Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Supernova Chemistry

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Using spectroscopes, high school astronomy, physics, or chemistry learners observe emission spectra from several different sources. This stellar NASA-produced lesson plan provides terrific teacher's notes and a student handout. Make sure...
Lesson Plan
NASA

Supernova Chemistry

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
By measuring the wavelength, frequency, and intensity of electromagnetic radiation, scientists determine the temperature, density, and composition of far away items. Scholars rotate through ten lab stations using a spectroscope at each...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Guest Investigator Puzzle

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students conduct a brief astrophysics lab matching the EUVE spectra of various kinds of "mystery" stars with the spectra of known stars taken at Extreme Ultraviolet and optical wavelengths to determine their type.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Grating Spectrometer; Light and Wavelengths

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create a paper model that demonstrates wave interference for 3 wavelength from 2 sources. In this light and wave lesson, students use a real spectrometer and observe and measure the wavelength of spectral lines. Students then,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Bright are the Stars?

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students observe the brightness of stars and are introduced to the concept of apparent brightness as a measure of how much light hits a detector of a surface area during a given time. In this star lesson, students make connections...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Big Is That Star?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Aspiring astronomers study stars. They compare stars and explain the relationship between radius, mass, and diameter. By creating a star simulation, they discover how a binary star system's orbit can cause changes in the observed...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Time That Period

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Physical science starters play with a pendulum in order to experience periodicity. Detailed procedures and a worksheet are included for day one. For day two, learners will use a graphing calculator to help them plot orbit data from a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Calculating the Moon's Width

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders measure the width of the Moon. In this Moon measurement lesson, 6th graders observe the Moon and complete a formula to calculate the width of the Moon. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's the Frequency, Roy G. Biv?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students examine the concept of frequency and wavelength. They analyze how frequency and wavelength relate to each other by conducting an experiment involving measuring and timing wavelengths by pulling adding machine tape through an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Time That Period!

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students analyze data received from high-energy satellites of various binary star systems' orbital periods or stellar rotation periods.
Handout
Other

Solar and Astrophysics Lab: Trace Analysis Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a detailed overview of the TRACE (Transition Region and Coronal Explorer) satellite mission, data received, details about the instrumentation, and how to interpret the data.
Interactive
University of Oregon

Magnet Lab: University of Oregon Virtual Laboratory

For Students 9th - 10th
The collection of interactive physics applets offered by the University of Oregon is an excellent resource for students. The applets are grouped in broad subject areas including astrophysics, energy and environment, mechanics and...
Website
Other

Popular Mechanics: Science

For Students 9th - 10th
Popular Mechanics covers science and technology developments, including the latest trends, breakthroughs, background, analysis and information in science today. Updated every 20 minutes.