Lesson Plan
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Interdisciplinary Task: Weather

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students design a chart to use to record the weather for five days. They then build an anemometer to record wind speed and discover why they are used for this purpose.
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Mass vs. Weight

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore physical science by conducting a measurement experiment. In this mass lesson, students identify the differences between mass and weight and define a list of other vocabulary terms. Students utilize electronic scales and...
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Reef Attack

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students identify the locations of coral reefs. In this oceanography lesson, students use the Coral Reefs website to locate the coral reefs on a world map and discuss ways to help protect the coral reefs.
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Population Needs vs. Population Deeds

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine the recent population explosion of the world. After watching a demonstration on closed systems, they identify the role humans have on the depletion of natural resources and lowering the standard of living. To end the...
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Moon Light Through the Month

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners work in small groups to arrange moon phase cards into the correct sequence. The goal is to circle as many consecutive numbers as possible in two minutes.
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How Does a Satellite Stay in Orbit?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore placing a satellite into orbit, then about forces needed to keep an object in orbit. They examine how satellites orbit in elliptical paths and about properties of ellipses. They learn Kepler's 3rd Law of Planetary Motion
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Weightlessness

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Young scholars use a coffee cup to demonstrate weightlessness. After a lecture/demo, students read an article on free-fall. They perform a simple experiment which helps them explain the concept of weightlessness.
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Comets

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore the nature and composition of a comet. They research comet facts, legends, and myths. They identify different types of comets and describe what happens to a comet as it travels closer to the Sun.
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Exploring Pendulums

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students observe the movement of pendulums, they begin to understand the relationship between gravitational forces and the mass of objects, the changes in speed and direction of objects, and the distance between objects. They understand...
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Ocean Drifters

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students define terms, and identify three ways in which plankton are adapted for life in the open ocean.  In this ocean drift instructional activity students design a planktonic organism. 
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Do You Have the Key?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students practice using a dichotomous key. In this classification instructional activity, students read an article about scientific exploration and identification of new species. They use a dichotomous key to identify objects and create...
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The Greenhouse Effect

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate the greenhouse effect and why it happens.
Lesson Plan
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Weathering and Erosion: Some Ways the Hydrosphere Affects the Geosphere

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explain the causes of erosion, describe the effects of erosion, and devise a method of preventing erosion. They model the before-and-after-effects of erosion.
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Exploring the Night Sky: Fall/Winter

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explain how moon phases occur. They explain three ways that the night sky has been used through history. Students locate some of the constellations in the night sky. They discuss stories and myths surrounding stars.
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Exploring the Planets

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the planets through an interactive web site. In this astronomy based lesson, 6th graders compare planets, explore comets, and discover planet facts through a variety of activities provided by the Smithsonian Museum.
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What are the Challenges?

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Students discuss energy. In this energy challenges lesson, students read about greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change. Comprehension questions from the reading are provided. 
Interactive
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Global Warming or Climate Change?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
In this online interactive global warming and climate change learning exercise, students respond to 10 multiple choice questions regarding the information included in the provided paragraphs.
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Greenhouse Effect

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Pupils investigate the greenhouse effect. In this environmental lesson, students investigate why the greenhouse effect changes the climate through an experiment. Pupils use vinegar to simulate how acid damages the environment.
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Asteroids

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine a potential asteroid impact site. They describe evidence and theories for extinction events.
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Strength of Water

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students perform experiments using flexible bottles of water and eyedroppers partially filled and placed in the bottle. They record what happens when they tighten the bottle lid and squeeze the bottle.
Interactive
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Student Exploration: Phases of the Moon

For Students 4th - 6th
In this moon phase worksheet, learners complete 2 prior knowledge questions, then use the "Phase of the Moon Gizmo" to complete several activities, answering short answer questions when finished.
Interactive
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MLTI region

For Students 5th - 8th
In this MLTI region learning exercise, students answer multiple choice questions about the MLTI region and other NASA missions. Students answer four questions.
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Modeling Geologic Time

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students design, construct and interpret a model of geologic time and investigate change through geologic time.
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PLATE TECTONICS WITH AN ORANGE

For Teachers K - 8th
Students explore the concept of plate tectonics. They experiment to prove and explain plate tectonics.