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Intelligence Preference

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders describe how light behaves when it strikes a surface. In this physics lesson plan, 8th graders investigate how the different types of mirrors reflect light. They work with their chosen group on a task they selected.
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Exploring Ultraviolet (UV) Light From the Sun

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers identify the different energy given off by the sun. In this earth science lesson, students predict where the UV beads will turn the darkest color. They explain the importance of using UV protection.
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Shedding New Light

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider why photographs in space might not show stars and research the importance of light in this phenomenon. They research other scientific processes related to light or its absence and create "How It Works" posters about them.
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Energy: Light -- Spinning Color Wheel

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders make spinning color wheels to determine how energy effects what colors look like. They paint or color a color wheel with the seven colors of the spectrum. Next, the spin the wheel to determine what happens. In order to...
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Sensing Energy: Designing to Stay Cool

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students examine the energy the sun produces on a daily basis. In groups, they discover the properties of visible and invisible light. They also adjust the exposure time to change the properties of various objects. To end the lesson,...
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Making a Pinhole Camera

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students are introduced to the basic straight line pattern of travel that light takes. A cereal box and wax paper provide the pinhole camera that captures the light's inverted image. Shifting this pattern provides additional challenges.
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Why Are Plants Green?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners smash plant parts and wait for visibility of chlorophyl to show why plants turn green. In this green plants lesson plan, students use acetone and filter paper for this experiment.
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Rain and Rainbows

For Teachers K - 5th
Learners explore the weather system by analyzing water properties. In this precipitation lesson, students review weather related vocabulary terms and discuss how rainbows are created by light hitting droplets at the right time. Learners...
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Electromagnetic Radiation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the nature of electromagnetic spectrum through a series of experiments. In this physics lesson, students determine how light behaves under certain circumstances. They explain how humans perceive colors.
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Colorful Colorado

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate the components of white light as viewed through a prism. The multiple colors of the spectrum produced are related to wavelengths and experienced through the creation of a color wheel.
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The Math of Light

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Investigate light intensity, illuminance, and power consumption of different light source.Compare the efficiency of light bulbs then create a persuasive advertisement about it.
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Meteorites

For Teachers 1st - 11th
Students model how meteors fall to the surface of planets. In this space science lesson, students identify different types of meteorites using an interactive online website. They investigate the relationship between a meteorite's size...
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Making a Pinhole Camera

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students construct a pinhole camera in order to explain the basic property of the inversion of light. A well-designed and effective lesson.
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Can Photosynthesis Occur at Saturn?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students identify the different requirements for photosynthesis to take place. In this space science lesson, students simulate conditions in Saturn to investigate if photosynthesis is possible there. They use data and observations...
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Shrinky Dinks® Palettes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Here is a fun and clever lesson for teaching physics classes how to calculate wavelength if given the energy and frequency data. On a worksheet, they compute wavelengths using a table of information that you provide. On a paper palette,...
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Meteors

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students identify the different types of meteorite using an interactive website. In this earth science lesson, students simulate how meteors crash on a surface. They relate meteor size to crater size.
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Show Them The Germs!

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students learn the importance of washing their hands through a "hands on" germ activity. In this germ lesson plan, student put glow germ on their hands, and shake the teacher's hand. When put under a black light, students see the germs...
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TO CONSERVE OR NOT TO CONSERVE

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore how energy is wasted at home and at work and develop a program to save energy in a specific area.
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Mondrian - Primary/Secondary Color Study

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Utilizing computer software, learners demonstrate the color spectrum. They investigate the life of the artist Piet Mondrian and define his style of artwork. Then they use Photoshop to recreate some of his designs while discovering the...
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Chemiluminescence

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore chemiluminescence through various experiments. In this chemistry lesson, students explain the chemical reaction that drives the process. They give real life applications of chemiluminescence.
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Compact Fluorescent Lamp Experiments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners conduct a series of experiment on incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. In this physics lesson, students explain how they operate. They compare the efficiency and power rating of both bulbs.
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Exploring the Night Sky: Summer

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explain how moon phases occur. They describe and explain at least two common misconceptions that people have about the moon. Students explain what a star is. They explain 3 ways that the night sky has been used throughout history.
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Lemon Battery

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students construct their own battery made of lemons. In this electrochemistry lesson, students explain why lemons conduct electricity. They perform a series of experiments to investigate its conductivity.
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Shadow Play

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate shadows.  In this shadows and technology lesson, students listen to the book Ten Grouchy Groundhogs or Gretchen Groundhog, It's Your Day! and discuss how shadows are made.  Students match objects to their...