Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Earth Sun Relationships Incorporating P.E.

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate space science by performing physical activities.  For this solar system lesson, 3rd graders perform a relay activitiy with their class in which they race between different "planets".  Students define...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ellipses and Kepler's First Law

For Teachers 11th - 12th
The class examines graphs in the form r = F(¿¿) in polar coordinates (r, ¿¿), in particular with the circle, ellipse and other conic sections. They determine the nature of an ellipse by studying the role of the semimajor axis and...
Website
American Museum of Natural History

A Closer Look at Mars

For Students 6th - 12th
A website looks at how we know so much about Mars—telescopes, robots, and spacecraft—and the search for martian life. Following the informational text are three questions that quiz pupils about possible life on Mars. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Cars

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research the causes and effects of air pollution. Using the internet, they examine the specific effects of carbon dioxide on the environment and discover the benefits of using solar power. In groups, they build a model of a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Make a Solar Car

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students transform a car that they have built out of K'NEX into a solar car. Students add one or two solar cells to the car to power a DC motor then connect the motor to the car and come up with a method to drive the car. This is the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sundials: Keeping Time Like Native Americans

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students explore the use of sundials. They observe the shadows cast by the sun and record the times at various points throughout the day. They create sundials and record the location of the shadows and the time of day. They view a...
Lesson Plan
PHET

The Dynamic Nature of the Sun

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
In this second lesson plan of the series, pupils learn to observe similarities and differences in photos of the sun and record them in a Venn diagram. Then, small groups practice the same skill on unique images before presenting...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's Energy Budget - Seasonal Cycles in Net Radiative Flux

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students attempt to understand seasonal variation by viewing images of the energy received by the earth. In this weather activity, students view images from NASA of the influx of energy from the sun and make predictions about resulting...
Lesson Plan
PHET

Features of the Sun

For Teachers 6th - 8th
There are so many things to discover about the sun! Pupils discuss their knowledge of the sun, explore its features, apply their knowledge by labeling photographs, and then reflect on their learning by working in groups to draw and label...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Greenhouse Gas Modeling Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Why are greenhouse gases called greenhouse gases? Young Earth scientists learn about greenhouse gases though experimentation in the second installment of a 3-part series. They use lamps to model radiant energy as well...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Regional Patterns of Climate: Pacific Northwest

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Climate systems involve sunlight, ocean, atmosphere, ice, land forms, and many other factors. Scholars explore each of these variables related to the Pacific Northwest rain forest. They use an online interactive to investigate the polar...
Lesson Plan
Science Matters

Forms of Energy

For Teachers 6th Standards
The amount of energy Americans use doubles every 20 years. The first lesson in a 10-part series teaches scholars about different forms of energy. They rotate through five stations with hands-on activities or experiments at each in order...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Radiation Budget Lesson: Exploring Albedo

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students experiment with sunlight and temperature. They study the definition of albedo, or the percentage of incoming sunlight that is reflected, rather than absorbed.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rain Forest Terrariums

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders make rain forest terrariums in order to observe a simulated mini-environment. They place the layers and plants into container and place where it can be observed. They observe the closed water system in the container before...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Galileo's Dialogue

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Explore how Galileo's controversial theory raised objections in his time. In this physical science activity, learners research about current controversial issues. They role play both sides of the issue, and decide which one has a...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Biochemical Cycles

For Students 7th - 12th
When learning about several different processes at a time, it can be difficult to differentiate between them. In the resource found here, you can see what your kids know about some of Earth's systems including the carbon, hydrologic,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How do plant & animal cells make and use energy?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners show the relationship between the need for plants to undergo photosynthesis in order to generate oxygen. They see the flaws associated with this thinking because of the lack of CO2 and H2O and lack of sufficient gravity in order...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Transpiration

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students interactively explore the term transpiration. In this science/ecology lesson, students discuss what they would do if they were thirsty while conducting research in Brazil. Additionally, students write descriptive words to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy From Space: The Next Frontier

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate ideas for getting energy from space. In this space-based power lesson, students read articles about ideas for alternatives to fossil fuels. Middle schoolers define and give examples of vocabulary words....
Worksheet
Curated OER

Astronomical Data

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
In this astronomy worksheet, learners use a chart with planetary data comparing the inner planets to each other. Students will use the period of rotation, period of revolution, and distance from the sun for these inner planets to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating the Earth-Moon-Sun System

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders research Native American legends involving the sun, moon, and stars and compare them to the origin of present day knowledge. They create a written report and make an oral presentation of their findings to the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Voyage to Titan

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars go to the linked web page "The Nine Planets" to find facts about Titan. They list elements of the solar system and the five planets of the outer solar system. Students find their weight on each planet. Titan is selected...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Astronomy Teamwork

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work together in groups to complete an astronomy project. In the classroom, they find real objects to represent various objects in the solar system. After going outside, they practice using a distance scale and use their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ellipses And Kepler's First Law

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explain that planets actually orbit the center of gravity of the solar system, and that distant planets may be detected by motions of their central star around the centers of gravity of their planetary systems.

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