Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light and Elements

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Here is a full-fledged investigation of light waves, the electromagnetic spectrum, and element spectra. Physicists research a scientist that contributed to our understanding of the behavior of light. They take notes on your lecture, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wavelengths of Light

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Explore physical science by participating in a visual spectrum experiments. Budding scientists identify the colors in the color spectrum and view the colors in class by utilizing cellophane, flash lights, and other arts and crafts...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light and Optics

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders utilize the scientific method to explain light and optics in this five lessons unit. Through experimentation and discussion, 3rd graders canvass the concepts of light traveling, reflection and refraction.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Newsprint as a UV Detector

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the effects of UV radiation. In this earth science instructional activity, students explain how the time of day relate to UV abundance on Earth. They determine if weather affects the amount of UV that Earth receives.
Unit Plan
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2
NASA

Space-Based Astronomy on the Internet

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Young scientists compile everything they have learned into a report in the fifth and final lesson in a unit on the visible light spectrum. Access to photos from observatories, telescopes, and satellites allows learners to compare...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You, Me and UV

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the validity of claims of UV protection. Students research UV rays and the cancer danger presented by these rays. Working in groups, they perform tests on sunglass and sunscreen products to determine if their claim of UV...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Remote Sensing

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders participate in a variety of activities designed to reinforce the concept of light and the electromagnetic spectrum. They research and analyze data from remotely sensed images. They present their findings in a PowerPoint...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diversity of Colors

For Teachers K - 5th
Students investigate color diversity by experimenting with jelly beans.  In this color spectrum lesson, students observe colored jelly beans through different filters and light sources to change the existing look of the bean....
Lesson Plan
National Wildlife Federation

Quantifying Land Changes Over Time Using Landsat

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
"Humans have become a geologic agent comparable to erosion and [volcanic] eruptions ..." Paul J. Crutzen, a Nobel Prize-winning atmospheric chemist. Using Landsat imagery, scholars create a grid showing land use type, such as urban,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Internet Quest: Weatherman Walt-Why the Sky is Blue

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students analyze atmosphere and light. In this earth science lesson, students are introduced to an investigation about why the sky is blue. Students complete a WebQuest to answer the question.
Lesson Plan
NASA

Things Are Not Always What They Seem

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Science is magic that works. Magical color-changing beads and a coffee can that follows voice commands are just two examples of magic tricks that rely on science. After completing a hands-on activity and an experiment investigating the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lighter Side of Color

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore light and color, including how colors are mixed to produce new colors, how light is filtered, and how light is reflected off of surfaces. They read materials provided, complete worksheets, and complete hands-on activities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Everybody Needs a Little Sunshine

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Three activities introduce upper elementary ecologists to photosynthesis and food webs. In the first, an experiment is set up to determine how plants respond to different types of light. In the second, they connect organism cards with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ways to See the Sun

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students examine how the regions of the Sun are studied using spectroscopy. They investigate the electromagnetic spectrum and the types of radiation that are associated with it. They use prisms and CD's to examine the light spectrum....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Online Exploration: Telescopes From the Ground Up

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore a web-based illustrated text and interactive graphics to determine the relationship between the operation of telescopes and light. optics. They work in small groups to become an expert on one of the ten eras of telescope...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

All That Glitters...

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Learners study that white light (visible light) is comprised of all colors of the spectrum. They study that the quantity of light decreases with increasing depth in the ocean. They study that the quality of light changes with increasing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Radiation and You

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Internet research on nuclear radiation is conducted by young physicists. They discover how our understanding of radiation developed, define vocabulary terms, and explore how ozone protects us from the sun's harmful radiation. Several...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Look At Sunspots

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers research how the development of new technology has increased our knowledge of how the sun works. This lesson is part of a three-part series aimed at showing students how our knowledge of the universe must be inferred...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chandra X-Ray Observatory

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students tour Chandra's top galactic X-ray images. In this Chandra X-Ray Observatory lesson, students play games and complete puzzles based on the Chandra Mission and X-Ray Astronomy. Students listen to pod casts, question an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Start the Space Flight Time Line

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research space flight exploration and technology. In small groups, they research a significant event from early time until the start of the space age. A class time line is created from the research groups.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physics- global warming

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students discuss the concept of global warming and view a multimedia clip on the global warming phenomenon. They statistically analyze mean temperature data and compare a given set of data. Data on atmospheric CO2 is done then they...