Curated OER
Map the Constellations
Students build constellation guides from empty sotf drink cans. Using star charts, they use straight pins to mark the major stars in the constellations. After turning the charts over, they connect the dots. When they look through cans...
Curated OER
Determining the Altitude of Iridium Flares
Students examine what iridium flares are and when they occur. For this iridium flare lesson students complete an activity to see how far overhead Iridium satellites are.
Curated OER
Sunny Delight
First graders explore completing experiments through the scientific method.
Curated OER
How Bright are the Stars?
Learners observe the brightness of stars and are introduced to the concept of apparent brightness as a measure of how much light hits a detector of a surface area during a given time. In this star lesson, students make connections...
Curated OER
The Undefined Terms of Geometry
Tenth graders define terminologies related to geometry. In this geometry lesson, 10th graders discuss undefined terms, line segment and ray. They answer the question, how many points it takes to make a line.
Curated OER
Observing and Sketching the Lunar Surface
Learners explore space science by conducting an illustration activity. In this lunar instructional activity, students discuss what the moon is and the role it plays for our environment on Earth. Learners view images of the moon and...
Curated OER
Time Travel to the Edge of the Universe and Back!
Students analyze the size of the universe and calculate the time to travel to near and distant destinations.
Curated OER
Adopt a Constellation
Students adopt a constellation and find detailed information about their constellation. In this constellation lesson plan, students use the web to find information about a constellation of their choice. They identify the history of the...
Curated OER
Modeling the Big Bang and the Formation of the Universe
Sixth graders conduct an experiment to understand the Big Bang Theory. In this Big Bang Theory instructional activity, 6th graders will observe a balloon with confetti popping to emulate and analyze information related tot he Big Bang...
Curated OER
The Sun: Earth's Friend and Foe
Students study the structure and features of the sun. In this earth science lesson, students explain how the sun's energy drive the processes on Earth. They perform temperature conversions using appropriate equations.
Curated OER
Taking the Measure of the Universe
Four fabulous activities immerse amateur astronomers into measuring objects that we cannot handle. The experiences are applied to NASA's Space Interferometry Mission, which will take measurements of planets around stars other than our...
Colorado State University
Can You See Beyond the Rainbow?
There's more to light than ROYGBIV! An enlightening laboratory investigation has learners explore the world of infrared light. When they use goggles that take away visible light, they experience how things look with only infrared light.
Colorado State University
How Does the Earth Cool Itself Off?
Where does all the heat go when the sun goes down? An interesting lesson has learners explore this question by monitoring the infrared radiation emitted over time. They learn that hot spots cool more quickly that cooler spots.
Colorado State University
Can Energy Be Created or Destroyed?
Energy doesn't come out of nowhere! An engaging lesson has learners investigate energy as it transforms from one type to another. They collect data to prove that energy is not lost as it changes.
Curated OER
Phase In, Phase Out, the Magnificent Moon
First graders discuss why the moon appears to change shape. They use flashlights and balls to simulate the sun's light shining on the moon during its different phases. They read books, paint pictures and write sentences about the moon.
Curated OER
Tools of Modern Astronomy
Learners describe the electromagnetic spectrum and astronomy. In this astronomy lesson students complete an activity, predict what will happen and complete a worksheet.
Curated OER
Plotting Sunspot Activity
Students explore how to graph sunspots using a solar graph. In this sunspots lesson students investigate sunspots and complete and evaluation worksheet.
Curated OER
Tracking an Active Sunspot Region
Eighth graders plot the location of a single active region for 12 days. In this sunspot lesson students track an active region across the face of the sun.
Curated OER
Earth Science: Create a Star Clock!
Students identify and use the starts to tell time just as people had for thousands of years. They identify the stars that appear to rise in the east and set in the west, and that those stars near the North Pole appear to go in circles...
Curated OER
Shadows
Students measure shadows at different times of the day to determine when a shadow casts its longest and shortest shadows.
Curated OER
The Solar System and the Forces Behind It
Sixth graders discover why planets stay in orbit. In groups, they use everyday materials to examine the effect of gravity of objects and calculate how mass changes based on gravitational pull. To end the instructional activity, they...
Curated OER
Oxidation and Combustion: Chemical Reactions in Fire
Students investigate the art and science of pyrotechnics. In this chemistry and computer lesson plan, students learn about the chemical basis of fire and structure of fireworks. Students then apply their knowledge in creating virtual...
Curated OER
Shadows
Learners conduct an experiment. In this shadows lesson, students record the height of a meter stick. Learners then cast shadows and record their length. Students compare the length of the shadow with the actual height of the meter stick.
Curated OER
Oxidation and Combustion: Chemical Reactions in Fire
Students study oxidation and define vocabulary pertinent to it. In this oxidation lesson students make predictions and create experiments