers (carnivore teeth) and two flat rocks (herbivore teeth) and determine which are most...
Curated OER
Trash or Treasure
Students explore the importance of recycling. Students are read "Can Kids Save the Earth", they are then guided in a recycling project. Students discuss Earth Day, and make poster to promote Earth Day.
Curated OER
Identifying Dinosaurs
Students investigate basic information about dinosaurs. They listen to the book, "My Visit To the Dinosaurs," explore various websites, take an online quiz, and play an online dinosaur game.
Curated OER
Salty Sea Water
Young scholars conduct an experiment to find out if there is salt in the ocean. In this scientific inquiry lesson plan, students pour a cup of salt water onto an aluminum plate and observe the changes over a few days. Young scholars...
Curated OER
The Unknown Secrets of the Rain Forest
Students explore the rain forest and where they are located. Students examine why the rain forests are important and what is happening to them. They investigate the water cycle and life cycle of a frog. Students build a rain forest in...
Curated OER
Exploring Fish Anatomy and Commercial Fishing Gear
Students investigate commercial fishing by exploring the technical methods. In this environmental lesson, students identify the fish that are most commonly consumed by humans and trace their path from ocean to plate. Students examine...
Curated OER
The Moon
Third graders identify the phases of the moon. They use the internet to see the different phases of the moon on different dates. They form their own opinions from the information they have read and justify their opinions to their...
Curated OER
ABC's of Dinosaurs
Young scholars develop an ABC Book using KidPix Productivity software to create a multimedia slide show applying all they have learned about dinosaurs. They participate in a virtual field trip to find information.
Curated OER
Show Me The Dinos
Students explore a site of numerous fossil excavations. Using an interactive quarry map, they locate dinosaur specimens and individual bones. In groups, students use "Show Me" cards to answer questions, compile information, and create...