Lesson Plan
Polar Trec

Create a Topographic Profile of Beacon Valley

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Landforms in Beacon Valley, Antarctica, where there is no snow, bear a striking resemblance to landforms found on Mars. Scholars identify landforms found in Beacon Valley through analysis of topographic maps in the activity. They then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Circle the Earth - Explore Surface Types on a Journey around Earth

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students use CERES percent coverage surface data with a world map in locating landmasses and bodies of water at Earth's Equator.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Earth's Crust in Motion

For Students 5th - 8th
In this Earth's crust worksheet, students will review the different ways the crust is moving including soil erosion and earthquakes. Students will complete 6 word scramble/fill in the blank, 3 multiple choice, and 11 short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Space Shuttle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students share what they comprehend about the space shuttle program. They are given information about the first space shuttle mission. Students work in groups to investigate the different shuttle missions from April 1981 through January...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TE Activity: A Roundabout Way to Mars

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students investigate Hohmann orbit transfers using cardboard and string while focusing on the orbits of Earth and Mars. They look at the planets orbits around the sun and transfer orbit form one planet to another to determine what a...
Interactive
Curated OER

A Mission-To-Mars Quiz

For Students 6th - 8th
In this space exploration worksheet, students complete a 6 question multiple choice on-line interactive exercise about the exploration of Mars.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plan a Mission to Recently Discovered Planet

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Pupils plan a mission to a recently discovered planet. In this science lesson, students research spacecraft design, distances in space, long-term missions in space, and life-sustaining planets. Pupils work in groups to research an...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Physics Quiz

For Students 6th - 12th
For this physics worksheet, students complete short answer questions about physics concepts such as electricity, space, light, and more. Students complete 20 short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovery Shuttle Ready for Liftoff

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners investigate and research what the space shuttle and ground crews must do to make sure all goes well from liftoff to landing each time the shuttle leaves earth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Celestial Sphere and Circumpolar Motion

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students investigate the celestial sphere and circumpolar motion. In this science lesson, students view an applet, The Celestial Sphere and Circumpolar Motion. Students discuss the Earth's rotation and stellar movement.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Asteroids

For Teachers K - 12th
Young scholars examine the different types of asteroids and how they enter the atmosphere.  In this space lesson students use mashed potatoes to create an asteroid they can eat.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

NASA Robots

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students discuss the needs for robots in space discovery, and take turns simulating a robot and controller to demonstrate the difficulties of programming a robot to successfully complete simple tasks.
Worksheet
Curated OER

What is the Mantle Like?

For Students 5th - 6th
In these earth science worksheets student complete this project to model activity in the mantle, one Earth's four layers. The project includes liquid and powder materials in addition to several measuring components. Students must then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Beyond the Earth Part II

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore the solar system. In this solar system lesson plan, students use Internet and print resources to research a component of the solar system. Students create travel brochures based on their research findings.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Incredible Light Bulb-Egg Drop Challenge

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine how spacecraft land on Mars. Using eggs or lightbulbs, they design a craft that withstand a drop from a table or ladder, competing in groups to see which module demonstrates the most successful landing.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bringing the Solar System Down to Earth

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students develop a scaled down model of the solar system. In small groups, they calculate the scaled-down diameters of the planets and the sun, the scaled-down distance of the planets from the sun, complete two charts, and create a...
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

A New Slant On The Seasons

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students identify how the tilt and position of the Earth causes the seasons. After a discussion of the seasons and when they begin. Using themselves as the objects in the universe, they role play how the rotational movement of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Third from the Sun

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students examine images from space.  In this third from the Sun lesson plan, students examine images from, Landsat, the satellite launched by NASA in 1972.   
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Out of This World

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students take a mission to Mars. In this space science lesson, students listen a lecture about space travel to Mars and the planet itself. Students then create timelines of exploration and write poetry about their ideal planet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tools of Modern Astronomy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students differentiate refracting and reflecting telescopes. In this earth science lesson, students explain how they are closely connected to satellites. They complete the concept map at the end of the activity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Weather Classroom - Atmosphere

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Meteorology learners explore the weight of air, layers of the atmosphere, and air pressure action through a series of discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on group activities. Enough discussion prompts, background information, student...
Lesson Plan
US Environmental Protection Agency

Carbon Through the Seasons

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Meteorologists view an animated video by the Environmental Protection Agency to learn how the carbon cycle works, and then move into groups to analyze and graph actual data of the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration from Hawaii's...
Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

The Intertropical Convergence Zone

For Teachers 3rd - 11th Standards
Young scientists know it is hotter along the equator, but why is it also rainier? Through the process of completing two experiments and a worksheet, scholars discover the answer is the intertropical convergence zone. First, they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sky Show

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students participate in a discussion of the sky and colors. They watch a demonstration of how colors can change. They examine the issue of if weather should be a part of their coursework.