Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Earth's Dynamically Changing Climate

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students identify the most common causes of global warming. In this earth science instructional activity, students use an interactive website to explore changes over time in sea ice, sea level, carbon emissions, and average global...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth: The Apple of our Eye

For Teachers K - 5th
Students are led through a demonstration in which they cut open an apple, which represents the earth. They follow through the hands-on lesson, cutting the apple into various portions--each representing some aspect of the earth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seasons on Earth

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine how seasons occur and explore how the different angles effect surface heating.  For this climate lesson students interpret satellite maps of the world that show seasonal differences in plant life. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparing Earth and Mars

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work together to compare and contrast Mars and Earth. Using the internet, they answer questions given to them by their teacher and calculate answers showing their work. They graph their answers and discuss the results of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth, the Universe, and Culture

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners explore different scientists throughout history.  In this scientists and culture lesson students research using the Internet and complete a handout. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

El Niño and it's Impact on the World

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore the causes of El Niño. In this series of earth science lesson, students research the consequences of this weather phenomenon. They recommend ways to prepare for this disaster.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mr. and Mrs. Cress Head

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore Earth science by completing a plant art project. For this botany lesson, students utilize tights and soil to create a furry, grassy puppet style animal from cress seeds. Students cut off the excess cress after several...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Role of Fire in Healthy Prairie, Brush and Forest Lands

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast wildfires and prescribed fires. In this earth science lesson, students conduct a series of experiment to explore fire characteristics. They describe favorable conditions to start a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Volcanoes and Urban Planning

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners analyze satellite image data of Volcan Villarica. In this earth science lesson, students identify dangerous areas surrounding the volcano. They propose a new safe location for the town.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stressed Out!

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Have your class engage in lessons on earthquakes. Learners explore the science behind earthquakes using interactive websites and video clips. Then, they review the layers and parts of the Earth before delving into the causes of...
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

Changing Planet: Sea Levels Rising

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Begin by showing a six-minute video, Changing Planet: Rising Sea Level as an anticipatory set. Pupils draw a topographic map of a potato continent. Finally, they will visit NOAA's sea levels online map and NASA's carbon dioxide...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forces of Nature: Ring of Fire

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders will research the Ring of Fire and be able to share their findings with their partner. They will also demonstrate volcanic eruptions using a baking soda and vinegar volcano model. Then they will discover how continental...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why Do We Have Seasons?

For Teachers 1st
First graders watch a video about the seasons. They role play with the teacher the sun and earth. The student's heads are the earth, their foreheads are the Northern Hemisphere. The teacher shines a flashlight on them to simulate the sun...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Weathering of Limestone

For Teachers 9th - 12th
We all know limestone weathers, but what affects the rate of weathering? Young scientists investigate the physical and chemical weathering of limestone (chalk) through experimentation. First, they conduct trials with different-size...
Lesson Plan
Center Science Education

The Nitrogen Cycle Game

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Earth science experts learn about the roles of nitrogen by taking a virtual journey through the nitrogen cycle. Completing a passport worksheet along the way, they move from place to place around the classroom by the toss of dice. Each...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

The Hydrologic Cycle

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
There is the same amount of water on earth now as there was when it was formed. The water from your faucet could contain molecules that dinosaurs drank! Young scientists build their own hydrologic cycle model and observe...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Determining Absolute Age

For Teachers 9th - 12th
How can radioactive decay help date old objects? Learners explore half-life and radioactive decay by conducting an experiment using pennies to represent atoms. Young scientists graph data from the experiment to identify radioactive decay...
Lesson Plan
NASA

Photons in the Radiative Zone: Which Way Is Out? An A-Maz-ing Model

For Students 9th - 12th
Can you move like a photon? Young scholars use a maze to reproduce the straight line motion of a photon. The second in a six-part series of lessons on the sun has learners measure angle of incidence and refraction to determine the path...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Igneous Rocks

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore igneous rocks by observing rock samples and considering cooling rates and composition. The third installment of a five-part geology series culminates in an activity where learners use igneous rock...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Agents of Erosion

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders observe and identify the effects of geological activities and weathering on Earth's surface. They also take a look at reports of events such as storms, earthquakes, floods, and volcanoes. There is a hefty hands-on activity...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's a Gas! Or is it?

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Examine the effects of temperature and pressure on solubility and the states of matter of ocean water. Learners make inferences about the unique chemistry of ocean water at different depths. They engage in an activity related to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evidence of Heat Transformations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Earth, life, and physical science classes can all benefit from understanding heat transfer. There is not room enough to describe these seven exceptional laboratory experiments that explore conduction, convetcion, and radiation. Several...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Poetry Through Digital Storytelling

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Bring digital storytelling to your language arts class! To begin, learners select their own topic, such as a poem that reflects a life experience they had or a historical figure who interests them. Then they work to create a storyboard...
Lesson Plan
Messenger Education

Can You Hear Me Now?—Communicating with Spacecraft

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Radio signals transmitted to Pluto take five hours to reach their destination! In these two activities, young scientists explore data communication in space. In activity one, pupils learn how data is gathered and sent back to Earth....

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