Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ceres and Pluto: Dwarf Planets as a New Way of Thinking about an Old Solar System

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine the new categories of planets and how planets were reclassified.  In this solar system instructional activity students complete activities using Venn diagrams and images of planets. 
Worksheet
Curated OER

Birds and Mammals

For Students 6th - 8th
In this science worksheet, students create details given an imaginary story to reinforce the topics of mammals and birds. The second page has more puzzles for them to do.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Galaxies Galore, Games and More

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students practice skills used in scientific investigation while studying the three main types of galaxies. Students identify Earth as part of Milky Way galaxy, the parts of galaxies, and the types of galaxies, as well as classify...
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Earth's Ecosystems

For Students 6th - 11th
For this ecosystem worksheet, students complete 6 short answer questions and complete 10 word puzzles about marine and land ecosystems.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Out There? Space Shuttle Exploration and Simulation

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students role-play the jobs of space shuttle astronauts, conduct experiments, and research space using the Internet and offline experiments. Student-astronauts hold a "press conference" to share their information with others in a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Explore! Fun with Science

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Learners explore the challenges of living in space by designing a facility that can provide everything required to support humans and can protect them from the harsh environment of space.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a Permanent Human Presence in Space

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners tudy space and what it takes to be an explorer.  In this space explorer lesson students examine the characteristics of explorers and create an exploration log. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lift and Drag: Principles of Flight and the Soaring Imagination

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Learners construct models of early gas balloons and gliders. In this balloon and glider lesson, students create models of early gas balloons and gliders, discover how the forces of lift and drag effect aircraft in flight, and put on...
Lesson Plan
PHET

Features of the Sun

For Teachers 6th - 8th
There are so many things to discover about the sun! Pupils discuss their knowledge of the sun, explore its features, apply their knowledge by labeling photographs, and then reflect on their learning by working in groups to draw and label...
Activity
101 Questions

Speed of Light

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
How quickly does light travel long distances? A short video simulates light going from the earth to the moon at two different paces. Scholars relate the distance to the rate to understand which simulation is correct.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is Portland, Oregon Experiencing Global Warming?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students use data to determine if the climate in Portland has changed over the years.  In this weather instructional activity students complete line graphs and study long wave radiation. 
Lesson Plan
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NASA

Project X-51

For Teachers K - 12th Standards
In a nose-cone to nose-cone competition, which rocket will prevail? Teams form rocket companies to design and build a rocket while competing against other teams in an economic challenge. The team that comes up with the best benefit/cost...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Blame It On El Nino

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Young scholars study the weather phenomenon El Nino is and what causes it, and recognize how remote sensing technology can detect and predict El Nino. Students discover how El Nino affects weather conditions throughout the globe through...
Website
American Museum of Natural History

Journey to the Stars

For Students 6th - 12th
Fifteen detailed pictures and informative captions delve deep into the exploration of stars—their life cycle and importance in the universe. 
Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Let's Break the Particles

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
Build learning by breaking atoms! Young scientists study the way energy changes with a hands-on activity. As they roll steel marbles down a ramp, learners test the hypothesis that kinetic energy does not go away with friction...
Lesson Plan
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Teach Engineering

Air Under Pressure

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Introduce your class to air masses and how they affect the weather with a activity that focuses on the differences between high and low air pressure systems. The class explores actual weather data using archived weather data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sky Observations Sky & Cloud Windows

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Young scholars observe the sky and weather to gather data. They conduct experiments to answer questions about the sky and weather phenomena. They measure, analyze and present data. They create sky windows by gluing sky colored paint...
Activity
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Teach Engineering

Rocks, Rocks, Rocks: Test, Identify Properties and Classify

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Time is growing short. Teams work together to identify physical properties of rocks in order to determine the properties that would best suit their cavern shelter design.
Lesson Plan
Channel Islands Film

Restoration Channel Islands Debate

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Introduce learners to the debate format with an activity that uses the National Park Service's controversial Channel Islands restoration program as a topic. Class members learn how to generate provocative debate questions, how to prepare...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Science Puzzlers, Twisters, and Teasers: The History of Life on Earth

For Students 6th - 8th
A somewhat amusing assignment, this worksheet lists statements that an ancient organism may have made and asks learners to determine what geologic era that each may have lived in. It uses witty word puzzles and fill-in-the-blank-style...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Orientation of the Earth in Space

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students hypothesize the location of the sun in the sky at diferent times of day and at different latitudes. They perform several experiments to provide evidence for their hypothesis. Experiments including observing the sun's position at...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design a Space Station

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders investigate living in space. In this science lesson, 6th graders discuss what it is like to live in space and create their own space station or space city of the future.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Space Fiction

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners visit web sites with information on space fiction and collect information for their stories.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interactions of Science and Technologies

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore how science and technology interact. They discuss important inventions, discoveries and technologies. They research a specific technological advance, or invention, and prepare a presentation that includes the...