Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Explorative Journey Through the Solar System

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore space science by creating a planetary model in class. In this solar system activity, students identify the many planets and moons that make up the solar system and decide on one entity in which to research. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bringing the Solar System to Life

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Young scholars walk marked paths as they simulate the orbit of the planets.  In this solar system lesson plan, students recognize the relationship between the sun and the planets.  Young scholars visualize how the phases of the...
Lesson Plan
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Observing the Outer Planets

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students observe the outer planets. In this science lesson, students use a telescope locate the outer planets of the solar system. Students create a video of their observations.
Lesson Plan
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The Reasons for the Season

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explain the reason for the changes in season. In this instructional activity examining the relationship between the Earth and the Sun, students use an applet to discover how the alignment of the Earth and the Sun cause the...
Lesson Plan
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an Explorative Journey Through the Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students, in groups, research a planet from our solar system. They create Styrofoam models of the planets and place the planets on a correct distance scale from the sun.
Lesson Plan
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Planets in Balance

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students study the solar system by researching the planets.  In this exploratory lesson plan students divide into teams and create mobiles.
Lesson Plan
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Solar Cell Simulation

For Teachers K - 4th
Students study photovoltaic technology. In this photovoltaic technology lesson, students simulate a photovoltaic system. Students discuss how to simulate a cloudy day.
Lesson Plan
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Make a Solar Sill

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students design a solar still and purify water.  In this earth process and design lesson, students observe how the heat of the sun helps to purify water. Students analyze why this could be helpful on a desert island.  Students...
Lesson Plan
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Passive Solar Design

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Pupils study what passive solar design is for buildings and structures.  In this solar design lesson students identify passive solar design techniques.
Lesson Plan
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Toilet Paper Solar System

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create a model of the distances of the planets in the solar system using sheets of toilet paper and markers. Generally accepted orbital parameters are applied.
Lesson Plan
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Living On The Moon

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students evaluate what life would be like living on the moon or another planet in our solar system.  In this science lesson, students create a colony that they would use to live in on the moon using Legos. 
Lesson Plan
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The Sun's Energy

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine how the sun's energy arrives as light with a range of wavelengths. They discuss the characteristics of light, examine the color of light using a spectroscope, and conduct an experiment using water and thermometers....
Lesson Plan
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The Magic School Bus Lost in Space

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners learn along with Ms. Frizzle's class. In this Magic School Bus lesson plan, students explore outer space as they visit the Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Mars in order to learn about our solar system.
Lesson Plan
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Make a Sundial

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners explore space science by conducting a sun experiment in class. In this time telling lesson, students discuss how the sun sits in our sky at exact times each day and how astronomy is based on our perspective of the solar system....
Lesson Plan
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Sunlight Necklaces

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders review the placement and role of the sun in the solar system. Using beads, they create a necklace which they can use to identify the amount of sunlight is being illuminated. In groups, they record observations on the...
Lesson Plan
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Modeling the Big Bang and the Formation of the Universe

For Teachers 6th
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...
Lesson Plan
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Pioneers of Space

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners explore how to use natural resources in the next millenium. Students create a KWL chart and then research information on our solar systsem, natural resources, and environments. Learners build a model of a future community and...
Lesson Plan
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Harnessing Solar Energy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers identify the properties of light from the sun. In groups, they participate in experiments with solar collectors, cookers and calculators to determine which one harnesses the most energy. They record their observations...
Lesson Plan
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Hello Sun, Goodnight Moon

For Teachers K
Students become familiar with different times around the world through the reading of 9 O'clock Lullaby.  For this Earth, sun, moon lesson, students recognize the movement of the Earth and the relationship to the sun and the...
Lesson Plan
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Rain and Rainbows

For Teachers K - 5th
Students 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. Students...
Lesson Plan
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As the Sun Burns

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers test commercial sunscreens or sunglasses for accuracy of their Sun Protection Factor. They devise a method for testing UV beads with a visual clues which they publish as research. They investigate occupations such as...
Lesson Plan
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Light and Starch Production in Photosynthesis

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students are given the unique opportunity to see the contrast between parts of a leaf that have photosynthesized and parts of the leaf that have not. This visual image helps students see the results of this biological process. At the...
Lesson Plan
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Stardust Delivers Comet's Clues

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the NASA test center and comet facts through an interactive program. They examine the idea if comets are predictable. They finally analyze the materials that combine to make a comet.
Lesson Plan
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Taking Apart Owl Pellets

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students dissect an owl pellet. In this rodent and bone structure lesson, students work in groups to take apart an owl pellet. Students separate all the tiny bones from the fur and use the bones to reconstruct the rodent on a tag board....