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Solar and Lunar Eclipses

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners examine eclipses. In this eclipse lesson, students investigate solar and lunar eclipses. Learners complete a WebQuest and write a descriptive summary of eclipses. Lesson references a WebQuest, but does not include a link.
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Tides

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Young scholars discover how the position of the Sun, Moon and Earth affect tides. In this science activity, students view a presentation about the tides. Young scholars discuss the different types of tides.
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Planet Interiors

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students compare and contrast the Earth's interior with 2 other planets by looking at images on the computer. In this planet interiors lesson plan, students write a paper about their findings.
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Your Weight on Other Planets

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students explore their weight on other planets. In this science activity, students view a presentation about the other planets and complete a worksheet in which they make predictions about their weight on the moon and other planets.
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SETI WebQuest and the Drake Equation

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students complete a WebQuest where they research the Internet for extraterrestrial intelligence. In this extraterrestrial lesson plan, students also explore how the Drake Equation can predict the occurrence of life elsewhere.
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Plan a Mission to Recently Discovered Planet

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students plan a mission to a recently discovered planet. In this science lesson plan, students research spacecraft design, distances in space, long-term missions in space, and life-sustaining planets. Students work in groups to research...
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The Milky Way and Beyond

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners consider the scale of the Milky Way Galaxy. In this Milky Way lesson, students hypothesize the length of time necessary to cross the Milky Way.
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Hubble Space Telescope Webquest

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research the Hubble Space Telescope. In this Hubble Space Telescope lesson, students complete a webquest about the Hubble Space Telescope.
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Scale Model of the Solar System

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Pupils explore the size of the planets. In this science lesson plan, students create a scale model of the solar system. Pupils determine a scaling factor and calculate the size of their planets. Students create a scale drawing of the...
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Asteroids

For Teachers K - 12th
Young scholars examine the different types of asteroids and how they enter the atmosphere.  In this space lesson students use mashed potatoes to create an asteroid they can eat.
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Cosmic Rays

For Teachers 6th - Higher Ed
Students study cosmic rays and the energy behind them.  In this atmospheric lesson students complete a cosmic ray telescope project. 
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Earth

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students study the earth in relation to the solar system.  In this planetary instructional activity students complete several investigations into the measurement of the earth and its magnetic field.
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Meteors

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students identify the different types of meteorite using an interactive website. In this earth science lesson plan, students simulate how meteors crash on a surface. They relate meteor size to crater size.
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Sun

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study how the sun is at the center of the solar system.  In this solar lesson students measure the altitude of the sun and its size.
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Sundials

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students investigate the different types of sundials and their history.  In this shadows and time of day lesson students build their own sundials. 
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Why is the Sky Blue?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore diffusion or scattering of light. In this physics instructional activity, students explain why the sky is blue and sunsets/sunrises are red.
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Bringing the Solar System Down to Earth

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students develop a scaled down model of the solar system. In small groups, they calculate the scaled-down diameters of the planets and the sun, the scaled-down distance of the planets from the sun, complete two charts, and create a...
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Colors of Stars

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students observe the colors found in the flame of a burning candle and examine the basic concepts of matter and energy. Students apply this information to the color's of starts and the temperature of the stars photosphere. Students...
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Bubble-ology

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students observe the visible spectrum while observing light hitting the surface of bubbles. They blow large bubbles and observe how the colors change.
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Lotto or Life: What Are the Chances?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Though the website does not seem to have the mentioned video, a reding and lottery style games simulate the chances of finding intelligent life somewhere other than Earth. Without the video, this lesson is short, but it can be a useful...
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Tasty Constellations

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students conduct research on a constellation and create a model of it using marshmallows as stars. They draw the constellation in pencil on black paper, glue on marshmallows, and trace the pencil with chalk to connect the stars.
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Flying with Pythagoras

For Teachers 7th - 10th
A lengthy narrative about Pythagoras and his students precedes an activity in which your young mathematicians practice using the Pythagorean theorem to solve three problems about flight and distance. Answers are provided. 
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Too Bright at Night?

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students reflect upon the causes and effects of light pollution in the night skies. First, they read articles provided and then do worksheets that are provided. They work in groups to discuss their conclusions.
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Too Bright At Night?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explain what causes light pollution and how it can be curtailed. They consider the negative consequences of nighttime lighting, enabled by the invention of electric lights at the close of the 19th Century.

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